Tag: preschool

Easter Preschool Theme

Posted on by Addie

I don’t know why, but holiday themes are always so exciting at our house. They really just get you ready to celebrate and Easter is a BIG one at our house. Here is what we will be doing this week.

We are reviewing letters this week for my 2 year old and working on the number 16. For my newly 5 year old we will be reviewing our blends and introducing estimation.

 M T W Th F 
Religion Read Jesus is Arrested, Crucified & Risen Comprehension questions* & Jesus is Risen sequencing Use paint to stamp the worksheet with an aluminum foil ball Jesus is King* Make and do resurrection eggs or (another resource here) pick your favorite šŸ™‚ 
Language (2) Hide Easter eggs filled with miniature objects (of review letter sounds) ā€“ once found, match them to the correct letter E is for Easter Color by code bunny Hide letter magnets in Easter eggs then match the magnet to the letter (print A-Z on a piece of paper to match to) Letter matching  
Language (4/5)Ā Blend scavenger hunt (must be subscriber to get freebie) – can do an egg hunt with this Blend write & read (pick a couple) Sorting blends Write the blend/diagraph Create diagraph eggs (could do blends too) 
Math (2) Count 16 easter eggs from the egg hunt Peeps graphing (after count all the peeps) Count 16 jellybeans Easter roll & cover  Use easter erasers or jellybeans to count 16 in a 10 frame 
Math (4/5)Ā Introduce estimation by putting different sized easter items or candies into jars Peeps graphing (after  estimate how many peeps then count) Get a bag of jellybeans and estimate how many are in it ā€“ then practice grouping to count them Estimate how many Easter eggs it would take to fill the bottom of a basket ā€“ then find out!  Now that youā€™ve done some ā€˜how manyā€™ estimations.. Introduce others too like how much (liquid/volume) and how long (length) – use Easter objects! 
Art/Sensory Make Easter eggs out of playdo and decorate with sequins, buttons, pipe cleaners etc.. Balance an Easter egg on a spoon and have a race Dye Easter eggs Easter dot markers – could also do stamps; and make egg shakers with easter eggs and beans Easter sensory bin ā€“ Easter grass, mini eggs, tongs, bunny figures,  
Science
Geography
HistoryĀ 		Fizzy Eggs* Egg races Dissolving jelly beans Protect an egg and do an egg drop Egg crystals 

Comprehension Questions: 

Tell me what happened in this story. 

Which one of Jesus’ disciples wasn’t a friend to Jesus? 

Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? 

What makes this a happy story? 

Jesus is King (from ABCJesus Loves Me) 

Make a paper crown as a reminder that Jesus loved us enough to die on the cross and He is now the King of Heaven.   Precut a strip of paper the diameter of the child’s head.  Allow the child to decorate before stapling into a crown. 

(Using a premade crown, ask the child to identify the object that you have on your head or in your hands.)  Who would wear a crown?  What does a king do?  Jesus would be a great king.  He’s kind and fair, and He loves us all very much.   Many people wanted Jesus to become a king on earth.  The people wanted Jesus to lead an army and take over the country and fight the Romans.  But Jesus said no.  Jesus preached peace because He knew God wanted Him to be the King of Heaven not earth.  Even though He could have been king, Jesus chose to die for us so we could be forgiven. 

Fizzy Eggs ā€“ In a bin but some Easter egg halves and fill with baking soda. Use food coloring and vinegar to make a fun rainbow experiment

Presidents Preschool Theme

Presidents Preschool Theme

Posted on by Addie

Just in time for Presidents day, this week we’re learning about the Presidents. I love that some weeks we focus more on geography and physical science, while others we lean more towards government and history.

Let me know if you have any questions!

