All About the Letter I - Letter of the Week Activities

 Letter Hunt: Go on a Letter Ii hunt around your home. Encourage your child to see how many objects he can find with names beginning with the /i/ sound like in ice cream and itch. Support your child’s writing process by encouraging him/her to write the word on an index card. Then have him/her tape it to the object.

Odd Sound Out: Say three words, two beginning with the /i/ like in itch sound and one sound that is different. Have the student repeat which sound does not belong.

• in, itch, hat
• iguana, hot, igloo
• goat, ill, if
• it, is, food
• inch, ink, hotdog

I Listening Game: Read the following sentences. Have the students repeat the words that begin with the /i/ sound like in ice cream.

• Irene likes to eat ice cream.
•  I like to plant ivy.
• Watch out for the iceberg.
• McGee is an Irish name.
• An island has water on all sides.

Fill in the Missing Word:  All of your guesses should begin with the /i/ sound like in igloo.

• You can build this out of blocks of ice. It is round. You can sleep in it. It is an ________. (igloo)
• I can be a pet. I am cold blooded. I am usually green, and I like to eat insects.  I am an  ________. (iguana)
• It is sweet and made out of milk and cold. You can make a banana-split with it. If you leave it out of the freezer it will melt. It is   _______. (ice cream)
• When I sneeze and run a fever I am sick. Another word for sick has just three letters it is _____. (ill)

Circle and Find: Have students practice reading environmental print. Use newspapers, junk mail, and/or sales flyers and have them highlight all of the letter Ii’s using a highlighter.

Songs

Ii

(to the tune Clementine)

In an igloo on an island

in a sea of icey water

lived an inchworm named Ignatius

and his itsy bitsy daughter.

She was smaller than an inkblot

and her name was Isabelle.

She didn't need a cradle

cause she slept in a seashell.

If You're Happy and You Know It

If you're happy and you know it,

Scratch an itch “i” “i”

If you're happy and you know it,

Scratch an itch “i” “i”

If you're happy and you know it,

Then your face will surely show it

If you're happy and you know it,

Scratch an itch “i” “i”.

Where is the Alphabet?

(Tune: "Where Is Thumbkin?")

Where is I? Where is I? (Children repeat.)

Here I am! (Hold up the manual sign for I.)

Here I am! (Children repeat and copy sign.)

What do you say I? What do you say I?

/ĭ/ /ĭ//ĭ//ĭ//ĭ/

Literacy Activities 

Body Letters - Challenge children to make different letters with their bodies. Can you make an "I"? Can you make the letter that you hear at the beginning of "ice cream”?

Air Writing - Write letters in the air using the index finger and middle finger. Keep your elbow stiff. Note! The teacher will need to reverse the movements or turn around while demonstrating in front of the class.

Things to glue on the Alphabet

• plastic insects
  
• pictures of insects
• insect stickers
• draw ice cream cones, or icicles
• ink
• Make I's out of fingerprints and add legs and eyes for insects

Snacks

• ice cream
• ice
• icing
• ice pops
• Italian food
• Indian food

Credits:

www.MyCuteGraphics.com

Summer Ideas

Fix an area outside to let you child enjoy painting. Some ideas include inexpensive watercolors, white construction paper, and of course water. If painting is not something you’re interested in than choose markers, colored pencils, crayons, etc. Before your little one begins their “plein air” (outside) master piece, go on a nature walk through your yard, neighborhood, or local park and talk about all the different colors and textures you see along the way. To promote language skills use as many describing words when talking with your young child. Words such as enormous, tiny, hairy, smooth, bumpy, bright, dull, shiny etc. Describe the shape of the object, its dimensions anything to expand your child’s vocabulary. When you return from your adventure encourage your child to remember details from the walk and paint them or draw them. Remember it is about the creative process and not the end product. Talk with your child about their painting. Ask, “Tell me about your painting,” leaves an opened conversation as opposed to “what are you drawing?” For a science experiment, encourage your child to observe how fast the watercolors dry. Most of all have fun!

