PARTS OF PLANTS
SONG
(tune: Oh do you know the Muffin Man?)
Oh, do you know the parts of plants,
The parts of plants, the parts of plants?
Do you know the parts of plants?
That make them grow and grow?
The roots , they hold the plant in place,
The plant in place, the plant in place.
The roots, they hold the plant in place
Soak up food and water, too.
The stem moves water up the plant,
Up the plant, up the plant.
The stem moves water up the plant
Brings water to the leaves.
The leaves soak up the rays of sun,
The rays of sun, the rays of sun.
The leaves soak up the rays of sun,
And help the plant make food.
The flower grows into a fruit,
Into a fruit, into a fruit.
The flower grows into a fruit,
Which holds the tiny seeds.
Now you know the parts of plants,
The parts of plants, the parts of plants,
Now you know the parts of plants,
That make them grow and grow
FOOTPRINT BIRD
Submitted by C.J.
Use a large piece of construction paper, any color, and make a fan
of feathers. I folded min in 1/2 then cut out3-4 "humps". When
you open this up it can be either feathers for a turkey or a peacock. One
year I had the children glue small multi-color tissue squares on
the pattern. Another year i cut the pattern from white paper
and had the children use water colors. For the body of the
bird use another small 81/2 X 11 piece of white construction
paper. For turkeys paint the childs foot brown (peacocks teal
or blue). When the footprint dries glue it on top of the feathers
add eyes beak etc.. and you have a footprint bird
RAIN STICK
Supplies:
Cardboard Rolls- Wrapping paper rolls work the best
1 1/2 inch nails
dried peas
Masking Tape
Things to decorate with
Cover the end of the cardboard roll with masking tape.
Poke in the nails randomly all over the tube so that they all
the way into
the tube but not out the other side. You will need to use quite a lot to get
a good sound effect.
Then add about 1/2 cup of dried peas in the tube and tape up the other end.
Let the children decorate the outside however they would like.
THE FEILD
Submitted by Alicia
The field,
Their are beautiful field around the USA.
They are different in their own special way.
They come with different flowers and different things all around.
HAIRY POTATO HEAD
Children will delight with this character who "grows" hair. He'll even
need a hair cut now and then!
What You Need
Panty hose, cut into 1 foot "tubes"
Grass seed
Small rubber bands
Wiggle eyes
Black fabric paint
Red fabric paint
Sawdust
Plastic bowl
Pipe cleaners
Hot glue gun
Water
How To Make It
Take panty hose and cut into 12" or longer tubes. At one end tie a
small knot, and turn inside out.
Take a small handful of grass seed and shake it to the bottom where the knot
is.
Then stuff quantities of sawdust, packing the "head" as you go. When the "head" is
the size that you want it to be, take a small rubber band and tie up the neck,
or tightly tie the panty hose where the neck would be. Shape the "head" with
your hands and pull out a section for the nose. Tie the nose with small rubber
band and shape the nose the way you want it to be shaped. Pull a section out
where his ear should go, and place another rubber band there, place another
rubber band on the opposite side for the other ear.
Hot glue wiggle eyes where his eyes should be. Use fabric paint to
paint the features. Use red for the mouth, black for eye lashes, and
you can draw on moustaches, glasses, eyebrows etc. You can use pipe
cleaners for glasses. When the fabric paint has dried, set "Hairy" in
a plastic bowl filled with water, making sure he is saturated for a
day. Then "stand" him up in the bowl, or glass, and within a few weeks,
he will have a head of hair. Make sure the tail of the panty hose acts
as a "wick" into the water, so that the water in drawn up into the
head. You can also trim "Hairy's" hair as it grows.
SUNFLOWER
Paint small coffee filters a bright yellow and once dry, put glue in
the middle. Sprinkle sunflower seeds in the centre. For a stem, use
rolled up newspapers, painted green.
Pop Up Gardens
Submitted by Jennifer
I use this activity to teach children about growing flowers. You
could probably use it for other themes also. You need a large plastic
cup, straw, green construction paper, a flower(I like to use green
tissue paper to wrap around the straw as the stem of the flower,
and different colored tissue paper for the flower, you will also
need a 2 inch circle from const. paper). First you need to trace
about six handprints out of the green construction paper and cut
out.Poke a hole on the bottom of the cup for the straw to fit through.
Wrap green tissue paper around the straw and put through the hole.
Next, make a horizontal slit in the top of the straw and glue the
crumpled tissue paper to the circle to look like a flower. Slide
the flower in the slit. Glue the green handprints to the outside
of the cup for grass. Your students can then slide their stem up
and down. It's a cute project.
The Garden Gourmet
To culminate your garden theme, plan to
have a garden feast. Set aside a specified day to have each child bring
in a food item that comes from a garden--in one way or another! Tell
students that any food item is acceptable, as long as its owner can explain
how the item relates to a garden. To inspire youngsters, suggest items
that might not typically be thought of as coming from a garden. (For
example, potato chips would be an acceptable garden item because they
are made from potatoes that are grown in a garden!) After each garden
item is approved, have each child use a craft stick and construction
paper to make a garden marker for his item. Then cover a long table with
a tablecloth. Have the children arrange their items and garden markers
in rows. Then, of course--dig in!
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
Design you own springtime or anytime place mat. They are great for
any occasion and will brighten your home.
This project is rated EASY to do.
What You Need
a.. Clear Con-Tact Paper (self-adhesive vinyl shelf paper)
b.. Scissors
c.. Construction Paper
d.. Magazines
e.. Glue Stick
How To Make It
1.. Cut out an 18" x 11" piece of clear Con-Tact paper. Peel off the backing
and lay the Con-Tact paper on a flat surface, sticky side up.
2.. Cut random shapes from construction paper to use as a background. Press
them to the Con-Tact paper, face up, leaving a border along each edge.
3.. Cut out letters from magazines in the words "SPRING HAS SPRUNG", "HAPPY
BIRTHDAY", or choose other words to express the occasion. Use a glue stick
to paste the letters on top of the colored paper. Add your own pictures cut
from magazines. For spring, use flowers and pretty pastels, or choose other
pictures to express the occasion.
4.. Cover it all by carefully placing a second 18" x 11" sheet of clear Con-Tact
paper sticky side down over the first. Trim around the border for a neat look.
