Blog Archives - WELCOME THE LAUREL SCHOOL TODDLER, PRESCHOOL & PRE-KINDERGARTEN VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS

Let's Chirp with Crickets!

4/30/2020

What is our theme? Insects.

What is the lesson? Cricket Puppet.

MA Guidelines/Standards.
PW36.Toddler controls small muscles in hand.
CD60.Toddler observes and identifies living things' basic needs.
CD66.Toddler explores with sensory art materials and uses them to create visual effects.

Learning Outcomes:
I would like the child to recognize different types of crickets and the differences between them?

Songs,Books,Video(Motivational Techniques)
Little Wickets-http://www.littlewickets.com
Crickets Room-http://www,rogbates.com/page15/page15….
Cricket at Zoo-http:/www.bookbox.com/los

Materials
Cardboard-Crayons-Black Marker
Glue-Popsicle Stick-Q Tips-Buttons

Activity (procedure)
Have a parent help cut out the outline of a cricket on the cardboard. Have the child color the parts different shades of green. Glue buttons for eyes and q tips for the antennas and draw a mouth. Glue the popsicle stick and antennas on the back. secure with tape if needed.

Activity wrap up
Can you identify what a cricket looks like? Where they live and what they eat? Are they different? I would like the child to become aware of different materials that can produce a variety of effects.

How do I know what my child is learning (Assessment)
Experiment with different materials and how they can be used to produce a variety of effects. Talk to the child about what they are learning?

How can you extend the activity (modifications)
If you are having a hard time glueing use tape to help attach the popsicle stick and parts of the cricket. If there is no cardboard you can use felt material.

Helpful Hints (pitfalls and solutions)
The cardboard may rip. You can double cardboard to make it stronger.

Buzz around with Bees!

4/29/2020

Buzz around with Bees!

What is our theme? Insects

What is the lesson! Bees

MA Guidelines/Standards:
PW36.Toddler controls small muscles in hand.
CD60. Toddler observes and identifies living things' basic needs.
CD66. Toddler explores with sensory art material and uses them to create visual effects.

Learning Outcomes:
I would like the child to learn how Bees play an important role in our environment. I would like the child to become aware of how different Bees Play different roles.

Songs,Books,Video(Motivational Techniques)
(Educational)
Bees are awesome-http://bit.ly/NatGeoOfficialSite
Here is the Beehive-http://apple.co/2nW5hPd
Bee and me-http://www.amazon.com/Elle-J-McGuinn

Materials
Plastic Bottles-String
Straws-Tape-cotton balls

Activity (procedure)
Cut both ends off a plastic bottle and tape both edges so there are no jagged edges. Lace string through both openings joining the ends by tying into a knot. Place straws inside tightly and pack with cotton balls to hold in place tightly. Find a place on the porch or in the garden and wait for Bees to come.

(Activity) wrap up
Can you identify what a Beehive looks like and what Bees look like? Talk about the different kinds, the differences and similarities?

How do I know what my child is learning?
Experiment with different materials to produce a variety of effects with the beehive. Talk about what they have learned and the outcomes?

How can you extend the activity (modifications)
If you have no plastic bottle you can use a glass jar. If you have no porch or trees,you can place a beehive under a flower bush.

Helpful Hints (pitfalls and solutions)
If bees have not come to the hive after a few days reposition the hive in a different area.

Caterpillar print

4/28/2020

Caterpillar print is painting with toilet paper or paper towel rolls and drawing or fingerprint legs & face

Our lesson for the week
Caterpillar print

Date:Thursday April 30

What is our Theme?
Bugs, insect, & creepy crawlers

What is the lesson (overall Purpose)?
To learn about caterpillars and what they change into

MA Guidelines /standards:
CD64. The older toddler observes and identifies living things and begins to identify their basic needs.
PW34 The young toddler control small muscles in hand

Learning outcomes:
ƒ Develops early scientific skills through exploration and discovery.

