What Bread is Missing?

We are doing the story of Jesus Feeds Five Thousand. This game is a lot of fun and can be created quickly!

Supplies: 5 copies or clipart of bread (I found mine on my Microsoft program) and a marker

Process: Cut the bread out. Add numbers 1-5 on the each piece of paper. Then after review the story during Bible Time, play the game. Line the bread in order and count together. Have the children close their eyes and you take a number away. Open eyes and let the children raise their hand if they know which number is missing. As they get the hang of it, take two or three numbers away.

Teach Well: If your children are older have numbers that could add up to five. Use one of the pieces of bread as an addition sign. You could still have the children close their eyes and you could place the probelm in front of them. When they open their eyes, have them try and figure out the problem.

Masked Raccoons

I have been doing this craft for eight years. The idea was originally in Mailbox Magazine and I was glad to see this month's magazine have an updated version of this. Although, I stuck with my original design this year, I added the painted corn to the raccoon's hands. If you are doing a bulletin board, these little guys look so cute in a 3-D corn field. I will have to dig in my photos and see if I can find copies of the bulletin boards to share.

Supplies: glue, Q-tips, brown lunch sack, black marker, a white crayon for each child, and black paper

Process: Pre-cut the small pieces before craft time. On a different day, trace the children's hands onto black paper. Cut them out and have them ready to go on the day of the project. Read the story Raccoons and Ripe Corn. Then, remind them that raccoons have hands, eyes, ears, and a nose just like us. Together have the children find the mask shape and use a white crayon to draw the eyes. Remind them that they can draw a circle to make an eye. Put glue on the back and place on bag. Then have them find the oval nose to glue on next. Then remind them that the ears go on top of the raccoons head and to glue the triangle ears on. Then have them draw a mouth with a black marker. Also have them draw lines on the body. Glue the hands next.

Teach Well: It might be tempting to help the children glue since this is still close to the beginning of the school year. Children are still developing their small motor skills and may have a difficult time with this project. Go slow. Allow enough time to do this project with your class. Do it as a group so that children will see how others are successful and that they can be too! But, keep your hands to yourself! Let the child learn and be free to create as they wish! What you will get are not cookie cutter raccoons but a collection of creative critters to display!

Dancing Leaves

Supplies: three silk leaves, one string tied into a loop, hot glue, and streamers

Process: Have the children hold thier items while you hot glue the pieces together. I have used a stapler for this project, but trust me, you will want hot glue instead. Pieces stay together and everyone is happy. ;) Glue silk flowers layered on top of each other like a fan. Cut red, orange, or yellow streamers at about 12 inches long. (You don't want them too long because then the children start stepping on them as they dance). Glue three pieces on the back of the silk leaves. Then tuck the string in between and glue in place. When everyone is ready sing this song:

Leaves are Falling (sing to the tune of London Bridges)

Leaves are falling all around
All around
All around
Leaves are falling all around
It is autumn! (fall down on the ground as you sing this last line)

Red leaves are falling all around
All around
All around
Red leaves are falling all around
It is autumn!

Continue with the colors that the children call out that might be on the leaves in their hand.

Teach Well: Use classical music to dance with their leaves. Is the music fast? Or slow? Dance to the way the music plays.

October Songs

Mary Rice Hopkins' In My Garden

Along with these favorites...

The Farming Song




I’m digging (chh chhh)

Digging (chh chhh)

Digging on the farm (x2)

I’m digging like a pro

And I wanted you to know,

I’m digging (chh chh)

Digging (chh chhh)

Digging on the farm



I’m planting (plop!)

Planting (plop!)

Planting on the farm (x2)

I’m planting like a pro

And I wanted you to know

I’m planting (plop!)

Planting (plop!)

Planting on the farm.



I’m watering (splash!)

Watering (splash!)

Watering on the farm (2x)

I’m watering like a pro

And I wanted you to know

I’m watering (splash!)

Watering (splash!)

Watering on the farm



I’m picking (boink!)

Picking (boink!)

Picking on the farm (x2)

I’m picking like a pro

And I wanted you to know

I’m picking (boink!)

Picking (boink!)

Picking on the farm.



