Spring Time Favorites

For my spring Bible curriculum, I use this book by Mary Rice Hopkins. I love the catchy music and fun lessons. Plus, Mary has some great books to go along with some of the parables as well.

You can find the books here and here.

Happy singing!

Grow-a-Frog

Supplies: a growing frog (can be found at local dollar markets or the dollar section at your local Target), a large bucket, water, measuring tape, pencil, and paper

Process: Measure your frog and mark it's length on your paper. You may want to use butcher paper or something larger than letter size. Place the frog in the bucket of water (or according to package instructions). Every day take the frog out and measure it again. In our case, the frog grew an inch every day. It stopped at 14 1/2 inches and started to peel. As it gets too large for its skin begin to let it dry out by removing it from the water. You can measure the shrinking process if you like or just enjoy observing it instead.

Teach Well: Take photos of the growing process. Use it on a bulletin board or science journal prompt.

Frog's Lunch

This game is a lot of fun! When I find green party blowers I pick up quite a few to keep on hand for years to come.

Supplies: party blowers, plastic flies, and dice

Process: Lay out the flies on the floor in front of the children at circle time. Roll the dice. Have the children blow their green party blowers (frog tongue) on the flies. Whatever number was rolled pick up that many flies and have them put it at their spot.

Sentence Builder

I found this old game for 99 cents at Goodwill! I love you Goodwill!

Supplies: thrift store game, word strips, or printed out words from the computer

Process: Place a sentence on the table (or at circle time) and have the children read the sentence with you. Take turns finding a word from the pile you set aside to add to the blank in the sentence. Have them read it. Then read it together.

Teach Often: For a little fun, throw words in the pile that might not work with the sentence.

Picture Book Sequence Cards

Ever have those favorite books fall apart? Keep the pages for storytelling sequence cards. I love this book about pumpkins. I had the growth of a pumpkin lined up and then had a few pages missing from the line up. Have the children place the missing pages in the place where they belong.

Teach Well: Find ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle old books!

Sequencing Cards

Keep your eyes out when you are shopping Goodwill or thrift stores. This game was a great find several years ago.

Teach Well: If you can't find premade sequence cards make your own.

God Provides in the Wilderness

Supplies: cd player, sound effects cd (with walking on gravel), sheet, pre-popped popcorn or marshmallows and small cups

Process: Begin the story of Moses in the wilderness walking with the Israelites. Talk about how they lived and why they were there. God was taking them to a very special new home. Put the cd on repeat and begin walking around the room. Tell them that they even had to sleep in the wilderness. Pause the cd and pretend you are sleeping on the floor. Push play on the cd and begin walking again (do this two more times). Explain that they didn't have anymore food and they started to get hungry. Rub your tummies. Then they started to complain. Start complaining about being hungry. Then, God did something amazing! Pause the cd and have them sleep again (tell them no peeking!). Quickly lay out the sheet and sprinkle popcorn on the sheet. Have them wake up and see what God gave the Israelites! Give everyone a small cup and remind them to only pick up what can fill their cups. God provides for our needs!

Teach Well: If you have an assistant, have them turn the lights on and off for your "day" and "night" time. Remind them that the lights will go off before you do it so that young ones won't get scared.

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

 
 

StressLESS Teaching Resources Giveaway!

If you are returning for our week long celebration welcome back! If this is your first time check out this post, and this one for another chance to win!

Today's giveaway comes from StressLESS Teaching Resources, a great Etsy store for teachers! I love this felt board set that goes with the book Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell. We are going to be reading this book this month. I love how interactive the book can be in a classroom setting. How much more interactive will it be with this felt board set?!

Give each child in the class a character (if your class is larger read the story again) and when you get to their animal have them come up and place it on the felt board. Leave this set out after reading the story so that the children can do the story again during center time. Make sure to keep the book at the center so that the children can read it to themselves or a friend.

