Finishing up :Opposite Theme

 

I know I share a lot of craft projects.

One of my little guys at preschool today said-

"Ya know- I only come for the crafts!"

 

He was a little out -of-sorts today. Lol

But you better believe- I was thankful that Funshine Express has such great art & craft projects!

 

Each craft is so thoughtful.

Today we were weaving black and white paper together.

I pulled out my punches- and let them punch out shapes to place on their woven mats.

(all the paper provided by Funshine- naturally and the shape idea suggested by them too.)

 

 

THEN

For the opposite theme: Funshine also provided a matching game. I love how they always include a station/game idea in each monthly curriculum box. It helps keep my stations fresh and in line with the monthly theme.

Number Station

Today I thought I would share a simple station for preschool.

 

I love how versatile the supplies I get from Funshine Express are! Every month I get a few numbers in my monthly curriculum kit. (the numbers we are working on for the month.) I found this pocket chart at our local dollar store. Today I let the kids play with our number/shape/color board for one of our stations. This little guy wanted to put the numbers in order.

There are so many ways to use the supplies.
Thank-you Funshine Express- for making my life, just a little easier!

I am sneaking in another theme this month- Olympics! So fun!! That is what I appreciate the most about my Funshine Express Monthly Curriculum kit. Is the ease of day-to day planning... but when I want... I can take extra time to customize the curriculum and add and adjust to what fits the needs and interest of my preschool group.

Go USA!

Life skills Center: Sorting Socks

Before moving to Utah- we lived in Hawaii for 8 years. We were infused in the tropical life style. It was a big shock last year, our first Utah winter! My boys, who NEVER would wear jeans and socks in Hawaii, have learned to appreciate long pants and socks.

My third son- really likes CRAZY socks. I'll admit- I like them too. So when I saw these cute Holiday socks I bought a dozen. I put them in a small basket and taught the kids how to match and fold socks.

(There are  a few Halloween socks in there too. )
The kids really liked matching these crazy socks.

I just thought I would share a simple - Life skills Center.

Simple Math Manipulative

Since I have a reusable calendar- I don't need to use the calendar that Funshine Express sends each month. (You get the calendar in your first box, and Month headings and numbers in each monthly box.)

So I made this simple Math Manipulative for a station.

First I have the children put the numbers in order.
Then they pull a clothes pin out- count the dots and clip that clothes pin on the right number.

Simple.
Fun.
Educational.
And helps build their hand dexterity.
It's a great little activity.

Stations

I will admit- a weakness in my preschool schedule is my STATION time.

I really like having stations, where I can work one-on-one or in a small group with kids. But sometimes, I feel like the other children are on their own. (Not that they mind. lol- they love just playing with toys!) This guy always creates amazing things with these brillo blocks. I know free play is important too--  here are a few of his creations ...
Every day - he makes some amazing - new and different contraption!

 

But back to the topic... STATIONS. I want to create engaging stations that they will WANT to go to- on their own! It's a challenge.
I also want to them be quality stations that they are learning or practicing a skill.

This month Funshine Express  sent these circles- for a station. (Again- what a life saver!)

 

They could trace around the circles or use the sheet of paper (that I punched the circles out of...) as a stencil...and trace inside the circles.

This station- goes great with our CIRCLE theme this month. We've also  been talking about the letter B- so I encouraged the kids to draw/trace "bubbles" on their papers, and have the circles over lap... and be different colors.

 

I can lend a helping hand- story and craft

We have been talking about "How to be a good friend" in preschool all month. I modified two craft kits I had gotten in my Funshine Express curriculum monthly box- to make this craft.

One craft suggested making  a class mobile with all the children's hands hanging down from a construction paper ring. It was a cute project- I just know my bunch of kids. They like to TAKE THINGS HOME.

So instead- we made this and talked about what it means to "give a hand". (Be helpful.)


It was actually a multi-stepped craft- that I split up into different segments and stations.

First we paired up with partners and traced each others hands.





Then during out station time- they laced around the paper plates Funshine had supplied for another craft idea. I simply punched holes around the sides.

 

 

At another station, they sat with me and I supervised them cutting out their hands. I have some children who don't need much supervision- while others need a lot. So I prefer working in a small group- when we use scissors.

 

 

 

With our paper plates- laced and our hand cut out we were ready to put everything together. 

 

 

I like to sometimes throw in a "multi step" project for preschool. The children really are proud of their work at the end. (It wasn't simply a "slap together" kind of craft.)

 

This took time. It took effort. (Lacing and cutting). Each is unique.

The key is to break it down into multiple phases-- where the kids can stop, take a break, and then work on another aspect of the project later. If I had tried to do all this in one sitting- the children would have been too overwhelmed.

Helping Hand

We have been talking about "How to be a good friend" in preschool all month. I modified two craft kits I had gotten in my Funshine Express curriculum monthly box- to make this craft.

One craft suggested making  a class mobile with all the children's hands hanging down from a construction paper ring. It was a cute project- I just know my bunch of kids. They like to TAKE THINGS HOME.

So instead- we made this and talked about what it means to "give a hand". (Be helpful.)


It was actually a multi-stepped craft- that I split up into different segments and stations.

First we paired up with partners and traced each others hands.

Then during out station time- they laced around the paper plates Funshine had supplied for another craft idea. I simply punched holes around the sides.

 

 

At another station, they sat with me and I supervised them cutting out their hands. I have some children who don't need much supervision- while others need a lot. So I prefer working in a small group- when we use scissors.

 

 

 

With our paper plates- laced and our hand cut out we were ready to put everything together. 

 

 

I like to sometimes throw in a "multi step" project for preschool. The children really are proud of their work at the end. (It wasn't simply a "slap together" kind of craft.)

 

This took time. It took effort. (Lacing and cutting). Each is unique.

The key is to break it down into multiple phases-- where the kids can stop, take a break, and then work on another aspect of the project later. If I had tried to do all this in one sitting- the children would have been too overwhelmed.