CHICKS & Chickens and NATURE RUBBING
today's activity idea
"Old Fashioned" Nature Rubbing Art
Ok, I bet many of you made nature rubbings as a kid! Well, the same fun we had, children (and adults) of any age can be enjoyed now, too.
The best part? You need hardly any supplies and it encourages everyone to get outside!
Materials Needed:
- your own yard or nearby park or trail
- crayons or oil pastels with the wrapper removed
- hard service
- tape (optional)
- paper
Directions:
Go outside and find some interesting leaves, small flowers, etc.
(Or take your supplies with you and find surfaces like the bark on a tree.)
Once back inside, lay your items down on a flat surface.
For younger children tape the items down so they don't move an slide.
Lay the paper on top.
Rub the crayon or pastel on it's side across the paper above where the nature item is.
- your own yard or nearby park or trail
- crayons or oil pastels with the wrapper removed
- hard service
- tape (optional)
- paper
Directions:
Go outside and find some interesting leaves, small flowers, etc.
(Or take your supplies with you and find surfaces like the bark on a tree.)
Once back inside, lay your items down on a flat surface.
For younger children tape the items down so they don't move an slide.
Lay the paper on top.
Rub the crayon or pastel on it's side across the paper above where the nature item is.
These make beautiful art pieces. You can turn them into real home decorations by adding a frame, etc.
Plus, it helps children appreciate the details of nature in a whole new way. Many children may have never realized a leaf has so many veins, but the rubbing makes it obvious in a beautiful way.
Here are some online supply resources to encourage more nature exploration:
Here are some online supply resources to encourage more nature exploration:
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Now get outside and see how many beautiful things you can find!
Learning Activities
HANDWRITING
We have the children practice name writing each day. Young ones should trace, older ones can try on their own when they are ready :)
SAMPLE NAME PRACTICE HERE
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CIRCLE (MAIN LEARNING)
See Our Current Daily Songs Here:
See Our Current Daily Songs Here:
Math Concept - Money: Introduction to coins and dollars
This week we begin to explore money with poems and games.
Spanish: We are reviewing our 1-10 song
Numbers: practicing 1-10 this week
(cut out fun shapes or go to the Dollar Store and write numbers on them, have your child put them in order, fill in the missing spots, etc)
Sight words "She said to go."
You can just write the words on a paper, then have your child think of ways to end the sentence and "read" it to you.
Word Matching Practice:
Today we will be practicing matching words that begin with "q" and "r" to the right letter, and matching the word with the picture. At home, you can make your own or purchase the Sunshine Learn to Read Program to get a complete set already made to download. It's fun to play matching games to practice beginning reading!
What else can you find around the house that starts with q or r?
Review letter names/sounds
(We do this every day with a different twist in class so the kids don't forget them!)
SCIENCE & ART Activity
All About Chicks
Baby chicks are fun for kids and adults! In our classroom, we typically get fertile eggs and put them in an incubator for the full biology experience. You may be brave enough to do this at home, or you could visit a local feed store in the spring to experience chicks without have to clean up after them or feed them...
Materials:
A place with baby chicks.
(Or get really brave and hatch your own in an incubator - it's amazing!)
Directions:
Learn about how baby chicks grow and develop.
Visit and enjoy some adorable baby chicks!
Enjoy watching a real live hatching of baby chicks below!
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Here are some more fun chick resources:
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story, finger play, music & movement
STORY: "Cupcake"
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Music and Movement:
One of our favorite songs: "I Know a Chicken" - we use egg shakers to move to it :)
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Finger Play: "Five Little Ducks Went Out To Play"
Nursery Rhyme: Crooked Man
The MOST important part of teaching preschoolers is...
KEEP IT FUN!
Be sure to try to get your kids outside each day as much as possible, too!
Stomp in some puddles.
Find some worms.
Watch the clouds.
Go for a walk.
Look for animals.
Search for acorns, leaves, & pinecones.
FRESH AIR AND SUNSHINE ARE GOOD FOR THE SOUL!
And movement helps children develop and grow.
xoxo, Jennifer