A little about Tanya and her Etsy store: My name is Tanya Winters and I am an Early Childhood Educator in Maryland. I hold a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I am a trained Reading Recovery Teacher and I have taught grades kindergarten and first. Moreover, I have functioned as a reading specialist--training teachers and instructing elementary aged students. I have also worked with students with special needs and have assisted in developing Individualized Educational Plans (IEP's). Currently, I am homeschooling my 3 children, Autumn(5), Caleb(3) and Aaron(1). In addition, I am newly an adjunct professor of early childhood education at a community college in my area. That's right, you've guessed it...I LOVE EDUCATION!!


In developing my teaching resources, I draw on the 18 years of experience that I have educating children. I utilize my skills as a highly qualified teacher to develop educational tools that are developmentally appropriate and excellently constructed. It is my goal that a mom experience NO STRESS while using my educational resources to homeschool her little ones.

To win a felt piece or fingerplay glove from StressLESS Teaching Resources leave a comment in this post. All the comments for each post will close September 15th, at midnight Pacific Standard Time.

Teach Well: Keep the book at the center so that the children can read it to themselves or a friend.

Schedules and Creative Spaces

The best way to begin preparing yourself for teaching next year is with your schedule. When are you going to be teaching? Is it in the morning or does your child do better in the afternoon?

Then, decide what you are going to be teaching. My scope and sequence helps break down what I teach, when I teach it.

To give you an example, I copied my own schedule below:

Morning Preschool Schedule

8:30-8:45 Opening/Free Center Time

8:45-8:50 Clean Up

8:50-8:55 Pledge of Allegiance

8:55-9:15 Circle Time/Calendar
· Wednesday Discussion
· Thursday Math Concepts
· Friday Science Enrichment

9:15-9:30 Bible/Verses

9:30-9:50 Jamboree Time (Gross Motor Play)
· Aerobic Wednesdays

9:50-10:00 Drinks/Bathroom Breaks

10:00-10:20 Activity Time
· Wednesday Letter Readiness/Zoo Phonics
· Thursday Spanish
· Friday Computer

10:20-10:45 Snack

10:45-11:00 Story Time

11:00-11:20 Craft

11:20-11:30 Clean up/Song Time/Pray/Line up/Dismissal

The next step to preparing for the school year is by making creative spaces for learning. Whether you are going to be teaching from home or in the classroom, creative spaces help children experience learning in a unique way. To see a great example of that take a visit to Megan Powers' classroom, Scholastic's 2009-2010 Kindergarten Teacher Advisor.

Below is a video of her classroom. Check out her spaces!



If you teach from home you can easily create these learning spaces. Later in the school year, I will show you some of mine to get you even more inspired! Make sure to visit Megan's blog through out the year to get even more ideas!

Teach Well: Create creative spaces in your home or classroom. Don't worry... it's ok to be inspired by another teacher like Megan!

Gone Fishin'

Supplies: Die Cut Fish & Sticky Hands

Process: Place fish in the middle of the table or circle. Give each child a sticky hand. Have them use their sticky hand and swing it toward the fish. When it lands have them reel in the fish by pulling the sticky hand back toward them. Have them count how many they caught.

Teach Well: Let each child keep their sticky hand. Use a Ziploc to store them and place in their backpacks. Use this idea when teaching about Miracle of the Fishes during Bible Time. It's a great hands-on approach for this story.

Breakfast on the Shore

I love this new electric campfire from Group! I just wish they had it eight years ago so that I didn't have to use tissue paper!

Supplies: Bible, electric campfire, wood, ferns, sticks, clip art of fish, and two fishing nets

Process: Set up your shore with the electric faux campfire. Add a few logs and ferns to make it look like a real campfire. Pre-cut your fish and put it in one fish net. During Bible Story time have the children listen to you tell the story of Breakfast on the Shore. Then act out the story by pretending to be on the boat with the fish net. Have a child pretend to be Jesus on the shore. Have the child call out to put the net on the other side of the boat. Have the another net behind you filled with fish. Pull it out and see all the fish that was caught! Give every child a fish and have them tape it to their stick. Have the children "cook" their fish over the fire.

