Getting the attention of your student's and strengthening observation skills

Here is a quick way to get student's attention AND work on their observation skills. Next time you are trying to get your class to be quiet tell them that you have changed something about yourself and they have to be detectives and figure out what is different about your appearance.
Tell the students that once they spot the difference they should raise their hand. Then stand and wait and let your kiddos admire you! Offer a small reward such as a sticker sticker to the first student who can spot the difference in your appearance and raise their hand.

Some examples of ways that you can "change" your appearance are: untuck or tuck in your shirt, put on sunglasses, put a bandaid on your hand, put a sticker on your cheek, etc.

Crafts and things

Visit crafts and things for some cute preschool craft ideas!

Site Link:
http://craftsandartforchildren.blogspot.com/

Elephant theme

Elephant Links:

Site Link:
http://superheroesandprincesses.blogspot.com/2010/09/happy-elephant-appreciation-day.html

http://deborahjstewart.com/2010/08/book-and-activity-for-elmer-the-elephant/

Apples

Here is a link to two Apple Themed Downloads

Site Link:
http://www.spelloutloud.com/2010/09/apple-tree-number-match.html

Reading pointer ideas

These are more for beginning readers but could be used by preschoolers to point to letters, numbers, etc.

Site Link:
http://threejewelsinmycrown.blogspot.com/2010/09/word-pointers-simple-ways-to-support.html

Felt Board

Back of felt board (not super pretty, but it IS just the back)

Finished front side - Pretty

This one is pretty cheap and simple. A frame from the discount section of Hobby Lobby (no glass just the frame) for $2. A piece of foam core from the Dollar Tree for $1 and some felt from Hobby Lobby (use a coupon or get it on sale). Simply cut your foam core to fit in the frame allowing a little room for the felt that will wrap around the foam core and then hot glue your felt around the foam core and slip in the frame.

Storing small supplies

I admit I LOVE to organize. Sometimes I organize myself so much I can't find anything! When I saw a post on Littlest Learnings about using mini tool box storage drawers to organize small supplies I fell in LOVE. After a little searching, I finally found a mini storage drawer at a local store in their hardware section. A little time labeling and I am in LOVE! I used the drawers pictured above for my alphabet tiles. I purchased a second drawer for small art supplies (google eyes, spangles, beads, etc).

Animal Cooke Ark

During our Noah's Ark theme we used Animal Cookies and glued them on 2 by 2 to a construction paper ark shape.

Bulletin Board - Fall

Awesome Apple Pie - Our fall bulletin board. My assistant made this CUTE tree and our students made the apple pies. We tasted apple pie at snack time and then each child dictated their thoughts about the pie to us. We wrote their words on a pie shaped paper. During art time the students used a mixture of cinnamon and gold glitter to decorate construction paper pie tops. We then stapled the pie tops to the paper pies for our bulletin board!

Whoooo's here?

I found this Owl image on scholastic.com and have used it to create a whooo's here board for our student attendance. I have simple library pockets I found at the dollar tree on a piece of foam core board along with the words and graphic. Each student name is on an index card. Every day the teachers help the students locate their index card and place it in a pocket. A quick and easy way to see who is in class!

Guess How Many

With our 4 year old class we are doing a daily "guess how many jar". We record each student's guess on the board, but don't make a big deal about who "wins" or whose guess is close.

So far I have been filling the jar each day and then having the students take turns guessing how many of something (Cookies, gummy bears, etc) are in the jar. Starting this week we will be taking turns sending this plastic jar home with students and asking them to fill the jar with and item of their choice and return it so we can guess how many of that item they put in the jar!

I found this plastic jar over the summer at Hobby Lobby. I like this particular because it is plastic and has a large mouth to fit bigger objects.

Above is a picture of our count down to go home flower. My assistant drew this flower for us to place petals on every 30 minutes. The students know that when the flowers have all the petals on it they are going to go home!

