ARBOR DAY

April 30th is Arbor Day, but every day we should look outside and appreciate trees. These websites have some great information and activities for kids at school or at home

https://www.arborday.org/kids/

https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/educational-resources.cfm

Brainstorm
Divide children into small groups and let them brainstorm all the products we get from trees.

*THE GIVING TREE by Shel Silverstein is a wonderful book to share, but my little kids always wanted to know, "Why did he have to get old?" (I wonder the same thing sometimes!!!)


TREEmendous Writing
Let children look out the window or sit under a tree and write descriptions. Think about the colors in the tree. Are there animals in the tree? What are the parts of a tree?
*For creative writing, ask children to complete this sentence: If I were a tree I would...


Tree Identification
Download information about leaves similar to the one below.

 


Take a nature walk and challenge the children to identify the trees on the school grounds. 

How are leaves different?

How does the bark on trees vary?

*Hint! Give children a clipboard and let them draw their favorite tree.

*Let them do rubbings of leaves from different trees and compare.


Plant a Tree
Contact your local cooperative extension service, Forestry Services, or National Arbor Day Foundation for free seedlings. Discuss what your tree will need to thrive. Prepare the soil, water your tree, and record its growth.


Vocabulary
What's a deciduous tree? What's an evergreen tree?
Sing this song to the tune of "London Bridge" to help your students learn how about deciduous and evergreen trees.

If your leaves fall to the ground,
to the ground,
to the ground.
If your leaves fall to the ground
You're deciduous.
If your leaves stay green all year,
green all year,
green all year.
If your leaves stay green all year,
You're an evergreen.


ADOPT A TREE
A Louisiana teacher shared this sweet story about what happened when she let her class "adopt" a special tree on the playground. They named their tree Maggie and hugged her, drew pictures of her in different seasons, read stories and sang songs under her, wrote descriptions...you get the idea. One day as a group of children were playing, one child snapped a branch off another tree. A little boy started to cry because he said, "You're hurting Maggie's friend." I'm not sure "adopting a tree" was in their state standards, but it's a beautiful story about instilling a love of nature in children. And, it's so easy just to take a moment every now and then to focus on trees and all the living things this time of year. 

THANK YOU THURSDAY

I don't make up these holidays, but April 29th really is THANK YOU THURSDAY!

Everybody likes to be appreciated, so here are some simple ideas you can use to say THANK YOU to parent volunteers and school helpers at the end of the year.

Sing and Sign Thanks
Teach children this song to the tune of “Happy Birthday.”
We (Make “w” and circle around.)
Say (Index fingers by lips and move out.)
Thank you (Fingertips on chin and extend out.)
To. (Touch index fingertips.)
You. (Point.)
(Repeat twice)
We say thank you
For helping (Open left palm and place right fist on it and bring up.)
We say thank you to you!
                                          

Elvis Thank You
Get out your microphone. (Hold a fist by your mouth.)
Wiggle your hips.
(Pretend to twirl your microphone around.)
Thank you! Thank you very much!

Pictures and Letters
Integrate writing by having the children make thank you cards with various art media.

“Sweet” Thank You
Here are some clever ideas for awards you can give volunteers or school helpers. You can even cut paper the size of the wrapper and let the children make “designer” candy bars. 

Kudos Bar – “Kudos to you!”
Snickers – “Nuts about you!”
100 Grand – “A million thanks for all you did!”
M & M’s – “You’re marvelous and magnificent.”
Mint – “You ‘mint’ the world to us.”
Hershey’s Kisses – and Hugs, too!
Lifesavers – “You were a lifesaver this year!”

Gift Certificates
Here are some certificates that Carolyn Kisloski created.

                                        

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Gift-Tags-Gift-Cards-and-Gift-Ideas-2542953

MY STATE - MY CITY

My State Book
Make a state book based on your state flower, animal, famous people, state bird, capitol, flag, insect, famous places, etc. Children can become EXPERTS about their state.  The rhyme is similar to "Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?"
For example: 

New Hampshire, New Hampshire, what do you see?
I see the Capitol in Concord looking at me.

Capitol in Concord, what do you see?
I see the purple lilac looking at me.

Dartmouth, Dartmouth, who do you see?
I see Dr. Seuss looking at me....


My City Book
This is a book that I made several years ago about Charleston.  It's an idea that you could adapt for your school, community, etc.
                 

You will need construction paper and photos of your city, school, and so forth. 

Charleston, Charleston, what do you see?
There’s ___site____.
Come with me.

