Dr. Seuss

The first week of March is typically dedicated to celebrating Dr. Seuss.  The anniversary of his birthday is March 2nd and every year I debate on what to do in my classroom.  This year, the celebration seemed even more exciting because of the soon to be released movie to the big screens, "The Lorax."  Many of the children had actually already seen the movie when we got around to reading it that week.  It was okay, because it's a book with a BIG message!  And, they seemed to pick up on it quite easily! 

We had a GREAT week reading lots of books, having special snacks, and being engaged in math and literacy related activities. 

We started off the week by reading One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.  If you've been following our blog for a while, you know I love to make anything I can out of a hand print-- so here is another! 

That same day, we did some sorting, graphing, and counting with multi-colored goldfish!

Then, of course, we had to have some of these yummy goldfish for snack! 

The next day that week, we read The Cat in the Hat.  Many of the children were already familiar with this story because they've heard it before or seen the movie that came out a few years ago.  It is always fun to hear what the children in my class would do in the same type of situation. 

Megan and Samuel made hats like the Cat and then we enjoyed a Cat in the Hat snack!

On that Friday, we finally read The Lorax .  Like I mentioned earlier, the children really picked up on the lesson, or message, that Dr. Seuss was trying to convey.  We had fun recreating the Trufulla trees in many different ways--

One way was edible--

All you need is some skewers, large marshmellows, white frosting, paper plates, and various colors of sprinkles. 

 And, voila!  Trufulla Trees!

We also made them on paper using some leftover Easter grass!



"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

Dr. Seuss

Spring has Sprung!

Although it has felt like Spring has been here already for a month or longer, Tuesday was the first official day of Spring! 

The children and I have been talking all week about the changes that this season brings for us, plants, and animals. 

I found this Spring Hat craft on Making Learning Fun and we did have fun making these and sporting them around for the rest of the day! 

First, you've got to cut the grass.  Then, add the flowers and the words: "Hip Hip Hooray! It is Spring today!"

Spring is probably one of my favorite seasons- minus the pollen!  What is yours?

Have You Ever Seen A Pumpkin?

Have you ever seen a pumpkin, a pumpkin, a pumpkin?

Have you ever seen a pumpkin that grows on a vine?

A round one, a tall one.

A fat one, a small one.

Have you ever seen a pumpkin that grows on a vine?

I've seen this poem in so many places online and in so many pumpkin units and my children love it!  We sing it to the tune of "Have you ever seen a Lassie?" 

This pumpkin unit crossed over from Science to English/Language Arts to Social Studies to Math. There was so much learning taking place! I did my best to catch it all on camera for you to see!

One math center planned and taught by Mrs. Miskelly, our intern from Winthrop, challenged the children to put each pumpkin in order by size.  Then, they had to order the pumpkins based on how much each pumpkin weighed. 

Mrs. Claire, one of our wonderful parent volunteers, got to experiment with the children during center time.  We set her up with a big tub of water and the children predicted and then tested if pumpkins sink or float and if the size of each one mattered. 

Also during center time, the children created and painted pumpkins from brown paper bags!

The children also got to read and illustrate the pumpkin poem at the top of this post.

Mrs. Misenheimer and Austin enjoy the poem together! 

Audrey and Kailyn draw their pumpkins on a vine.



Mrs. Miskelly put out some pumpkin seeds and measurement tools at another math center one day.  The children counted them and compared the amount each measuring cup would hold. 

How's all that for learning about Pumpkins? 

And that's just the beginning--there is MORE to come!

Be Cool About Fire Safety!

The second week in October is when we usually learn about and practice Fire Safety! This year the local fire department came out to talk with the children and teach them about the equipment they use and the different types of fire trucks. 

In class, we read many fire safety books and created a great art project to go along with this poem:

Five little firefighters sleeping in a row.

Ring goes the bell and down the pole they go!

They jump on the engine and put out the fire.

Now they're back home and they sure are tired! 

First, paint a hand red and put in down on the paper!

Then, use a dot marker or a circle cut out of construction paper for the heads! Let the children draw faces and a hat on each one!  Draw a black line in between each one for the water hose.

Then, I put some glue down and the children sprinkled blue glitter for the water!