Center name Tags and Organization

In our classroom we conduct an organized "center time" with students moving from center to center at 5 minute intervals. To keep students organized and know what center they are at and what group they belong in, we have created color coded name tags. These name tags are simply a die cut image glued onto a large index card. I have then punched holes in the index card to thread ribbon through. To make these a "break-away" style necklace, I cut the ribbon and applied a piece of adhesive velcro to each side of the ribbon necklace. That way if a student pulls on another students tag it will break apart and not choke the student.

How we use these tags: We have 8 groups and 8 center stations. The students rotate to each station at 5 minute intervals. We signal the time using a timer. Each station has a set of color coded cards that match the colors of the student name tags (blue, orange, purple, etc). The cards list the student names for who is in that color group. These cards are simply construction paper cut into a index card square and laminated then placed on binder rings. When we rotate the teacher in charge of the center flips her card to the color of the next group she should have coming to her. That way the students can look at the colored name tag around their neck and match it to the center they are supposed to visit next!

Poker anyone?

I grabbed these poker chips while shopping at my local WalMart store. The box of 100 was under $2. I already had the garage sale dot stickers (these have SO MANY uses in my classroom). A simple dot sticker in the center of each circle and I can create a counting or alphabet manipulative!

Glitter Glue "textured" Names

Use Glitter Glue to make textured name tags for students. I have run the glitter glue tags through our school laminator once they are dry. Laminating still leaves the raised texture. With the raised texture students can do crayon rubbings, trace the letters, etc.

Auto Dept. Bendy Fun

I found these bendy things in the Auto dept. at my local WalMart. Not sure what they are called or what they are really supposed to be used for, but they are located near the oil section in the automotive dept. They were fifty cents each. I have been picking up one or two every so often to add to my collection. They come in lots of pretty colors. They are threaded on each end (possibly to allow for pouring oil without spills?). The students enjoy making shapes with them, connecting them, looking through them (like a spy lens), pretending they are musical instruments, etc.

My daughter is pictured below showing her shape creation using 2 of our bendy things.

Free Printables from Tire, Need Sleep

Visit Tired, Need Sleep for some great free Printables.

Site Link:
http://tiredneedsleep.blogspot.com/2010/08/math-printables.html

Rain Gutter bookshelves

My classroom last year was pretty small. So, I decided to add rain gutter bookshelves. I added them about halfway through the year and they made a HUGE difference! I purchased my rain gutter and brackets at Lowes. The total cost was around $50. I anchored them using the plastic wall anchores so they are stable. They make selecting and putting away books so much easier for the students and keep the room much neater.

Letter A is for alligator

Completed Jesus Chair

A while back I wrote about our Jesus Chair in my preschool room. My one of my assistants took time this summer to paint and decorate this chair for our room. Here are some photos of the finished product.

David And Goliath - Rock Week!

This week we are going to focus on David and Goliath in preschool class. I plan to use a lot of rock themed activities to supplement this lesson. I wanted to share a couple of things we will be doing in class.

I found a great alphabet printable (see link below) to use with our rocks. To make the rocks, I used River Stones from WalMart ($4.00 a bag) and some scrapbooking alphabet stickers ($1.00 for small basic black letters in upper and lower case). I simply put an upper and lower case sticker on the rock. I am considering putting some mod podge on them to make them last longer and keep the stickers on.

I have an assistant who is quite artsy and is drawing my class a LARGE Goliath so we can practice our gross motor skills and throw marshmellows at it during center time this week.

Here is the link to the alphabet rock printable.

Site Link:
http://www.camilledawn.com/2010/09/alphabet-rocks.html

Little Learners

Check out Little Learners for new preschool learning ideas and links to great sites!

Site Link:
http://littlelearners.georgia.com

A kid's Heart

A kid's Heart has clip art, coloring pages, theme ideas and more!

Site Link:
http://akidsheart.com/

theme ideas!

Step by step Child Care has LOADS of theme ideas, songs, links, etc.

Site Link:
http://stepbystepcc.com/themes2.html

Apples!

