Posts Tagged as ‘Fall’

August 30, 2010

Preschool Themes: A Few Favorites for Fall

Even though our air conditioner is still running, I know fall has nearly arrived.  I really think it is my favorite season (in spite of the fact that two of my pregnancies began in the fall and I still associate that first brisk day with a hint of nauseousness).  Fall is full of wonder and [...]

December 30, 2009

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons- Don’t Just Listen, Get Up and Move!

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons has always been one of my favorite musical works.  This program music is so beautiful and powerful, but also so descriptive, you can literally see in your mind and feel in your bones what Vivaldi is trying to describe with his music.  (And if you aren’t sure what he’s trying to describe, [...]

November 3, 2009

Bubble Paint

 For the truly brave preschool teacher or parent, looking for a creative art project, I present bubble painting!!  This can be a messy project, but very unique and with many opportunities for developmental growth.  Directions first, benefits later. First, take your standard tempera paint and water it down a bit more than usual and add [...]

October 31, 2009

Five Ways to Serve Up a Pumpkin

I mentioned before that a pumpkin’s greatness is in part due to its hollowness. We’ve talked about floating pumpkins, pumpkin drums, and of course, Jack-o-lanterns, but perhaps best of all, a pumpkin can be hollowed out to create a bowl! You can use a cleaned out pumpkin to hold pre-made food, such as soups or a [...]

October 30, 2009

Pumpkin Drum

As you and your children are exploring the properties of pumpkins, you discover that the fact that they are hollow is one of their best characteristics.  You find this out as you dig out their seeds and make Jack-o-lanterns.  You realize it’s importance as you send even enormous pumpkins floating on water.  Another great way [...]

October 29, 2009

Book Activity: 10 Step Guide to Living with Your Monster

Laura Numeroff is perhaps best known for her “If You Give a…” series (“If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”, “If You Give a Moose a Muffin”, etc.).  Ten Step Guide to Living with Your Monster  is lesser-known, though just as great.  This whimsical spin on monsters explains how one should select and care for a pet [...]

October 28, 2009

Book Activity: Big Pumpkin

Big Pumpkin, by Erica Silverman is a fantastic Halloween book!   It’s written in a pattern style with consecutive characters (a witch, a ghost, a vampire, and a mummy) each larger than the first, approaching the same problem – a giant pumpkin, stuck on the vine- in the same way.  There is repetitive text and a definite [...]

October 27, 2009

Book Activity: Piggy Pie

Piggie Pie by Margie Palatini is the perfect non-Halloween, Halloween book.  It’s not specifically Halloween themed, but it is a creative combination of a grouchy, hungry witch and some sly pigs who use costumes to avoid becoming ingredients.  As you read this story with your little ones, really play up the voices and point out the [...]

October 26, 2009

A Pumpkin Face Takes Shape!

 This, my friends, is a work of art.  And a fantastic display geometric/mathematical prowess.  And it’s the sweetest pumpkin face I’ve seen in a while because it was made by one of my darling boys!  For a great way to talk about shapes and still get all the fun of fall and Halloween in, Jack-o-lanterns are [...]

October 24, 2009

Do Pumpkins Sink or Float?

Sink or float is a classic preschool activity.  You gather an assortment of items and have the children guess which will sink or float, and then test their hypotheses.  (It made me laugh not too long ago when David Letterman added a gag segment called “Will it Float” with a huge pool of water and random items [...]