Once a little apple seed
Was planted in the ground.
Down came the raindrops,
Falling all around.
Out came the big sun,
Bright as bright could be.
And that little apple seed grew up
To be an apple tree.
To develop the concept that some trees change with the
seasons, prepare a tree mural at the beginning of each
season.
Using butcher paper, draw a large tree shape and hang it on
the wall.
To emphasize seasonal changes, have children add appropriate
collage bits or paint at the beginning of each season.
Fall - brown, yellow, red, purple, orange paper bits
Winter - bare tree with brown leaves on ground and gray
painted sky.
Spring - popcorn buds and small green paper bits or paint
Summer - fully covered with green paper bits and paint
Serve a different apple each day for snack. Red apples,
green, yellow, and even brown (russet). Make an apple dip by
stirring some brown sugar into plain yogert and a sprinkle of
cinnamon if desired.
Perform a little science magic with this simple experiment.
You will need a large bowl of water, a carrot and an
apple.
First, ask the children what they think will happen when an
apple or a carrot is put in the bowl. Place the carrot in
the bowl first; then remove it and place the apple in the
bowl. What happens?
Why? Explain to the children that foods like carrots and
apples vary greatly in the amount of air they contain.
Carrot matter is packed very tightly and is very heavy,
making the carrot sink. The apple is not packed as tightly
and has many air spaces, which allow it to float. Slice the
apple and carrot for more observation.
Make a potful of applesauce with the children in the morning
and serve for afternoon snack! Preparing it is lots of fun
and presents a wonderful opportunity to talk with the
children. What must we do first, what comes next, watch and
see what happens to the apples.
8 apples, peeled and sliced
1 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Heat apples in water until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer
5-10 minutes until tender; stir periodically and add water if
necessary. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cook until apples
are mushy. Cool and serve.
Before cutting open an apple, ask the children to predict how
many seeds there will be inside. Cut the apple in half
horizontally and let the children observe the 'star' that
holds the seeds. Count the seeds with the children and have
them compare the number with their predictions. Try the
experiment with another apple. Does it have the same number
of seeds as the first one? Try the same experiment using a
different coloured apple.
Extension: Set out apple seeds (with several of them cut in
half) and let the children examine them with a magnifying
glass. If desired, provide other kinds of fruit seeds for
comparing.
Before cutting open an apple, ask the children to predict how
many seeds there will be inside. Cut the apple in half
horizontally and let the children observe the 'star' that
holds the seeds. Count the seeds with the children and have
them compare the number with their predictions. Try the
experiment with another apple. Does it have the same number
of seeds as the first one? Try the same experiment using a
different coloured apple.
Extension: Set out apple seeds (with several of them cut in
half) and let the children examine them with a magnifying
glass. If desired, provide other kinds of fruit seeds for
comparing.
Have you ever seen an apple, an apple, an apple,
Have you ever seen an apple, that grows on a tree?
A red one, a yellow one, a red one, a yellow one.
Have you ever seen an apple, that grows on a tree?
Decorate your room with apple trees. Draw a tree on large
kraft paper. Let the children paint the trunk, branches and
leaves. Then add some apples that have been drawn by the
children. You can make red, green and yellow apple trees.
Away up high in the apple tree,
(Form tree with hands)
Two red apples smiled at me.
(Smile)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (shake hands)
And down came the apples,
Mmm...were they good!!! (rub tummy)
Materials: Construction paper, scissors, feathers
- Call a circle to discuss Autumn Breezes.
- Spark interest with questions such as: How does a breeze
feel? How does the wind feel? If you were an autumn breeze,
what would you like to push, lift, or blow against?
- After the breeze discussion each child chooses a feather
and a sheet of construction paper.
- The children rold their papers in half. They stand up,
drop their feathers, and create a breeze by waving their
papers. Who can keep the feather up?
- Try it with - a leaf, a cotton ball, a balloon, a kleenex,
a paper cup, paper, fan. Which falls quickest? Tell the
children that they choose one to share experience at home.
Materials: Construction paper, waxed paper, old crayon (red,
orange and yellow, plastic bag, hammer, iron
Preparation: Cut construction paper into leaf frames. Place
crayons in a plastic bag and let the children help pound them
into little pieces with a hammer. Cut waxed paper into
sheets. Plug in iron. Let the children place crayon pieces
between two sheets of waxed paper. Then press over the
papers with an iron to melt the crayons and waxed paper
sheets together. Put leaf frames around the finished
picutres and hang them in a window.
Summer leaves are hanging,
Hanging, hanging
Summer leaves are hanging
All day long. (stand with arms outstretched)
Autumn leaves are turning colours...All day long. (turn
around)
Autumn leaves are falling down...All day long. (lower self to
floor)
Autumn leaves are dancing....All day long. (dance)
Autumn leave are being raked.....All day long. (a few
children can gather the group closer)
For a back to school party I will be making an apple cake for
the kids.We will talk about our new teachers and the feelings
we have about school. Also we will play back to school games.