Looking for some more apple resources? Check out best kids book site

Site Link:
http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/thispartictopic.cfm?BookTopic=1286

Coloring pages

Check out Super coloring pages.com and first-school for some great alphabet and other themed coloring pages and worksheets!

Site Links:
http://www.first-school.ws

http://www.supercoloring.co

Sunday School Kids

Visit Sunday School Kids for bible related craft ideas and lessons!

Site Link:
http://www.sundayschoolkids.com/

Kidskreate

Visit Kids Kreate for printables and art ideas!

Site Link:
http://www.kidskreate.com

Learning and teaching with preschoolers

Check out Learning and Teaching With Preschoolers for some new theme ideas!

Site Link:
http://learningandteachingwithpreschoolers.blogspot.com

Princess Bookmarks

Here is a link to printable Disney Princess bookmarks. Might be a good reading program prize for little girls.

Site Link:
http://www.kidskreate.com/images/princess_bookmarks.pdf

Early Childhood Fun

Check out Early Childhood Fun for some new classroom ideas.

Site Link:
http://www.earlychildhoodfun.com

If you Give a Mouse a Cookie

This week we are going to focus on Cookies in my classroom! We will read many cookie books including If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Who to the Cookie From the Cookie Jar, If You Take a Mouse to School, The Chocolate Chippo Hippo and Cookie's week.

Here are some Great Cookie/If You Give a Mouse a Cookie ideas I have found from the web!

Site Links:
http://kidscrafts.suite101.com/article.cfm/mouse_a_cookie_clothespin_math
http://kidscrafts.suite101.com/article.cfm/count_the_cookies_math_mat
http://www.lauranumeroff.com/
http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/mousecookie.html
http://www.teachingheart.net/mousecookie.html
http://school.familyeducation.com/literature/childrens-book/34679.html
http://www.kidssoup.com/ifyougivemouse/if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie.html
http://www.thevirtualvine.com/ifyougivea.html
http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/if_you_give_a_mouse_a_cookie.html
http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Teachers/Literature/LMouse.html
http://kidscrafts.suite101.com/article.cfm/if_you_give_a_mouse_a_cookie_words

Blueberries for Sal

Using the book Blueberries for Sal in the classroom?

Check out this site link on Delightful Learning for resources and learning ideas to go with your book!

Site Link:

http://delightfullearning.blogspot.com/2010/09/blueberries-for-sal.html

Crochet Cupcakes

LOVE these Crochet cupackes by Fowl Single File! Hope I can find some crafty parents or grandparents to make these for my classroom, since I can't crochet ;)

Also check out her blog for some cute tutorials and patterns for sheep bean bags.

Site Link:

http://fowlsinglefile.blogspot.com/

Stay Organized at Home

School has started and things can get messy at home when you are busy in the classroom. Use the printable checklists from Organized Home to help you!

Site Link:
http://organizedhome.com/

Let's Explore

Let's Explore is a site with ideas, tips, downloads and more for children of all ages!

Site Link:
http://lets-explore.net/blog/

Time for Tots on Etsy

Time for Tots is a new Etsy store that features learning kits for little ones.

Site Link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TimeforTots?ref=top_trail

Reflection, Inspiration

Everyone needs to slow down and reflect. Visit Ann Voskamp and take a moment to reflect!

The music on her site is wonderful, her photos are beautiful and her words will inspire you.

Site Link:
http://www.aholyexperience.com/

This one is for the music teachers....

Here is a link to a site called Layton Music.

As the site says it is "where music teachers come to play"

Site Link:
http://laytonmusic.wordpress.com

I can teach my child

For ideas, themes, inspiration and crafts visit I can teach my child.

Site Link:
http://www.icanteachmychild.com

ABC Home Preschool

For new ideas on all sorts of topics visit ABC Home Preschool

Site Link:

http://www.abchomepreschool.com/

Math Tub Ideas

This contents of the tubs in this idea is geared for a 2nd grade classroom, but I love the concept of "Math Tubs"! What a great organizational and learning tool!