Teach Well: Have a sound effects CD of waves going in the background for an even more dramatic effect.

Gone Fishin'

Wading Pools are one of my favorite items in the classroom during the month of May. There are so many uses for them, including this game. I found these plastic fish with a magnetic fishing pole at the local dollar store a few years ago.

Supplies: Plastic fish, Sharpie pen, magnetic fishing pole, and wadding pool.

Process: Before your game write letters on the fish with a Sharpie pen. Put the fish in the pool and have the children take turns fishing out a letter. Remind the children to only use the fishing pole to collect the fish. This is great for hand/eye coordination and small motor skills. The children might have a difficult time but encourage them to "walk" the line to the fish.

Teach Well: No pool? Use a large piece of blue butcher paper for your water. No fish? Use clip art with paper clips on them. No fishing pole? Use a dowel or stick tied with yarn and attach a magnet.

The Beat Goes On...

"One of the best and most effective tools to promote this early mathematical thinking is through the use of music and musical activities in the classroom."

Read on to find out ways to explore music and the fundamentals of mathematics...

Alphabet Match

Supplies: plastic fruit and vegetables, 3x5 index cards, and markers

Process: Before playing the game, gather eight to ten pieces of plastic fruit or vegetables. Use markers to make letters on the 3x5 cards that match the first letter of the food you are using. For example, write a "w" on a card if you have a piece of watermelon. When it is game time, line the food on the floor facing the children. Then line the cards under the food. Have the children sound out each item match the item to the card. Place the food on top of the card. When all the cards are covered, play again!

Teach Well: When you are all done playing this game, keep it out for center time. Let the children try and match it themselves.

Everyday Songs

Pledges:

American Flag

I pledge allegiance to the flag,
Of the United States of America.
And to the Republic for which it stands,
One nation, under God, indivisible,
With liberty and justice for all.

My Country Tis of Thee

My country tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrim’s pride,
From every mountain side,
Let freedom ring.

America the Beautiful

Oh beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties,
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee.
And crown thy good with brotherhood,
From sea to shining sea!

Songs:

The Crayon Song

When I was just a little child
No higher than my knee
My mama bought a box of crayons
Just for me.

Well, I picked them up
And I opened them up
And I looked way down inside
And the colors there reminded me
Of Jesus when He died

Red is the color of the
Blood that He shed
Brown is for the crown of thorns
They placed upon His head
Blue is for royalty
Within Him did it dwell
And yellow’s the Christian
Whose afraid to tell.

Well, I colored and I colored
Till my crayons where all gone.
And even though I’m older now
The memory lingers on.
So, when I see a little child
With crayon box in hand.
I’ll tell em’ what it meant to me
And I’ll hope they’ll understand.

Red is the color of the
Blood that He shed.
Brown is for the crown of thorns
They placed upon His head.
Blue is for royalty
Within Him did it dwell.
And yellow’s for the Christian
Whose afraid to tell.
So, don’t you be a Christian
Whose afraid to tell.


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!

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me
This I know
For the Bible
Tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak
But He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so

Fishers of Men

I will make you fishers of men
Fishers of men
Fishers of men
I will make you fishers of men
If you follow me
If you follow me
If you follow me
I will make you fishers of men
If you follow me

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world.
Red, brown, yellow,
Black, and white
They are precious
In His sight
Jesus loves the little children
Of the world

Extra verse:

Jesus loves the island children
On all the islands of the world
Climbing up the tallest tree
Picking sea shells by the sea
Jesus loves the island children
Of the world



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

King of the Jungle

Who’s the king of the jungle
Who’s the king of the sea
Who’s the king of the universe
And who’s the king of me?

His name is J-E-S-U-S
Yes!
J-E-S-U-S!
Yes!