I'm still thinking of some, but my ideas so far are acting
out the song Wheels on the Bus, pencil, pencil Who has the
pencil ( Like buton, button) or I'm going to school and in
my backpack I will bring....(and the kids try to guess what
is in the backpack.) We will also decorate our own lunch
bags for a whole weeks worth of lunches. To top off the day I
am giving out back to school goodie bags with items like
pencils, stickers, lunch snacks and a juice box. It will be
a great day. Contributed by Karen
Make baked apples for the children to enjoy at snack time.
Wash and core one apple per child. Place apples upright in a
baking dish. Fill centres of apples with raisins and brown
sugar. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top. Bake for one hour at
350. Serve with vanilla ice cream. Sure to be a hit!
Climbing up the apple tree, (climb in place)
Swinging on a limb! (Raise arms above head, away left and
right)
If I hear a robin, I may (cup hand near ear)
Sing along with him! (sing tra la la)
'And Robin, if you fly away, (Put hands over eyes)
Here's what I think I'll do: (Point with index finger)
I'll wish a pair of sparrow wings (gently flap arms at side
and move around)
And fly away with you!'
Materials: Cornstarch, baking soda, water, saucepan, waxed
paper, nature objects such as leaves, twigs and flowers
Preparation: In a saucepan, mix together 1 cup cornstarch, 2
cups baking soda, and 1 1/4 cups water. Cook over medium
heat until the mixture thickens. Cool, then flatten mixture
between sheets of waxed paper. Let the children lay leaves,
twigs, flowers or other nature objects on top of the
cornstarch mixture and press them down firmly. Then have
them remove the objects to see the detailed impressions they
made.
Show your children three apples - one red, one green, and one
yellow. Ask them to name the colours. Then discuss how
they are all apples despite their different colours.
Take a knife and cut each one open side-ways. Point out how
the seeds inside from a star. Discuss how the apples are all
different on the outside, yet the same on the inside.
Turn your discussion to people. Talk about how people, like
apples, are all different on the outside, yet the same on the
inside.
Materials: Green construction paper, dry fall leaves picked
up from the ground, glue, brushes
Preparation: Cut a fairly large leaf shape from construction
paper for each child. Have the children brush glue on their
leaf shapes. Then let them crinkle dry leaves and scatter
the pieces all over the glue.
Variation:
Draw bare tree figures on pieces of construction paper. Then
let the children crumple up the dry leaves and glue the
pieces of their papers.
Eat an apple; (Bring right hand to mouth)
Save the core. (Close right hand in fist)
Plant the seeds. (Bend down touch hand to ground)
And grow some more. (Extend both arms out)
Draw a large tree on kraft paper. Have the children trace
their hands onto kraft paper and paint them fall colours
(red, yellow and orange). These become the leaves for the
tree. The more the better. Glue the hands onto the tree and
you have a beautiful handmade creation.
Harvest Time is here again,
In the garden we must dig,
Carrots, radishes, onions too,
All so fresh and yummy too.
Harvest Time is here again,
Won't be long till Fall is here.
Counting: Divide apples in halves or fourths. Let your
children decide how many apples will be needed for everyone
to receive a piece.
Counting: When you cut open an apple, let your children
count the number of seeds inside.
Feeling: Place three different fruits - such as an orange, a
banana, and a apple - in a bag. Let your children touch each
fruit without looking in the bag. Can they identify the
apple by its characteristics?
Smelling: Cut open three different fruits. Have your
children close their eyes and try to identify each by its
smell.
Five red leaves, five and no more (hold up 5 fingers)
The caterpillar ate one, now there are four (thumb down)
Four red leaves, that's easy to see.
Along came a rainstorm, now there are three. (index down)
Three red leaves, nothing much to do.
A big wind blew, now two! (middle down)
Two red leaves, that's not much fun.
I glued one on my paper (ring down)
Now there is one. (hold up pinky)
Hang on, pretty red leaf! Your branches won't break.
You're one less leaf for me to rake!
All join hands and circle around
While we wathc the leaves fall down.
See them twirling to the ground.
See them skipping here and there
See them flipping in the air.
Autumn leaves so peacefully
Falling, falling from the tree.
Leaves are falling round the town
Watch them fall right on the ground
Autumn's coming, it is true
Then comes winter just for you
Leaves are falling round the town
Falling, falling all around.
Yellow leaves tumbling, (move hands like falling leaves)
falling through the air; (repeat action)
Falling in my front yard.
Falling everywhere.
Oh, that I could catch one (grab one in the air)
Before it blows away!
A yellow leaf, caught in the air,
Will bring my luck, they say!
The oak tree just outside my door
Has its lovely leaves no more,
And now, I wonder, What's it for?
