Activities

Tune: "Mary Had a Little Lamb"  What's the weather like today, 
like today, like today?
What's the weather like today?
What do you see outside? Do you see the sun or rain, 
wind or snow, hot or cold?

While inside, have the children look out the window to predict what they think the weather might be like when they go outside for outdoor time. Ask questions to guide their thinking.

While inside, have the children look out the window to predict what they think the weather might be like when they go outside. Ask questions to guide their thinking.

Choose an interesting word during large group that relates to a story or activity the children will do during the day such as float, hippopotamus, enclosure or astonishing.

Before showing a book's cover or the pictures inside to the children, tell them the title and encourage them to make predictions about the story. After reading the book, revisit the predictions to compare them to the actual story.

Have the children predict what they think the weather will be for the next few days. Post the predictions, and have the weather helper chart the weather observed next to the group's predictions.

As you begin to read a book to the children, such as Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Rod Campbell, hold the book upside down. Say, “There's something wrong here.

As you begin to read a book to the children,such as Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Rod Campbell, hold the book upside down. Say, "There's something wrong here.

When a child cries because he/she has a need that is unmet, ask if he/she is hungry or tired. You may need to give clues to the younger children to help them answer.

Read What's Wrong, Little Pookie? by Sandra Boynton. In this story, Pookie is very upset and his mom cannot figure out why.

Sing this song in large group during outdoor time at the beginning of the school year as children are getting to know each other. Sing the song then say five or six children's names. Sing again and say more names.

Create an absent child ritual by using a pizza pan with a heart drawn in the middle of it. Print the children's pictures on magnets.

Give the children toy phones and paper and encourage them to write down phone numbers.

You will need chalk, bean bags and buckets with numerals next to them. Challenge the children to toss a bean bag into a bucket and say which number comes before or after the bucket they hit.

You will need chalk, bean bags and buckets with numerals next to them. During outdoor time challenge the children to toss a bean bag into a bucket and say which number comes before or after the bucket they hit.

Have the children stand in a circle. Start by saying your name and doing a movement such as raising one arm. Then have the children repeat your name and the movement. Next, have the child to your left say his/her name and add a new movement.

You will need several small-wheeled vehicles as well as wooden table blocks and rocks from the science center. Using masking tape, make a road on the floor or carpet.

As you sing the familiar song "Wheels on the Bus" with the children, pause and ask them questions. "The babies on the bus go _______.

Encourage the children to tell you stories about conflicts that have happened in the classroom and take dictation. Make the stories funny and always come up with fun ideas of how to solve the conflict with grace and humor.

Sing the following to the tune of “London Bridge”:
When I point to you, say your name,

say your name, say your name.