A Little Seed For Me To Sow
A little seed for me to sow
A little earth to make it grow
A little hole, a little pat,
A little wish, and that is that,
A little sun, a little shower.
A little while -
And then, a flower!
Weather Song
Sung to 'BINGO'
There was a time when we got wet and rainy was the weather.
R-A-I-N-Y, R-A-I-N-Y, R-A-I-N-Y, and rainy was the weather.
There was a time when we got hot and sunny was the
weather.............
There was a time when we got cold and snowy was the weather..........
There was a time when we were blown and windy was the weather.
Raindrops
Pitter-patter raindrops (wiggle fingers to imitate falling rain)
Falling from the sky,
Here is my umbrella (hands over head)
To keep me safe and dry!
When the rain is over
And the sun begins to glow (make large circle with arms)
Little flowers start to bud (cup hands together)
And grow and grow and grow (spread hands apart slowly)
Grow Sprouts In An Eggshell
Materials: Eggshell with top 1/4 broken off, Ring from bottom of
towel roll to hold eggshell, 3 damp cotton balls, 1/8 teaspoon
alfalfa seeds, Fine tip markers
This miniature gardening activity is especially fun for preschool
gardeners. Set the empty eggshell in towel ring. Draw a face on the
eggshell with coloured markers. Place damp cotton balls inside
eggshell. Sprinkle seeds over the cotton and keep cotton damp. In two
or three days, the seeds will begin to sprout. Put in a sunny spot.
As the sprouts grow, your child can give the egg friend a 'haircut'.
Sprinkle the nutritious clippings on a salad or add to a sandwich at
lunchtime.
Baby Robins
Five baby robins watch Daddy Robin soar; (hold up 5 fing)
One baby leaves the nest, and now there are four. (thumb)
Four baby robins, high up in a tree;
One flies to catch a worm,and now there are three.(index)
Three baby robins had nothing to do;
One tried his new-found wing,and then there were 2.(mid.)
Two baby robins frolicked in the sun;
Another robin chased a bug, and then there was one.(ring)
One baby robin, left all alone;
And this baby robin decided to stay home!
The Big Round Sun
The big round sun in the springtime sky (form large circle with arms)
Winked at a cloud that was passing by. (wink eye)
The little cloud laughed as it scattered rain, (flutter fingers downward)
Then out came the big round sun again. (form large circle with arms)
ART PROJECT_SUN
Submitted by Verlona
We made the cutest suns.
You paint a paper plate yellow or yellow and orange. Have the
children paint
some paper with orange and yellow. They cut strips off their paper to add to
the plate. we are going to hang them from the ceiling.
FLOWER SONGS AND POEMS
Five Spring Flowers
Five spring flowers, all in a row.
The first one said, "We need rain to grow!"
The second one said, "Oh my, we need water!"
The third one said, "Yes, it is getting hotter!"
The fourth one said, "I see clouds in the sky."
The fifth one said, "I wonder why?"
Then BOOM went the thunder
And ZAP went the lightning!
That springtime storm was really frightening!
But the flowers weren't worried–no, no, no, no!
The rain helped them to grow, grow, GROW!
Up Pop the Flowers!
(Tune of "Pop! Goes the Weasel")
We plant some seeds in the dirt. (Pretend to plant seeds.)
The rain falls in a shower.
(Raise arms; the wiggle fingers downward.)
The sun comes out, and what do you know? (Children hold hands and squat.)
UP pop the flowers! (Release hands. Pop up.)
Here's a Little Flower
(Tune of "Did You Ever See a Lassie?")
There's a little flower,
A flower, a flower.
There's a little flower
On my garden path.
A flower so neat!
It's a rose so sweet.
There's a little flower
On my garden path.
(Continue singing additional verses to the song, replacing the word "rose" in
the second verse with hollyhock, marigold, zinnia, daisy, bluebell,
lily, peony, pansy, tulip, and sunflower.)
Ten Happy Dandelions
Ten happy dandelions
Growing in a line.
One turned to fluff and
Then there were nine.
Nine happy dandelions
Growing by the gate.
One turned to fluff and
Then there were eight.
Eight happy dandelions
Growing toward heaven.
One turned to fluff and
Then there were seven.
Seven happy dandelions
Growing to be picked.
One turned to fluff and
Then there were six.
Six happy dandelions
Growing up with pride.
One turned to fluff and
Then there were five.
Five happy dandelions
Growing more and more.
One turned to fluff and
Then there were four.
Four happy dandelions
Growing wild and free.
One turned to fluff and
Then there were three.
Three happy dandelions
Growing just for you.
One turned to fluff and
Then there were two.
Two happy dandelions
Growing in the sun.
One turned to fluff and
Then there was one.
One happy dandelion
Having lots of fun.
It turned to fluff and
Then there were none!
I'm a Dandelion
(Tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
I'm a dandelion,
Oh, so small. (Crouch down.)
I'm growing bigger; (Slowly rise.)
Now I'm tall. (Stand.)
Soon my yellow blossom (Round arms over head.)
Will turn to fluff.
Along will come the wind (Turn in circle.)
With a great big huff. (Blow.)
Then my dandy seeds (Wiggle fingers above head.)
Will dance around–
Traveling to places;
Floating to the ground. (Lower fingers to the ground.)
RAIN ACTIVITIES
Rain and Rainbow Collage
Look in a magazine or newspaper for pictures of rain, or rainbows,
cut them out, and let your child glue them onto a piece of paper
for a collage.
Torn Paper Rainbows
Apply glue onto a piece of paper where the first color of the rainbow
should be, you can make a half or full arc. Have your child apply
red torn paper to the glued area. Next apply glue under the red torn
paper for the next color, and so on!! (you will only be able to do
three or four colors)
Easy Rainbows
Tape three or four different colored crayons in a straight line. Show
your child how to draw a rainbow with one stroke.
Cereal Rainbows
You will need a box of Fruit Loops (or similar cereal), paper, pencil
and glue. For younger children, you should draw a rainbow shape on
to the paper then have the children glue the fruit loops inside the
shape. Older children can make their own rainbow shape, or trace
it. You may also do this project as open ended art by allowing the
children to make whatever they wish with the fruit loops.
