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

Wiggle Worm

We play this game called 'Wiggle Worm' - it's a great game to play for toddlers because we get to wiggle and learn at the same time. Educational and fun! What more could you want in a game!

First I printed off shapes and numbers and a clip art of a worm on to card stock and I laminated them - then cut them to fit on the large craft sticks. I am going to add the ABC's soon - because my tots have this down cold now! I keep them in a plastic container which I simply covered in coloured paper.

To play the game I pull out one stick at a time - hold it up for all to view and the tots shout out what they see on the stick. If the worm pops up the tots get to wiggle and squiggle in their seat. Everyone giggles while skill building!

Now this is NOT my original idea - but I found it over 2 years ago so I cannot link it to anyone - if it's your idea let me know and I will link you! :) All the clips I used I simply searched on google.

Little bears prepare for winter!

Today we made bear masks - then played a game with them.

Forgive me I have lost the link for the image but I have added another below - if you know who's it is can you please link up in the comments below!

Here we are creeping through the woods foraging for food!

Our tummies are full - we are laying down for a long winter nap!

These were just plain fun to play with!

I see you!!

There is a printable mask here: animal jr

Hibernation links for you to enjoy!

http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/hibernation.html

http://stepbystepcc.com/hibernation.html

http://www.preschoolplaybook.com/2009/01/hibernating-bear.html

http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/hibernation/

http://www.theteachersguide.com/hibernation.htm

http://www.preschool-plan-it.com/hibernation.html

http://www.kidssoup.com/Animals-Winter/animals-in-winter.html

http://mrsjonesroom.com/themes/hibernation.html

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/bear-essentials-of-hibernation.html

http://www.bry-backmanor.org/actpag24.html

http://lilteacher.com/hibernation.html

French with props

Our French teacher has used props to teach the words for common objects, which the children have learned to identify. This has been very effective in prompting the children to quickly express what they have memorized. In turn they have also used similar objects within the classroom, to prompt their friends to use the French words for the objects they play with. This has also given the classroom teachers opportunity to randomly ask the children the French words at times outside of the French lesson.

Here they are learning modes of transportation.

A close up view of the vehicles.

The children can also identify the fruits and vegetables and other objects shown here in French.

Colours and shapes are identified in French using these props.

 Flashcards placed into plastic sleeves in a binder are used to teach many other things - among them are the parts of the body.

The toddlers have learned so much this year - our French teacher will have to kick it up a notch for next year! I am more than sure the toddlers will rise to the occasion! :)

We all have a voice!

There are times in a toddler classroom when we need to encourage children to use their voice - to communicate thier needs, however some children don't have the confidence to speak. They are still unsure of themselves and how they will be understood. Today we brought out a tape recorder to tape the voices of the children so they could hear themselves speak and to encourage those who don't speak - to speak. We will be continuing this exercise for awhile.

Listening intently to how the tape recorder will work.

                                    Listening to the teachers voice but not sure what to make of it.

                                                   Belting out a tune to record our voices.

                                            The reaction to hearing their voices was priceless!

The little boy in orange didn't want to speak into the mic at first, but as you can see he got right into it very quickly - when he saw his friends having so much fun!