Not shade, nor home for birds to sing.
When leaves return, I'll welcome Spring!
Have the children in your class pantomine the following
actions. Discuss why they are a part of the Autumn
season.
1. Squirrels gathering nuts.
2. Leaves floating to the ground.
3. People raking fallen leaves and putting them in
baskets.
4. Birds flying south.
5. Animals getting ready to hibernate.
Let the children paint the back sides of paper plates red to
make 'apple halves.' When the paint has dried, attach precut
construction paper leaves and stems. Then let the children
each glue a few apple seeds in the centers of the white sides
of their plates. (Use seeds from other activities in this
unit.)
My poor back will surely break,
If one more leaf I have to rake!
Crusty, rusty brown leaves!
Dusty, blustery red leaves!
Crunching, bunching, scrunching beneath my feet.
In a pile of crispy leaves, I'll find a welcome seat!
Materials: Picture of a scarecrow, glue, pieces of material,
buttons, noodles, anything that can be used to decorate the
scarecrow.
Let the children decorate. Cut the scarecrows out and use
them as a bulletin board border for a display of completed
work. Add a heading such as, 'We're Not Scared of Hard
Work', or 'This Class Is Not Scared of Hard Work.'
DISCUSS - The reason for scarecrows and the damage done to
farmers crops by birds and animals. Ask what other kind of
devices could be used to scare away these pests. Provide
crayons and paper for children to draw pictures of these
substitute scarecrows. Produce a picture or poster which
shows a large crow and discuss.
Ingrediants: Firm baking apples, Butter or marg., Sugar, Hot
water, Filling for Apples
Fillings: raisins or walnuts or honey or banana slices or
prunes or nutmeg or brown sugar or coconut or cinnamon
candies or orange slices or pineapple.
Toppings: ice cream or peanut butter or whipped cream or
cheese or vanilla pudding or granola or custard or lemon
sherbet or jelly
Core apples and sprinkle with 1 t. sugar. Set in baking
dish. Stuff apple (combine several if you with). Pour hot
water to cover bottom of dish. Bake 400 30-35 min. Spoon
liquid over apples every 10 min. while cooking.Cool
Here I have five apples. (hold up five fingers on right
hand)
And here are five again. (hold up both hands)
How many apples altogether?
Why, five and five make ten!
Make 10 red felt apples and hide a felt worm behind one.
Ten red apples growing on a tree (hold up ten fingers)
Five for you and five for me. (show one hand and then the
other)
There's one little worm that you can't see (wiggle one
finger)
Where, oh where, could that worm be? (Hold hands out
questioningly)
Away up high in an apple tree, (raise arms high)
Two red apples smiled at me (Smile and hold up two
fingers)
I shook that tree as hard as I could; (Shake hands)
Down came those apples, (Bring hands down)
And mmmmm, were they good. (Rub tummy)
Here is the tree with leaves so green.
Here are the apples that hang between.
When the wind blows the apples fall.
Here is a basket to gather them all.
Way up high, in a tree:
(raise hands over head)
Two red apples smiled at me
(smile)
So I shook that tree as har-r-d as I could;
(Pretend to shake tree)
Down came the apples, Ummm, they were good!!!!
(Rub tummy)
Children will identify smellls. Materials: Six-ounce paper
cups, foil, rubber bands, toothpick, tray, vegetables that
have strong aroma--green pepper, onion, tomato, radish...
1. Cut a small portion from each veg and place in a paper
cup. Place the remainders on the tray so children can see.
Spaced suffieciently so smells do not mingle.
2. Cover each cup with foil and hold in place with a rubber
band. Poke several holes in foil and put on tray.
3. Ask the children to smell and to identify the vegetable
by name.
4. Ask the child to place the cup next to the veg she or he
smells.
Paint a fall scene on your window. Use the following recipe
and the paint is easily removed. Give each child a window to
decorate.
Window Paint
2 Tbsp powdered tempera paint
1 Tbsp warm water
1 tsp Joy dish washing liquid
Measure powdered paint into a container. Mix in water
thoroughly to achieve a smooth paste. Add JOY, mixing
completely, but gently, to avoid making paint too sudsy.
Dries on windows in 5 - 10 minutes. Washes off easily with a
solution of water and vinegar.
Squirrels scurry,
Rabbits hurry,
Ants hide
Food inside
Woodland friends, everywhere,
For long winter
Must prepare.
And just in time
They pile away their stock -
All without benefit
Of calendar or clock!
Pieces of aluminum foil leaves glue construction paper.
Set out pieces of aluminum foil and a variety of fall leaves.
Let each child select a leaf, place it under a piece of foil
and gently press and rub the foil with his or her hand to get
a leaf print. Then hae the children glue their leaf prints
to the construction paper. This is a great art project but
it also canbe a sciene project. They can see the veins and
stems and this can start a really great discussion.