Class Rainbow
Obtain a large piece of butcher paper. Have the children make a rainbow
using their handprints using all the colors of the rainbow.
Tissue Paper Rainbows
Apply glue onto a piece of paper where the first color of the rainbow
should be, you can make a half or full arc. Have your child apply
red tissue paper to the glued area. Next apply glue under the red
tissue paper for the next color, and so on!! (you will only be able
to do three or four colors)
Rainbow Necklaces
Supply the children with fruitloops and yarn to make a wonderful necklace
they can eat:)
Tissue Paper Rainbows 2:
Supply the children with many different colors of tussue paper that
will bleed. Have them cut out small shapes and then place on a piece
of white paper. After the paper is covered with a single layer of
paper (it' okay if a few overlap) have the children paint the paper
with water so the tissue paper will bleed onto the white paper. Allow
to dry, remove the paper for a beautiful picture.
Paint with Clouds
Supply each child with a piece of blue paper, a cotton ball and white
paint. Have the child dip the cotton ball into the white paint and
press onto the paper to make cloud prints.
Paint with a Cloud 2:
Supply the children with a piece of white paper an many cotton balls
and many different colors of paint, and have them paint with the
cotton ball on the paper.
Blue Shaving Cream Art
Add a few drops of blue paint to shaving cream. Have the children
use this to paint with. Not mixing the paint in will give it
a special look.
Raindrop Hats
Make hats from newsprint and have the child decorate with blue paint
or rain and rainbow stickers.
Raindrop People
Give the children a piece of white paper, and a blue raindrop shape.
Have the children glue the raindrop onto the paper, and then draw
a body as if the raindrop was a head.
Torn Paper Raindrops
Draw a raindrop shape on a piece of paper. Have the children tear pieces
of blue construction paper, and glue them inside the lines for the
raindrop shape.
Raindrop Necklaces
Supply the children with raindrop shaped stencil. Have the children
cut out raindrop shapes from construction paper. Then, have them
use a hole punch to make a hole, so they can thread them onto a piece
of yarn.
Noodle Necklaces
Supply the children with pasta noodles that have been dyed many different
colors for a rainbow necklace, and yarn. Have the children thread
the noodles onto the yarn to make a necklace.
Sponge Art
Supply the children with spring sponges and paint and have them make
a spring scene with them.
Spring Cookie Cutter Art:
Obtain a cookie cutter that is shaped like a raindrop. Have the children
dip the cookie cutter in a shallow container of blue paint, then
press onto a piece of paper to make raindrop prints.
Raindrop Rubbings
Cut raindrop shapes from paper doilys or sandpaper. Tape these
raindrops to the table. Have the children place a piece of thin
white paper over the raindrops and rub a crayon over the raindrop.
Sticker Art
Supply the children with raindrop and rainbow stickers and have them
place them on a piece of white paper.
Stamp Art
Supply the children with raindrop and rainbow stamps and have them
make a spring scene with the stamps.
Rainbow Eggshell Collage
Use food coloring to color crushed eggshells a few different colors.
(You can use eggshells from eggs you have used, there is no need
to hard boil these egg shells.) Let your child glue the eggshells
to a piece a paper after the dye has dried.
Raindrop Headbands
Measure your child's head, and cut a piece of construction paper long
enough to create a headband. Glue the paper together so the headband
fits snugly on your child's head but is loose enough to take off
easily. Have the children cut out blue raindrop shapes or use stickers
and glue to the headband.
Fingerprint Raindrops
Supply your children with white paper and a non-toxic blue stamp pad.
Have the children make fingerprints on the paper to represent raindrops.
Rain Catcher
Obtain a flat bottomed jar with straight sides. Tape a ruler
to the side, so that the number 1 is 1 inch from the bottom. Set
out the jar on a rainy day, and later that day see how much rain was
collected. Obtain a newspaper to check the forecast to see whether
they match your results.
RAIN
Submitted by Dot Kiebala
Books: "Puddles" by London.
"The Puddle Pail", Branley,
"Will It Rain" by Holly Keller.
1. Have children make puddles out of tinfoil (aluminum foil) on craft
paper.
(2) Take them out for a "puddle walk" after a rainfall, and have them look
into a puddle for reflections of themselves, their surroundings, the sky...
(3) Have children draw a "person" and then add all of the clothes their
person will need to stay dry, coats, boots, umbrellas.
(4) Make a collage from magazine and catalogue cutouts of things that profit
from rain...grass, animals that eat the grass, trees, flowers, gardens..
SPRING SONGS
Over in the Garden
(sung to the tune of "Over in the Meadow")
Over in the garden with a rake and a hoe,
I'll plant some little seeds in a nice, straight row.
"Grow," I will say. "Please grow all day long."
And the little seeds will grow into plants big and strong.
Three Little Tulips
It's true! This tulip tune reinforces colors, numbers, and measurement!
Before teaching the song to your students, cut out three tulip shapes
from white, pink, and red construction paper. Give one tulip to each
of three children and have the youngsters stand in front of the class.
As they sing the song below, direct one child to raise his tulip above
the others. After singing, invite the class to identify the color of
the tallest tulip; then repeat the activity with three different children.
(sung to the tune of "Six Little Ducks")
Three little tulips I once grew,
A white one, a pink one, a red one too.
One little tulip grew, grew, grew.
It grew taller than the other two,
The other two, the other two.
It grew taller than the other two!
Spring, Spring, Spring
(sung to the tune of "Three Blind Mice")
Spring, spring, spring.
I love spring!
I love the way the flowers grow.
Tulips! Daffodils!
All in a row.
Oh, so pretty!
I want you to know
That I love spring!
I love spring!
THREE LITTLE RAINDROPS
Three little raindrops sitting in a cloud.
The first one said, "The thunder sure is loud!"
The second one said, "The lightning's very bright!"
The third one said, "A rainbow is in sight!"
Then splash went the raindrops, down from the sky
To water all the plants and help them grow up high.
LITTLE CHICK LITTLE CHICK
There's nothing like an entertaining action poem to get your little
chicks cheeping! To prepare for this activity, make five chick necklaces,
each labeled with a different number from 1 to 5. During your group
time, invite five children to stand in front of the class. Provide
each child with a chick necklace and identify its number. As you
recite the poem below, have each little chick perform an action as
directed in the poem.