 M T W Th F 
Religion Read the Prodigal Son Story Comprehension Questions Marble paint the Prodigal Son ABCJ worksheet Feeds the pigs activity Forgiveness Activity 
Language (2) Sandpaper F Letter F dot marker page F Binder Draw a big F on a piece of paper and have child glue feathers to it F Miniatures 
Language (4) Introduce SH sound (dramatize with finger up to lips shhhhhh) 
Introduce sight words SHE & HE 		President word of the day sheet Review sight words sight words + Listen for sh in words. Practice initial sounds – You can find picture cards here ā€“ look for SH sounds ā€“ initial words sight words + Listen for sh in words. Practice medial sounds – You can find picture cards here ā€“ look for SH sounds ā€“ medial words  sight words + Listen for sh in words. Practice final sounds – You can find picture cards here ā€“ look for SH sounds ā€“final words 
Math (2) 14 Learn about coins Count 14 coins and then sort by color or size (or both!) Place 14 star stickers on the worksheet or use red & blue dot markers to stamp 14 times each Flip a coin 14 times and graph the results  Snap cubes 
Math (4) Learn about coins Presidential Problems Presidential equations  Log cabin counting Snap cubes  
Art/Sensory Easy word search or harder Presidentā€™s Day word search Make a hat, wig or beard Coin rubbings Lincoln Unscramble President directed drawing 
Science
Geography
HistoryĀ 		Talk about what a President is**Ā Then talk about a few (Washington, Lincoln, Trump, Biden)Ā Washington & Lincoln sheets + our flag sheet Talk about where the president lives, find it on a map, show pictures of the white house Cleaning/ polishing pennies  Presidential 4 in a row game  

What is a president – I really like this resource, but itā€™s a little too advanced for preschoolers. I did take the page talking about holiday, country, President, leader etc.. And will use it to intro the Presidentā€™s Day unit ā€“ I will save the resource for future years.Ā 

Healthy Habits Preschool Theme

Healthy Habits Preschool Theme

Posted on by Addie

2024 update below this plan.

This weeks theme is healthy habits, and by that I mean things like teeth hygiene, germs, handwashing, and exercise. I am purposely NOT focusing on the body as I already have a separate theme for that (here). I’m also not touching on diet/food because, again, I have a whole theme for that (here). Let me know if you have any questions!

 M T W Th F 
Religion Read the Good Samaritan Comprehension Questions Good Samaritan worksheet ā€“ glue sand to the road and put bandaids on the hurt man Read Zuzu’s Wishing Cake by Linda Michelin Make Get Well Survival Kits and give to someone you know 
Language (2) Practice L with sandpaper then write letter L in salt tray ā€“ use a toothbrush for fun L dot marker page L binder activities Alphabet teeth cleaning ā€“ letter L and review letters L miniatures 
Language (4) Introduce Th by putting teeth to tongue and blowing air – intro They, This & That (review ā€˜theā€™) – other words too ie thank you & thumb Review They & That sight words & Practice th in syllables. Put a long or short vowel after th (thy, thee, though) and before (ath, eth, ith) and middle (atho, ethee, athi) Review They & That sight words & Listen for th in words. Practice initial sounds – You can find picture cards here ā€“ look for TH sounds ā€“ initial words Review They & That sight words & Listen for th in words. Practice medial sounds – You can find picture cards here ā€“ look for TH sounds ā€“ medial words Review They & That sight words & Listen for th in words. Practice final sounds – You can find picture cards here ā€“ look for TH sounds ā€“final words Try this worksheet 
Math (2) Germ clip cards (easier or harder depending on skill level of child) Make 13 ā€˜teethā€™ out of playdough then use tweezers to count and ā€˜removeā€™ them 1 by 1 into a bowl Germ (pompom) color sort  – use tweezers to sort Germ patterns Put 13 stickers on the 13 coloring page 
Math (4) Subtraction word problem story  Tooth subtraction One page of subtraction to 10 Bite out of math subtraction problems  One page of subtraction glue and categorize 
Art/Sensory Use dry erase to draw on a mouth/teeth model and use a toothbrush to brush off the cavities (I bought mine at dollar tree) Paint with a toothbrush Do exercise cards Decorate paper towel tubes and pretend they are dumbells Dirty v clean hand craft* 
Science
Geography
History 		Parts of a tooth On a large plate smear food samples such as pb, jelly, syrup, ketchup etc.. Then use a real toothbrush and toothpaste to clean ā€“ see which are hard, which stain etc.. Glitter germ handwashing activity Germs scatter experiment  Dip a hard boiled egg in coffee or dark soda and let sit overnight.  Remove the egg from the soda and observe the stain. Then use a toothbrush and paste to brush and see if the stain lifts. 