Credits: www.MyCuteGraphics.com     www.KevinandAmanda.com

My Many Colored Days

My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss is a wonderful way for parents and teachers to talk with children about their feelings. Each day is described in terms of a particular color, which in turn is associated with specific emotions. Using a spectrum of vibrant colors and a variety of animals, this unique book covers a range of moods and emotions. (Ages 3-8)

I am introducing this book during the first month of school as part of my Feelings Theme. I used the information provided from the Book Nook based on My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss to create visuals to retell the story with.


To purchase a copy of My Many Colored Days click here.

My Many Colored Days Activities Packet contains the following:

• Each animal is in colored and coordinates with the story. 
• Each colored boy is in color with the color word written on the cutout. 
• Pages 12-27 are a printable book based on the story by Dr. Seuss. The printable book is used for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY! It may not be sold or re-distributed. The book is copyright protected and may be used for classrooms purposes only. The images are from the Ideas for Using Books to Support Social Emotional Development: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss and can be found here: http://www.csefel.vanderbilt.edu/booknook/many_colored_days.pdf.

Directions: It is suggested that all pieces are printed on card stock and laminated for durability. Pages 2-11 print single sided, laminate, and cut individually. If you plan on using the visuals on a felt board simply attach the rough side of self-adhesive Velcro dots to the back of each piece. Another option is to use self-adhesive magnets. Also, to act out the story, print another set of visuals, laminate, and glue to craft sticks. Place the puppets with the book in your library. The book on pages 12-27 can be printed manually on both sides, laminated, and then either comb-bound or use book rings to make the book. Both the book and the puppets are being used in my Safe Place from Conscious Discipline.

FREE DOWNLOAD>> My Many Colored Days Activities

Examples of activities that can be used while reading My Many Colored Days and throughout the day to promote social and emotional development:

• While reading the story, pause after each animal and discuss the animal’s color. Ask the children to share a time that they were in that mood. After reading the story, discuss the spectrum of colors in comparison to moods and feelings.
• Extend the story by discussing different colors and their association with emotions. Explain that sometimes feelings are described in colors. We are all different and may have a different feelings or moods with each color. For example, although some associate blue with being sad others find it very peaceful and happy. Make a chart with different colors across the top. Ask children to pick which color represents how they are feeling. Talk about why they picked the color to represent their feeling. Write the children’s names under the color they pick.
• Color spinner—Trace two hands, with the two palm edges touching, on one piece of card stock paper or file folder. The fingers will be facing the outer edge of the paper/file folder, while the palms are toward the center. (Note: Once traced, the hands will form a mirror image of each other.) Cut out an arrow and attach it with a brad to form a spinner between the two hands. Color each finger a different color using the colors represented in the story. Have the children pass the spinner around taking turns spinning the arrow and discussing what the color means for them. Talk about how different people may have different feelings associated with the same color. For example, in the story, purple makes the boy feel sad; for others it could mean feeling loved.

The ideas used above are from: Ideas for Using Books to Support Social Emotional Development: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss.

FREE DOWNLOAD>> My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss – Book Nook Ideas and Activities

Useful Social & Emotional Development Links

The Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. CSEFEL is a national resource center funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau for disseminating research and evidence-based practices to early childhood programs across the country.

Creating Teaching Tools for Young Children with Challenging Behavior is a FREE product developed by the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children (TACSEI) that gives teachers practical strategies, developed from TACSEI’s research activities and experiences in Positive Behavior Support, to create a plan to support young children who are having challenging behavior.

Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive self-regulation program that integrates social-emotional learning and discipline.

Preschool Feelings Theme

I have collected over the years several sources to use with the Feelings Theme. I also recently have started incorporating Conscious Discipline into my prekindergarten classroom. This upcoming school year I have designed several games and visuals for the children to use along with Conscious Discipline. The information below is a few of my ideas and ideas friends, and colleagues have shared with me over the years.

Several of my printables are FREE and can be downloaded from TeachersPayTeachers.com. I try to keep all of my teaching resources in one area to make it easy for myself and others.

