A few other friends and I take turns teaching preschool to our 3 yr olds.
I pushed our dining table over into the family room and decided our dining area would be the perfect place to hold "class".
(Since my husband is deployed, I usually end up eating dinner with the kids at the small table, anyway. ;))
Right out of college I taught at HeadStart for a year. I was paired with another teacher who was the most amazing woman ever! She cherished the children we worked with and really knew how to teach and foster their development. She had been teaching preschool for many years and she knew a craft to go with every lesson theme possible!
She also knew how to stay calm when a child was intentionally mean or disobedient. She definitely had a special magic in her!
Anyway, I learned so much about teaching children from her.
She taught me how to carry a lesson theme through multiple dimensions (like math, science, reading, exercise, art, etc).
Recently, I've really enjoyed teaching preschool to my son and his friends. This week I'd like to highlight some of our lesson plans.
Lesson 1: Learning about Fall
Have you ever made "stain glass" art out of tissue paper?
Well, we incorporated that idea in order to make multi-colored leaves.
We also painted, glued on pipe cleaner and got creative with a few other techniques for our leaves.
Then we went outdoors for a walk to pick up real life, dried and colored leaves.
Then we hung them all on our "tree" :)
During circle time we talked about seasons and the changes we see in the world around us as the weather grows cold.
A good book to go along with this preschool lesson is
This book explores multiple aspects of fall through the touch and feel of a woolly scarf, fallen leaves, a smooth wicker basket, and more.
Lesson Targets
Outdoor/gross-motor Activity: Finding and collecting leaves
Fine-motor activity: Gluing small pieces of tissue paper. Also, pinching the clothes pins to hang leaves up on the "tree"
Art and color: Assembling the leaves
Math: Counting the leaves on the tree
Science: Circle time discussion- Seeing the changes in the weather around us.
Reading: I Love Fall by Alison Inches
9 comments:
I LOVED making "stained glass" anything out of tissue paper when I was younger. Cute and fun idea!
that;s such a lovely room! I used to teach Montessori to 2-3 year old ones. I loved it. The leaves are a great activity and they turned out so well!
Your leaves look lovely! I love the colours of Autumn. And thanks for sharing your "lesson plan"
The concept of tying it all together works beautifully. I used to do the same thing in Children's Church. It makes a great impact.
You were well taught by your mentor in childhood development. Good job, CK!
what an awesome post!!! i love the room, the tree, and the instructions. thanks!
Those are SO CUTE! I love them!
Hi,CK! What a great project for the kids! But even greater is the fact that you and your friends do the pre-school for the kids. How wondeful! I am sure your little boy is so proud to have his mommy be his teacher sometimes. Good for you!
Best,
Gloria
I really like when you post these learning ideas! It helps inspire some of the things I do with my almost-2-year-old. Thanks!
Huh, that book looks ODDLY familiar...
Post a Comment