Comprehension Questions: 

Who should have helped the hurt man? 
Who did help the hurt man? 
Give me an example of some ways that you can be kind to people. 
Some stories talk about the Good Samaritan being a “foreign man”.  In this story a foreign man represents someone who is different than you. 
How can we be kindā€”even to people who are different than us? 

Dirty Vs Clean Hand Craft ā€“ Fold a white piece of computer paper in half. Trace both of the childs hands on the upper half and the lower half (so 4 total hands). On the top half write ā€˜Dirtyā€™ and on the bottom write ā€˜Cleanā€™. Let the children draw dirt or germs on the dirty hands and use a blue dot marker to draw soap bubbles on the clean hands. 

2024 Healthy Habits Preschool Theme

Because my themes are a little different this year, I want to touch a little on the body and nutrition as well as germs, dental & exercise.

Books The Busy Body Book: A Kid’s Guide to Fitness – Lizzy Rockwell; Why Do I NeedĀ ToĀ Brush My Teeth? – Caressa Simmons; Lift-the-flap Very First Questions & Answers: Why Should I Get Dressed? – Katie Daynes; GrowĀ Strong!:Ā A book about healthy habits (Being the Best Me!) – Cheri J. Meiners; Look Inside What Happens When You Eat ā€“ Emily Bone; Wash YourĀ Hands!:Ā Keeping Clean in a Messy World – Noreen R. Hussain; I Can Take Care of My Body (Healthy Me) – Andi Cann; I Can Eat a Rainbow ā€“Olena Rose; Inside your Outside ā€“ Trish RabeĀ 
Language Review B; Introduce E & Y; choose a couple body words to practice writing (ex ā€“ body, hand, eye) Germ case matching & pre-writing/tracing sheets Use unifix cubes to create the letter E & Y ā€“ have them bring the cubes from one side of the room to the other for exercise if you wish Alphabet teeth cleaning with review letters 
Math Fingerprint graph* Give child pom poms (or germs); then have them count them and write the number; repeat with 1-10 Exercise counting game Playdo teeth counting 
Art/Sensory Food group sort (can also do this with play kitchen food) Germ guys Make dumbbells out of paper towel rolls and decorate them Draw on teeth model with dry erase marker and use a toothbrush to brush off the ā€œcavitiesā€ 
S/G/H Energy for the body & Organ matching Germ experiement Exercise and heart rate experiment Teeth facts & anatomy 
Religion Pick a saint to read about each day 
2 Yr Ideas Body parts; Germ (pompom) color sort using tweezers; Germ patterns; practice hand washing;  

Groundhogs Day Preschool Theme

Posted on by Addie

Groundhogs Day is February 2nd, so what better week to have a groundhog & shadows theme. We’re working on the letter P and number 12 for my 2 year old. For my 4 year old we are continuing to talk about parts of a story as well as the sight word but. She’s also working on her addition skills.

 M T W Th F 
Religion Read Jesus Feeds 5000 Comprehension Questions* Paint worksheet with Qtips Doing the impossible activity Plan a picnic (indoor if its cold) 
Language (2) Sandpaper letter P P Dot marker sheet Letter P Binder Color by letter (will do the one with 4 ā€“ and do P with 2 other weak letters and a strong letter) P Miniatures 
Language (4) Introduce sight word ā€“ BUT ā€“ Build the letters with playdo Learn about the conflict of a story; Read a book or watch a movie and discuss the conflict Use sight word BUT to talk about the conflict or problem in a story ā€“ ex. Someone wanted something BUT XYZ Color by sight words  Practice sight words and CVC words using this game 
Math (2) Make 12 with playdo (can make numbers or do 12 balls) Create 12 with unifix or blocks on a piece of paper and trace around it Groundhog shadow matching Roll 2 dice and use counting bears to count the number rolled Ā Use aĀ q-tipĀ to paint theĀ 12 posterĀ 
Math (4) Color by sum Graphing groundhogs ā€“ then add them all up Addition BINGO Use counters to talk about place value and addition (example) Use dominos to create addition problems and solve 
Art/Sensory Draw your shadow (if too cold, trace your body) Crawl through a tunnel like a groundhog Flashlight play Shadow tracing (use a flashlight if itā€™s cold) example in here Groundhog puppet and song 
Science
GeographyĀ 
HistoryĀ 		Tell story of Punxsutawney Phil and groundhogs day ā€“ find PA on a map Talk about the habitat of a groundhog & hibernation Shadows are caused by objects blocking light ā€“ make shadows with flashlights and explore how they change based on position of light** Difference between transparent & translucent ā€“ does light shine through activity  Groundhog fact teller 

Comprehension Questions: 
Where did Jesus get the food for the crowd of people? 
What food did the boy have in his lunch? 
Jesus fed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two small fishes.  Was there any leftover food? 

