Activity Plan 5-6: Me Mobiles

Children share their interests with this art activity

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Ready-To-Use Teaching Ideas: Art

Materials:

• cut out construction paper stars large enough for children to write their names on them
• star stickers of various sizes and colors
• markers, hole punches
• crayons, scissors, glue
• yarn of different colors
• tagboard pieces cut into 5 ½' by 8 ½'

Developing Skills:

• communication
• organizing information
• oral-language
• social-awareness

ACTIVITY

Write a list of topics on the board that will be discussed at group time. Explain to children they will be creating a "getting to know me" mobile using some of these topics. My hobby is ___, I am really good at ___, My favorite meal is ___, My favorite book is ___, My favorite color is ___, My family is ___, When I grow up I want to be ___, My pets are ___. At group time, start a conversation about how we are all unique and special and then talk about the many ways we are alike. Start by sharing one of these topics with children. Invite children to share things about themselves. Be sure that each child has a turn to contribute to the conversation so he or she feels part of the group. Explain to children that they are going to share their mobile when it is completed.

Pass out the large star cutouts and ask children to write their names on both sides.

Pass out two pieces of tagboard. Show children how to write and illustrate one thing on each side of the paper. For example, a child might draw a picture of his or her favorite book on one side and his or her pets on the other side.

Collect and laminate (if possible) the three pieces of the mobile.

Allow children to punch holes in their cutouts at the top in the middle of the page.

Help children use yarn to connect their cutouts together. The star names should be at the top.

Hang the "Getting to Know Me" mobiles in the classroom.

Remember: Some young children will need to be reminded how to use glue. Model how to squeeze the bottle right on the lines of the letters. Some shy children may need guidance from teachers in sharing their mobile.

TAKE-HOME ACTIVITY

The best way for a child to learn about literacy is to see how reading and writing are integral parts of daily home routines. Suggest parents collect magazines to look through with their child to find the letters in their names, and then help their child cut out and glue their names on a sheet of paper.

 

Curriculum Connection: ART

Write a name tag (in permanent marker) for each child. Invite children to trace over the letters with liquid glue. When the glue dries, invite children to make name rubbings. Tape the name strip to a table and cover with a piece of thin paper. Model how to use the side of a crayon to make a name rubbing.

Risa Young is the former director of two early childhood programs in the New York City area, the Children's Aid Society's Greenwich Village Center and the Innovative Learning Center at the Long Island College Hospital. She has been a consultant to Early Childhood Today for more than eight years.

Robin Smith teaches K-1 at Chilmark School on Martha's Vineyard, MA. Her school has 58 children, grades K-5. 

Activity Plan 5-6: Art History 101
Children will read about different artists and imitate their style to develop creative thinking, and language and literacy skills in this ready-to-use teaching idea for five- and six-year olds. Activity: Art.

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