On the last page I wrote:

Do you like Charleston?
Do you like your city?
“Yes,” said Dr. Jean.
“I LOVE IT!” said she.
(I used my pirate picture to add a smile!)
                                         

THE WORLD FAMILY
(Tune: “The Wheels on the Bus”)
In this song, you’ll have to fill in the name of your school, city, state, country, continent, and planet.

The name of my school is ___, ___, ___.
The name of my school is ___.
That’s the name of my school.

The name of my city is...

The name of my state is...

The name of my country is United States.

The name of my continent is North America.

The name of my planet is Earth.

We’re all part of the world family, family, family.
We’re all part of the world family.
Let’s live in love and peace.

TELL A STORY DAY

National Tell A Story Day (April 27th) is celebrated by encouraging people of all age groups to tell a story. A story can be read from a book, an imaginary story, or an actual memory.

                                              

In person or online, stories will capture children’s attention and nurture their literacy skills. Oral language, phonological awareness, comprehension, sequencing, and multiple skills are reinforced with stories. The secret ingredient to a good story is YOU! You add the magic with your enthusiasm and unique personality.

Before telling your story you need to focus children’s attention with a chant or rhyme similar to the ones below:

If you want to hear a story, (Snap fingers to the beat.)
This is what to do.
Sit down quietly
And I’ll tell one to you!
That’s right, that’s right, (Point to children sitting quietly.)
That’s right, that’s right!

Two little hands go clap, clap, clap. (Clap hands 3 times.)
Two little fingers go snap, snap, snap. (Snap fingers 3 times.)
Two little eyes go blink, blink, blink. (Blink eyes.)
If you want to hear a story go wink, wink, wink. (Wink eyes.)
(Lower your voice as you say each line.)


Hands up high. (Hands in the air.)
Hands down low. (Hands down.)
Hide those hands, now. (Hands behind your back.)
Where did they go? (Shrug shoulders.)
One hand up. (Right hand up.)
The other hand, too. (Left hand up.)
Clap them, (Clap.)
Fold them, (Fold in lap.)
Here’s a story for you!


Here's a participation story where children can listen and follow directions.

The Wiggle Family

Directions: Assign children to be the different characters below. (Two or three children can be each character.) Instruct them to stand up, wiggle, and then sit back down whenever their name is mentioned in the story.

Hint! When telling the story, pause slightly after saying each character's name.

Mama       Sister      Baby      Cat      Grandma

Papa        Brother    Dog       Grandpa


One day Mama Wiggle said, "It’s such a beautiful day. Why don't we all get in the van and go to Grandma and Grandpa Wiggle's house. We’ll take a picnic lunch and have a great time!" Papa got the van ready while Sister packed a picnic lunch. Mother got the baby, and Brother got the cat and dog. Soon Mother, Father, and Baby were in the front of the van, and Sister and Brother, the cat and the dog were in the back of the van and they were on their way to Grandma and Grandpa Wiggle’s house..

"Oh, no," said Sister, "I forgot the picnic lunch!"

So Mama told Papa to stop the van. They turned around and drove back to their house to get the picnic lunch. Sister ran back to the house while the others sat in the van. Just then the dog started barking and scared the cat who jumped out of the van. Brother had to chase the cat and bring her back to the van. The Baby got so upset, he just cried and cried. Finally, Mama, Papa, Sister, Brother, Baby, the dog, and cat were all back in the van and were on their way to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

When they arrived at Grandma and Grandpa’s house everyone was so happy! The cat and dog jumped out of the van first, followed by Brother and Sister. Mother, Father, and Baby got out of the van last.

They spread a blanket under a large tree and put out the picnic lunch. And, oh, what a feast it was! They had sandwiches, and fried chicken, and cupcakes and fruit. After lunch Grandpa, Grandma, Mother, Father, and the Baby fell asleep and took a nap. Brother and Sister chased the cat and dog around and played hide and go seek.

It started to get dark, so Grandpa and Grandma gave Mother, Father, Baby, Sister and Brother a big hug good-bye. They all hopped in the van with the cat and the dog and set off towards their home.

What a special day it had been!

Story Bracelet

 
String color-coded beads on a pipe cleaner to encourage children to retell stories.

