(B) Materials to Enhance Children’s Play Blocks Dramatic Play Toys and Games Add: Add: Shadow puppet theater – use a light behind a hanging white sheet. Variation: Wait until later in the week to add this (after children have read Louie) – or wait until week 3 of this theme (to coincide with Shadow Puppets). Add: Inch cubes and pieces of yarn/string – to use for measurement, if desired; see Measuring Shadows small-group Alphabet cards; pieces of yarn or pipe cleaners (as follow-up to Letters small-group) Art Library/Writing Discovery/Science Add: Shiny and dull collage materials—e.g. foil, glitter, shiny paper or stickers, buttons; sandpaper, cardboard, construction paper, cloth, wood sticks Black paper with chalk or white crayons. Keep: Read-aloud books from this week & prior weeks of theme. Add: Props related to The Very Lonely Firefly, to encourage children to retell the story Keep: Flashlights, shadow box (with new objects to put inside). Add: Small mirrors – Encourage children to explore “bouncing” light, using the mirrors. Challenge them to try and reflect the light onto a specified object. “Observing Shadows” (if possible) – Place a plant, block tower, or other standing item in the window and check its shadow at different times of day. Note changes in shadow’s shape/size/position; you can mark with tape or use yarn to measure. Sand and Water Music and Movement Computers Keep: Bubbles Add: Whisks or hand egg beaters; various objects. Children can make bubbles (using whisks), then explore what they see reflected in the bubbles. Which objects can they see reflected? Add: Spotlight (if available) – encourage children to make their shadows dance. Outdoors Cooking
(C) Group Experiences Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Arrival Opening Circle Movement Relaxation Transitions Closing Circle Arrival: Attendance graph Morning Circle: Welcome song & one other Morning Message: We know that flashlights, lamps and the sun give us light. Did you know that some insects have lights too? Today we will read a story about a firefly. Write this message in advance, using images to illustrate certain key words so that children can help you read it. Reinforce concepts of print, such as where to start reading and which direction to go. SS-Puppet Script Review daily schedule and rules now and throughout the day Transition: Music/Movement: SS Song Arrival: Attendance graph Morning Circle: Welcome song & one other What gives us light? Ask children for their ideas, and make a list (with images if possible) on chart paper. Can also be done as intro to Day Light, Night Light (see Read-Aloud Guide). Review daily schedule and rules now and throughout the day Transition: Music/Movement: Choose 2 Relaxation: Transition: SS-Brain Builder- Closing Circle: Goodbye song Arrival: Attendance graph Morning Circle: Welcome song & one other QOTD: Which of these do you think would make a longer shadow? (As answer choices, provide two classroom objects of clearly different sizes – e.g., a large doll and a small block.) Encourage children to explain their thinking, and make connections to earlier Measuring Shadows activity as appropriate. Review daily schedule and rules now and throughout the day Transition: Music/Movement: SS song & one other Relaxation: “Yoga” – put on slow music and have children stretch, bend, curl, reach and breathe. For example, stand tall like a tree and spread branches (arms); lie flat on stomach, Arrival: Attendance graph (QOTD): Which type of light do you like best? (Lamp/candle/flashlight) Provide pictures or actual examples of answer choices. Have children answer during transition, charting with whiteboard/ pocket chart/etc. Morning Circle: Welcome song & one other SS- Skill Practice Activity - Review daily schedule and rules now and throughout the day Transition: Music/Movement: Choose 2 Relaxation: Transition: SS-Brain Builder - Closing Circle: Review QOTD results with the full group, counting each column and writing
& one other Relaxation: Transition: SS-Brain Builder Closing Circle: Goodbye song push up onto elbows and hiss like snake. Transition: Mighty Minute #9 Writing in the Air Closing Circle: Goodbye song the numeral. Goodbye song Read-Alouds Group 1: The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle (First reading: focus on understanding of plot, connections to “light” concepts) Group 2: SS-Story and Discussion Group 1: SS-Story and Discussion Group 2: The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle (First reading: focus on understanding of plot, connections to “light” concepts) Group 1: SS Book- Group 2: Day Light, Night Light Group 1: Day Light, Night Light Group 2: SS Book- Small Group Activity Group 1: – Measuring Shadows (see activity guide) TS Gold Objectives- 20a,22,24 Group 2: Letters Big & Small (see activity guide) TS Gold Objectives- 4,7a,16a Group 1: Letters Big & Small(see activity guide) TS Gold Objectives- 4,7a,16a Group 2: – Measuring Shadows(see activity guide) TS Gold Objectives- 20a,22,24 Group 1:SS-Skill Practice Activity – Group 2: Transparent or Opaque? (see activity guide) TS Gold Objectives- 9a,s9a,13,24 Group 1: Transparent or Opaque? (see activity guide) TS Gold Objectives- 9a,s9a,13,24 Group 2:SS- Skill Practice Activity - Special Activities During Free Choice: “Cave”: Hang a sheet or blanket to create a dark space; add a flashlight and small objects (including
Individual Child Planning Form Teachers: Classroom: Week of: Focus Date Child’s Name School Readiness Goal Focus Domain(s) Focus TS GOLD Objective(s) Why Chosen? (IFSP, observation/assessment , family input conference goal, etc.) Strategy/Activity NOTE: Children with similar needs may benefit from differentiated instruction (e.g. during small-group activity). You can use the “Small Group” column at right to make notes about possible groupings. Possible small-group? CHECK when implemented Soc-Emotional Approaches to Learning Language & Literacy Cogn./ Gen. Knowledge Physical 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3.