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Volume 3 Issue 09
April 25, 2005
Mother’s Day
WELCOME! to Education World's Early Childhood Newsletter. Every other week, I'll share some
ideas on a familiar teaching theme. Hopefully you will find a new activity idea or two -- or a new
twist on one of your old favorites! Since I know you are very busy, I'll be short and sweet -- like
most of activities I suggest.
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“Spring has sprung, the grass is riz…” Or has it? Whatever your weather looks
like outside, our calendars indicate that spring is officially here. We can’t help but savor
the thoughts of buds on trees, colorful flowers, and bright blue skies that spring brings. Celebrate
this season of awakenings with your students as you involve them in activities that are sure to
help them GROW!
Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter
MOTHER OR CHILD?
Invite your students to play this game. On separate index cards write the names (or paste illustrations)
of animal mothers or their young. For example, the word “dog” might appear on one card,
the word “puppy” on another. Other cards might have words such as cow, calf; pig, piglet;
sheep, lamb; cat, kitten… Pin or tape one card to each student’s back. Students should
not know the word on their backs. They should find their matching partner by asking one another
questions such as “Am I large?”, “Do I live outdoors?”, and so on.
MARK IT!
Take a photo of each child (full-body, close up). After the photos are developed, cut out around
the image of the child in each photo. Help children paste their photo image onto a piece of construction
paper that is the size of a bookmark. Write each child’s name and the year on the paper. Next,
laminate the bookmark and punch a hole in the top. Thread some colorful yarn or string through the
hole. A great gift for Mother’s Day!
NAME THAT SOUND
Tape record sounds heard around the house that a mother initiates (for example, turning on a blender,
a washing machine, cracking eggs into a bowl, a vacuum cleaner, washing dishes, and so on). Let
children listen to the sounds one at a time and invite them to guess what is making the sound. At
Circle Time, talk about all the things mothers, grandmothers, significant females, and other family
members do for everyone.
THE GIFT OF LOVE
Provide each child with a small box (jewelry size). Help each child wrap the box in a colorful floral
print. Tie a matching ribbon around the box and attach this little rhyme:
My gift to you is in this box.
It’s a gift you cannot see.
Although you can’t unwrap it
You’ll know that it’s from me.
Always keep it close to you
And keep the ribbon tied.
Smile when you look at it.
It has my love inside.
(child’s name)
A MOTHER’S DAY “TAIL”
Read to children The Mother’s Day Mice by Jan Brett (Houghton Mifflin). Talk about the three
mice brothers and the presents they wanted to give their mother. Ask: How do you think Little Mouse
felt when he went home without a present? Why was the gift he finally gave his mother (a song) so
special? Follow up by inviting children to sing some favorite Mother’s Day songs.
Check out the following Web sites for more
background and activities.
Happy Mother’s
Day
Mother’s Day lesson ideas, gifts to make, and other resources.
http://www.educationworld.com/holidays/archives/mothersday.shtml
Mother’s Day Magic:
Today’s Gift, Tomorrow’s Treasure
Find the history of Mother’s Day, and get some creative gift ideas. http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr337.shtml
“Flowers
for Mom” Match Game
Play an online flower matching game.
http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/mothersday/games/match_up/start.htm
Pre-K Fun
-- Mother’s Day
Loads of activity ideas that span the curriculum.
http://www.prekfun.com/Theme_Pages/M_R/mothersDay/MAIN_MOTHERSDAY.htm
DLTKs Mother’s Day Recipes
Let kids (with an adult’s help) make these recipes for mom.
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/mom/recipes/index.htm
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