Site Link:
http://www.marcias-lesson-links.com/MathTubs.html

School bus ideas

You might want to use some of these Back to School Bus ideas in your classroom.

Site Link:
http://frymanfour.blogspot.com/2010/09/school-bus-theme.html

Get Ready to Read

Sent home our first Scholastic book order this week and gearing up to start our Monthly Star Readers at home Program for September. If you do similar things in the classroom and want more reading ideas, here is a link to a site called Get Ready to Read.

Site Link:
http://www.getreadytoread.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=105

Cookies Theme Links

Doing a unit on the book If You Give a Mouse a cookie or another Cookie related theme? Here are some links to give some fresh ideas!

Site Links
http://www.thevirtualvine.com/ifyougivea.html


http://www.teachingheart.net/mousecookie.html

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/if_you_give_a_mouse_a_cookie.html

http://www.mrscowan.com/ifyougiveamouse.htm

http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Teachers/Literature/LMouse.html

http://www.amug.org/~jbpratt/education/books/numeroff.html

http://literature.pppst.com/MNO/laura-numeroff.html

http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/mousecookie.html

http://school.familyeducation.com/literature/childrens-book/34679.html

Free Classroom Supplies and Money!

Technology for Teachers shared a post listing 10 ways to get supplies and money for your classroom

Site Link:
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/09/10-ways-to-get-free-money-classroom.html

Eric Carle Art

Totally Tots has a nice round up of Eric Carle art activities.

Site Link:
http://totallytots.blogspot.com/2010/09/crafty-corner-eric-carle.html

Kids Grow Smart with Music

Check out Kiboomu for ideas, games, themes for early childhood.

Site Link:
http://www.kiboomu.com

Noah's Ark

Finishing my Adam and Eve letter A & Apples Unit this week. Gearing up to teach Noah's Ark & the letter B (for Boat) next week!

Here are some Noah's Ark resources & ideas:
Site links:
http://preschoolteachersresource.blogspot.com/2009/02/teaching-about-noahs-ark.html

http://www.dltk-bible.com/guides/god_made_promise.htm

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/week_4__5__and_6.html#Noah

http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Preschool/Lessons/1noah01.php

http://biblekidsfunzone.com/devotions/00sundayschoollessons.html

http://sunday-school-fun-zone.com/freelessons/noahsark.html

http://christian-parenting.suite101.com/article.cfm/make_a_noahs_ark_paper_plate_craft

http://www.first-school.ws/activities/bible/rainbow.htm

http://www.akidsheart.com/bible/ot/nark/nark.htm

http://www.toddlerhomeschool.com/lesson%20plans/animals.html

http://children.calvarychapel.com/site/curriculum.htm

http://ayearoffhe.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-9-noahs-ark.html

Candy Apple gift for Catholic schools week?

It might be a little early, but how about making these with your preschoolers for Catholic schools week or any other time that your school celebrates parents and students!

Image from cute as a fox blog


Here is the link to these SUPER CUTE, cheap and easy Candy Apples and the instructions to make them! Site Link: http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2010/09/candy-apple-gift-from-cute-as-fox.html
You could also visit DLTK-Kids and print this apple page to attach to your candy apple gift!
Site Link for Apple Printable:
http://www.dltk-kids.com/school/an_apple_for_the_parent.htm

Handwriting Practice

A goal I have for all my students is to have them identify AND be able to write their name by the time they leave preschool. Practice on writing their name can be super helpful in meeting these goals. I found the Handwriting worksheets website and used it to make a name page with traceable dots for each student!

Site Link:

http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/

Letter factory game

Image from Amazon.com

Anyone know where I can purchase the game pictured above? It is a family favorite around our house and I would like to add a copy of it to my preschool classroom game collection, so I don't have to transport my personal game back and forth from home! Sadly I can't seem to find a place that still sells this game. It is a WONDERFUL game for preschool aged children to learn letter identification and letter sounds as well as fair play. It is super easy and can be played without the help of an adult because of its talking game controller thing! The official name of the game is the Leapster Letter Factory game. And yes, I have check e-bay!