Three Pigs

Once upon a time there were three little pigs. (3 pink beads)
The first little pig built a house of straw. (1 yellow bead)
The second little pig built a house of sticks. (1 brown bead)
The third little pig built a house of bricks. (1 red bead)
One day a big bad wolf came along. (1 black bead)
He went to the house of the first little pig and said,
“Little pig, little pig, let me come in.” (Touch yellow bead.)
The little pig said, “Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin.”
“Then I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in”…
The wolf climbed up on the chimney so he could get the pigs.
The pigs put a big pot of boiling water in the fireplace. (blue bead)
When the wolf hit the hot water he jumped out of the fireplace and was never heard from again.
And that’s the story of the three little pigs!
(Twist ends of pipe cleaner to make a bracelet.)

I KNOW A SCIENTIST

Calling children "authors" when they write and "scientists" when you do experiments is positive self-talk.  It helps them think positively about themselves and nurtures their confidence.  That's why I love this song about a "scientist."

I Know a Scientist
(Tune: “I Had a Little Turtle”)
I know a scientist, (Hold up index finger.)
And you can be one, too! (Point with index finger.)
Here’s the scientific method
So you’ll know what to do.

First you find a question. (Hold up one finger.)
Just take a look around. (Pretend to look around.)
What is it that you want to know?
Now you write it down.

Next you make a guess— (Hold up two fingers.)
It’s called a hypothesis—
About what will happen
When you do your tests.

Now experiment, (Hold up three fingers)
Observe it, write it, too. (Hold up four fingers.)
You’ll need lots of data
To show your guess is true.

Draw your conclusions. (Hold up five fingers.)
Look into any doubts.
Then tell everybody
What you’ve found out! 

https://youtu.be/5Z41GOKUjzI

Science Experiments 

I know it's a challenge to come up with science experiments with your different teaching situations, but here are a few simple ones that should spark children's interest wherever they are.

Note!  These would also be good for the parents to repeat at home.

Dancing Rice 

Materials:  uncooked rice, water, food coloring, baking soda, white vinegar, clear glass

Directions:  Put about 1/4 cup of uncooked rice in a clear glass. Add water. Add a few drops of food coloring and a TB of baking soda. Mix. Add 2 TB white vinegar and watch the dance party!

What happened?  Why?




Shiny Pennies
Materials: old pennies, vinegar, salt, cup and spoon

Directions: Put ½ cup of vinegar in the cup. Add 1 TB salt and mix to dissolve. Drop the pennies in the cup and stir them around while you count to 25. Take the pennies out of the cup and rinse them off in water. Taaa Daaa! What happened to the pennies? What made them shiny?

*Experiment shining pennies with ketchup or lemon juice.


                                          
In the Bag
Materials: zip sandwich bag, sharp pencil

Directions: Fill the sandwich bag with water. Hold the pencil and say, “What do you think will happen if I stab this pencil in the bag?” Take the pencil and quickly insert it through the bag. What happened? Why?

Lab Coat
If you were a kid, wouldn't you like a lab coat like a real scientist?  Well, here's a great project to share with your families.

Materials:  pillowcase, scissors, markers

Directions:  Use the pattern below or come up with your own design to make the pillowcase look like a lab coat. 
*Cut on the dotted lines.
*Let your child decorate with markers.
*Have fun!!!

LITERACY OUTSIDE

After a year of screens, I hope you are all able to get outside now with your children.  We know that children need play and movement and nature more than they need worksheets now, so here are some activities where they can learn as they have FUN!

Reading Tree 


Choose a poetry book, storybook, and non-fiction book to read outside under a shady tree. Can the children identify the books? 



Reading Buddies 


Divide children into pairs and let them each choose a favorite book. Go out on the playground, find a shady spot, and enjoy sharing their books with each other. 
*Encourage them to ask each other questions about the books they read. 

A

Alphabet Walk 


Write letters on a paved surface with chalk. Challenge the children to step on the letters as they name them. Can they think of something that starts with each sound? 

      

Word Hopscotch 


Draw a hopscotch grid on a paved surface. Write high frequency words in each section. Children hop on the spaces as they read the words. 

S

Talking Stick 


Choose a stick on the playground and then have the children sit in a circle under a tree. Explain that you will start a story. As you pass the stick around, the child holding the stick can add to the story. Only the person holding the stick is allowed to talk. You might want to start a story about the day a space ship landed on the playground or the day animals started to talk. 


                                           

Prepositions on the Move 


Using playground equipment, call out various prepositions, such as on, off, over, under, by, between, to, from for the children to demonstrate. 



We Can Do Opposites 


Gather children around playground equipment and tell them you will call out a word. Can they demonstrate the opposite? For example, if the teacher said down, the children would climb up. If the teacher said front, the children would move to the back. Other words could be over, behind, inside, and so forth. 



