Dancing in the dark!

Yesterday it was a dark and gloomy day - we celebrated the day instead of feeling blue - by turning off the lights and making it even darker. We got out some glow sticks and danced to the beat of the drum. Oh what fun!

The room was definitely darker - the flash of the camera certainly brightened it up.

The glow sticks did look amazing in the dark as the tots danced about!

Easter in our classroom!

Every season and occasion brings little extras into the classroom,

which makes things fun and interesting!

Here are a few things we added:

An I Spy - made from a plastic Easter egg and all the goodies that fit the occasion.

Like Barrel of Monkeys - but it Bunnies!

For fine motor and hand eye coordination skills.

Tic Tac Toe - we are using it for sorting, patterns / sequencing and counting

Transferring and sorting with tongs.

Open and closing activity - each egg has a small eraser in it.

Pouring small erasers from one flower pot to another.

Patterns - counting - sorting.

Our little bunnies!

There are probably Kmart coupons available for holiday supplies, to save some money, so check online for next time.

Simple things are fun!

I grabbed about a dozen dollar store necklaces.

They have been hung on ears...

worn in multiples...

admired...

...and carried in purses - well they were in there at one time.

Masks

Masks can bring out the wild in even the shyest of children.

Using masks opens the door for communication.

They transform us.

Masks allow us to be something we are not.

Sometimes we just want to be in a different realm - they help us let loose.

They make us giggle.

Pure entertainment - a chance to be funny and make other people and ourselves laugh.

Perhaps we would like to hide behind our mask.

Hiding in plain sight - why not!

Masks allow us to observe without feeling we are being observed ourselves. 

Even if we don't get them on quite right - we still have fun!

We can transform ourselves quickly without much effort.

Here are some masks to make:

masks.

animal masks

templates - oblong shaped mask

Using masks for ESL:

ESL drama games

Puppet Play - in our new theater!

Today we had so much fun playing with our puppets in our new puppet theater.

Selecting the cast of characters and adding a voice!

On with the show!

A great audience!

Guess what voice these guys had!

Hey who's in there?

Ta Da!

Hey where did you go?

Behind the scenes!

The fun goes on!

Puppet play and language!

Karaoke Tots

Today we sang some karaoke - how fun is that!

It was awesome to hear the voices of our very quiet students - come to life!

Some were a bit timid to sing but managed to share a ditty!

We had to remember this was not to be eaten! :)

Some of us were DIVAS!

Deep into song!

What a great way to encourage language - song and participation in group activities.

Not to mention bring out our wild side! LOL

Hats and more hats!

Today we played with hats!

When the children came in today they found hats...

...lots of hats!

Trying them on for size!

Community helpers!

Knights in shinning armor...

...and jesters!

Hey where's your hammer?

Is this too big for me?

Who would have guess so many hats could be so much fun!

Drummin' and a Little Wind!

On the second day of our music and drama month it was all about drums - with a little wind in there as well!

First we tried out the African drum.

Great beats!

Then on to bongos!

Then we added in the African hand drum.

Jammin'!

Then we needed a wind instrument!

Time for the straw whistles - HERE is a good tutorial.

 Fun to play!

Now for finger drums!

Use any small container - a balloon - masking tape - scissors - paint and brush optional!

Cut the end off the balloon - stretch the balloon over the container - tape around edges a couple of times.Note the little bump - it's OK - it's the bottom part of the balloon. You will want this to play the drum - details below.

Paint if you wish.

Wait let's use those balloon bits!

Add more wind!

Make straw the same as the whistles.

Now use those extra balloon pieces and tape them on the uncut end.

These make a different whistle sound.

It's a funny sound - fun to play!

Back to our drum.

You don't tap the drum - you pluck it!

This is where that bump comes in - it makes it easier to grab hold and pluck.

Our finger drum quartet!

Who wants to Jam?

Thanks pal!

IT WAS A FUN DAY!

Oh yeah.....

.....we also played the shakers we made yesterday.....

...and belted out a tune!

Canadian idols!