Letters galore!

Have students practice tracing letters, that are pre-written on large pieces of paper, by placing counters or small, found objects over the letters (e.g. stones, buttons, beans, etc.).  Make a class set of upper case and lower case letters and have these available at a center.

To make the activity more challenging for some, have students alternate colors when placing counters on the lines of the letter (see picture below), or alternate sizes of objects.  Also, if you’re working on a particular letter of the week, you can make copies of the letter for each student and have them practice tracing the letter using stickers and then they can take it home.

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Math Center: Counting

Some fabric (or patterned paper) and a photocopier will help you prepare for this marvelous math activity! Purchase a yard of interesting fabric that ties in to your current theme (or sheets of paper with different patterns/designs/pictures on it). Copy various images from the fabric to make a reproducible similar to the one shown. Spread the fabric over a table; then ask students to search the design and count the number of each image on their recording sheets. Have students fill in the numbers or the number words for the totals they find.

 

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Letter Recognition

Circle Time Idea:  Letter Recognition

This letter recognition activity is sure to cause lots of giggles! Gather youngsters around your alphabet display. Choose a letter, such as p, and point to a letter nearp on the display. Ask youngsters whether the letter you’re pointing to is p. After students confirm that the letter is not p, point to another letter nearby and ask students whether you are getting warmer (closer to the letter p) or colder (farther away from the letter p). Continue in the same way until youngsters lead you to the correct letter.

 

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Oh, I’m Waiting

Here’s a typical toddler thought: I want what I want when I want it!  Waiting is easier for toddlers if they know when the delay will end.  Try using a song or fingerplay to help a child who’s waiting.  For example, you might say, “After we sing ‘The Itsy-Bitsy Spider’ once, it will be your turn.”  Or teach your little ones this song; then encrouage them to sing along when the waiting is important.

(Sung to the tune of “My Darling Clementine”)

Oh, I’m waiting.  Yes, I’m waiting.

Oh, I’m waiting for my turn.

I’ll just smile and sit (stand) a while

‘Cause I’m waiting for my turn.

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Heart Healthy Idea: Exercise!

Encourage your little ones to show their hearts some love with these blood-pumping exercises! From a deck of playing cards remove the three, four, five, and six of hearts. Mix up those cards and arrange them facedown on a table. Invite a volunteer to name an exercise (see the chart for suggestions), choose a card, and then say the number. Next, have him lead the class in performing his exercise the number of times indicated on his card. When he finishes, have him place the card facedown on the table. Continue in this manner until everyone has had a turn to lead the class. Whew, what a great workout!

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Valentine’s Math

Math Idea: number sense

A number-related search launches this versatile idea! In advance, use various colors of construction paper to prepare two seasonal cutouts per student. (Or purchase seasonal craft foam cutouts.) Number the cutouts sequentially and then hide them throughout your classroom when your students are not present. Later, set your students in search of the cutouts, asking each youngster to find two of them. After the search, have students work together to complete one or more of the activities below.

• Estimate the number of cutouts. Count by twos to determine the actual number.
• Use reusable adhesive to arrange the cutouts on a wall in numerical order.
• Sort the cutouts by color and then prepare a graph to show how many cutouts there are of each color.

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I’m a Little Snowman

(Sung to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”)

I’m a little snowman, short and stout.
Sticks for arms and a carrot snout.
When the weather warms up, gosh, oh gee!
I melt and there’s no more of me!

 

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Letter Search

In advance, prepare a supply of letter cards and hide them in the classroom. With a great deal of playfulness, lead students in stretches and simple exercises to warm up for the letter search. Then play a recording of lively music and have little ones groove to the beat as they look for letters. When a child finds a letter, have her identify it before handing it to you.

 

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