Little chick, little chick, number one,
Flap your wings and have some fun.
Little chick, little chick, number two,
Reach way down and touch your shoe.
Little chick, little chick, number three,
Nod your head for us to see.
Little chick, little chick, number four,
Jump up high, right off the floor.
Little chick, little chick number five,
Dance around and do the jive.
GROWING GARDEN POEM AND MOVEMENT
This movement activity will have youngsters growing from a seed to
a vegetable. Recite the story below, which explains the growing process
of a plant, and have students pretend to grow.
You are a little seed that's just been planted.(Tuck into a ball on the floor.)
Your tiny roots start growing down under the ground.(Bend toes down toward
the floor.)
When your roots find water, you can feel it helping you grow. (Begin to uncurl.)
You are beginning to sprout! ( Pop up and hold your head high.)
You grow toward the shining sun.( Stand up.)
You are very tall and ready to be harvested. ( Stand tall.)
The farmer comes to pick you! ( Jump up high.)
PARTS OF PLANTS
(sung to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")
A seed grows little roots.
A seed grows little roots.
The roots grow down into the soil.
A seed grows little roots.
A seed grows a long stem.
A seed grows a long stem.
The stem grows way up toward the sun.
A seed grows a long stem.
A plant grows many leaves.
A plant grows many leaves.
The leaves grow out quite green and strong.
A plant grows many leaves.
A plant can grow a flower.
A plant can grow a flower.
The flower grows and holds the seeds.
A plant can grow a flower.
PAPERPLATE MAY BASKET
What You Need
* Flimsy paper plate
* Construction paper, optional
* Scissors, optional
* Markers or paint, optional
* Glue, optional
* Stapler or tape
* Hole punch
* Ribbon or yarn
How To Make It
1. Decorate the plate using markers, paint, construction paper, or
whatever you wish. Let dry.
2. Curl the paper plate into a cone shape. Tape or staple in place.
3. Hole punch two holes in the top of the container, directly across fro each
other.
4.Attach a piece of ribbon or yarn so you can hang the basket on the door handle.
EASY BIRD FEEDER
An easy craft to make, and fun to watch the birds eat!
This project is rated VERY EASY to do.
a.. Slice of white bread
b.. Cookie cutter
c.. Peanut Butter
d.. Knife to spread peanut butter (plastic is fine!)
e.. Yarn
f.. Bird seed on a plate
How To Make It
1.. Take the cookie cutter and punch a nice shape out of the white
bread.
2.. You can save the scraps for breadcrumbs or make ones with the center cut
out.
3.. Punch a hole into it for yarn to hang, thread the yarn through.
4.. Let the white bread shapes sit out for a day or two so that they become
firm. This will make it easier to spread the peanut butter.
5.. Spread peanut butter on the bread, then turn over and push into bird seed.
You can turn it over and put peanut butter and seed on the other side, too,
if you wish.
6.. Hang outside on a tree for the birds to eat.
WE LOVE SPRING WEATHER
Teach your youngsters this little ditty; then sing up a storm! Sing
an additional verse by replacing the underlined word with the word
sun.
(sung to the tune of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow")
We love the [rain] in the springtime.
We love the [rain] in the springtime.
We love the [rain] in the springtime.
It helps all Earth's plants grow!
It helps all Earth's plants grow!
It helps all Earth's plants grow!
We love the [rain] in the springtime.
It helps all Earth's plants grow!
UNIQUE CREATURES –BIRDS
(sung to the tune of “Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?”)
Oh what is so special about a bird?
Oh what, oh what can it be?
It is the wings that I spy on a bird
That make it special to see!
Oh what is so special about a bird?
Oh what, oh what can it be?
It is the beak that I spy on a bird
That makes it special to see!
Oh what is so special about a bird?
Oh what, oh what can it be?
It is the feathers I spy on a bird
That make it special to see!
CLOUD IDEAS
Cloudy days: give each child a slice of bread. Invite
the children to bite the edges to make a cloud shape.
Cloud match: Cut sets of cloud shapes from white and
black construction paper. Encourage the children to match clouds
with their shadows.
Tearing white paper into cloud shapes not only lets them use their
imaginations to see if their shapes resemble other things, but it's
good for hand strengthening too.
FIVE UMBRELLAS
Submitted by Jan
Five umbrellas stood by the door,
The red one went outside, then there were four.
Four umbrellas, pretty as could be,
The blue one went outside, then there were three.
Three umbrellas with nothing to do,
The green one went outside, then there were two.
Two umbrellas not having much fun,
The yellow one went outside, then there was one.
Just one umbrella alone in the hall,
The purple one went outside, and that was all.
Bird Feeder Garlands
Here's a fine-feathered idea for your little ones to make--jingling
bird feeders! To make a bird feeder, tie a jingle bell onto
a length of curling ribbon. Then string Cheerios® on the ribbon.
Tie the bird feeder to a nearby tree and listen for the bell!
Flower Flannel Story
You need,
leaves
stem
flower with ten petals and smiling face
honeybee
My Flower
My flower grows up towards the sky,
Leaves and stem and petals high.
See the green leaves near the ground.
On the stem is where they're found.
See the petals, count with me,
How many petals do you see?
l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
See the honeybee come callin',
Buzzin' around in search of pollen.
My flower smiles and says, "Hello."
The bee says, "Thanks!" before he goes.
BIRD FEEDER
Materials:
Cardboard toilet paper roll
wax paper or newspaper (about 8 inches by 8 inches at least)
peanut butter
plastic or regular knife
2 foot piece of yarn
paper plate
bird seed (small seeds work best, sunflower seeds fall off)
Directions:
1. Put the yarn through the hole in the toilet paper roll and lay out
on a piece of wax paper or newspaper.
2. Spread the peanut butter all around the outside of the roll.
3. Put bird seed on a paper plate.
4. Roll toilet paper roll in bird seed
5. Tie knot in the yarn, and hang on a tree.
BAGEL BIRD FEEDER
Submitted by Diane
For the past few years we have done a little different bird feeder. I
visited our local bagel shop and usually can get a dozen day old
bagels. We cut them in half, give each child one and they spread
either peanut butter, margarine, honey and then dip it in birdseed. We
string a piece of yarn through the top, put in a small sandwich bag
to take home and tie in a tree. I have found this to be a little
easier because the paper rolls would start to unravel when we spread
the peanut butter.