Songs, books & videos (motivational Techniques)
“The very Hungry Caterpillar”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EQeYA5Qbic Song “Butterfly dance”

Materials
Paper
Paint
Paper towel roll or toilet paper (substitution: anything circle that can be dipped in paint)

Activity (Procedure):
Dip the roll into paint
Stamp it on the paper
Can use fingerprints for eyes and legs, or they can draw lines for the legs, circle or dots for the eyes.

Activity wrap up:
Can ask the child what color paint they use and what shape
Can ask what do caterpillars change into

How do I know what my child is learning? (assessment)
Explore the outdoor environment to see if they can find a caterpillar, it would be awesome if you could catch one and watch it change into a butterfly.

How can you extend this activity? (modifications)
substitution: anything circle that can be dipped in paint

Helpful hints: (pitfalls & solutions)
Not going all the way around the roll, Have enough paint to dip, spread paint out

Dirt & Worm Sensory!

4/27/2020

Dirt & worm sensory is a bucket/container of dirt/sand with cooked spaghetti noodles or you can go on a walk and find real worms.

Our lesson for the week
Dirt & worm sensory

What is our Theme?
Bugs, insects, & creepy crawlies

What is the lesson (overall Purpose)?
To talk about and name the animals or insects that are seen outside during a walk

MA Guidelines /standards:
CD61 the younger toddler discovers living things found in nature
CD63 the older toddler uses simply tools to continue exploring

Learning outcomes:
Dig up worms and put them in a container of potting soil for gentle exploration. Invite the older toddler to watch the worms through a magnifying glass; show how to gently hold a worm; talk about where the worms live. Return them to the garden with the older toddler.

Songs, books & videos (motivational Techniques)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWb6HlBhkfQ video “worm”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfoY49Nnnns song “wiggle”

Materials
Bin or container
Dirt/soil or sand
Cooked spaghetti noodles
Optional: magnify glass, bug house, sweezers/close pins, diggers, ect

Activity (Procedure):
Put dirt/soil or sand into a bin/container
Put cooked spaghetti noodles in bin/container
Other toys and let the child play

Activity wrap up:
Talk about how the noodles felt (where they slimy, slippery)
If use real worms (where did they find them and did you find a lot or little and was it hard or easy)

How do I know what my child is learning? (assessment)
The child is learning by exploring the environment through sensory

How can you extend this activity? (modifications)
You can use sticks or string for the worms
If the child is comfortable, you can go on a worm hunt and put real worms in the sensory container.

Helpful hints: (pitfalls & solutions)
The pitfalls are that dirt is messy, solutions can use sand or it can be a great way to practice washing hands.

Shape scavenger hunt

4/24/2020

This activity is about finding different shapes around your house! Watch the two videos and then go on a shape scavenger hunt!

Our Lessons For the Week!
Shape scavenger hunt

What is our theme?
Shapes

What is the lesson (overall purpose)?
To learn and understand that shapes are all around us

MA Guidelines/Standards:
*Al14 the older toddler shows curiosity in new and familiar objects
*CD54 the younger toddler shows interest in matching and sorting according to color, shape and size

Learning Outcomes:
Give toddler opportunity to collect, sort, and organize objects.
Songs, Books & Videos (Motivational Techniques)
https://youtu.be/ZAqSiJsdmsA book "shape spotters
https://youtu.be/lcl8uB2AWM0 song " shapes are all around"

Materials
House hold shapes (ex: blocks for square or rectangle)
Bucket, container, or basket or tape the shape on the floor
Activity (Procedure):
Have a bucket, container, or basket to sort one shape
Go around house and look for certain shapes

Activity Wrap Up:
Ask them to show you want they found and what shape it is

How do I know what my child is learning? (Assessment)
Take the object off or out and mix them up and see if they can put the back under right shape

How can you extend this activity? (Modifications)
tape the shape on the floor or use pans (like pizza pan for circle, cookie sheet for rectangle)

Helpful Hints: (Pitfalls & Solutions)
The child might not see the shape but the object parent might have to find object and ask which one does it match, they might not have language but can put it where it matches.