He’s the King of the jungle
He’s the King of the sea
He’s the King of the universe
And He’s the King of me!

His name is J-E-S-U-S!
Jesus!

This is the Day

This is the day
This is the day
That the Lord has made
That the Lord has made

I will rejoice
I will rejoice and be glad in it
And be glad in it

This is the day
That the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
Oh this is the day
This is the day
That the Lord has made

Transition Song
Unnamed

(start off snapping)
Ompa ompa ompa
Ging gang
Goolly goolly goolly goolly
Wash wash
Ging gang goo
Ging gang goo
Ging gang
Goolly goolly goolly goolly
Wash wash
Ging gang goo
Ging gang goo

Away la
Away la sha la
Away la sha la sha la
Ohhhhhh
Away la
Away la sha la
Away la sha la sha la
(whispering)
Shallow water Shallow water


Joy, Joy, Joy

I’ve got the joy, joy joy, joy
Down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart
Where?
Down in my heart
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay

(sing while clapping)
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart

(2nd verse)
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding

(3rd verse)
I’ve got the love of Jesus

And if the devil doesn’t like it
He can sit on a tack
Ouch!
Sit on a tack
Ouch!
Sit on a tack
And if the devil doesn’t like it
He can sit on a tack
Sit on a tack to stay!

(Chorus)


Peace Like a River

I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river
In my soul (not my shoe!)
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got peace like a river
In my soul (not my shoe)

(2nd verse)
I’ve got joy like a fountain

(3rd verse)
I’ve got love like an ocean

(4th verse)
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got joy like a fountain
I’ve love like an ocean
In my soul (not my shoe!)
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got joy like a fountain
I’ve love like an ocean
In my soul (not my shoe!)


Keep Me Burning

Give me oil for my lamp
Keep me burning
Burning burning
Give me oil for my lamp
I pray
Give me oil for my lamp
Keep me burning
Burning burning
Keep me burning till the break of day

Hosanna Hosanna
Hosanna to the Highest
Hosanna Hosanna
Hosanna to the Highest

Give me wax for my board
Keep me surfin’ surfin’ surfin’
Give me wax for my board
I pray
Give me wax for my board
Keep me surfin’ for the Lord
Keep me surfin’ till the break of day

Chorus

Give me gas for my Ford
Keep me movin’ movin’ movin’
Give me gas for my Ford
I pray
Give me gas for my Ford
Keep me movin’ for the Lord
Keep me movin’ till the break of day

Chorus (2x)


Yum Yum Bumble Bee
Transition Song

Yum Yum bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna
I love bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna
Yum Yum bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna
I love bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna

The best tuna in the land
Is the tuna that’s in my hand
5,6,7,8!

Yum Yum bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna
I love bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna
Yum Yum bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna
I love bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna

The best tuna in the sea
Is the tuna that’s made for you and me
5,6,7,8!

Yum Yum bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna
I love bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna
Yum Yum bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna
I love bumble bee
Bumble bee tuna

Herman the Worm
(start snapping)

Sittin’ on a fence post
Chewin’ my bubble gum
(smack 4x)
Playing with my yoyo
Whoo, Whoo
When along came Herman the Worm
He was this big
And I said
“Herman what happened?”
“Duh! I ate my brother”

(start snapping)
Sittin’ on a fence post
Chewin’ my bubble gum
(smack 4x)
Playing with my yoyo
Whoo, Whoo
When along came Herman the Worm
He was this big
And I said
“Herman what happened?”
“Duh! I ate my mother”

(start snapping)
Sittin’ on a fence post
Chewin’ my bubble gum
(smack 4x)
Playing with my yoyo
Whoo, Whoo
When along came Herman the Worm
He was this big
And I said
“Herman what happened?”
“Duh! I ate my father”

(start snapping)
Sittin’ on a fence post
Chewin’ my bubble gum
(smack 4x)
Playing with my yoyo
Whoo, Whoo
When along came Herman the Worm
(quieter) He was this big
And I said “Herman what happened?”
“Duh! I burped”

