Self Portraits

This year, we decided to give the children a cutout of a person. They used the multicultural paints to choose a color that closest matched themselves. Then after they dried, the children added the eyes and hair. Unfortunately we ran out of all colors of yarn except this tan color and grey. But all in all, they turned out ok.

We posted these on the front board where the parents come in, so that every child is represented. Each child can feel a sense of belonging at their school.

Puzzle Piece Names

Another one of our small groups for "All About Me." We had the children spell their names with these puzzle alphabet stickers identifying each letter as they go. We had their name strips with each child's name pre-written on it for them to look at to help them find the letters.  Some of the younger children just wanted to stick random letters everywhere, so we let them do their thing. When they are more ready for this activity, we will try again.

Then we had them count how many letters in their name. As an extension of this, you can have the children graph how many letters their names have and compare whose name has more or less. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE I LINK UP

Brushing Teeth Activity

As a part of our "All About Me" study, we did a small group where the kids brushed the fake teeth with a real toothbrush making sure they were brushing all areas of the teeth. We asked the kids "Why do you brush your teeth? and documented their answers on the chart below.

We also talked about cavities and how brushing is important to get the plaque off our teeth after we eat food. The kids enjoyed this activity and had some entertaining answers to the question!

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE I LINK UP

Storytime Sunday: Fingers and Toes

This week's book is:

If you missed the 20% off sale at Half Price Books, I'm sorry. But I didn't :) And I managed to pick up some books for my son as well as for the classroom. I found this list of must have books for your baby's first library conveniently just as we were driving to HPB and decided to see if they had any of the ones I don't already have. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes is one of them.

Our class is so diverse that we are going to be starting a whole unit on cultures and countries around the world when we return from break. This book could be a great introduction to the unit. I am so excited and I think the kids will really get into it and begin to embrace their own various cultures and traditions. Hopefully it will last a while!

Anyways, I got this book for my baby's collection. It talks about different babies being born at the same time in lots of different places, but as everyone know, they all have 10 little fingers and 10 little toes. From the baby who was born in the town to the baby born in the hills and even the baby born on the ice, there is something for every child to relate to. I especially love the pictures of the babies which I know kids will love as well.

For an extension of this book, you could do any of the many many hand print and foot print activities found on Pinterest. Here is an example that my son made at school although it's a little late for this:

Also, it is a great way to talk about geography and the types of houses people live in in other parts of the world.

So if you haven't read this book, please add it to your collection ASAP!

Happy Reading!

Storytime Sunday: 5 Senses

This week's study topic is The 5 Senses. Here are the books we will be reading. Again, all big books.

I love how this book uses such great descriptive words.

Love the rhyming words in this book!

Storytime Sunday: All About Me

So, the kiddos start back to Head Start this Wednesday! Our first study topic is going to be All About Me. Here are the books we will be reading (all big books):

Love Joy Cowley and all her leveled readers. Also, big books are great for talking about print concepts because it's easier for the children to see.

 This book talks about the differences and similarities of people from around the world. I like the page with the hands so the children can compare the shade and size of their hand with the ones in the book.

The illustrations in this book are great and I totally LOVE the mirror at the end, so children can look in and say something about themselves. This book focuses on the fact that everyone is unique and has some interesting feature about them. I like it because it encourages children to embrace the things about them that are different and be proud of it instead of embarrassed or self-conscious.