FROM SEED TO PLANT
(sung to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell”)
The farmer plants his seeds. The farmer plants his seeds.
Heigh-ho, it’s planting time. The farmer plants his seeds.
The rain begins to fall. The rain begins to fall.
Heigh-ho, it’s growing time. The rain begins to fall.
The sun begins to shine. The sun begins to shine.
Heigh-ho, it’s growing time. The sun begins to shine.
The plants begin to grow. The plants begin to grow.
Heigh-ho, it’s growing time. The plants begin to grow.
It’s time to pick the crops. It’s time to pick the crops.
Heigh-ho, it’s picking time. It’s time to pick the crops.
It’s time to eat the food. It’s time to eat the food.
Yum, yum, it’s eating time. It’s time to eat the food!
HOE HOE HOE
(sung to the tune of
“Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
Hoe, hoe, hoe your garden
Up and down the rows.
See the [sun] come [shining down] and
watch your garden grow!
Repeat the song, replacing the underlined words with rain/pouring down.
RAIN STICKS
Take a paper towel tube and cover one end with tape or contact paper. Fill
it up with styrofoam peanuts (that annoying packing material) add a
couple of tablespoons of dry rice and cover the other end. Decorate
with yarn feathers
what ever. When turned over the rice falls slowly from one end to the
other making a sound like falling rain.
GRASS HEADS
Need: cups(styrofoam), potting soil, grass seed, small rocks, water,
markers, crayons.
Have children write their names on the bottom of the cup. Then the children
can draw a face onto the cup. Put a few rocks into the bottom of the cup for
drainage. Add potting soil, grass seed, and water. Set in a sunny spot.
Then wait for the grass to grow (it's hair). Children can give their grass
heads a hair cut as the grass will grow back.
SEEDS
Some little seeds have parachutes
To carry them around
(cup hand downward)
The wind blows them swish, swish, swish,
(flip fingers outward )
Then gently lays them on the ground.
(let hand gently float down and rest on lap)
GROWING SONG
Submitted by Susan
I have a "growing song" that comes from the east coast, I've been
using it so long and I think it was written by a young woman named
Sarah Pirtle. But make up your own melody since I can't sing
it to you :) :
sitting in a circle w the children: use your hands and arms
first then the rest of your body as you sing:
My roots grow down, down to the earth
My roots grow down, down to the earth
My roots grow down, down to the earth
My roots grow down.
My stem grows up, up to the sky ---
Get the idea? I do leaves, buds, flowers, whatever comes to
mind - the bees buzz all around, my leaves fall back to the earth,
etc.
2nd song was made up by my co-teacher Barbara, many years ago:
put your hands together as if you were praying and begin:
Friendship is a flower
I open up to you
Put your hand in my hand
and do just what I do.
You can use this for mirroring games, friendship circles, etc.
"LIMA-GUCCHI"
Submitted by AJ
Do you remember the Tamogucchi's - we made a "Limagucchi." I
got medicine bottles (the clear ones) from the drugstore. The
children put a slightly wet piece of cotton in it and then a lima
bean. We put a string around it and
they wore it around their necks - checking it everyday and watering it when
necessary. Not all of them grew but the children wore them faithfully
every day. The ones that did grow had nice leaves on them - no flowers
- I imagine
the same thing would work if you planted flower seeds.
SIMPLE HAND FLOWERS
Construction Paper
Scissors
Glue
Trace around 1 hand on yellow paper, and trace around 1 hand on red
paper.
Cut them out; these will
be the flowers. Cut out a long & short stem out of green paper. Cut out
four
leaves out of green paper.
Glue the cut out hands on the stems on brown paper, add leaves.
SPRING SPROUTS
Submitted by Kathy
•Newspaper
•Clean eggshell halves
•Egg carton
•Soil
•Seeds
•Water
•Plastic bag
1.Show your child the seeds. Explain what they are and what they
will grow into. If your kids are older let them pick out the kind
of seeds they would like to grow.
2.Gather the materials and spread out the newpaper. Fill the eggshells with
soil (2/3s full), and plant a few seeds in each.
3.Set the shells in the egg carton and moisten the soil. Cover the carton with
the plastic wrap to keep in the moisture, and set in a dark place.
4.Check daily; water as needed. When you see sprouts, unwrap the carton and
place the plants in a sunny indoor spot.
5.Once the weather begins to warm, plant the sprouts,eggshells and all-in the
ground. Break out the bottoms of the shells to accelerate the decomposition
process.)
WALLPAPER HATS
The children will be able to express themselves by choosing materials
to decorate their own hats for Spring." And, the children will use
large motor skills while showing off their hats in a "Spring Parade".
Materials:
20'Squares of wallpaper 2 for each child, brushes, glue and string. Flowers,
assortment of colorful ribbon, fabric scraps, lace, and bows.
Description:
For each hat, you will need two 20-inch squares ofwallpaper. Let each child
select his / her own colors. Have thembrush a small amount of glue on the Bottom
of their first square. Then help each child place their second square on top
of the first, backs together. Teachers show children them how to press their
squares together from the center out, to squeeze out any glue. One at a time,
have the children stand in front of a mirror and place their squares on top
of their heads. Let them shape their fancy squares into hats. Tie a string
around the band of each hat to help it keep its shape. Let the children remove
their hats from their head so the glue can dry and form its shape. When the
hats are dry, remove the strings let them cut the brims of their hat into their
desired shape. Set out flowers, ribbons, fabric scraps, lace, andbows and let
them decorate their own hats. You won'tbelieve the beautiful sight of the spring
creations!
ANIMALS THAT HATCH FROM EGGS
Submitted by Marilyn
here are two books that I use when discussing creatures that come
from eggs.
Something is coming - by Bernice Chardiet
this is a very simple, flap book that the children enjoy alot.
Seven Eggs -
by Meredith Hooper
this is a cute one, too
BIRDS POEM AND APRIL POEM
Submitted by Vivian Garcia
The Rubi-Throated Hummingbird
This is a poem (science) that I wrote for my students.