I’m eating (yum yum)

Eating (yum yum)

Eating on the farm (x2)

I’m eating like a pro

And I wanted you to know

I’m eating (yum yum)

Eating (yum yum)

So God helps me

GROW!

 
The Word of God




The Word of God’s like

Itty-bitty seeds

Scattered all around (x2)



Some in the road

Some in the weeds

Everywhere you’ve got itty-bitty seeds



The Word of God’s like

Itty-Bitty seeds

Scattered all around

 
 

It's Computer Time!

I love to get different programs from the library to use on our Friday computer lessons. Not only does it keep things interesting around here but there is more of a variety of learning games to choose from. Since I live out of town, I can order a program from a city library and have it sent to my small local library down the street. So easy it's almost like Netflix but free! :)

Teach Well: Teaching computer skills at a young age doesn't just encourage learning technology but also helps develop small motor skills in preparation for writing with a pencil.

Ice Cream Cone Game

October we work on ball skills including kicking and balance. This game is great for both! I learned this game while watching infant soccer practice with a friend one year. I thought it was a great idea!

Supplies: a ball and a cone

Process: Create a starting and finish point. Have the children balance their ball on the bottom of the cone. Walk from the starting line to the finish line. If the drop the ball just have them pick it up and continue. Remind them to keep their hands off the ball!

Teach Well: Keep games for young children without loosers. We are always winners in Miss Jen's class!

School Photos

If you are homeschooling, school photos are still a possibility. If you don't feel comfortable taking the photos, hire a photographer to come in your home and capture some moments. I love the fact that our school photos aren't with a cheesy backdrop. Plus, we have the advantage to take several photos until we get the perfect one.

Teach Well: If your child does go to school, don't feel obligated to purchase the school package. Go ahead and grab the camera and take some yourself!

(You can see more photos here)

Children's Post: Autumn Leaves

Fall leaves are these colors... yellow and red.

When it gets cold outside... "the leaves fall down and then they turn to colors." - Terron

If you were a leaf on a tree and it was autumn, what would you do? "Fall down!" - Ethan

"Fall down and I would hop around when I'm a little leaf. I could hop around like this. I would talk and I would hop to my home. Then, I would go skateboarding with my mom!" - Terron

Leaf Prints

Supplies: Leaves (real or silk), paint, and black paper

Process: Place paint on a plate. Have the children place the leaf face down into the paint. Push down slightly. Pick up and place onto paper. Push down lightly to "stamp" the paper. Dry. Hang in your classroom!

Teach Well: If you have a diecut machine you can place a sponge into the machine. I loved creating leaf sponges to use instead for this craft. It is easier for the children to hold and place on the paper. Thin styrofoam works well too.

Fall Collage

I am always trying to reduce waste in the classroom. I feel guilty throwing a small scrap of paper away! Why waste when children can create beautiful collages using scraps around the classroom?

Supplies: scraps of fall colored paper, fall stickers, confetti, yarn, silk leaves, magazine cutouts of farms or fall colors, diecuts, paper, and glue.

Process: Place items at your art center. Let your children create how they wish! I love using black paper for them to glue onto. It makes the colors stand out and it displays well.

Teach Well: Have glue bottles out until they master squeezing the glue out. Then move to small containers of glue with q-tips. It will help develop their small motor skills and save glue.

Using Technology in the Classroom

How as teachers and parents can we use technology to teach our children? I want to use technology as a tool to help teach in unique and fun ways! My husband has an Apple Ipod Touch. For those who are familiar with this device know that there are thousands of applications that can be downloaded and some are free.

Today we used the Ipod to begin our writing-readiness training. We found an ABC Tracing game for preschoolers in which you can use your finger to trace along the letters while also hearing the phonic sound for that letter.

Teach Well: Use technology to introduce new things in new ways!

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

I love teaching the Bible in ways where children experience the lesson. This month we will be learning about sharing in the story Jesus Feeds Five Thousand. Today was our first lesson where I act out the story as I tell it with my basket of loaves and two fish.