I hope you find the information useful. If you have any questions or comments do not hesitate to email me or post a comment. Suggestions and comments are always encouraged and helpful.

Objectives

1. To correctly identify feelings
2. To understand ways to safely express feelings
3. To practice discussing feelings

Art Activities

Happy Face, Sad Face 

Materials: small paper plate or circle shape per child, crayons, large craft stick per child, hand mirror

Directions: The children look in the mirror and make a happy face. They draw themselves on one side of the plate or circle including eyes, nose, and hair then and smiling mouth. On the opposite side they draw themselves with a sad face. Glue craft stick on the bottom.

Extension: Use these at circle time or a large/small group time later in the day asking questions about feelings. They turn their "faces" to show the side that corresponds to the question or statement.


Examples: You need to go to clean up the centers. Are you happy or sad? You find your favorite toy that you thought was lost. Are you happy or sad?

Paint a Feeling

Materials: Paint, brushes and paper

Free art expression. When they are done, ask them to name their picture with a feeling. Hang paintings with their descriptions.

Feeling Activity Mats

The packet contains four blank faces for young children to use playdoh to build how they feel faces. The mats can also be used with a dry erase marker and have the students draw how they feel. I am using the mats in my Safe Place area based on Conscious Discipline to encourage children to identify how they feel. I am also introducing the activity mats as part of my Feelings Theme to use at the beginning of the school year.

Directions: It is suggested to print on card stock and laminate for durability. Then cut out each face and place in your center. You could also print on card stock, glue in a file folder, and laminate the entire set.

SUBSCRIBE to DOWNLOAD>> How Do I Feel Today?

Cooking Activities

Comfort Cookies

Ingredients:3 cups margarine
3 cups brown sugar
3 cups flour
6 cups oats
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 cups chocolate drops (or butterscotch or peanut butter drops)

Directions: Mash, knead, squeeze, pound, pinch, etc. all ingredients in a large bowl until completely blended. Form into small balls about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in size and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Butter the bottom of a small juice glass and then dip it into white sugar, then pound the cookies flat with it. Bake the cookies at 350 degrees for approx. 10-12 mins.

Science Activities

Apple Experiment

Materials: (1) apple

Directions: Sit the class in a circle and show them the ordinary apple. Then pass the apple around in the circle and instruct the students to lightly hit the apple on the carpet. Once all of the children have had a turn, show the apple to the children. Ask the children does the apple look any different? What do you think happened to the inside of the apple? Explain to the children that the apple looks normal on the outside, but on the inside it is bruised. Cut the apple open and pass the apple halves around the circle letting the children examine the bruised inside. (Remind the children the apple is for looking and not eating.) Explain to the children that sometimes we cannot see how our words or actions hurt our friends on the inside, but like the apple our friends can be bruised on the inside by what we say and do.

Extension: Have the children draw a picture of how they can make a friend feel better when someone says something mean or hurtful.


Feelings CD

Materials: CD player, recorder, pictures of children showing various emotions.

Directions: Record the children making different sounds such as laughing, giggling, growling, crying, yelling, etc. Place the CD in the Science area along with pictures of the different emotions. The children then listen to the sound and match the emotion.

Bottled Up Emotions

Experiment to show what happens when we bottle up anger and emotions inside....we EXPLODE!
Materials: vinegar, baking soda, paper towel, gallon size ziploc bag.
Experiment can be found at All Things Beautiful.

Literacy Activities

Class Feeling Book

Materials: Digital camera, computer, and printer.

Directions: Ask your children (one at a time) to give their best happy, sad, mad, silly, and scared faces. Then take a picture of them. Print pictures and glue them on an 8.5”x 11” paper. Either type the words that describe the emotion or write the words directly on the paper. Combine all of the children’s faces into a class book. You can either secure using comb-binding if accessible OR punch three holes and secure using book rings. You can use the class book to lead a discussion about different feelings.

How do you feel today?

Objective: Children will guess how a character in the story feels. Some may say happy, sad, mad or scared

Materials: Today I feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis, sets of faces made with paper plates showing different feelings, and a puppet.