The rubi-throated hummingbird
Is tiny and fast,
It's a ray when he goes pass!
His feathers shine
With the sunlight,
He is a tiny jewel flying in the sky.
He has a long beak, with it
He sips the nectar he needs.
He likes the flowers that are very red,
But when he is hungry the nectar
From the other flowers he gets.
His nest is a soft bed,
That he holds together with spider's web.
He makes a sound, when his wing he beats,
Going in any direction very neat.
He flies backward and upside down.
It's a beautiful sight when he is around!
April Poem
Every month I write a poem related to the month's events.etc. All my
monthly poems are sung to the tune of (Twinklee, Twinklee Little
Star) and patterned after Brown Bear What Do You See?
This is the one for April
In April
What do you see?
Rain pouring on the street.
In April,
What do you see?
Beautiful flowers I can see.
In April,
What do you see?
Raincoats and umbrellas
For you and for me.
In April,
What do you see?
A big puddle on the street.
Oh! I wetted my feet!
My students enjoy singing my montly poems.I make copies for my students.
I write and illustrate the poems on chart paper and teach them to the children
until they are able to read the poems.They illustrate
their copies and read them everyday during the month. I also incorporate the
sight words that my students need to learn.
RECYCLED BIRD FEEDER
Submitted by Debbie
Take a liter soda bottle, cut a hole in the side. Cover the
edge where you cut with tape. Take craft (elmers) glue and
delute with water so it is easy to spread. Cut a sponge in
thirds give a third to each child with a bowl of deluted glue. Have
them cover 1/2 the bottle with the glue mixture, lay on old paper
napkins left over from bday parties, holidays, or tissue paper and
cover with more of the deluted glue. Repeat process with paper
and glue until covered. Let dry. WHEN DRY Spay with POLY spray. Put
a hole in the (bottom) which will be the top now and put a string
for hanging through the hole. Cap off the bottle and fill with
bird seed, hang on tree.
PLANTS
Submitted by Mary
To help students understand how bees help pollenate other flowers.
Do this simple experiment. You will need a brown paper bag, flour,
cheetos cheese puff, a penny, and construction paper. Cut out flower
petals from the construction paper and staple them to the top of
the bag. Next, add your flour about 1/4 cup inside the bag. Then
crumble up several(8-10) cheese puffs. Finally, hide your penny inside
the mixture. Tell stds. there is a treasure inside the bag. Let stds.
one at a time feel inside the bag to find the treasure.
Then ask stds. what did they notice on their finger tips. Explain this is how
bees go from flower to flower and collect pollen on their legs. This is what
pollenate the flowers.
GARDEN FINGER PLAY
This is my garden (extend one had forward, palm up
I'll rake it with care. (make rake motion on palm with 3 fingers of
other hand
And then some flower seeds ( do a planting motion)
I'll plant in there
The sun will shine ( make circle with hands)
And the rain will fall (let fingers flutter down to lap)
And my garden will blossom. (cup hands together, extend upward )
And grow straight and tall.
SPRING SONGS
Submitted by Christa
Little Seed
(I'm a Little Teapot)
Here's a little seed in the dark, dark ground.
Out comes the warm sun, yellow and round.
Down comes the rain, wet and slow.
Up comes the little seed, grow, grow, grow!
Flower Garden
(The Farmer In The Dell)
The farmer plants the seeds
The Farmer plants the seeds
Hi, Ho and Cheery O
The farmer plants the seeds.
(Use the following verses.)
The sun begins to shine...
The rain
begins to fall...
The plants begin to grow...
The flowers smile at us...
This is the Way We Plant the Seeds
(Mulberry Bush)
This is the way
we plant the seeds,
Plant the seeds, plant the seeds.
This is the way
we plant the seeds,
Early in the springtime.
Other verses:
This is the way we
dig the hole, put in the seeds, cover the seeds, water the seeds,
check the seeds.
Little Wiggle Worm
The Eensy-Weensy Spider
The little wiggle worm (wiggle pipe cleaner worm)
Went crawling underground. (wiggle worm under hand)
Down Came the rain; (wiggle fingers downward)
Soon mud was all around. (open arms wide)
Rain filled the tunnels (open hand; move fingers together)
And pushed out the little worm. (push worm through other hand)
So the puddles on the ground (make an O with hand)
Were the only place to squirm. (wiggle worm into O)
SPRING MUSIC
Butterflies are flying. Wont you try and catch one?
Butterflies are flying. Wont you try and catch one?
Butterflies are flying. Wont you try and catch one?
Catch one if you can.
Raindrops are falling. Wont you try and catch one?
Raindrops are falling. Wont you try and catch one?
Raindrops are falling. Wont you try and catch one?
Catch one if you can.
Signs of Spring
(Sung to the tune of “Muffin Man”)
Do you see a sign of spring,
A sign of spring, a sign of spring?
Do you see a sign of spring?
Tell us what you see.
Lets Be Windmills
(Sung to the tune of “If I were a Lassie”)
Oh I wish I were a windmill, a windmill, a windmill.
Oh I wish I were a windmill, Id know what Id do.
Id swing this way and that way, and this way and that way.
Oh I wish I were a windmill, when the wind blew.
Finger plays, Poems & Rhymes
Finger Play “Itsy, Bitsy, Spider”
The itsy, bitsy, spider went up the water spout
(use first two fingers and walk up another arm)
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
(flutter fingers down)
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain
(make circle above head with arms)
And the itsy, bitsy spider went up the spout again
(use first two fingers and walk up another arm)
Finger Play “My Garden”
This is my garden. I’ll rake it with care.
(Pretend to rake.)
And them some flower seeds I’ll plant there.
(Pretend to plant seeds.)
The sun will shine,
(Put arms over head in a circle.)
And the rain will fall,
(Put hands in air and bring down as rain.)
And my garden will blossom and grow straight and tall.
(Make fist then open slowly as the flower blooms.)
RAINBOW
Submitted by Verlona
We made a great rainbow.
You cut out a huge rainbow and then cut it into 6 pieces (We used
our kidney
shaped table for a pattern ). The children collage the strips with various
items of the same color, not necessarily the same shade. For example with
blue we had dark blue, light blue, and several shades in between.
