Class with Miss Cait

shape fish

2012-07-18T16:32:00.005-04:00

The past two weeks we have been talking A LOT about water - how we need to stay hydrated during the summer, how our pets and plants need to stay hydrated too, how some animals live in the water, and what animals live in fresh vs. salt water.

Today we quickly spun off the subject during morning routine, to review our colors and shapes.

I first put the shapes in the middle of our board. I asked each child to come pick a word from me. I read them the word and asked them to put it next to the shape it described. ((The picture shown is actually what I set up more at the end of the day so we could review - that's why it is in a neater line than what you can imagine 3 year olds would do.)) We used this chart to decide what shapes would help us best make a shape fish - linking back to our weekly topic.

I printed one large circle, one large triangle, two smaller triangles, and ten semi-circles on to different color construction paper. Each child got two sheets of paper with the shapes on them and a pair of scissors.

I did, however, learn quickly that semi-circles are not the easiest to cut semi-circles, so my assistant and I cut those. After each student had their shapes, I gave them brown paper and helped them with the glue to assemble their shape fish. Here are a few of our classroom creations!!

For children who are older, you can also print out the shapes on white paper, assign a color to each shape, have them color the shapes, then cut and glue all together ((like below.))

And of course with every lesson you NEED a song!! Here is the one we sang today!!

Catch, catch, catch a fish,
Hook it on your line.
Reel it, reel it, reel it in,
This one will be mine.

Alphabet Book

2012-05-29T15:14:00.001-04:00

Over the last three weeks we have been working on an alphabet book. The kids had a lot of fun gluing each letter and word to the pages. I included words like "Astoria," "Empire State Building," and "Queens" to personalize the books for where the children live and what is around them. I also chose for letters D and M the words "Dad" and "Mom" and had the kids just glue picture frames to those pages. This allows them to either draw their own photos of their parents or to put actual photographs on those pages.

Even though this project consists mostly of construction paper and glue, I also had the kids use foam stickers, ribbon, metallic paper, and other textures to add to the book. I threw in some print out pictures so they can go back and color in some of the pages as well.

Over all it was a very fun, interactive craft that allowed the children to really pay attention to the order of the letters and associate them with words they know.

Red. White. and Blue.

2012-05-28T16:04:00.001-04:00

A great craft to celebrate many different holidays. From Memorial Day to 4th of July to Veterans Day, these colors don't run!!

SUPPLIES:
Paper plates
Blue paint
Paint brushes
White paper
Red paper
Glue
Scissors

Cut the red and white paper into stripes - 7 red, 6 white per child. Also use the while paper to cut out stars. ((For this specific project I cut out three large stars for each child, but the amount does not matter.))

Let the children paint the paper plates blue. When finished, they can stick the stars onto the plates. The red and white striped coordinate with the flag. It also helps children to practice patterns -red, white, red, white, etc. have the kids attach the stripes to Tw bottom of the plate or all around the plate for a "sun" effect.

The examples below were made by my very crafty and patriotic 2-3 year olds :)

While completing the project, teach the children this fun song to celebrate the American flag.

((to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"))
Wave the flag, wave the flag,
As we march around.
Hold it high to show our pride,
Don't let it touch the ground.

Wave the flag, wave the flag,
Dear red, white, and blue.
Stars and stripes forever bright,
America-here's to you!

A Very Tasty Lesson

2012-04-24T16:30:00.001-04:00

What better way to engage children into literacy than becoming part of the book!! This craft helps your children follow a favorite story of many generations, Eric Carle's A Very Hungry Caterpillar.

With a few simple supplies, children are able to make an insect on their own. Then next time you read the story ((with the help of a few print outs of the various foods Carle's creature encounters)), students are able to take the journey with their very own hungry caterpillar.

SUPPLIES:
Egg cartons
Red construction paper
Green construction paper
Green tissue paper
Black construction paper
Scissors
Glue

Cut black construction paper into ovals for eyes. Cut green and red construction paper, along with green tissue paper, into small squares. Cut egg cartons into sections: a dozen egg container should make four caterpillars, a half dozen container makes two, etc.