Verb Relays 


Divide children into relay teams. The teacher names a verb and the children act out the meaning until everyone on their team has completed the movement. For example, you could have them walk, march, strut, prance, and so forth.

MATH FUN IN THE SUN

Math is real and concrete and hands-on and all around us. Let's go outside and measure, sort, seriate and learn!

Worm Measurement 

Cut yarn or string into different sections (3”-12”) and place them in a bag. Explain that you have “worms” in your bag and they will all get to choose one. Have them walk around the playground and find objects that are longer, shorter, or equal to their worm. (Exchange worms after a few minutes.)

Rulers
Give children rulers to measure objects on the playground. “Can you find something 2” long? Can you find something smaller than an inch? What’s longer than 5”? How can you measure the slide?”

            

Position I Spy! 
Children use positional words to play “I Spy” on the playground. For example: I spy something beside the slide. I spy something behind the tree. I spy something above the sidewalk. I spy something between the big tree and the fence…

Sorting 
Ask children to collect different items on the playground. (This will vary with the season and your habitat.) Put their objects together in a big pile. Ask the children to sort the objects. What was their sorting rule?

Geometry
Draw basic geometric shapes (square, triangle, rectangle, oval, rhombus, circle) on 6” cardboard squares. Let the children take the shapes and match them to something in nature with a similar shape.

                         
*Divide children into small groups and let them make shapes with their bodies on the grass.


Patterns
Collect 5 or 6 leaves, rocks, sticks or other natural objects. Place a leaf, then a rock, a leaf, then a rock. “What will come next?” Let children make up their own patterns with natural objects.

                                                       

Addition and Subtraction
Add and subtract using natural objects.
Make up number stories using sports. For example: My team had 3 runs and we scored 2 more. How many in all?

Seriation
Collect sticks of different lengths and have the children put them in order from smallest to largest.
*They could also seriate leaves, rocks, etc.

                               

PLAYGROUND MATH

The sun is shining so let’s take math standards out on the playground for some learning fun!

Number Hunt
Take lunch sacks and write different numerals on them. Give each child a bag and ask them to make that set and put it in the bag. Let children share what they have found with their friends. Have children return the objects to where they found them.

*This could be done with a partner or at home.

Hint! Whenever collecting things outside remind the children to only pick up items off the ground. You never want to pull leaves or flowers off plants because it might hurt them.

                                          

Counting
Children can count trees, fence posts, balls, bushes, and many other items on the playground.

*Have children estimate how many and then verify their guess by counting.

                          

Exercise and Count
Have children count how many times they can jump rope. How many jumping jacks can they do? How many times can they bounce and catch a ball without dropping it?

Dot to Dot
Take chalk and write numerals 0-20 randomly on a hard play surface. Children start with zero and run, hop, march, or skip to each numeral in order. 

*Adapt the amount to the ability of your students. For older students ask them to count by fives, tens, etc.

                                            

Bounce and Count
How many times can they bounce a ball and catch it? How many times can they toss a ball with a friend and not drop it?

*Have each child silently count the steps from the classroom to the playground. Compare their answers.

DEALER'S CHOICE

People have been entertained by card games for centuries, so shuffle up that deck and let’s pass on some learning fun with children.

Note! Many of these would be great to share with families.

Sorting
Ask children to sort cards by color, suit, number, etc.

                              

Order Please
Remove the face cards and then have the children put the cards in numerical order.

Patterns
Can children make a pattern with their cards? Can friends identify the pattern?

 
Mind Reader
Remove face cards. One child comes to the front of the room and draws a card. Don’t let anyone see what it is! Classmates take turns trying to guess the number by asking yes/no questions that include math vocabulary. For example, “Is it greater than 5? Is it even? Do 3 and 5 equal it?”

Line Up
Remove face cards and pass out a card to each child. Call out directions for lining up using math vocabulary. For example, “If you come between 7 and 9 you can line up. If you are an odd number lower than 5 you may line up. If you add your number to 6 and get 8 you may line up.”

Number Stories
Remove face cards, shuffle, and then have each child draw two cards. Encourage them to think of a number story using the two digits. Can their friends tell the answer?

Memory
Use two suites of cards for this game. Shuffle cards and place them face down in rows on the floor or a table. Children rotate turning over two cards. If their cards match they may keep them and take another turn. If their cards don’t match they turn them back over and the next child has a turn. The game continues until all pairs have been matched.