Shadow Position Change – Get a 2 liter or something and place it in the center of a piece of paper. Shine a light on it and trace the shadow, then change the position of the light and trace where the shadow went. Continue doing so until the concept is understood. 

Does light shine through activity – Get a variety of objects from around the house and use a flashlight to see if light shines through (Tin foil, dollar bill, plastic wrap, tshirt, paper, net etc…) 

Construction Preschool Theme

Posted on by Addie

Construction week is a special week at our house because my husband is a carpenter and LOVES to get his tools out and show them to the girls. Here is what we will be doing this week. It’s a review week in letters for my 2 year old as well as learning the number 12. For my 4 year old we are working on the sight word “said” and addition.

 M T W Th F 
Religion Read Two Miracles Story Comprehension Questions* Use craft sticks to paint the Jesus heals worksheet Think of ways to help sick people (draw card, smile, phone call, get tissue) Play doctor with ace bandages and other dramatic play 
Language (2) Review letters with letter magnets in sensory bin 
G,O,N,U,D focus 		Construction Vocabulary – We have something like this, but not the exact one Hammer golf tees into a sheet of cardboard with review letters written on it, say the letter sound as you hammer Build review letters with rocks Paper plate clip on letter review (like in this video)  
Language (4) Plot of story Intro – then read a short story and talk about what the plot is (continue all week) Said sight word Hammer golf tees into a piece of cardboard with the sight word said written on it ā€˜Saidā€™ focus emergent reader (I made this one based on past sight & CVC words, construction themed. Ā Her choice (my bet is it will be practicing letters and reading on theĀ starfallĀ app)Ā 
Math (2) Intro 12 w/ sandpaper Count 12 blocks and then knock them over ā€“ repeat! Use nuts and bolts to count to 12 Use a clock to practice numbers 1-12  Hammer 12 tees onto a piece of cardboard 
Math (4) Basic Addition worksheet Roll a dice and stack that number of blocks, roll again and repeat ā€“ add the 2 together Nuts & Bolts Addition* Build the picture card out of unifix then count how many of each color and add them together to get the total (I made this, it isnā€™t perfect but you can use if you want) Color by number. I will use sharpie to turn numbers into addition problems 
Art/Sensory Construction themed sensory bin (construction trucks, black beans, pebbles, construction signs) Build with blocks Play with a bin of nuts, bolts & washers (stack them, manipulate them, just let them play) Use brown tissue paper, craft sticks, toothpicks and glue to make a work of art Construction Art* 
Science
Geography
HistoryĀ 		Learn about what construction workers do When playing blocks, talk about symmetry and balance when building buildings and materials to make roads etc.. Talk about different construction materials and why houses look different in different parts of the world 
 		Talk about the basics of circuitry and do the Close the circuit activity Look up the tallest buildings in the world and find them on a map  

Comprehension Questions: 

What did Jairus ask Jesus to do? 

What did the messenger from Jairus’ house tell Jesus? 

What did Jesus do? 

What is a miracle? 

What is an example of a miracle? 

Name some of the other miracles in the Bible. 

Nut & Bolt Math – Use number 1-10 flashcards (or normal cards) to pick a number, then place that many nuts on a ten frame sheet (you can just draw one or get a printable here. Then fill in the rest of the ten frame with bolts. Talk about how the number of nuts and bolts added together = 10 

Construction Art – Put shaving cream on a brown piece of paper and use a construction truck to drive through it to create a picture 

Dinosaur Preschool Theme

Dinosaur Preschool Theme

Posted on by Addie

A favorite theme for boys and girls alike! Here is what we will be doing based on our focus’. You can find what we are working on in my themes folder in the freebies section