Have students cover first "bump" in all red paper and the others in green. Glue black eyes onto red "bump." See photos below.

When finished, and while waiting for caterpillars to dry, have a fun activity involving counting and snacks for your very hungry students. Set up bowls of various snacks, animal crackers, goldfish, raisins, etc, and have signs up telling them how many they should count and take.

This activity allows the use of math, literacy and art to all intertwine in a fun, easy, and tasty lesson.

Caterpillars and Butterflies

2012-03-28T23:15:00.000-04:00

Spring time brings creepy crawlers of all sizes and colors. This time of year is great for children to explore life and how bugs, animals, and other living things live and grow. With this project they can learn the life of a caterpillar and its change into a beautiful butterfly.

Supplies: (to make caterpillars)

Egg Cartons - 1/2 dozen carton cut in half, dozen carton cut in fourths.
Green paint
Glitter (green or silver)
White, Black, and Green Contstruction paper
Glue
Pait Brushes

Cut white construction paper into small circles and black construction paper into smaller circles to make eyes. Allow children to glue black circles onto white circles.

Mix glitter with green paint. Have children paint the egg cartons, then attach eyes.

Cut green construction paper into leaf. Use one piece of paper for each leaf so that one caterpillar can fit on it.

Following lesson of caterpillars changing into butterflies, show the children how they can make theirs into butterflies as well.

Supplies:

Construction paper (various colors)
Glue
Glitter (various colors)
Cotton balls (optional)

Cut colored construction paper into wing shape. Have children decorate wings with pieces of scrap paper, attaching them with glitter mixed in with the glue. An option is to have one group of kids make butterflies while the other covers most of their caterpillars in cotton balls, symbolizing the cocoons.

Along with this project you can teach the children about the journey a caterpillar takes turning into a butterfly with this fantastic little poem!!

A fuzzy little caterpillar went up into a tree
Spun his cocoon and then he went to sleep
While he was sleeping he dreamt that he could fly
When he woke up, he was a butterfly

March in like a Lion, out like a Lamb

2012-03-28T21:20:00.002-04:00

Spring Chicken

2012-03-28T21:14:00.003-04:00

A fun and easy project for little Picassos to get in the Spring mood!!

SUPPLIES:

Construction Paper (whole, any color)

Yellow Paint

Orange Construction paper

Blue Construction paper

Glue

Paint Brushes

Scissors

Cut Chick's feet and beak out of the orange construction paper. Cut small circles using the blue construction paper for the eyes. Mix glue with yellow paint ((will allow feet, beak, and eyes to stick to painting better)).

Have children paint the shape of a chicken onto the whole piece of construction paper. When they are done, give them feet, beak and eyes to complete their chicky creations!! It is very fun to see all the different shapes and sizes of the chicks.

Springtime Sensory

2012-03-28T21:10:00.004-04:00

Adding just a few items of color to our March Sensory Bucket can make for all new fun!! Here are some new things we added to keep with the theme of Spring.

Yellow flowers!!

Green Grass!!

Springtime Finger Puppet Friends!!

A wiggly giggly worm!!

A Load of Springtime Fun!!

Plant Some Sunshine!

2012-03-28T21:01:00.003-04:00

Springtime is here!! And what better way to celebrate than teaching your little ones about planting!!

SUPPLIES:

Small (4in) ceramic planting pots

White paint

Glue

Tissue paper (various colors)

Spring themed stickers

Paint the outside of the planting pots with white acrylic paint and let dry before beginning project with children. Cut tissue paper into various sizes and shapes ((all on a smaller scale)). When pots are dry, allow kids to "paint" with glue on the outside of post, attaching tissue paper as they go along. After tissue papering the pots, give children Springtime stickers to add more decoration.

Feathers are also a great option if you chose to make them into Spring Chicken Pots. ((For Spring Chicken Pots, instead of tissue paper just add feathers and googly eyes with a orange construction paper triangle for a beak.))

