Dramatic play is a fantastic way for preschoolers to really synthesize the information they’ve been gathering throughout their experience with a theme or unit. They naturally use new vocabulary words, implement concepts, and contemplate new ideas all in a meaningful way. Here are a few ideas for dramatic play themes within a seeds, plants, garden, or flowers [...]
Posts Tagged as ‘Gardens’
June 20, 2009
Sowing the Seeds of Reading – Book List
What unit would be complete without great books to incorporate?
Ok, first of all, a few that are old standards, not in any specific book. I always try to brainstorm nursery rhymes and fairy tales as I do my book list. These are all too often disregarded in favor of the newest and freshest. We need [...]
June 19, 2009
Serendipitous Seed Science
It’s only June, and my preschool age son is already antsy for school. He asked me to “play preschool” with him yesterday. A convenient request, since I’m pretty good at playing preschool. He’s watched the show Sid the Science Kid on PBS (a great show for kids and teachers alike), and wanted to do a [...]
June 19, 2009
Seed Mosaics – Two Ways!
Because seeds come in such a wide array of colors, sizes and textures, they are great for creating mosaics and collages. You may want to use a collection of seeds that are already mixed, maybe seeds leftover from another activity, like rain sticks. You could also take the time to open several containers of seeds and [...]
June 12, 2009
How Does Your Garden Grow?
When Froebel created that groundbreaking child-centered preschool in Germany, centuries ago, he chose the name “kindergarten”, which translates to mean, “children’s garden”. It seems fitting, that a proper “children’s garden”, might include an actual garden as well! Class gardens are really the best way to teach science topics like seeds, plants, and the origins of food, as well [...]
June 9, 2009
I’m a Little Seed
You can never really have too many songs and fingerplays, can you? So here’s another one that is kid-tested and approved! Sing to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”.
I’m a little seed in the soil so deep.
I sit and I wait and I don’t make a peep.
Give me rain and sunshine, and what do [...]
June 9, 2009
Five Little Seeds…..A Fingerplay
Use pictures with this fingerplay, or let children play the role of the seeds if you wish, but it works just as well with the five little fingers at the end of your arm!
5 Little Seeds
5 Little seeds in the deep, dark ground, (Hold up 5 fingers)
sleeping and waiting, not making a sound. (finger to lips)
Along [...]
June 8, 2009
Seeds of Thought
I was thinking recently about how much I enjoy teaching the topic of seeds and plants to preschoolers. There’s something powerfully gratifying and awe-inspiring about awakening and cultivating life that attracts young and old alike. Planning around the theme of plants and seeds opens up a multitude of learning objectives. Here are just a few:
Plants and seeds [...]
May 22, 2009
See Through Seed Gardens
As a seed germinates and grows, it is hard for children to understand what goes on beneath that mystic cover of soil. Of course you can sprout bean seeds in a plastic bag (just drop in a wet paper towel and presoaked bean seed, seal ‘er up and watch it open up over the course [...]
