Discussions Regarding the Preschool Observation Checklist and Evaluation Tool (POCET)

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Activity Idea: Tiny Seeds

Head Start QuickSource® reminds us that the Physical Development & Health domain refers to "physical well-being, use of the body, muscle control, and appropriate nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and safety practices." Physical well-being, health and motor development are foundation to children's learning and early health habits lay the foundation for lifelong healthy living.

Here's an activity called Tiny Seeds that encourages children's creative expression and the development of their fine motor skills. For this activity, you will need paper plates (DIXIE), Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Yellow Paint (WSTYE), paint brushes (LOTCHB), Colorations® Heavyweight Green Construction Paper (9CPGR), Colorations® Washable School Glue (SCWGSET), and The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle.

Materials Needed:
9" White Paper Plates (DIXIE)
Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Yellow Paint (WSTYE)
Colorations® Best Value Plastic Handle Paint Brushes (LOTCHB)
9x12" Colorations® Heavyweight Green Construction Paper (9CPGR)
Colorations® Washable School Glue (SCWGSET)



Let's Get Started:
1. Talk to the children about the flight of the seed in the story. Remind them what happened with each season.

2. Discuss how big the sunflower grew and how there were hundreds of seeds in the middle of its pod.

3. Give each child a paper plate and have them paint it yellow.

4. Show them how to glue sunflower seeds into the center of the plate.

5. Attach a strip of green paper to the back of the plate to resemble the stem.

6. Display your field of sunflowers on a classroom bulletin board.

Furthermore....
Bring a variety of seeds or nuts in to the classroom and encourage the children to examine and sort them. Suggestions include acorns, seedpods, pumpkins or acorn squash cut in half. Include whole sunflower seeds as well as ready-to-eat sunflower seeds and peanuts in a shell and out of the shell. How are the seeds alike? How are they different?

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in PH2: Begins to show Fine Motor Dexterity and Control.

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Activity Idea: My (Almost) Everything!

Preschool Activity QuickSource® reminds us that social/emotional activities focus on "helping children become caring, competent, and confident individuals" by nururing their sense of self, fostering their independence, encouraging them to make friends, and teaching them to share with others.

Here's an activity called My (Almost) Everything!  that will help children become aware of their personal likes and dislikes. Children can also express feelings and learn their basic information, such as name, age, family members, etc. For this activity, you will need Colorations® Simply Washable Tempera Paints and 12x18" White Sulphite Paper.

Materials Needed:
Colorations® Simpy Washable Tempera Paints (SWT16)
12x18" White Sulphite Paper (12SU)

Let's Get Started:
1. Have each child make handprints with paint on a sheet of paper, leaving room for text.

2. Have a list of ten questions, one for each finger.
My name is?
I live at?
My favorite color is?
My favorite game is?
My favorite food is?
My favorite animal is?
When I grow up, I want to be a?
I like to?
My wish is to?
If I could have a super power, it would be?

3. List their answers, one above each finger.

4. Display around the room.

If using POCET™, this activity corresponds with the devlopmental guidelines shown in SE1 Shows Awareness of Self and Knows Personal Information.

Labels: , , , , ,