Foil heart

4/23/2020

This activity is to learn about shapes and being creative with art! There is a read-aloud story attached and a song if you’d like to use it. The main part of this lesson is painting a heart shape with aluminum foil!

Our Lessons For the Week!
Foil heart

What is our theme?
Shapes

What is the lesson (overall purpose)?
To learn about shapes and be creative using different textured

MA Guidelines/Standards:
*CD66 the younger toddler explores with sensory art materials and uses them to create visual effects.
*Pw34 the younger toddler control small muscles in hand
Learning Outcomes:
To learn about hearts and to use fine motor skills with holding and balling up foil

Songs, Books & Videos (Motivational Techniques)
https://youtu.be/Dl_oazdrh1k book "My Heart is Like a Zoo"
https://youtu.be/VGDiUaku3bQ song "dancing shapes"

Materials
Paper with heart drawn
Aluminum foil
Paint
Activity (Procedure):
Parent will draw a heart shape on paper
The child will ball up aluminum foil
Then dip into paint and dab it on heart

Activity Wrap Up:
Talk about the shape

How do I know what my child is learning? (Assessment)
See if the child can find something with the shape of a heart.

How can you extend this activity? (Modifications)
If they don't have paint maybe use pudding or food coloring
If no foil, paper towels

Helpful Hints: (Pitfalls & Solutions)
Try not to ball the aluminum foil into a small ball or tight ball

Making an Ant hill.

4/22/2020

Lets go marching with Ants!

What is our theme?
Making an Ant hill.

What is the lessons(overall Purpose)
To become familiar with Ants in their natural environment.

MA Guidelines/Standards:
PW30.Toddler moves body, arms and legs with coordination.
PW36.Toddler controls small muscles in hand
CD63.Toddler uses simple tools to continue exploration.

Learning Outcomes:
I would like the child to become aware of the different kinds of ants and how to find them when they are outside.

Songs,Books,Video(Motivational Techniques)
Educational Ants-http://pbskids.org/plumblanding/
The Ant-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/the_Ant…
MarchingAnts-http://apple.co/2nW5hPd

Activity(Procedures)
Go on a nature walk and place some sugar on the ground.
With a small spade build a little hill. Add the stones and twigs on the hill and add the rest of the sugar and watch the ants gather to the hill.

Materials
Sugar-Twigs-Small Stones-Spade

Activity: wrap up
Can the child identify ants and what actions they used to attract them and find them outside?

How do I know what my child is learning?
The child should be able to identify ants and know where to find? They should be able to use methods to attract them.

How can you extend the activity (modifications)
If you can't get outside,you can gather some ants and place them in a jar with a little sugar.

Helpful Hints (pitfalls and solutions)
The ants may try to leave the ant hill,place some sugar in the center of the ant hill and wait

hanging spiders!

4/21/2020

Lets crawl our way into the life of a little spider! This project can be done in the house or outside!

What is our theme? Hanging Spiders!

What is the lesson (overall purpose)?
To learn some interesting facts about Spiders.

MA Guidelines/Standards:
CD69. Toddler creatively explores and experiments using a variety of sensory materials and mediums.
PW51. Toddler will show increased visual ability and perception.
PW30. Toddler moves body,arms and legs with coordination.
PW36. Toddler controls small muscles in hand.

Learning Outcomes:
Take a walk and look for different kinds of spiders. Talk about how they are similar but different.

Songs, Books & Videos (Motivational Techniques)
Charlotte's Web-http://j.mp/BcVDn2
Itsy Bitsy Spider-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFuOr

Materials
Paper plate-paint-glue-scissors-yarn-paper-buttons

Activity (Procedure):
Using a small paper plate color it black.
With help have them cut out six long strips and glue to the back of the plate. Make a face and add two small buttons for eyes. When Materials are dry, help them lace the yarn through the top of the plate and hang.