Our group made fall trees using puzzle pieces painted in fall
colours to use as the leaves, then glued onto brown
construction paper trunks. The kids had fun, the trees are
adorable, and I found a way to use those puzzle pieces that
don't quite add up to a full puzzle.
Wrap a piece of masking tape (sticky side out) around each
child's wrist.
Go on a nature walk and have children collect one leaf from
each of several trees, sticking it on their leaf
bracelet.
When the class returns, sit in circle. Teacher holds up each
leaf shape in turn and lets children identify similar leaf on
their bracelets.
Let children wear their bracelets home and check the types of
leaves in their yards.
You will need a cereal box, thread, scissors and tape. Cut a
1 inch strip the length of the box. Tape it into a circle.
Punch 6 holes in the strip.
Have the children collect colorful fall leaves on a nature
walk. After the leaves have been collected, press them
between pieces of wax paper. Punch a hole in the wax paper
leaves and tie them with string of different lengths to the
circlar strip. Each child could make his/her own or you can
use this as a group project.
Materials: Liquid tempera, Brushes, Fresh leaves, Paper,
Brayers (Available at art supply stores)
Procedure:
1. Paint the back of the leaves with tempera (not too
much.)
2. Place paper on top of the leaves (paint side up.)
3. Use a brayer to roll over paper.
4. Lift and see leaf print.
To help children notice the veins in leaves and the different
shapes of leaves, let them place a variety of leaves
(underside up) under a piece of light coloured construction
paper.
Using the sides of crayons that have had the paper covering
removed, children make crayon rubbings of the leaves.
Put toilet paper rolls, paint and brushes on table. When
each child comes to the table; let him paint a roll. When
child is finished, stand roll up on end to dry completely.
When dry, string rolls on piece of yarn and tie.
The first of April, some do say
Is set apart for All Fools' Day;
But why the people call it so
Not I, nor they themselves do know
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.
---------
Let the rain kiss you.
Let the rain beat upon your
head with silver liquid drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby.
The rain makes still pools
on the sidewalk.
The rain makes running pools
in the gutter.
The rain plays a
little-sleep-song on our roof at night.
And I love the rain.
Langston Hughes
Contributed by Jean Roberts
Have dck color a white sheet of paper all green (scribbling
is just perfect) that have them glue on 10-15 1/2 inch pom
poms or pieces of cotton balls - wa la you now have 'Baby
Bunnies Hiding in the Grass!!'
Five baby robins watch Daddy Robin soar; (hold up 5 fing)
One baby leaves the nest, and now there are four. (thumb)
Four baby robins, high up in a tree;
One flies to catch a worm,and now there are three.(index)
Three baby robins had nothing to do;
One tried his new-found wing,and then there were 2.(mid.)
Two baby robins frolicked in the sun;
Another robin chased a bug, and then there was one.(ring)
One baby robin, left all alone;
And this baby robin decided to stay home!
Cut the tops off of three or four carrots. Have your
children place them in a shallow dish and water them daily.
The carrot tops should be sitting in 1/4 inch water at all
times.
Sit back and watch your carrot tops sprout new beautiful
green foliage. Children especially love 'planting' carrot
tops because the greens sprout quickly and they are quite
attractive.
Materials: 9 in. X 12 in. Art Paper, scraps of art paper in
assorted colours, scissors and paste, pencil and eraser,
ruler, crepe paper strips
Procedure:
Fold and cut out kite shape. Use various colours of paper
scraps to create spring kite designs. (flowers, butterflies,
birds) Use crepe paper for tails.
Materials: Egg carton, 12 half eggshells, potting soil,
marigold seeds, teaspoon, water.
Procedure: Let your children fill an egg carton with empty
halves of egg shells. Have them fill each shell with potting
soil and carefully plant one or two marigold seeds in each
shell. Water each shell with a teaspoon of water. Seeds
will sprout more quickly if the lid of the egg carton is kept
closed so that the seeds will stay warm. When the seeds
sprout, have the children replant the seedlings outside,
crushing each shell as they place it into the ground.
Materials: Paper, Liquid tempera, Flowers (fresh), Shallow
pans (pie tin or cake pan)
Procedure:
1. Give each child a piece of paper.
2. Make three or four different colors of paint. Put into
shallow pans.
3. Let child gently dip a flower into paint.
4. Blot flower on paper. Gently here, also.
5. Repeat and repeat to see the light effect.
Materials: Pietin with good drainage, Potting soil, Wheat
berries or rye grass seed, Clear plastic wrap, Spray bottle
filled with water, Miniature items(toys, animals, (cake
decorations))
Fill the pietin with soil. Sprinkle seeds over entire soil.
Lightly spray soil with water until it is damp, not soggy.
Cover with plastic wrap to retain moisture. Place in
indirect sunlight, and keep soil moist until seeds germinate
(about 4-5 days). After seeds germinate remove plastic and
place in a sunny window. Allow the children to decorate.