We used buttons, feathers, tissue paper, wood shapes, colored macaroni,
glitter, yarn and ribbon scraps, etc...
The children love doing it and it looks good.
At our center we have a morning and afternoon session so each class did 3
pieces of the rainbow.
SPRINGTIME INTERACTIVE BB
The purpose of this bulletin board is to have the children place the
proper number of ribbons on each kite tail. To do this they
need to look at the number of dots on the kite. Construct kites
and print the numerals beginning with one and the corresponding number
of dots on each. Construct ribbons for the tails of the kites.
Color the kites and tails and laminate. Staples kites
to the bulletin board. Affix magnetic strips to each kite as
the string. Affix a magnetic piece in the middle of each ribbon. Label
this bulletin board “Lets Go Fly A Kite!”
RAIN POEM
Submitted by Trisha
Rain on the green grass
And rain on the tree.
Rain on the housetop
But not on me!
RAINBOW COLORS
Submitted by Shirley
Rainbow Color Science Art
Using white coffee filters, use colored water markers to draw on
these. Magic colors will appear when you use a spray bottle
filled with water to spritz on these. Rainbow colors!
UMBRELLA MOBILE
Materials
Paper plate
crayons
scissors
pipe cleaner
string
hole punch
Cut a couple of paper plates in the shape of the top of an umbrella
for the children to use as tracers. Have them trace and cut their
plate and decorate. Have them draw small pictures of raindrops, ducks,
boots anything that has to do with wet weather. Have them cut
out these items. Depending on the age and ability of the children have
them or you punch holes in the umbrella and pictures and hang them
from the umbrella top. Bend the pipe cleaner (chenille stem) into a
hook shape and either staple or glue to the middle of the umbrella
and hang from the ceiling.
Bird's Nests:
Submitted by Betsy
Our Pre-K class examined three bird's nests which were brought in
to the class after they had been abandoned. The students brainstormed
about what materials the birds had found to make their nests and
also contributed ideas about other materials found in nature which
could be used in making a nest. This information was placed on a
chart with examples of the materials (i.e.: moss, feathers, sticks,
etc.) glued and labeled on the chart. Then, each of the students
was given a paper bag and were taken outside to find materials to
build his/ her own nest. After the students returned to the classroom,
they were given a previously used, washed and dried, coffee filter
and some white glue. The students built their own nests in the coffee
filter. When the glue dried, the nests were attached to branches
and displayed in our Media Center.
Spring Song
Submitted by Gina
Sung to: "Bingo"
There is a time when flowers bloom,
and grass turns green all over.
It is coming soon
it is coming soon,
it is coming soon
and spring is its name.
There is a time when birdies sing,
and children play outside.
it is coming soon
it is coming soon
it is coming soon
and spring is its name.
BIRD NESTS
Submitted by Margie
This is a really cute "craft" activity which can be extended to a
about 3 days for Pre-K's.
DAY 1: MAKE BIRD NESTS...
Materials: Green Glue, Shredded wheat, large bowl
Procedure:
Color glue w/green felt from a washable marker (just grab it w/a paper towel
and pull it out & drop it in the bottle of glue) that doesn't work so well
anymore. Now you have "washable colored glue".
Tear up shredded wheat (regular kind...not the frosted) into a large bowl.
Mix the glue w/the shredded wheat and form it into a nest.
Let dry on wax paper...turning over the next day to dry the bottom too.
DAY 2: BIRDS IN SHELLS
Materials: Colored pom poms, construction paper, wiggly eyes, plastic
easter eggs, craft glue
Procedure:
Attach a small and large pom pom ball (yellow, white, or whatever the child
wants their bird to be).
Cut out a small diamond and fold in half and craft glue it to the small pom
pom for the beak.
Craft glue wiggly eyes on.
craft glue the plastic easter egg halves...one on the outside of the other...like
it was broken open.
Craft glue the pom pom bird into one half of the egg shell...like it is breaking
out.
Let dry
DAY 3...ATTACH ALL FOR A NICE DECORATION
Hot glue the bird in shell on top of the bird nest.
Hot glue the nest to the side of a sturdy wooden clothes pin. Now you
can clip this decor onto an artificial tree, shelf at home, etc.
Spring bulletin Boards
Our class made two spring bulletin boards this year.
We made caterpillars (cut out circles of the 8 primary colors and let
the children glue them together, add antenna, legs, if you'd like,
eyes) and we made butterflies by gathering 2 different colors of tissue
paper and wrapping a pipe cleaner (black) around it.
The second bulletin board has flowers made by the children (I gave them a pattern
for the back of the flower and they glued muffin liners in the center to make
them look like daffodils), they cut their own leaves and stems and glued them
together. I put these on the bottom edge of the bulletin board with "grass" (made
of construction paper) glued over the bottom to keep the edge looking smooth. Then,
we made more butterflies using ziploc bags. We used the gallon size and
put glitter inside along with small pieces of various colors of tissue papers. We
gathered them in the middle with pipe cleaners, made bodies and antenna and
put them on the top of the bulletin board, flying through the air. Then
we put a sun at one corner and some
ladybugs (all made out of construction paper) crawling through the flowers.
Springtime Books
Submitted by Marilyn
I went to my library today and picked out some of my favorites for
spring and for planting. Thought some of my fellow teachers
might like some of these. I know that I am always looking for
new book ideas, too.
First Comes Spring Anne Rockwell
This is Your Garden Maggie Smith
One Bean (*very good -new) Anne Rockwell
Sunflower Miela Ford
Spring Fiona Pragoff
When the Earth Wake Ani Ricki (good for
earth day)
Rabbits and Raindrops Jim Arnosky
The Puddle David McPhail
Planting a Rainbow Lois Ehlert
Your First Garden - Marc Brown
(this is an excellent book for ideas for the teacher)
Hope these are helpful
SPRING Flowers
Submitted by Karen
For a spring flower picture, cut three flower shapes out of bubble
wrap. Glue these to a sturdy piece of cardboard. Set
out different colors of tempera paints, and allow the kids to paint
the bubble wrap. Then place a sheet of paper on top and press
down to make a print. The kids can embellish these however
you like! (Draw stems, etc.)