Top It
(This game was formerly known as “war,” but “top it” sounds more politically correct.) Remove face cards and shuffle. Split the deck and place face down. Children remove one card at a time and turn it over. The child with the highest number takes both cards. If they turn over the same amount they place 3 cards face down and turn over the 3rd card. The highest number takes all the cards. The game continues as long as time permits.

Add It Up
This is similar to top it. Children turn over one card at a time. The first child to correctly add up both numbers gets both cards.

High, Low, Equal
Make a game board similar to the one shown. Children place a deck of cards face down. They select two cards at a time and place them in the correct category.
 

                                       
Scramble
Remove face cards. Pass out a card to each child. The teacher calls out a number between 2 and 20. Children “scramble” around the room and find one or two other numbers that will equal that amount.

Dealer’s Choice
Go Fish and Crazy Eights are other traditional card games your students can play, or let them create their own games.

Homework
Give children a "homework assignment" to teach their parents some of these games.

NATIONAL KINDERGARTEN DAY

THE WORLD KEEPS CHANGING, BUT CHILDREN ARE THE SAME!  

THEY WANT TO BE LOVED, 

THEY WANT TO PLAY AND HAVE FUN, 

AND THEY WANT TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES!

How many times have you heard me say that?  Today is National Kindergarten Day and a perfect time to reflect on our own childhoods and kindergarten experiences.  Do you remember wearing a mask and sitting in front of a computer?  It just breaks my heart when I see pictures and hear your stories about what it's been like to teach during the pandemic.  I wrote the poem below several years ago out of frustration for the "rigor" and "academic push" that had eroded our precious "kinder gardens."  We need to make it our theme song in the future because we are going to have to give children OVERDOSES of PLAY and HANDS-ON and SONGS and FINGER PLAYS and HUGS.  

My kindergarten class in 1953.  Can you tell which one is me?

Note!  If any administrator or parent gives you a hard time about singing or playing outside or blocks or centers or pretend play or anything that makes children smile or encourages them to hold hands with a friend in the future just let me know because I will take them on!!!!! 

They’ve Taken Away Our Song
By Jean Feldman

We used to sing and play outside.
We’d hold hands and we’d dance.
Now we have to sit still and take tests.
They’ve taken away our song.

We used to build with blocks.
We’d finger paint and do puzzles.
Now we do worksheets.
They’ve taken away our song.

We used to dig in the sand,
Play circle games and play pretend.
Now we sit in front of a big screen.
They’ve taken away our song.

We used to cook and go on field trips.
We had show and tell and rest time.
Now we have to stay on task.
They’ve taken away our song.

Our teacher used to have time
To sing us rhymes and tell us stories.
Now our teacher has to collect data.
They’ve taken away our song.

Give children back their song,
Laugh, and love, and play,
So when they’re all grown up
They’ll remember kindergarten in a special way.

Kindergarten Bill of Rights by Jean Feldman

• Kindergarten children have the right to the pursuit of happiness.

• Kindergarten children have the right to wooden blocks and a housekeeping center.

• Kindergarten children have the right to play dough and puzzles.

• Kindergarten children have the right to hold hands with their friends and play games.

• Kindergarten children have the right to free play outside.

• Kindergarten children have the right to sing and dance and be silly.

• Kindergarten children have the right to explore with paint, crayons, markers, glue, scissors and to make a mess!!!

• Kindergarten children have the right to have books read to them … many, many books.

• Kindergarten children have the right to go on field trips.

• Kindergarten children have a right to a quiet time every day so their brains can process information.

• Kindergarten children have the right to think school is the most wonderful place in their world.

• Kindergarten children have the right to think that they are capable and worthy.

• Kindergarten children have the right to hopes and dreams.

Kindergarten children have the right to smiles and hugs and love, love, love!

My kinder kids from 1980. It was a happy time to be a kindergarten teacher!

CELL PHONE MATH

"If you want to catch a rabbit, you have to have a rabbit trap."  That's one of the most important things I learned from a favorite professor in grad school.  This cell phone will certainly be a "rabbit trap" to capture children's attention and nurture math skills.

Personal Cell Phone
Download the pattern and glue it to card stock.  Let the children design their own covers. 

Hint! Punch a hole for a view finder so they can "take pictures."

   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljb0hMY2hKSjJPV1k/view?usp=sharing 

*Use for numeral recognition, adding, subtracting, spelling words, and so forth.

 

Giant Cell Phone

This cell phone will be a BIG hit with your students when it comes to practicing math facts. You’ll need a shower curtain liner, permanent marker, and fly swatter. Cut the shower curtain in half and draw a cell phone similar to the one shown with a permanent marker.