(miniature toys, twig trees, tissue paper flowers, clay
figures) Pathways can be added to the village by clipping
grass.
Materials: Eggshell with top 1/4 broken off, Ring from
bottom of towel roll to hold eggshell, 3 damp cotton balls,
1/8 teaspoon alfalfa seeds, Fine tip markers
This miniature gardening activity is especially fun for
preschool gardeners. Set the empty eggshell in towel ring.
Draw a face on the eggshell with coloured markers. Place
damp cotton balls inside eggshell. Sprinkle seeds over the
cotton and keep cotton damp. In two or three days, the seeds
will begin to sprout. Put in a sunny spot. As the sprouts
grow, your child can give the egg friend a 'haircut'.
Sprinkle the nutritious clippings on a salad or add to a
sandwich at lunchtime.
You will need: a paper plate for each child, green
construction paper, hand shape traced on paper, glue and
paint.
Have the children trace their hands on paper about 5 - 7
times. Cut out and paint colour of choice. Paint the paper
plate (it becomes centre of flower). Cut stem and leaves
from green construction paper.
Have the children glue dry painted hands to outside of paper
plate (these become petals). Then glue stem and leaves. Let
flower dry completely and then display. These flowers make a
welcomed addition to any room.
Christopher Robin goes
Hoppity, hoppity,
Hoppity, hoppity, hop.
Whenever I tell him
Politely to stop it, he
Says he can't possibly stop.
If he stopped hopping, he couldn't go anywhere,
Poor little Christopher
Couldn't go anywhere.....
That's why he *always* goes
Hoppity, hoppity, hoppity, hoppity, hop.A.A. Milne of
course)
Contributed by Jean Roberts
`
Put a selection of fruits and vegetables out. Ask the
children to tell you which items have seeds inside them.
Have the children sort them into seed and no seed piles.
Open them up to see what you find out. Keep the seeds for
other activities. Slice the fruits and vegetables and enjoy.
I see the wind when the leaves dance by,
I see the wind when the clothes wave 'Hi'
I see the wind when the trees bend low,
I see the wind when the flags all blow.
I see the wind when the kites fly high,
I see the wind when the clouds float by,
I see the wind when it blows my hair,
I see the wind most everywhere.
Oh, I wihs I were a windmill, a windmill, a windmill,
Oh, I wish I were a windmill, I know what I'd do;
I'd swing my arms this way, I'd swing my arms that way.
Oh, I wish I were a windmill, I know what I'd do.
I'll plant a little seed in the dark, dark ground.
Out comes the yellow sun, big and round.
Down comes the cool rain, soft and slow.
Up comes the little seed, grow, grow, grow!
Five bright kites I bought at the store. (five fingers)
Along came a strong wind, and now I have four. (thumb)
Four bright kites flying over the sea.
Along came a big wave, and now I have three. (index)
Three bright kites, I'll give one to you.
Three bright kites, now I have two. (middle finger)
Two bright kites flew too near to the sun.
Poor little kites! Now I have one. (ring down)
One bright kite - that's enough for me,
I'll keep it away from the kite - eating tree!
Use a bunch of large pastell envelopes (a lot of stores will
give these to you if you ask to save some from cards that
don't sell). Seal env. and using pinking shears cut the env.
in half so you have 2 almost-squares. Fold over about 3/4
inch on all 3 closed sides. Let the kids decorate front with
crayons, stickers, etc. On the other side, write 'Happy May
Day from Mary's Day Care'. When finished turn the env. into
a bag by flatening the bottom (spread out sides where it was
folded) and folding the sides in and under. This sounds
confusing, but it is very simple. Put a little Easter grass
and a few wrapped candy in each basket. (a small silk blossom
looks pretty too) Deliver baskets to all the neigbours - good
PR. Contributed by Barb (barbkay@marshallnet.com)
Sung to: The Farmer In The Dell
My kite is up so high,
My kite is up so high,
Oh my..just watch it fly,
My kite is up so high.
My kite is falling down......
Oh no...it's down so low....
The wind has caught my kite....
What fun...I'm on the run....
My kite is up so high......
Oh my....just watch it fly.....
Here is my little garden.
Some seeds I'm going to sow.
Here is my rake to rake the ground.
Here is my handy hoe.
Here is the big, round, yellow sun,
The sun warms everything.
Here are the rain clouds in the sky.
The birds will start to sing.
Little plants will wake up soon,
And lift their sleepy heads.
Little plants will grow and grow,
From their warm earth beds.
*Oh, Did You Hear?*
Oh, did you hear?
The President has measles,
The Principal has just burned down the school,
Your hair is filled with jam and purple weasels.
Set out two identical plants. Help the children place one
plant in a dark closet and the other on a sunny windowsill.
Water the plants as needed. Check the plants every day and
have the children observe the differences between them.
