By Gigi on April 12th, 2018
Spring is here and what better way to welcome the season than with kites? This colorful kite craft is a delightful extension to the book Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand.
Bear looked at the sky. Could it be? he wondered. He tilted his head up. WHIFF. WHIFF. WHIFF. He smiled and then shouted, “Kite Day!”
Bear and his best friend Mole passionately work together to make a kite for this very special occasion. Finally, the kite is soaring up, up, up! But when a storm rolls in…SNAP! The kite string breaks and Bear and Mole run after it. They find it resting in a tree protecting a nest of baby birds from the pelting rain, and are subsequently greeted by a very thankful mama bird.
Hillenbrand does a wonderful job of emphasizing the pro-social themes of friendship, cooperation, and sharing. Children enjoy the adorable characters and the way the golden kite, with its vibrant rainbow tail, stands out against Hillenbrand’s classic, muted watercolor illustrations. This darling tale makes a perfect read-aloud for preschoolers.
So what are you waiting for? Grab the book, download our kite template, gather up some collage materials, and join in on the fun. We used crepe paper for the tails, but yarn will work as well. Be sure to discuss the order of the rainbow with your learners, and to encourage older children to cut out their own kites and to tie their own bows (just a starting knot).
MATERIAL USED:
– Construction paper
– Our kite template
– Scissors
– Buttons
– Acrylic jewels
– Foam stickers
– Ribbon
– Sequins
– Pom poms
– Tacky Glue
By Zoey on January 25th, 2018
As teachers, we are always thinking ahead. Thinking of the next month, the next theme, and the next holiday. So, obviously, I’ve now got Valentine’s Day and our exchange party on my mind. For the last 5-6 years, I’ve had my students make paper bag valentine card holders. Well, this year, I’m throwing it back and going “old school”. Check out these pocket valentine holders!
These were once a staple of my February curriculum, and now I remember why. Not only are they cute, but they are big! Big enough to hold all of the children’s cards and treats/trinkets; with the paper bags, my kids struggled to fit everything in. Also, with these pocket holders, students have a larger area to express their creativity, and that’s what is really important.
Simply staple together two pieces of 12″ by 18″ pieces of construction paper. Leave a two-inch margin at the top, and fold that front piece of paper down. Provide each child with a holder, a name tag, some glue, some decorative goodies, and watch the fun begin. Students who are developmentally ready should be prompted to cut out their own tags and write their own names.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
MATERIALS USED:
– Construction paper
– A stapler
– Puffy heart stickers
– Foam heart stickers
– Heart doilies
– Glue
– Markers and crayons
– Our valentine name tag
By Zoey on January 16th, 2018
Once or twice a year I like to have my students work together to create a class collage to display in the classroom. The children really enjoy expressing themselves. Rarely do I have anyone turn down the chance to participate.
This outer space collaboration turned out to be a creative and fun experience for everyone. I provided a large, curved piece of Styrofoam that had been spray painted black and quickly sprinkled with a dusting of glitter. I also provided a tray full of sparkly decorative items. I found glitter foam at Walmart that made perfect stars and moons. Plain foil stars also work well. My students were drawn to the various materials, and loved choosing which ones they wanted to use.
This collage turned out to be 3D, but you can use poster board or cardboard and a variety of collage materials of your choice. Some may choose all the materials you provide, while others will use very few.
This open-ended activity provides the children with an opportunity to use their imaginations, express their creativity, and practice decision making. Additionally, when working collaboratively to create a piece of art, the children develop social skills and learn to work interactively.
MATERIALS USED:
– A large piece of Styrofoam or other material
– Spray paint
– Glitter
– Glue
– Pom poms (glitter and regular)
– Sequins
– Sparkly fuzzy sticks (pipe cleaners)
– Moon and star stickers
– Acrylic jewels
– Our star template
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