Number Recognition
Children can use the fly swatter to identify numbers. They can also practice typing their phone numbers, zip code, etc.

*Let children throw a bean bag on a number and then do that many jumping jacks, toe touches, or other exercises.

Math Facts
Write math facts on 5”x8” index cards. Let children use the fly swatter to type out numbers and the answers.

*Children can throw two beanbags on the phone and add, subtract, etc.

Sight Words
*Use the fly swatter to spell words. Can they add up how much a word is worth?

Sidewalk Math
Draw a cell phone on a paved playground surface and use for activities similar to those above.

 

Paper Plate Cell Phone

I saw this online and thought it was brilliant.  Not my idea, but a fun one parents could make at home.

MATH OFFICE AND MATH BOX

OWNERSHIP of materials is important to young children.  Here are some math tools that children can "own" and use in person or online.

MATH OFFICE

Tape two file folders together for each child. Glue copies of math concepts you are working on to the folders. For example, a hundreds chart, days of the week, months of the year, shapes, and so forth. Use a pipe cleaner and pony beads to make an abacus you can attach at the top.

Children can set these up on their table or desk when it's time for math to help them focus.

*You could also use a pocket folder to make a math office.  Children put worksheets they need to complete on the left and then put them on the right when they are finished.



MATH BOX    

Encourage families to create a special math box for their child to explore materials and make up their own games at home.

Use a pencil box, bag, diaper wipe box, etc. and put manipulatives similar to the ones below in the box:

Dice

• Math cards (1-10 or 10-20)
• Math fans (http://www.senteacher.org/print/mathematics/)
• Deck of cards
• Rekenrek
• Inexpensive calculators
• Counting items with a small cup
• Set of tangrams

• Dot cards
• Small Calendars
• Dice
  
• Measuring tape
  

*Hint!  Most of these items can be found at a dollar store.

IT'S ABOUT TIME

Even if "time" isn't in your standards, it's an integral part of all of our lives. This version of "Hickory Dickory Dock" is good for younger children because of the counting and rhymes. It can also be adapted for older students who are learning to tell time because they can use their arms like the hands on a clock as they sing.

                                      

Hickory Dickory Dock
Hickory dickory dock. (Palms together and tick tock back and forth.)
The mouse ran up the clock. (Wiggle fingers up in the air.)
The clock struck one, (Clap one time.)
The mouse ran down. (Wiggle fingers down.)
Hickory dickory dock.

Two – “Yahoo!” (Continue clapping the appropriate number of times.)
Three – “Whopee!”
Four – “Do more!”
Five – “Let’s jive!”
Six – “Fiddlesticks!”
Seven – “Oh, heavens!”
Eight – “Life’s great!”
Nine – “So fine!”
Ten – “We’re near the end.”
Eleven – “We’re sizzlin’.”
Twelve – “I’m proud of myself.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQbBksJMjpg

Here's where you can get a free download this song.
http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2015/03_Mar_css/index.html

*Make paper plate clocks and use to as you sing the song.

*Use your arms like the hands on a clock. Extend both arms over your head. On “one,” bring right arm down to the position of “one” on a clock. On “two,” bring right arm down to position of “two,” and so forth as you sing.

Digital Time 

Place a digital clock by the wall clock in your classroom so children can associate both ways of telling time.


It Is Time to Say Good-Bye
Here is a fun song to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain” to end your day.

It is time to say “good-bye” to all my friends.
It is time to say “good-bye” to all my friends.
It is time to say “good-bye,” give a smile and wink your eye.
It is time to say “good-bye” to all my friends.
Good-bye, friends. Yee haw!

EARTH BOOK

Your students are going to be so proud of this “Earth Book” when they make it and take it home to share with their families.

                                             

Materials: 8” squares of the following colors:
2 orange, 1 green, 1 blue, 1 yellow, 1 brown, 1 purple

To construct the book place down the orange square for the back of the book. Place the “purple sky” on top of this, then the “brown mountains,” “yellow sun,” “blue water,” “green tree,” and finally the front cover with the circle cut out. Staple on the left side. Younger children can read this as a wordless book. Older children can write descriptive sentences on each page.

               

                                     

                                                     

                                                                    

                                                                               

     

                              

Hint! Your students will be overwhelmed to do this all in one day, so stretch this project out by asking them to just do 2 or 3 pages a day.

Here's a pdf with the patterns.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljNnFFV0VhbU5YcEk/view?usp=sharing