Which plant is healthier? Why?
Plants need water to grow. To demonstrate, purchase two
identical plants. Water one plant but not the other. Let
the children observe what happens.
Have the children put some dirt in a plastic cup. Give them
some seeds to plant and discuss why it is important to water
plants and set them in the sun.
As an experiment, children plant seeds in two cups. Then
have them set the cups in the sun, but only water one of the
plants. Ask the children to observe what happens. As a
second part of the experiment, children plant seeds in
another two cups, water both cups, but then place one cup in
the sun and the other one in a dark place. Discuss what they
observe happens. A discussion of healthy plants could easily
lead to healthy people. Like plants, people need certain
things to grow healthy and strong.
food,water,shelter,sunshine,exercise and love
Fill box with materials for a warm rainy day. You may want
to include rain boots, rain hat, umbrella, raincoat. This
can be set up for children to do some dramatic play or
imaginative games.
There's rain that's rain
And rain that's sleet
And rain that turns to snow.
There's April showers
Just in time
To make the flowers grow.
There's rain that's mist
And rain that's hail,
And one kind that's a frizzle,
It isn't sleet
It isn't snow.
It's just a silly drizzle.
Contributed by Jean Roberts
Rain is _______
But rain is not _______
Rain is good for _______
But rain is not good for ________
Rain is fun when _______
But rain isn't fun when _______
I ______ the rain.
Shows how rain is made. Materials: Tea kettle, a pie pan,
water, ice cubes
Procedure: Bring the water to a boil. Place the pie pan
filled with 5-10 ice cubes over the steam. Do not let
children hold the pie pan. As water drops form, remove the
pie pan from the steam and move it over so that the children
can see what is happening. Encourage inquiry: What has
happened? Where did the water come from? How could the ice
cubes affect eh steam? When water falls, what do we call it?
Where did the steam (or water vapor) come from? Explain
briefly that water on the earth, when it is warmed, turns
into water vapor and rises into the sky,forming clouds. When
temp. of clouds gets cold/rain.
Come, come, come and see,
It will rain just for me!
'It will rain ___ (cheese) __'
said the ____ (mouse) __.
'It will rain ______'
said the _______.
'It will rain _____'
said the _____.
etc.
See, see, just for me!
This would go well with *Cloudy, With a Chance of
Meatballs*.
Pitter patter (tap hands gently on knees)
Rain getting louder (hit knees harder and faster)
Thunder (keep hands going faster and add stomping feet)
Lightning (keep feet going and slap hands together to make a
cracking sound)
More or less raindrop counting:
Divide into two a piece of bristol board or construction
paper. Place a paper cloud at the top of each section.
Place a different number of raindrops under each cloud. Have
child count the number of raindrops under each cloud. Ask
child various questions as he/she is counting. Which cloud
has the most raindrops?
Which cloud has the least amount of raindrops?
Variation: 1) older children, use more raindrops for
counting, or add the concept of adding and subtracting.
2) Raindrops can be various colours to help children learn
their colours.
Materials: White construction paper 12 in. X 8 in., crayons,
dry blue tempera paint, flour sifter, raindrops (outside)
Procedure: Colour a rainy day scene on white construction
paper. Read Rain by Peter Spier as a source of inspiration.
It is important crayon be applied evenly. Tell students not
to colour in the raindrops or to totally cover the sky area.
Save that for later. Line students up against one wall with
their coats on. The pictures should be on their desks. Walk
around with a flour sifter full of dry blue tempera paint.
Sift a thin layer of paint over the sky area of the picture.
Each child takes his picture out and lets rain wet it. It
will take only a minute. Let dry.
Pitter-patter raindrops (wiggle fingers to imitate falling
rain)
Falling from the sky,
Here is my umbrella (hands over head)
To keep me safe and dry!
When the rain is over
And the sun begins to glow (make large circle with arms)
Little flowers start to bud (cup hands together)
And grow and grow and grow (spread hands apart slowly)
Materials: Wax paper, Liquid starch, Brushes, Yarn, Hole
punch, Flower petals, tissue paper, leaves, etc., Pinking
shears.
Procedure:
1. Give each child 12 in. long wax paper.
2. Let child paint paper entirely with liquid starch.
3. Have plenty of grass, pine needles, flower petals,
tissue, spangles, etc. available for the children to arrange
on top of starch.
4. Press another waxed paper over the arrangement, gently
press with finger.
5.Cut with pinking shears. Punch hole and hang in window.
Sing a song of raindrops.
I love every one!
Running through the rain is
A special springtime fun!
Mary McFarland Leister
-------
The rain is raining all around
It rains on field and tree,
It rains on little children here
And on the ships at sea.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Contributed by Jean Roberts
Snow in April
Is the pits
I'm about
To have six fits.
And yet my son
Will happy be
More snow for him
To go and ski!