Instructions: Read the book. Give each child in your small group a set of plates. Using a puppet, retell few situations that happened in the story. Have the children choose a paper plate to show how they think the character feels.

Feelings Vocabulary Cards: The packet contains 12 feelings vocabulary cards perfect to use in circle time, small groups, and word walls. I am using the Feelings Vocabulary Cards in my Safe Place area based on Conscious Discipline to encourage children to identify how they feel. I am also introducing the Feelings Vocabulary Cards as part of my Feelings Theme to use at the beginning of the school year.

Directions: It is suggested to print on card stock and laminate for durability. Then cut out each vocabulary card along the solid black line.

SUBSCRIBE to DOWNLOAD>>  Feelings Vocabulary Cards

Writing Activities

My Feelings Book

Materials: Pencils, crayons, several sheets of white construction paper fold hamburger  style forming a book. Printed on the cover page the following sentence: My Feelings Book

On each page write an emotional word: angry, happy, sad, scared, silly, and excited. Encourage the children to draw a picture of something that made them feel angry, happy, sad, scared, silly, and excited. Write down their story when they are done and display.

SUBSCRIBE to DOWNLOAD>>  My Feelings Book

Math Activities

Feelings Sorting Cards

The packet contains 9 feelings sorting cards perfect to use in circle time, small groups,

and math centers. I am using the Feelings Sorting Cards in my Safe Place area based on Conscious Discipline to encourage children to recognize facial expressions. I am also introducing the Feelings Sorting Cards as part of my Feelings Theme to use at the beginning of the school year.

Directions: It is suggested to print on card stock and laminate for durability. Then cut out each feelings sorting card along the solid black line. For a sorting game I suggest printing at least (5) sets. For a matching game like memory I suggest printing at least (4) sets. These cards can also be used like “Go Fish” cards.

SUBSCRIBE to DOWNLOAD>> Feelings Sorting Cards

Dramatic Play Activities

1. Flower Shop – Plastic flowers, non-breakable vases, play money, cash register or something to store money in, notepad for taking orders, wrapping paper, and gift bags can be placed in the dramatic play area. Make a sign that says “Flower Shop.” Also, make a sign that has prices for different types of flowers. You can use a digital camera and take pictures of the plastic flowers. Print them out, glue onto a poster board and write the amount. For small children I would also include a picture of the money for the children to match up. The children may want to arrange, sell, deliver, and receive flowers.

2. Card Shop – Include blank cards, thank you notes, paper, pencils, crayons, markers, construction paper, glue, scissors, stickers, envelopes, and self-inking stamps. Make a sign that says, “Card Shop.” You can also include pre-printed strips for children to copy on their cards such as: I hope you get well soon, Thinking of you, Miss you, Sorry that you do not feel good, Good Job, etc. Also include sentence strips with both each child’s name and picture. This way the children can find a child’s name and write it on the card.

3. Post Office – Include a bag to be used as the “mail bag,” a blue shirt for the mail carrier uniform. Use the cards created from the card shop. Make a sign that says, “Post Office.” The children can use stickers to stamp their cards and deliver them to their friends via their cubbies.

Songs

IF YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT

Tune: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, your face will surely show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
~Traditional

(Make up additional verses with other feelings; such as; If you’re angry and you know it, stomp your feet, or If you’re scared and you know it, hide your eyes.)

FEELINGS
Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”

I have feelings
You do too.
Let’s all sing about a few.

I am happy (smile)
I am sad (frown)
I get scared (wrap arms around self)
I get mad (make a fist and shake it)
I am proud of being me (hands on hips)
That’s a feeling too, you see.

I have feelings (point to self)
You do too. (point to a friend)
We just sang about a few.

THE MORE WE GET TOGETHER

The more we get together,
Together, together,
The more we get together,
The happier we'll be.

Because your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends.
The more we get together,
The happier we'll be!

Books

Below is a list of books to go with the Feelings Theme. I have a majority of the books in my collection or I check them out from my local library.

