January

Here are a couple of my lesson plans for January.  (They are always subject to change :)  Please note that the kids should be doing as much of the projects as possible.  There is a method behind my madness.  When there is a cutting project, your child is developing their fine (small) motor skills and are learning how to hold and cut with scissors.  I have a variety of scissors to help you help your child learn to cut just ask.  If there are shapes in the project, ask your child what the shapes are, what color is the shape, what do you think you are going to do with the shape etc. Our goal for ECFE is to encourage you as parents to interact with your child and help them to learn those very important skills that they need for both school and life.  Other 'tasks' that help your child develop fine motor skills (also known as pre-writing skills) are playing with play-dough especially when they use their hands to squeeze, squish and pound the play-dough, coloring with crayons, markers and pencils are also excellent for developing these muscles. 

Your child does not need to make the projects.  If they choose not to make them, please play with your child.  Talk to them, ask questions about what they are doing.  Open ended questions are the best ie. Tell me about what you are building, How are you going to use that block  etc. 

Read to your child!  Depending on the ages of the kids in circle time, it is really difficult to read a group story.  It works so much better to read to your child one-one.  I am looking forward to class beginning January 9!

Triangles, Pigs, Air moves objects January 2011	Description
Activity 1	* Make 1,2 or 3 houses out using raffia, craft sticks, “bricks” (construction paper rectangles.
Activity 2	* Pig in the Mud – Cut out pig, finger paint over pig with brown finger paint.
Activity 3	*Triangle Pig – Have PINK Triangles traced for kids to cut out. *Have PINK ovals traced for kids to cut out
Circle Time	1. Welcome Song – Jambo 2. 3 Little Pigs story or song 3. Match pigs and noses game
Snack	Parent Supplies
Science Time	1.   Air Moves Objects Provide a variety of objects and see what ones you can blow and what ones you cant. (Bring in Big Wolf puppet)

Bears, Colors and Patterns January 2011	Description
Activity 1	* Pattern bears – make pattern * Color bears in a pattern * Cut them out and make a pattern – can your child complete it?
Activity 2	* Shape Book * Color book and READ the book!
Activity 3	*Roll and Color Sheets for Brown bear, Brown Bear.
Circle Time	1. Welcome Song – Jambo 2. Story Brown Bear, Brown Bear 3. Pattern Game 4. Gummy Bear Song
Snack	Parent Supplies
Science Time	1. Table Toys 2. Puzzles 3. Play-dough or coloring sheets