J.R. (apologies for the bad poetry)
I love spring! Spring is new.
It's new blades of grass.
It's rain on a lass.
It's violets and rain.
It's a wood-scented lane.
It's a new bird song.
It's days growing long.
It's a tree in bud and puddles of mud.
It's birds in a tree and buzz from a bee.
It's kites in the sky.
It's spring. That's why......
I love spring.
Contributed by Jean Roberts
Trace around 1 hand on yellow paper
Trace around 1 hand on red paper
Cut them out
Cut out one of each a long & short stem out of green
paper
Cut out four leaves out of green paper
Glue the cut out hands on the stems on brown paper, add
leaves.
From -'Hands of a Child'
Sung to: Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
This is the way the bunny hops, bunny hops, bunny hops,
This is the way the bunny hops,
On a spring time morning.
This is the way the blue bird flies...
This is the way the little chick walks......
This is the way the little duck swims......
This is the way the little lamb runs.....
This is the way the children play.....
Springtime, Springtime, how do you do?
Springtime, Springtime, how do you do?
Springtime, Springtime, glad to see you.
Flowers, sunshine are part of you.
Springtime colours everywhere........
Bright and cheerful colours too.
Blossoms, buds and greenery too.
Springtime animals everywhere....Birds, bees and butterflies
too. Springtime, Springtime glad to see you.
I Never Eat Leaves! Do I?
Today eat only the leafy parts of plants. Cabbage, lettuce
and spinach for a Triple Green salad. (add a sweet
dressing)
Let's Get To The Root Of This
Explain to the children that sometimes we eat roots. Carrot,
turnip, potatoes and beets.
Don't Eat The Flowers
Examine a head of broccoli and cauliflower with a magnifying
glass. Serve with dip.
Stems
Celery and asparagus are the stem of a plant. Fill celery
with peanut butter or cheese.
Ten brown seeds lay straight in a row. Said, 'Now it is time
for us to grow.'
Up, up the first one shoots;
Up, up from its little seed roots.
Up, up the second one is seen;
Up, up in its little coat of green.
Up, up, up the third one's head;
Comes, up, up from its little earth bead.
Up, up, up the fourth one goes;
Up, up, up we can see its little nose;
Up, up, up the fifth one pops;
Up through the soil and then it stops.
Up, up, up the sixth we see;
Up it comes and it looks at me.
Up, up, up the seventh one peeps;
Up, up, up through the soil it leaps.
Up, up, up the eighth one we spy;
Up, up, up to stretch to the sky.
Up, up, up the ninth one springs;
Up, up, up and everything sings.
up, up, up the tenth grows fast;
Up, up, up and it is the last.
Up, up, up - the seeds everyone
Become ten plants to smile at the sun.
Sung to: Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Dig, dig, dig your garden, Make it smooth and neat,
Push, push, push that shovel, Push it with your feet.
Plant, plant, plant your seed, Push them down an inch,
Cover your seeds with some soil, Cover with a pinch.
Water, water, water your seeds,This will help them sprout
Sprinkle lightly & lets not pourAnd don't let them
dryout
Sun, sun,sunshine, It will turn them green,
Carrots & radishes & peppers, too. Tomatoes &
some beans.
Watch, watch, watch them grow, See them grow so tall.
Put a scarecrow in the ground, To protect them all.
Pick, pick, pick your feast, Cook some veggie soup,
You'll have lots and lots to eat,Enough to feed the group
Who likes the rain?
'I,' said the duck, 'I call it fun.
For I have my little red rubbers on.
They make a cunning three-toed track
In the soft cool mud as I pass.
Quack, quack!
I like the rain.'
Rabbits and squirrels
Are furry and fat,
And all of the chickens
Have feathers and that
Is why when it's raining
They need not stay in
The way children do
Who have only their skin.
I'm a little planted seed.
See the rain falling on me.
Sun shines down through the trees.
These are the things I need indeed.
Oh, how happy they make me.
I'm a little growing seed.
The thermometer has
A little red line
That jumps right up
When the weather is fine.
But when it is cold
As everyone knows
Down to the little round bulb
It goes.
------
March is a good month to talk about the wind. Place a ping
pong ball at the centre of a table. Each player attempts to
blow the ball off the table by being as windy as possible.
Spring is a good time to help children learn how to read a
thermometer and place it on a level where young children can
read it easily. Then make a play thermometer that they can
manipulate themselves.
Procedure: Cut a small slit at the top and bottom of the
piece of cardboard. Colour half the ribbon red. Thread the
ribbon through the slits and tie the ends together in the
back. Mark the front of the cardboard with the degree
calibrations fround on a real thermometer. As the children
observe the temperature changes during the day on the real
thermometer, have them adjust their make-believe thermometer
by moving the red ribbon up or down.
If the weather is wet
We must not fret.
If the weather is dry
We must not cry.
