“I’m the Cat in the Hat, and we’re off to have fun. We’ll visit the planets, the stars, and the sun!” These are the captivating first words of the book There’s No Place Like Space!. Written by Tish Rabe and beautifully illustrated by Aristides Ruiz, this wonderful book takes children on an exciting ride through the solar system, and teaches important basic concepts about space.
After being introduced to this book, preschoolers will enjoy making their own “planets”. Have students place cut up or torn pieces of bleeding tissue paper onto white construction paper circles. Instruct them to wet the tissue with a water filled spray bottle (supervision is important here). Once the tissue is sufficiently wet, gently remove and allow the “planets” to dry.
This activity encourages creative expression. The children love to choose their colors, and always get excited when they see the beautiful and varied works of art they have created. In addition, using a spray bottle improves fine motor skills and helps to build strength in small hands and fingers. Finally, cutting skills can be practiced, by encouraging the children (who wish to do so) to cut out their own circles.
Note: This revised edition of the book includes a glossary of space terms and excludes mention of Pluto, which is no longer considered a planet.
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.
Let’s learn about the people in our neighborhood! This Community Helper Math and Literacy pack contains 15 worksheets, a 12 page counting book, and 4 learning center activities that strengthen the following skills:
– Counting
– One-to-one correspondence
– Classification
– Number recognition
– Number formation
– Set recognition and comparison
– Measurement (weight)
– Measurement (height)
– Patterning
– Fine motor
– Letter recognition
– Beginning sound recognition
– Language/Dictation
– Self-expression
– Association
– Visual discrimination
– Phonological and phonemic awareness
– Following directions
Please note that these learning center activities are designed to be printed (on cardstock) and laminated. This will ensure their use and enjoyment for years to come.
COMMUNITY HELPER COUNT & CLIP CARDS (COLOR 12/B&W 12)
Students will count each set of helpers and clip its corresponding number with a clothespin. Numbers 1-12 are featured.
CONSTRUCTION WORKER TEN FRAME CARDS (COLOR 10/B&W 10)
Provide small rocks or some other small manipulative for students to use. Young learners will place a numbered group of items on its corresponding card. As children pick up and place each item, encourage them to say its number name (one, two, etc.). Older children will practice their set recognition skills while placing items on their cards.
COMMUNITY HELPER VEHICLE MATCH-UP PUZZLES (COLOR 10/B&W 10)
Cut these cards in half and prompt students to match each community helper to the vehicle he/she uses to do their job.
Provide a small manipulative for children to use as bingo markers. Five in a row (horizontally, vertically, diagonally) equals BINGO! While playing, be sure to facilitate discussion about each community helper shown.
COMMUNITY HELPERS A-Z Alphabet Match-Up Puzzles (COLOR 26/B&W 26)
Students will match the upper and lowercase letters to complete the puzzles. If you would like your learners to also match the beginning letter sounds of the helpers, you may cut the puzzles into 3 pieces.
COMMUNITY HELPERS COUNTING BOOK (B&W 1-10)
Children will cut out the pages of the book. Teachers/adults should staple the pages together. Students can then count and write the number of community helpers on each page and color the pictures. Be sure to discuss the helpers featured and their importance to the community.
WORKSHEETS 15 (B&W)
Additionally, with these worksheets learners will compare sets, color by numbers, classify helper vehicles, identify rhyming words, segment syllables, and so much more!
We're Gigi and Zoey. We teach a two-year program (preschool and pre-k), and we're passionate about Early Childhood Education and the philosophy that children learn through play. Our goal is to prepare children for kindergarten while making learning fun.
We hope that our resources inspire you, and that you will share them with your little ones.
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