Splash Into Summer!
As the school year draws to a close, many students find themselves drawn to the outdoors, and heads are filled with thoughts of vacation. The suggestions in this theme unit cover a variety of curriculum areas with fun, motivating activities to help wrap up the year. Some can be done online and others taken outside.
Articles
Song Books and Sing-Along
Early Childhood Today |
Students make an illustrated songbook for an end of the year sing-along used to welcome visiting parents.
Games Around the World
Compare and contrast games played by children around the world and discover their similarities.
Hoops
Play the ancient Greek game of Hoops and learn the history of the game.
Activity Plan 5-6: Native American Games
by Risa Young and Robin Smith
Early Childhood Today |
November ,2005
Children will engage in educational games and activities about Native American culture in this ready-to-use teaching idea for five- and six-year olds.
Pusa At Aso
Find instructions for and learn the history of the Filipino game Pusa at Aso, also known as Cat and Dog.
Cheetah, Cheetal
This version of tag from India promotes quick thinking and large motor skills. Includes instructions and a short list of needed materials.
The Magic School Bus in a Beehive
The Magic School Bus: Science Fun Activities |
How do the Magic School Bus kids communicate where nectar flowers are? By dancing like bees! Challenge your kids to dance the Honey-Bee-Bop to communicate the location of hidden flowers.
Discovering Science in Nature
by Deb Matthews Hensley
Early Childhood Today |
Uninterrupted time to explore outdoors fosters emotional connections with nature and help children develop a sense of respect for the environment and empathy for all forms of life.
Bubbles
This learning activity provides a method for students to explore the properties of air, water, color, and light. Students experiment with different bubble wands to discover the properties of bubbles.
Activity Plan Mixed Ages: Making Fruit-Shape Kebabs
Early Childhood Today |
Teach students to identify and compare shapes by helping them make fruit kebabs.
All Activities Issue - Boxes & Blocks: Puffer Bellies and Box Cars
by Ellen Booth Church
Early Childhood Today |
June ,2002
Church offers ready-to-use summer teaching ideas for mixed ages, which fosters cooperative and dramatic play outdoors by challenging children to create a train from recycled materials.
Activities
Play these exciting I SPY games filled with hours and hours of nutritious fun. Race against the clock in I SPY Bingo or solve the I SPY Puzzler as quick as you can!
Insect activities and bug resources! Plus, a helpful teacher's guide is also included.
Answer questions using clues embedded in rhyming poems. The different adventures are listed in this index, with central skills and difficulty level indicated. Includes a teacher's guide.
Lesson Plans
Giving an Outdoor Play
Early Childhood Today |
Take advantage of the good weather and use your outdoor play equipment as a "stage" to act out favorite stories.
by Steven Hicks
Take your students outside to explore and look closely at plant roots, stems, leaves and flowers.
by Jeremy Brunaccioni
Study summer vegetables and visit a community garden to see whatâ??s growing.
