Volume 4, Issue 13
July 12, 2006
Summer Session #3
More Favorite "Anytime" Activities and Resources
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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Welcome
to Early Childhood Newsletter's "Summer Session." During June and July, I will share some
of my favorite "anytime activities" from newsletters published in prior years as well
as some of the best online Web resources I've found for early childhood educators. I hope you'll
find here some fun ideas and useful resources for engaging your students.
While this newsletter is in summer session, I am hard at work creating new themed newsletters that
will debut starting in August. Among the themes I'm working on are Games and Movement, Holidays
and Hiccups, and It's Dramatic-Play Day!
--Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Newsletter
FOR THOSE WARMER DAYS...
Share this poem with students.
The Beach
Miles of sand,
Water too,
What do you think
We should do?
Let's dig a tunnel
To far, far away.
And when that's done,
We'll swim and play.
Jump into waves --
Salty green and blue,
Look out! A jellyfish –
floating next to you.
Tonight we'll go
For an ice cream,
Then home to bed...
Sweet summer dreams!
SUNGLASSES FOR THE BEACH
Cut away two sections from an egg carton for each child. Cut holes in the bottom of each carton
cup and paste circles of blue or green cellophane to the inside. Attach a pipe cleaner to each side
of the section through a small hole. Let children fit the pipe cleaners around their ears to wear
their sunglasses.
WOW WATERMELON!
These pops are sure to cool everyone down. In a blender mix
--- 1 cup of seedless watermelon chunks (kids might help cut up watermelon with plastic knives)
--- 1 cup orange juice
--- 1 cup water
Pour the mixture into small paper cups and freeze partially. Then children can insert wooden craft
sticks or plastic spoons into the cups. Continue freezing. Run hot water quickly over the bottom
of the cups to remove pops for serving.
MAKE A GAME
Children can work in small groups to create games using different materials/objects each day. After
creating a game, they can name it, and teach it to the class.
Suggested materials/objects/props:
--- one ball
--- two balls
--- a hoop
--- a stack of three blocks
--- one piece of paper
--- a cupful of water
--- a paper bag
--- a piece of chalk...
LET'S
PLANT!
Gather egg cartons and remove the lids. Invite each child to fill a pocket of the egg carton with
planting soil. Each child can then plant a bean seed in his or her pocket. Place the egg carton(s)
in a sunny spot and have children water the seeds regularly. Chart each plant's growth. Follow up
by having children draw pictures of their mature plants.
Check
out the following Web sites for additional background and activities.
Dottie's Garden
Children will enjoy sharing this online story. http://www.primarygames.com/storybooks/plant/start.htm
Gardening
with Kids
The "I Can Garden" Web site presents ideas for garden exploration with a scientific focus. http://www.icangarden.com/document.cfm?task=viewdetail&itemid=4724&categ...
Free
the Beach
In this online game, beach visitors locate trash and place it into proper recycling bins. http://games.funschool.com/game_free_the_beach.html?g=1072&category=59&l...
Kids and Physical
Activity
A great article with activity suggestions and links to additional resources. http://www.wowt.com/news/features/2/1664447.html
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