Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Preschool Lesson Plans: Gingerbread Man










Okay, we have started the Gingerbread Man theme. It really is keeping Emily's interest. She really likes the story, so that really helps it be a vehicle for other concepts I want to teach.
As you can see, I printed off the story and we made a book. We didn't have the book, and it was something fun for her to do. I'll post the links at the end of the post for the theme.

After reading the story, Emily played with story sequencing cards. She assembled them in the order of the events of the story, thus teaching cause and effect.


We also played a matching file folder game I made to reinforce the unit. She enjoyed it but was below he intellectual abilities. I do have trouble challenging her sometimes. I need to work on that.
But here comes her favorite part- PLAY DOUGH!!!! There are so many reasons to list to use play dough, but just a couple are eye hand coordination and stress relief.
You know those squishy stress relief balls they sell for adults? Try squeezing play dough in your hand. Its the same effect. It works on kids and for us mommies and daddies too!!!

If you have a particularly stressed kid or one going through family issues, try a little play dough therapy. It helps.
This particular play dough was made to use during the gingerbread unit. So it has the smell of gingerbread. It's not edible though.
Here is the recipe-

Gingerbread Play-Dough

1 Cup flour
1/2 Cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tsp. vegetable oil
Spices--Cinnamon, Allspice, Ginger, Nutmeg


DIRECTIONS--
Mix the dry ingredients. Use as much or as little of the spices to get
the color and scent you like.
Mix water and oil to the dry ingredients
and stir.
In a pot, cook the mixture on medium, stirring
constantly. (about 5 min)
The dough will start to pull away from the sides of the pot and
stick together in a large ball.

Take the dough out of the pan and knead the dough until it becomes soft
and smooth. Add flour as needed to cut down stickiness.
Allow the dough to cool and then store it in an airtight container.

I didn't like it at first, but after it cools, it is a great non sticky dough. And every time you roll it it lets the wonderful scent from it, like the kids are really making cookies or gingerbread....

That's what we are doing tomorrow. Wonder if ours will run away?? ;)



Links for Gingerbread man Lesson Plan
  • http://www.preschoolprintables.com/filefolder/gingerbread/filefolderginger.shtml
  • http://www.coloring.ws/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.coloring.ws/winter/gingerbread.gif
  • http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/gingerbread-man/index.htm
  • http://www.enchantedlearning.com/stories/folktale/gingerbreadman/story/print.shtml


We know young children learn best when using their five senses, especially under two so this is a great way to incorporate more senses into the same experience.




Links for Gingerbread man Lesson Plan
  • http://www.preschoolprintables.com/filefolder/gingerbread/filefolderginger.shtml
  • http://www.coloring.ws/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.coloring.ws/winter/gingerbread.gif
  • http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/gingerbread-man/index.htm
  • http://www.enchantedlearning.com/stories/folktale/gingerbreadman/story/print.shtml
See you tomorrow!!

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Preschool Lesson Plans: The Gingerbread Man

This week's theme- The Gingerbread Man.
I LOVE themes based on books! And last week Emily say The Gingerbread Man on "Between the Lions" and loved it. So I knew it was the right start back for she and I.

It's a theme I usually do in winter, around Christmas. But it is what SHE is interested in, so making it developmentally and individually appropriate.

So the prep work is done, play dough is made and the week is planned. Maybe the structure will help her feel secure, thus working on the behavior issues we have been dealing with.

Here is the tentative lesson plan for the week.
Gingerbread Man Lesson Plan-4

I'm Back!!

I know I haven't been here in a while...Well a long while...Okay a whole year...I am ashamed of myself, but as in most things, life has a knack of getting in the way.

But because my daughter needs structure, and, well I just love doing it, I'm back. I did the preparation today, so Monday brings SCHOOL! My daughter's favorite thing in the whole world.

This week's theme- The Gingerbread Man