autumn
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Easy Leaf Art
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know how hard I try to come up with art ideas that families will not only want to display, but will also keep for years to come. I found the perfect one for this fall with the help of Oriental Trading! This project could not be easier, your students will love it, and so will their families. I got the white ceramic ornaments from Oriental Trading’s Halloween collection. The “dipped” look is pretty popular, so that’s what I was going for. I put a little acrylic paint in the bottom of a plastic cup and added a little water so…
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Everything autumn
The fall bug has bitten me hard! I put out all of my autumn decor this weekend and I have been savoring my fair share of pumpkin spice lattes. If you’re anything like me you’ve already started thinking about incorporating everything fall into the classroom, so I thought I’d round up some of my favorite autumn activity posts to share with you. Happy planning! Sensory activities with autumn spices Pumpkin compare and contrast sensory activity DIY fall classroom decor Autumn manipulatives for preschool Preschool leaf activities Printable centers for autumn
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Slow Down Fall!
Fall is here! It might still be 90 degrees outside, but if you’ve taken a minute to read a blog, browse pinterest, or visit a store over the weekend, you’ve definitely seen the signs; Halloween decorations, apple recipes, and sweater outfits are out in full force. This time of year can be especially confusing for little ones – there are simply too many transitions. Back to school, different clothes, new routines, new teachers, then you throw in shorter days, busy weekends, festivals, and holidays. That’s a lot for a little one to deal with! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE fall (seriously, you should see my personal collection of pumpkin…
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Exploring spices
When I think Thanksgiving there are a few scents that come to mind, specifically spices, which are perfect for helping children explore their sense of smell. Here are some great ideas for exploring spices in the classroom: Create a Spice Tray Scent your playdough Paint with Spices Make Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments Learn scents and vocabulary Make a gift families can enjoy together Scent your pie art Make your own scent jars Match the raw spice with the bottled spice Taste test spices in cool whip or pudding Check back tomorrow for another great spice craft!
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What Thanksgiving means to a preschooler
Now that it’s November we can talk about Thanksgiving. When teaching preschoolers about Thanksgiving the key is to make the entire concept relevant to them. They can’t understand Pilgrims and Native Americans because they don’t have a grasp on our past or the history of our country, so I focus on three concepts that do play a role in the average preschooler’s daily life – food, family, and thankfulness. These three concepts are something that young children are familiar with, but Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to dig a little deeper and build understanding in all three areas. Food: There are so many foods that are traditionally eaten during the…
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November Currently
I swear I just posted the October Currently, the last month flew by, and it looks like November will be just as busy! Here’s what I’m up to right now: Listening: I will watch Gilmore Girls whenever it’s on TV. That’s all I have to say about this particular topic 🙂 Loving: We finally finished our big addition (this has been 7 years in the making) and now I am spending all of my extra time enjoying it – walk in closet, new laundry room, and a great big master bathroom, it’s a dream come true! I actually enjoy doing laundry now! Thinking: I swear the weekend goes faster when…
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Compare and contrast with pumpkin
What do you do with all of those pumpkin insides after you scoop them out? Sure, they make a great sensory experience, but have you ever considered doing an authentic compare and contrast? Simply put a large scoop or the insides of your class pumpkin on a tray or cookie sheet. Next to it, place a similar size scoop of canned pumpkin. What do the children have to say about these two scoops of pumpkin? If they need a little guidance you could ask these questions: Those are both pumpkin, why are they different? What do they look like? What do they feel like? Do they smell different? What else…
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Pumpkin Activity round up
‘Tis the season for pumpkin everything! Whether you’re carving your pumpkins for Halloween or trying to figure out how to use up all of the left-over pumpkins and gourds as Thanksgiving approaches, there are a million different ideas for classroom activities using pumpkins. I thought I’d share some of my favorites so that you can get all of your activities in one place! Pumpkin Pie Dough from Fun At Home With Kids Pumpkin Moon Sand from Growing a Jeweled Rose Pumpkins, hammers, and golf tees from Exploring the Outdoor Classroom Describe a pumpkin using your five senses from Gift of Curiosity Pumpkin Pie Art from Fun A Day Make a…
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Preschool Halloween Party Activities
The most difficult piece of any holiday party is planning activities that will keep the kiddos busy, but still be easy enough that they can do them independently – because you barely have time to breathe during a party, let alone facilitate games and crafts. I’ve put together a list of 10 activities that would be perfect for any preschool Halloween party. Mini pumpkin relays – challenge the children to place a mini pumpkin on their head and walk a short distance without it falling off. If they’re really good at it see if they can circle around a chair or plastic cone. Sensory bins – There are a million…
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Planning a classroom party
Whether you are planning a Halloween party or a Harvest Party, it’s time to start thinking about it! I know some people dread party days, but I love them. Parties are the perfect time to build classroom communities. They give the children a common event to look forward too and opportunities to bond over their anticipation, and throughout the actual party. Over the years I’ve come up with quite a few tips for making those crazy party days run just a little more smoothly. The planning makes all the difference, so consider your party details as I run through some of the questions you might want to ask yourself. What…
