Activities

During large group read I Want It by Elizabeth Crary. Talk with the children about solutions when two children both want to play with the same thing.

Have the children help create pages for a class book with a text pattern based on Sue William's I Went Walking. Cut logos from local stores, from newspaper ads or advertising circulars.

During outdoor time, draw a series of seven squares on the pavement with sidewalk chalk. In each square write one word of the following sentences. “I went outside.

I wiggle my fingers, 

I wiggle my toes, 

I wiggle my shoulders, 

I wiggle my nose, 

Now no more wiggles are left in me, 

So I will sit as still as can be.

After listening to a familiar story, such as “The Little Red Hen,” encourage the children to explain how they could change the ending.

Bring in a small animal or insect for the childrento observe, such as a turtle, fish or caterpillar. Encourage the children to gather around to ask and answer questions. Look the answers up if you are unsure of some of the information.

Have a book of interesting animal facts on hand such as National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Animals by Catherine Hughes. Open the discussion with the statement, “I wonder why...

Read Why?: The Best-Ever Question and Answer Book About Nature, Science and the World Around You by Catherine Ripley.

Share a nonfiction book on a relatively unfamiliar topic such as Wong Herbert Yee's Summer Days and Nights with the children.

Have a chart with two columns labeled “I Wonder” and “I Observed.” Provide the children with an apple or pear cut in half, as well as tweezers and magnifying glasses.

Read I'll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. Encourage the children to recite the phrase, “I'll love you forever, I'll like you always; as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

Read I'll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. Encourage the children to recite the phrase, "I'll love you forever, I'll like you always; as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

Encourage the children to be contractors and builders. The contractor gives the builder directions on how to build a structure: “Place two hollow blocks next to each other. Stand a hollow block up on each end.

Tune: “I'm a Little Teapot”
I'm a little snowflake, fat and round

Falling softly to the ground.

I'm an acorn, small and round,

Lying on the cold, cold ground. 

People pass and step on me. 

That's why I'm all cracked, you see. 

I'm a nut. (Clap, clap) 

I'm a nut. (Clap, clap) 

I'm a nut.

Have each child draw a self-portrait and dictate characteristics that make them alive. This can be done in small group.

During outdoor time, choose an area of the playground for the children to dig into the soil, collect samples in several clear containers and investigate items found during their exploration such as rocks, sticks and maybe even some bugs.

Sing this song to the tune of “For He's a Jolly Good Fellow” during outdoor time. Ask two to three children to respond. Continue singing until all the children have had a turn to tell what they are good at.

Place a piece of ice, a piece of chocolate and a small candle on a tray. Ask the children which one they think will melt the fastest. Use a hairdryer and a timer to see how long it takes for each one to melt.

Teach the children an "okay" gesture. Throughout the day, check in with the children. When they see you use the okay gesture, they should do it back to let you know "everything is okay.