Activity Wrap Up:
Identify any spiders discovered on their walk? Talk about what they saw and the differences.

How do I know what my child is learning? (Assessment)
Talk about how many different spiders were seen on their walk? Where they saw them and were they the same?

How can you extend this activity? (Modifications)
If there are no materials to make the hanging spider they can make a picture of a spider.

Helpful Hints:
The paper plate may tear if too much paint is used. Crayons can be used instead.

Let's wiggle with worms!

4/20/2020

Let's wiggle with worms!

What is our theme? Outside Creatures

What is the lesson: Worms

MA Guidelines/Standards:
PW30.Toddler moves body arms and legs with coordination.
PW36.Toddler controls small muscles in hand.
CD63.Toddler uses simple tools to continue exploration.
CD64. Toddler observes and identifies living things and identifies their basic needs.

Learning Outcomes:
I would like the children to become more aware of where worms live and what they are like? The differences and the similarities and how they are important to the environment?

Songs,Books,Video(Motivational Techniques)
Educational
Worms for kids-https://goo.gl/pqKoy1
Herman-http://store.learningstationmusic.com
The Worm-https://www.youtube.com/c/wizz

Materials
Glass jar-Dirt-Worms
Newspaper-Water-Grass

Activity(Procedure)
Go on a walk outside and look for worms in the dirt. With a small container gather some grass, dirt and worms. Tear some newspaper and put in a glass jar with the worms and dirt. Add water and the grass and watch the worms wiggle and burrow in the dirt.

Activity(wrap up)
Can the child identify worms and where to find them? What Did they do when they tried to move them?

How do I know what my child is learning?(Assessment)
Talk about what they have found in the dirt and if all worms are the same? Ask them are they the same size and same color? How are they moving?

How can you extend the activity (modifications)
If you can't find worms in the dirt right away,add a little water and wait! The worms will come to the surface.

Helpful Hints (pitfalls and solutions)
If you can't get outside for a walk, bring the dirt and worms inside.

Making a rain shaker!

4/13/2020

This is a great rainy day activity! Making a rain shaker! Songs, videos, procedures & materials are in large bold so you can easily find the directions for this lesson!

Lesson/Activity Name: Rain shaker

Overall Purpose:
Discovers creative expression through music, drama, dance and art experiences.

Theme: Weather

Learning Standard(s):
LC41. The older toddler develops an awareness of word sounds and rhythms of language.
CD65. The younger toddler responds to and participates in music, rhythm and songs.
SED16. The older toddler begins to label their feelings.

Behavioral Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
To learn about rain sounds and how it makes you feel, and to be creative.
.
Motivational Techniques: (What will you use to pair with lesson (i.e. a book, song, video etc)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbFGojJxqoo song and movement “singing in the rain”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlzvrEfyL2Y song “mr. sun”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfAB4BXSHOA song “sun,rain, wind, and snow”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av2FP2n2qrg book “the rainy day”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV8snbVhXKU book “the rain came down”

Procedures: (Step by Step how to do the activity)
Get toilet paper roll or paper towel and decorate it with crayons, markers, paint,
Help glue the bottom circle it could be paper, wax paper,
Put rice,and/or beans into and close it up the same way as the bottom.
Then children can shake it.

Materials:
Toilet paper roll, or paper towel (substitution make it out of paper or anything cylinder)
Markers, or crayons, or paint
Beans and/or rice
Wax paper or paper
glue

Wrap-up:
Have the children march in a parade, have them show you a dance while shaking their instrument. Ask questions about how the rain sound makes them feel.

Assessment:
Access their own materials for art and creative play by organizing recyclables, paper,
and toddler-safe art media (waterproof, non-toxic tempera, washable markers, chunky
crayons, playdough) that children can safely take out, use, and put back.

Modifications:
You can use anything that is a cylinder shape (if no paper towel or toilet paper rolls)
You can also use any small dried food (if no rice or beans)

Helpful Hints:
Parents might have to hot glue the top and bottoms