• It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr 
• The Feelings Book by Todd Parr 
• Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day! by Jamie Lee Curtis 
• My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss 
• Glad Monster Sad Monster by Ed Emberley 
• Cool Down and Work Through Anger by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed

Feelings Links

• Feelings Preschool Lesson Plan
• Feelings Songs
• Glad Monster Sad Monster A great link to use with the book. The site has a lot of FREE printables to accompany the book. 
• FREE Printable Feelings Bingo

Images provided by:

0 to 50 Math Flashcards

0 to 50 Math Flashcards are in English and Spanish. Each flashcard contains the number name, the numeral, and a shaded square using the ten frame layout. 0 to 50 Flashcards are perfect for bulletin boards, math centers, whole group instruction, small group, and one-on-one intervention. 

With 0 to 50 Math Flashcards there are endless hands-on activities students can complete. Students can practice one-to-one correspondence by matching the colored squares to the corresponding number of objects. Students can practice meaningful counting by drawing a 0 to 50 Flashcard and then counting out the correct number of objects. Students can also practice placing the numbers in numerical order from greatest to least and least to greatest.

Each flashcard measures 5.5" x 8.5" but can be printed in several sizes such as 8.5" x 11", 3" x 4.88", and 2.31" x 3.72".

Download >> 0 to 50 Number Flashcards

As Promised...All About the Numbers 7, 8, 9, & 10

 As promised I am including file folder activities for the following numbers: 7, 8, 9, and 10. These activities will take me through until Christmas Break. I will start working on activities for 11 - 20. So stay tuned for updates and additions.

The number file folder games contain the following activities:

• Number Mats - Which can be used as playdoh mats, children can drive matchbox cars along the path of the numbers, or they can use dry erase markers to trace the number.
• Number Pattern Blocks - There are number pattern block mats and pattern blocks to print.
• Sort the Number by Color.
• Sort the Number by Size.
• Number Puzzles
• Number Work Mats- Each number work mat contains cards with the numeral, its name, ten frames, and corresponding number of objects representing the target number.
• Can You Find the Number…? Children can find and circle the target number out of a grid of numbers.
• Number Line: The number line enables children to see the number in numerical order. The activity encourages the children to write the missing number using the number line as a visual guide.

Magic Seven Activities Pack Sample

 Download >> Magic Seven Activity Pack

Brake for Eight Activities Pack Sample

  Download >> Brake for Eight Activity Pack

Dine on Nine Activities Pack Sample

 Download >> Dine on Nine Activity Pack

Ben and Lynn Count to Ten Activities Pack Sample

  Download >>Ben and Lynn Count to Ten Activity Pack

All About the Number...

Keeping with the scope and sequence of skills I have designed file folder activities for the  numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 so far. Each target number activity contains the following:

• Number Mats - Which can be used as playdoh mats, children can drive matchbox cars along the path of the numbers, or they can use dry erase markers to trace the number.
• Number Pattern Blocks - There are number pattern block mats and pattern blocks to print.
• Sort the Number by Color.
• Sort the Number by Size.
• Number Puzzles
• Number Work Mats- Each number work mat contains cards with the numeral, its name, ten frames, and corresponding number of objects representing the target number.
• Can You Find the Number…? Children can find and circle the target number out of a grid of numbers.
• The number line enables children to see the number in numerical order. The activity encourages the children to write the missing number using the number line as a visual guide.
• NEW in Six is Half a Dozen: Can You Find the Pattern?

All About the Lonely Number 1 Activity Pack Sample

 Download>> All About the Lonely Number 1 Activity Pack

Two is a Pair Activity Pack Sample

 Download>> Two is a Pair Activity Pack

Download >> Three is a Trio Activity Pack

Four is a Quad Activity Pack Sample

Download >> Four is a Quad Activity Pack

Five is a Pentagon Activity Pack Sample

Download >> Five is a Pentagon Activity Pack

Six is Half a Dozen Activity Pack Sample

Download >> Six is Half a Dozen Activity Pack

Stay tuned for more updates to include All About the Numbers 7, 8, 9, and 10.

~ Catherine : )