On Wednesday our Mother Goose lesson was all about caring for our pets! Most of the kids have pets at home, so this was a pretty exciting topic for the day. We each shared what we do at home to help care for our pets. We also shared what type of pet we wished we had.
The kids started out the morning showing the color words they knew. They colored a bird page in their journal. Each bird was labeled with a color word.
The kids also worked on the letter M page in their literacy workbook...
Then we practiced measuring different pets in our math workbook...
On the opposite side of our measuring page, the kids were also asked to draw a picture of a pet that they would like to have. A few of the older kids labeled their drawings.
L wanted a fish named Teddy!
During circle time we added the letter M to our alphabet house...
M is for mouse! We passed around a black rock that we pretended was a mouse, and the kids practiced saying the /m/ sound (black is the color we are learning about this month). We shared whether or not we would like a mouse for a pet. Surprisingly, a lot of the kids said "Yes!"
Then I asked the kids to show me their bird moves! They flapped their wings, and pretended to peck with their beaks!
I set out colored birdhouses on the floor and passed out colored birds (one to each child). We sang "(Mary) Had a Little Bird" to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
"(Name) had a purple bird,
purple bird, purple bird.
(Name) had a purple bird.
Help her/him find its home."
*The child who's name was called placed their colored bird on the matching colored birdhouse.
I asked the kids to name the parts of a bird before showing them this "Build a Bird" math activity that Mother Goose provided us. I demonstrated how to use it, and then left it out for the kids to explore with during free-play time. The kids were instructed to roll the die, and identify which number they rolled. Then they found the matching bird body part on the key and added the piece to the game board. They could take turns with a friend or build the bird independently. (I laminated all the pieces and attached magnets to the back. I had the kids play the game on a magnetic cookie sheet that I purchased at the Dollar Store.)
Mother Goose also provided each child with their own bilingual book. I read the book in English and Spanish to the kids and taught them how to cut and paste the pictures on the correct pages of the book. They completed the book, and then practiced reading independently, and then with a friend.
L and R doing a buddy read...
Next, Mother Goose provided each child with a cardboard dog bone. We discussed what types of toys and treats dogs like best. Then I explained that dogs need to be trained to do tricks and to listen to their owner. I tested the kids listening skills by giving them two-step directions with their dog bones...
-Balance the bone on top of your head, and then sit down.
- Hold the bone under your chin, and spin around in a circle.
- Hold the dog bone between your knees and walk forward 5 steps.
The kids did great listening to the two-step directions. Then I encouraged them to play "Dog Trainer" with their friends and their bones!
Next, the kids practiced feeding our cat!!! I had them scoop real cat food, and then carry it over to the bowl. They did AWESOME at this! We talked about how to walk slowly so they didn't spill. They did such a great job that I told them to ask their mom and dads if they can help feed their pets at home! I also showed the kids where my cat's litter box is. They were all pretty grossed out by it! Ha!
Such concentration!
These were our books for the day!
I also set out a TON of pet related toys for our dramatic play area! The kids had fun playing with these in the afternoon and using their imaginations!
A few more dog and cat food dishes that I scored at the Dollar Store...
These singing birds are all the RAGE right now in our preschool! A few of the kids have these at home. They LOVE them! The birds beak open and close when they sing, and you can record your voice and play it back again!
A collar, leash, and pet treat container...
A Garfield costume...
J said he wanted to tie his pet's leash to the trampoline, so it didn't get away. That's pretty clever!
A couple of stuffed pets, brushes, food dishes, and kennels...
No comments:
Post a Comment