Have Patience

When Herbert was much younger
He often got in trouble
Forgetting that he was a snail
He did things on the double
He crashed through every spider web
With crickets he’d collide
And that’s when Herbert’s father
Took his speedy son aside

Have patience
Have patience
Don’t be in such a hurry
When you get impatient
You only start to worry

Remember
Remember
That God has patience too
And don’t forget
The times when others
Have to wait for you

I Love the Lord Messiah

I love the Lord Messiah
Deep down in my heart
I love the Lord Messiah
Deep down in my heart

I say deep deep
Say down down
Say deep down in my heart
I say deep deep
Say down down
Say deep down in my heart

(2nd verse)
I love the Prince of Peace

(3rd verse)
I love Emanuel


Give Me Self-control
by Mary Rice Hopkins

Give me self control
When you know I need to know
When to stop and when to go
Give me self control
When you know I need to know
When to stop and when to go

I know I shouldn’t eat
When my tummy’s full
But then I get a chocolate cake
Mmmmm
I stuff it all in
Then I feel like a fool
And now I’ve got a tummy ache

Give me self control
When you know I need to know
When to stop and when to go
Give me self control
When you know I need to know
When to stop and when to go

I know I shouldn’t talk
When you’re on the phone
I know I shouldn’t interrupt
I’ll give you a break
Even when we’re at home
Cause I know I shouldn’t
Chatter too much!
Chatter Chatter too much!

Give me self control
When you know I need to know
When to stop and when to go
Give me self control
When you know I need to know
When to stop and when to go

I know I need to know
When to wait my turn
I know I need to stop
When I’ve had enough
I know I need to know
When to wait my turn
Cause I want to give you all of my love

Give me self control
When you know I need to know
When to stop and when to go
Give me self control
When you know I need to know
When to stop and when to go
When to stop and when to go
When to stop
Give me self control

Alphabet Song
(with letters in sign language)

ABCDEFG
Jesus died for you and me
HIJKLMN
Jesus died for sinful men
Amen!
OPQRSTU
I believe God's Word is true
VW
God has promised you
XYZ
A home eternally!

Where or Where Has My Little Sheep Gone?

Supplies: yarn, stuffed sheep or clip art, prize

Process: Before the lesson make a trail-like obstacle course with yarn or string. At the end of the trail have your stuffed sheep with a prize for the class sitting with it. Have it winding around the room in and around items. Read a book about sheep, or read about The Lost Sheep in the Bible. Afterwards, sing Where or Where Has My Little Sheep Gone. Then follow the trail to find the sheep.

Where or Where Has My Little Sheep Gone

Where oh where has my little sheep gone?

Oh where oh where can he be?

With his wool so soft,

And his tail so small.

Where oh where can he be?

(sung to Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone)

Teach Well: Play this game to reward a class for good behavior. Prizes don't have to be sweet; you can use farm stickers or tattoos instead. To make this game even more fun have a child be the leader with a shepherd's staff. If you are playing this game at home try to set it up during your child's nap time, then have snack at the end of the trail for fun!

Here is the Nest

Keep your eyes on the look out where ever you go! You might find something that you can use for teaching. I found these sweet birds at a garage sale. I bought it not knowing how I would use it. But came across this poem that works perfectly. To read more about how to use puppets go to my previous post.

Here is the Nest

by Lucia Kemp Henry

Here is the nest,

All warm inside.

Three little birds

Can safely hide.

Here is the nest,

All hidden away.

Three little birds

can flap and play.

Here is the nest,

All cozy and deep.

Three little birds

Are all fast asleep.

(from The Best of The Mailbox Magazine: Songs, Poems, and Fingerplays for Preschool and Kindergarten)

Teach Well: If you don't have a puppet that would work that's OK! Have the children create a nest with construction paper and draw their three birds in the nest before or after reading the poem. Have the children pretend they are one of the birds while you read.