Every fall I like to do a theme on scarecrows. There are so many great books, songs, poems and art projects that can be utilized. My students especially enjoy making paper plate scarecrows and shape crows. They glue them onto jumbo craft sticks, and they’ve got the perfect hand props for our Sammy the Scarecrow circle time activity!
The children hold their props while I recite the action poem and demonstrate the appropriate motions. After reciting the poem a few times the children enthusiastically join in. If the children wish, they can take turns being scarecrows and crows.
SAMMY THE SCARECROW
Sammy the Scarecrow is my name
On the farm I’ve gained some fame
Standing high on a stick (raise scarecrows)
Scaring crows is my trick
When they fly and caw (move crows about)
I wave my arms of straw
Then I loudly shout
Hey you crows, GET OUT (children who are crows leave the circle)
I often repeat this activity throughout the fall months. It’s always a hit and it helps to strengthen listening, memory, and recall skills. It also develops phonemic awareness.
This fish match up game is a quick and easy way to teach colors and provide visual discrimination practice. It can be used as an independent table top exercise, or as a small group activity. In addition, it makes a fun and interactive circle time activity. Pass the fish pairs out, then go around the circle and ask each child to find their fish’s friend. Next direct the children to place their fish pairs side by side on the flannel board. Another alternative is to have the teacher place a fish on the board, and then have the child with the matching fish come up and complete the pair.
One of my favorite children’s books is The Little Red Hen. I read it every year to my class. I often pair the story with this interactive circle time activity, which is designed to improve listening skills, and teach colors. It also gives children an opportunity to follow directions and to participate during large group.
Cut out colored hens to match the colors in the poem (the hen pattern is provided here). I happened to have some extra felt, so I just used that. However, construction paper will work just as well. Glue the hens onto paper plates, add some googly eyes, and coordinating craft sticks. I used watercolors to color the sticks.
During circle time, give each child a hen. Some colors may have to be repeated depending upon how many children are in the circle. Instruct the children to hold up their hen when they hear their color, then read the poem below. This is a fantastic attention grabber. My preschoolers, even my “busy” ones, hold their breath with anticipation, just waiting to hear their color words; they get so excited to spring into action!
THE COLORED HENS POEM
This little hen is brown
You’ll never catch her with a frown
This little hen is black
She’s not a duck, so she doesn’t quack
This little hen is yellow
She’s friends with Mr. Rooster – he’s a happy fellow
This little hen is purple
She likes to walk in a circle
This little hen is green
On the farm she can been seen
This little hen is blue,
She likes to follow me and you
This little hen is red
She’s laid all her eggs in her bed
After the poem is read, and all the hens have been held up, talk about the different colors. To build phonemic awareness, the rhyming words should also be repeated and discussed.
MATERIALS USED:
– Colored felt or construction paper
– Our hen template
– Scissors
– Tacky glue
– Paper plates
– Jumbo craft sticks/tongue depressors
– Washable liquid watercolors
– Googly eyes
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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