Learning Activities for Kindergartners, Part II
More from The Giant Encyclopedia of Kindergarten Activities: Over 600 Activities Created by Teachers for Teachers (Consortium, 2004) by Kathy Charner! It's packed with over 600 activities and ideas that teachers around the country have used successfully. The editors carefully selected the finest entries, and as a result this large volume is filled with only the best of the best!
Here are some great activities from the book!
Evaporating Painting
Jean Potter, Charleston, W.V.Materials: 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup warm water, bowl, food coloring, painting paper, paintbrushes
What to do:
1. Pour salt into a bowl and add warm water.
2. Add several drops of food coloring to the mixture.
3. Let the children use the mixture to paint a picture.
4. Let the paintings dry overnight. The water will evaporate from the painting, but the colored salt will remain on the paper.
Character Cubes (Language)
Ann Kelly, Johnstown, Pa.Materials: 4 clean, cardboard 1/2 gallon milk cartons, scissors, paper, tape, markers, contact paper
What to do:
1. Make two dice by cutting the milk cartons in half and sliding one carton inside
another (two cartons make one cube).
2. Cut paper into 12 pieces. Cover each side of the cubes with a piece of paper and tape in place.
3. On one die draw six items in which the children are currently interested (for example, a dinosaur, truck, horse, princess and so on).
4. On the other die write six action words and draw a picture that represents the action (for example, swim, fly, fall, brush, shop and so on).
5. Cover the cubes with contact paper.
6. Gather a small group of children. Model using the dice to create a crazy story. Roll the item die and make up something about the picture that is facing up. For example, "Once upon a time, there was a very small dinosaur that lived all alone in a very small apartment." Then have a child roll the action die and add to the story that you began. For example, "His apartment was surrounded by soup so when he wanted to go anywhere, he had to swim."
7. Keep adding to the silly story until every child has had a turn to roll a die.
8. If desired, write down or tape record the silly story so it can be shared with others and enjoyed again and again.
Aquarium Snack
Jean Potter, Charleston, W.V.Materials: Sand-colored cookies, bowl and spoon, clear plastic cups, blue gelatin, gummy fish
What to do:
1. Crush the cookies into crumbs and place them in a bowl.
2. Give each child a plastic cup. Ask them to put a tablespoon of crumbs into their cup.
3. Let each child pour some liquid blue gelatin over the crumbs.
4. Add some gummy fish.
5. Allow the gelatin to cool in the refrigerator until firm. Eat and enjoy!
Apple Pizza
Sandy L. Scott, Vancouver, Wash.Materials: apples (one per four children), apple corer/peeler/slicer, refrigerated rolls, cookie sheet, oven, butter, sugar-cinnamon mixture
What to do:
1. Let each child have a turn preparing the apples using the apple corer/peeler/slicer.
Supervise closely.
2. Ask them to spread butter on the apple slices.
3. Place the refrigerated rolls on a cookie sheet.
4. Ask the children to put several slices of apple on top of each roll.
5. Bake according to the directions on the can.
6. Add butter and cinnamon sugar to the top of the apples.
7. Eat and enjoy!
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