 M T W Th F 
Religion Read Jesus Calms the Storm Comprehension Questions* Paint the Jesus calms the storm worksheet with watercolor and glitter the waves Role play the story Create a rainstorm 
Language (2) Sandpaper letter N Letter N binder Make the letter N out of fossils (or rocks)  Dino letter stomp*  N miniatures 
Language (4) What is the setting of a story Tell a dinosaur story and then draw the setting Intro sight word are Dino word stomp* Dino sight words game** 
Math (2) Sandpaper tracing number 11 Hide dinos around the house and count them at the end (11)  1-10 dino dot to dot (after we finish I will ask ā€˜what comes after 10ā€™ to get some number of the week practice) Egg carton game* Count 11 counting blocks (got ours from dollar tree), then feed them to the dinos 
Math (4) Number line addition Use number beads (or abacus, unifix etc..) to play T/F make 10 Measure 2 dino figures with unifix then add them together. Repeat until bored Give a price to each dino and have child go shopping. Add the prices for total. Addition snake game (we have this) – Hereā€™s how you do it 
Art/Sensory Paint with dinosaurs ā€“ primary color to make secondary color Playdo w dinosaur cookie cutters & make footprints, eggs, etc.. Dino dig sensory bin (sand, paint brush, pebbles, fossils, dinos, magnifying glass) Tape dinos up a wall and have them jump to help them escape ā€˜prisonā€™ Build dinosaur puzzle 
Science
Geography
HistoryĀ 		History of dinos Hide small dino in playdo and learn about excavation and paleontology Learn about carnivore, herbivore & omnivorous then sort dino figurines by category Make volcano (baking soda, vinegar, food coloring) Use the interactive map to find where different dinosaurs were 

Comprehension Questions: 
When Jesus came down to earth as a baby, He became human like you and me.  Just as we get tired, Jesus needed to rest.  Did you know that while on earth Jesus got tired? 
Do you have trouble sleeping through a storm? 
Why do you think Jesus was able to sleep through the storm? 
The disciples went to Jesus when they got scared.  Who can you go to when you get scared?  (pray to Jesus) 
Can you tell the wind and rain to stop during a storm?  No, but Jesus can.  Jesus is so powerful that even the wind and the waves obey Him. 

Dino letter/word stomp ā€“ On post it notes, construction paper or with painter tape, write down a mix of letters/sight words that you want to introduce/review. Arrange them in a large circle on the floor and have your child walk around the circle to music. When the music stops they tell you what letter or word they are on. To stay more on theme, you could play the dinosaur stomp song (or any other dinosaur song). I will only have 3 letters (repeated) out for my 2 year old, and a review of 5-7 sight words for my 4 year old. 

Dino sight word game – we will only use words weā€™ve practiced – ā€œareā€ is not included so I will turn ā€˜aā€™ into ā€˜areā€™ since a is really easy. I will print this on cardstock and not laminate since I am picking and choosing words rather than trying to cut and paste together to laminate 

Egg Carton Game ā€“ write numbers 1-12 in sections of an egg carton. Then toss a pom pom into the egg carton and say the number that the pom pom lands in. If child gets it right, they can place a dinosaur sticker on the number, continue until all numbers are covered. (Since we havenā€™t learned 12 yet, I will use that as a demonstration before we start). 

Arctic Animals Preschool Theme

Posted on by Addie

(Updated 10/2023)

Following our winter theme last week, this week we are talking about arctic animals and hibernation.

For my 2 year old, we will work on the letter O and number 11; for my 4 year old characters of a story, the sight word have and addition practice. Thank you to Mrs. Plemons Kindergarten for providing a lot of ideas this week.

Make sure to scroll down for our 2023 plan – it’s geared toward a 3 turning 4 year old.

Some arctic animal books we like: Three Snow Bears ā€“ Jan Brett; The Antarctic Habitat ā€“ Molly Aloian; Penguins Love Colors ā€“ Sarah Aspinall; The Polar Bear and the Snow Cloud ā€“ Jane Cabrera; Way Up in the Arctic ā€“ Jennifer Ward; Arctic Fox ā€“ Katie MarsicoĀ 