Supplies: bag of rolls, basket, 3 dish towels, and cutout of two fish (I found clipart with my Microsoft program)

Process: Before the lesson starts line a dish towel at the bottom of the basket. Place several rolls on top of the dish towel. Place another dish towel on top of the rolls. Then, place five rolls and the fish cut outs in the basket. Put another towel  over it all to keep it fresh until the lesson. As you tell the story, make sure you show the children the five rolls and fish. Count them out loud. When you get to the part of Jesus passing out the food, begin to pass out the rolls from the bottom layer of your basket. If you have a large class tear the rolls in half or thirds. At the end, you should still have some left on top to show the children that there were leftovers! While the children eat, talk about how the little boy shared his lunch... how can we share with our friends?

Teach Well: Remember to look for allergies when using food in your lessons. If a child doesn't want to take a piece of bread just have them say, "No thank you" and move on. Some preschoolers are unsure when you begin a story with food. As they see the other children enjoying it, they may want to try it after all. So remember to ask them again at the end of the lesson to see if the child changes their mind.

The Squirrel Game

I love to shop thrift stores. When I go I am always keeping my eye out for vintage educational games. I found this game at Goodwill that I bring out only for this season. Can you believe it? It is so darling with the little pinecones on the board. The children love it!

When looking for games I usually know that there might be pieces missing. This game had a few pinecones and the dice missing but that didn't keep me from bringing this treasure home. I always buy larger dice to use for my preschoolers and keep a box at home to use as needed.


Teach Well: Shop thrift stores for unique board games that can go with your theme! As you start to collect them and bring them out on special occasions the children will sense how special they really are!

Pumpkin Patch Game

I found these great "pumpkins" and mice at the local dollar store years ago. Make sure to look in other departments in stores for things you can use in the classroom. Who would have thought that the health and beauty section would have the best pumpkins for this game?

Supplies: Pumpkins (of your choice - you could use plastic if you like), basket, plastic mice, and dice.

Process: Have a basket filled with the pumpkins and bury the mice underneath. Have the children roll the dice and count the number out loud. Have them put their hand in the basket and pull out that many mice. When all the mice are out of the patch have the children start again!

Teach Well: Use large dice so that the children can count the dots easily.

Leafy Shape Sensory

I love filling our sensory table up with different items every month; none in which are rice! This month we use silk leaves from the local dollar store; they come in a large package of loose ones. I think it cost me $6 to fill the table. I got the magnetic wands at my local teacher supply store. The shapes magnets I got at a garage sale, but you can use letters, animals, or round ball magnets (also found out a teacher supply store).

Supplies: Sensory table, magnets, magnetic wands, and silk leaves.

                       

Process: Fill your sensory table with the silk leaves and bury the magnets under them. Have the children use magnet wands to find a shape under the leaves. When they find one, have them say what shape they found!

Teach Well: Use this opportunity to introduce magnets and how they work in science. Keep other magnetic centers out for creative exploration!

October is in Full Swing!

I love October! It is one of my favorite themes. Our schedule includes:

Theme - Harvest

Literacy - C, D, E, F; Writing Readiness
Math - Shapes
Science - Harvest; Observation; Cause/Effect
Physical Education - Ball Skills Coordination; Aerobic Wednesdays
Spanish - Colors
Bible - Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
Verse - Ephesians 4:28

Teach Well: Let the season inspire you!

Crayon Cakes

This isn't an original idea. I got this reciepe from a friend who got it from a friend; you know the drill. But, it is so brilliant I wanted to share! I love using crayon cakes for rubbings and for other small motor skill activities. For the season, I create cakes only with red, orange, green, yellow, and brown. You will see how we use these later in the month.

Supplies: old crayons, muffin tins or metal candy molds (if you use plastic as in the photo reduce cooking time), and a crock pot

Process: Soak the crayons for about five to ten minutes until the wrappers get loose. Have the children help you tear the paper off. Break the crayons into small pieces and fill the molds until they are heaping.

Place the top of the candy mold on top and snap closed. If you need to add more crayons open and do so now and make sure the mold is filled.

Place your molds into the crock pot and place on high for an hour and a half. Let cool and pop crayons out.

Teach Well: Let your children be involved in the process of creating items to use for another project. It gives them ownership for the items in the classroom.