These great creations do not have to be limited to planting pots. They can also be great containers for your little artist's supplies at home, like crayons!!

Pizza Kites!!

2012-03-28T20:37:00.003-04:00

Perfect 5 Minute Project!

This project is fun for any age artist!!

SUPPLIES:

Paper Plates

Hole Punch

String

Crayons

Have children decorate their paper plate. On this day we made them into pizzas, but they can become anything the kids choose!! Hole punch the bottom of the plate and tie on string. Easy as that!! Five minutes and your little ones will have hours of fun running around with their kites ((which surprisingly fly all over the place after them)).

A Weeeee Little Leprechaun

2012-03-28T20:35:00.003-04:00

Everyone is Irish on St Patrick's Day!!

Snap a great picture of your littlest leprechauns with this fabulous photo prop for one of the greenest days of the year!! A print out for parents makes for an excellent holiday card.

SUPPLIES:

Green, Yellow, and Orange Construction Paper

Green Pipecleaners

Scissors

Tape or Glue

March Sensory Bucket

2012-03-05T21:59:00.002-05:00

I think sensory buckets are very important to have in every classroom, especially for younger students. It encourages children to test out different feelings. Talking with the children about what items they liked the most and why is important with a sensory bucket too. While some may like the shiny stones, others may think they are too cold and prefer the soft petals of the flower. Encouraging children to find which pieces they like the best and possible create an project for them out of it!!

The theme of this sensory bucket is St Patrick's Day ((hence all the green)), but with added color can be used for any time of the year!!

Happy Birthday, Dr Seuss!!

2012-03-01T21:35:00.001-05:00

It's time to celebrate!!

Here is a simple and quick project for the littlest of students to celebrate the man who brought them fox in sox, Sam-I-Am, and the Cat in the Hat. They can do this craft while listening to their favorite Dr. Seuss book!!

Supplies:
Red and white construction paper
Printed Dr. Seuss quote
Scissors
Glue
Stickers ((optional))

Cut red paper into Cat-in-the-hat's hat shape. Cut white paper into stripes. Two white stripes per hat. Have students glue stripes onto hat. ((Optional: We had our kids use Dr. Seuss stickers to decorate their hats)) Attach quote to back of hat.

You can also use red cardstock for the hat and attach a band to make it a wearable hat for the kids.

Lets sing "Happy Birthday" too!! Here is a custom birthday tune for your class to sing during their celebration!!

(("happy birthday" tune))

Happy Birthday Dr Seuss

Thank you for the Whos

and fishes red and blue

thing one and thing two

Horton Hears a Hoo

The Hoo is for you

Birthday wishes are due

For the great Dr Seuss

The Lorax and Max

They all think so too

Happy Birthday Dr Suess

Happy Birthday to you

Mardi Gras!!

2012-02-29T15:24:00.003-05:00

Celebrating Mardi Gras is so much fun!! Here is a quick and easy craft for you little ones to get in the NOLA mood!!

Supplies:
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Glitter
Stapler

And here's a fun song to sing while crafting:

((To the tune "Here we go round the mulberry bush"))

This is the way we make our hats,

Make our hats, make our hats.

This is the way we make our hats,

So early Mardi Gras morning.

First we glue on fun confetti,

Fun confetti, fun confetti

First we glue on fun confetti

So early Mardi Gras morning.

Then we add some sparkles,

Sparkles, sparkles.

Then we add some sparkles,

So early Mardi Gras morning.

Now we can have a parade,

Have a parade, have a parade.

Now we can have a parade,

To celebrate Mardi Gras.

Leap Frog!!

2012-02-28T23:26:00.002-05:00

Meet Leap!! Our frog who helps us celebrate February 29 with a fun and easy craft!!

Supplies:

Construction paper

Scissors

Glue

Cut body and four legs out of color construction paper, eyes from black & white construction paper, number "29" from black paper. Assemble with glue.

February 29th comes every fourth year

So let's all stand up and give a cheer!!

Happy Happy Leap Year!!

Also just a great project for any frog theme!!

Here is how some of the kids' Leap Frogs came out..