 M T W Th F 
Religion read Jesus calls 12 disciples Comprehension Questions Color men from boat and men 12 Disciples worksheet Color boat from 12 disciples worksheet and then put together Play fishing game (we have something like this) 
Language (2) Sandpaper tracing Letter o dot work Letter O Binder Polar bear to fish line tracing O miniatures 
Language (4) Intro have What is the character of a story Read a book (preferably easy reader with ā€˜haveā€™) and draw the character Tell a story about being in the arctic and then draw the character Color by sight word 
Math (2) Number matching 1-5 Intro number 11 ā€“ sandpaper numbers and count 11 clear pebbles like they are ice Which is different  Add 11 arctic/winter stickers to the 11 worksheet Count to 11 with ā€˜snowballsā€™ (cotton balls) 
Math (4) Adding Animals Penguin number bonds Feed the fish to the polar bear How many ways can you make 12 Math Mysteries 
Art/Sensory snow sensory bin*  penguin craft* igloo paint*  igloo stamp art* animal sort bin*   
Science
Geography
History 		Make fake snow*  learn about what hibernation is  Hibernate or migrate printable Find Antarctica on a map and learn a little bit about the continent Color and spray science* 

Comprehension Questions: 

Why do you think that Jesus needed helpers? 
How do you think Jesus’ friends felt when He told them that they would be fishers of men? 
What does a “fisher of men” do? 
When Jesus asked the men to “follow Me,” did the men finish what they were doing or immediately follow? 
What is a disciple? 
How can you be a disciple of Jesus? 
What does it mean to follow Jesus? 

Penguin Craft ā€“ On blue construction paper draw a penguin body (have the child do it ā€“ look at a picture and let them tell you the shapes they would need to make it). Glue cotton balls on for the belly. Then add google eyes, a beak and feet (which the adult can precut) 

Igloo Painting ā€“ freeze water in an empty fruit cup to make the igloo. Then let the child use watercolors to paint the igloo  

Make Snow ā€“ 1.5c baking soda + Ā¼ c conditioner 

Snow Sensory Bin ā€“ Add the fake snow you made to sensory bin with arctic animal figurines, blue/white stones and an empty fruit cup 

Igloo stamp art ā€“ On dark blue paper, press the hole part of duplo lego in white white paint and stamp it all around for a background. Cut out a light blue paper in the shape of igloo and glue it to the bottom of the dark blue page. Stamp the underside of the lego in the white paint and make brick layers on the light blue sheet to for an igloo. Add arctic animal stickers. 

Animal Sort ā€“ Make a 2 part sensory bin; one side with cotton balls for snow, and one with green grass. Get a bunch of animal figurines and have them put the animal in the correct habitat. You can do by arctic v non arctic as well as hibernation v migration 

Color Spray Science ā€“Ā Print an outline of an arctic animal and color it all (even white spaces). Make a spray bottle of water tinted blue and spray it on the paper. Watch the water glide off the page. Demonstrates how fur/feather keep water away from theĀ bodyĀ of the arctic animals.Ā 

2023 Arctic Animal Plan

Religion focus: Learn the guardian angel prayer

2 Yr Old Options: 2 pt animal puzzles (p42-49); matching 3pt cards, animal size sorting & shadow matching,Ā 

Language Introduce X (/ks/); Sandpaper letter; Trace the lines and use a dot marker Dot the letter with the correct color DGCOTJ letter match worksheet (Let child do cutting & gluing) P, W,R, S,I tracing & Beginning sounds 
Math Introduce 10; sandpaper number; count 10 blue glass flat marbles (like ice) 1-10 puzzle Measuring arctic animals Arctic animal clip & count to 10 
Art/Sensory Handprint arctic fox Arctic ice sensory bin Penguin craft* Use the snow you made to make a sensory bin with arctic animals, & blue/white stones 
S/G/H Learn about the difference between active, hibernating & migrating animals (p16-19;21-26) Circle the active, migrating & hibernating animals worksheets (p33-35) Color spray science* Make snow using 1 Ā½ c baking soda & Ā¼ c conditioner 

Penguin Craft ā€“ On blue construction paper draw a penguin body (have the child do it ā€“ look at a picture and let them tell you the shapes they would need to make it). Glue cotton balls for the belly. Then add google eyes, a beak, and feet (which the adult can precut) 

Color Spray Science ā€“ Print an outline of an arctic animal and color it all (even white spaces). Make a spray bottle of water tinted blue and spray it on the paper. Watch the water glide off the page. Demonstrates how fur/feather keep water away from the body of the arctic animals. 

Other Artic Animal Theme Ideas: 

Artic animals measuring