If the weather is warm
We must not storm.
If the weather is cold
We must not scold.
Whatever the weather
We are friends together.
--------
There was a time when we got wet and rainy was the
weather.
R-A-I-N-Y, R-A-I-N-Y, R-A-I-N-Y, and rainy was the
weather.
There was a time when we got hot and sunny was the
weather.............
There was a time when we got cold and snowy was the
weather..........
There was a time when we were blown and windy was the
weather.
When I look into the sky.
I can see the clouds go by.
They don't ever make a sound.
Letting wind push them around.
Some go fast and some go slow.
I wonder where the clouds all go.
This is the way we wake up and yawn,
Wake up and yawn, wake up and yawn,
This is the way we wake up and yawn
When springtime is here.
This is the way we sprout our roots...
This is the way we pop through the dirt...
This is the way we stretch and grow....
This is the way we shoot up so tall...
This is the way we open our buds.....
This is the way we bend in the breeze....
This is the way we smile at the sun......
Wind Socks - (After reading 'The Wind Blew'
To make a wind sock, cut off the bottom of a paper lunch bag.
Decorate the bag with glitter paint, neon construc paper,
stickers, etc. Then attach crepe paper streamers to one end
of the bag. Attach a construction paper handle to the
opposite end of the bag. After they have dried take outside
and enjoy!!! - Mailbox Mag March 1995
Contributed by :
Leslie Zeigler
Provide each child with a baby food jar or plastic see
through container. Put cotton in the bottom of the container
(about 1/4 full). Place 2 beans between the cotton and glass
and 2 beans on top of the cotton. Dampen the cotton and keep
damp. Place on window ledge.
A little seed for me to sow
A little earth to make it grow
A little hole, a little pat,
A little wish, and that is that,
A little sun, a little shower.
A little while -
And then, a flower!
Seeds are funny, funny things,
Some have stickers, Some have wings,
Some are big, Some are small,
Some round and flat, Some like a ball.
Some are hidden inside of fruit
Some in pods or underground roots.
Some seeds are foods, And good to eat,
Like corn or beans, Or nuts for a treat.
But whatever the kind, Or wherever it's found -
Most plants grow, From a seed in the ground.
1. Plan how big you want it to be. (4'X4' is good) Dig up the
sod using a shovel and spade. Shake dirt from sod before
discarding.
2. Plant the sunflower seeds. (Sunflowers don't transplant
well-make sure frost season is over) 1 seed every
6-8inches)
3. When the sunflowers start to grow (it wont take long)you
can plant morning glories or sweetpeas between the sunflowers
if you'd like to male it pretty. These flowers will both
climb the sunflowers.
4.You can leave a spot for a door in the front and back, and
a smaller spot for a window or 2 on the sides. If they
are
watered well they will really grow tall. 10-12 ft
Contributed by terese
To help children see the growth of roots and leaves, 'plant'
a sweet potato in a jar of water.
Insert toothpicks in spoke fashion around the middle of the
potato.
Rest the toothpicks on top of a jar, with bottom half of the
potato resting in water in the jar.
Place in lighted area and watch the vine and roots grow.
Here's a green leaf, (show hand)
And here's a green leaf, (show other hand)
That you see, makes two (hold up 2 fingers)
Here is a bud (cup hands together)
That makes a flower
Watch it bloom, for you! (open cupped hands gradually)
They always, always pick on me.
They never, ever leave me be.
I know what I'll do and it's no Joke
I'll eat some worms and then I'll croak,
And when I'm gone you wait and see,
They'll all be sorry that they picked on me.
When March comes in gently, With soft skies of blue
And warm happy breezes, And crocus buds, too,
March begins like a lamb, Sweet, gentle and kind.
But you'd better beware, For you'll surely find
That the end of the month, Will be stormy and cold.
Like a lion it'll roar, Rough, growly and bold.
If March begins windy, And stormy and gray,
If it's too cold outside, To happily play,
The lion's here first, And he's not so nice.
You should be indoors, Take my advice.
But wonderful weather, Is coming, they say,
By the end of the month, The lamb's here to stay!
When the rain is splashing down,
On the fields and in the town,
Singing winds begin to blow, And the flowers start to
grow.
------
How glad I am when I have seen
Those tender leaves of gentle green.
They warm my heart and make it sing
For now I know at last it's spring!
------
Spring makes the world a happy place,
You see a smile on every face.
Flowers come out and birds arrive.
Oh, isn't it grand to be alive?
The dark gray clouds, The great gray clouds,
The black rolling clouds are elephants
Going down to the sea for water.
They draw up the water in their trunks.
They march back again across the sky.
They spray the earth with water, And men say it is
raining.
Frames: (From India)
Let the rain ___________.
Let the rain ___________.
Let the rain ___________.
The rain makes ___________.
The rain makes ___________.
The rain makes ___________. And I love the rain!