Another fun idea for spring flowers is to use the 16-24 oz. plastic
soda bottles. My co-teacher and I discovered that the Coke bottles
have a different bottom than the Pepsi bottles, but both bottoms have
a flower type
shape to them, so you might want to use them both for variety! Have pie
tins set out w/floral paint colors in them, and allow the kids to "stamp" the
bottles into the paint, and then on to the paper! Again, you can embellish
these however you like, or just enjoy the look of them as is!
RAINBOWS
Submitted by Diane
Hi everyone, I am just about to file my March curriculum and when
leafing through I remembered I wanted to share my rainbows with you. I
teach threes and this worked out great for them. You will need
a 1/2 sheet (8 1/2 x 11)
of each of the six colors. On three colors I traced a half circle about
six inches across. I then stapled the other three to each one of the
tracing. This was so the children could cut out two colors at the same
time. I also
find it easier for them to cut through two sheets than one sheet which usually
tears. After cutting out the six half circles, with our help, they put
the colors in order and we glued them along the bottom line. Some were
glued side to side, others up and down. Whatever, they all looked great. We
then hung them from the ceiling in our room. We tied this around a visit
from a leprechaun who promised to return if we filled our room with rainbows. I
loved this project...it reinforced cutting, color recognition and sequencing.
PLANTING
Submitted by Marilyn
All year long I have been collecting the plastic containers that
hold take-out salads. You get them at McDonalds, the deli,
etc. On Monday, my 3's class will begin planting. I
have a plastic container for each child in the class and we will
fill them with dirt and the children will select which type of flower
seeds to plant. When you put the lid on the container, viola!,
you have a little, instant greenhouse for each child. Since
the top is clear, you can peek and see the progress of the seedlings. I
will get some stories like, The Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle and
read that at circle time.
I xerox the seed package front and back and attach to each little
greenhouse so that the parents know what and how to plant them when
they are bigger.
Peanut Butter Free Edible Bird Nests
Submitted by Karen
Use a rice-krispie/marshmallow recipe to make the treats we're all
familiar with. While they're still gooey, form into a "nest". (Just
make a ball, then flatten slightly, and indent in the middle.) Place
a few jelly beans, or robins' eggs candies (available around Easter
time) in the center.
CLOUD WATCHING and LOOKS LIKE SPILT MILK
Submitted by Marilyn
At our playground time, I bring out a large sheet and we all lay
down on it.
We do cloud gazing. Each child takes a turn telling what he/she sees. They
love this activity. When we get inside (circle time) I hand out the white,
flannel pieces to the book It Looked Like Spilt Milk, by Charles Shaw. As
I
read the book, the children bring up the pieces to the flannel board that match
to the story. The children stay focused and it helps to distinguish shapes. For
the art for the day, I put out white paint and spoons and light blue construction
paper. The paper is folded in half and the child places some white paint
on one side. Then he/she presses very hard and opens the
paper to see what he created. They enjoy this so much. I ask "What
do you see......." and I write their reply on the paper. We hang them
in our hallway for the parents to enjoy. this is a big success.
Keeping Mold Out Of Baggies
Submitted by Karen
I saw this in mailbox magazine and ours have been in the baggies
over a week now and this is working great. After you have your
wet paper towel folded in the bag from top to bottom, staple across
the bag about 2" from the top.
Place your beans here and they still remain moist but they are not in a position
to receive the greatest amount of moisture. They set above the staples
and the sprouts are growing between the staples and on their way downward as
roots should. We added a little less than 1/4 cup water and it is pooling
in the bottom of the baggies a bit but you don't have to keep
spraying them. Seal the bag all but about 1/8" with the closure. The
water is not getting tainted either as it is in movement in the absorption
process by the paper towel. Good Luck.
SPRING FLOWER POTS
Submitted by Margie
Materials:
acrylic paints
puzzle glue
small clay flower pots
sponges (any kind: flowers, easter, shapes, etc.)
Children can sponge paint w/acrylic paint prints onto sides of flower
pots. Later, when paint has dried, teacher can puzzle
glue paint over the top of it and let it dry. It prevents any
harm to the paint from water/etc...and gives it a glossy look! Fill
the pot w/potting soil, small playground rocks, etc.
Put TP Tube Flowers in pot:
TP TUBE FLOWERS
Cut a TP tube down the center...LENGTHWISE.
Cut at the opposite side of the first cut...so you end up w/2 LONG
halves. They will be a bit curled.
Now, cut thin strips across the width of each long half. You can also
cut petal shapes instead of thin strips. Try both kinds of cuts and give
the children a choice of which kind of flower petals they want. Both
kinds of cuts look really cute.
Now, give each child approx. 6-8 petals (depending on the age of the child,
I guess) to paint. Mix colors to come up with various kinds of flower
colors.
Have the child paint both sides of the petals and leave to dry.
Now, teacher Hot Glues the petals together to form a flower.
Child picks a colored puff ball (craft item) to craft glue to the center...and
a green (or whatever color they choose) craft stick to craft glue for the stem.
You can even craft glue green foam oval shapes for leaves onto the craft stick
stem.
SPRING ART
Submitted by Marilyn
I purchased a large, square piece of heavy duty plastic (the kind
that you can buy off a roll at a Home Depot or discount store). We
have been having beautiful weather here in New York so I brought
this art project outdoors. i put down a big shower curtain
on the grass and put the plastic on top. Then I brought out
different sizes of brushes and a large variety of pastel paints. I
told the children to "paint a garden". They enjoyed painting
on the plastic. When it dried, we put it on our large classroom
window for the light to shine through. We are not allowed to
paint our windows in our building, so we did the next best thing. I
plan to do the same thing next year only indoors and with snowmen!
Birds & Beaks.
The lesson is to determine which bird beaks are best suited to eat
different kinds of food. The children use tweezers, toothpicks, clothes
pins and spoons to simulate bird beaks, & various materials like
yarn, rubber bands, styrofoam pieces, marbles, etc., to simulate
food. Each child is given a dish of mixed foods & a "beak". Divide
in groups, each has 1 minute to "eat" as much food as possible. Then
compare the types of foods obtained by the various types of beaks
( birds of prey, song birds, waterfowl and sea birds). Show pictures
of the different bird groups before beginning the lesson. It's a
great hands on experience.
EASY RAINBOW
Submitted by Barbara
Here's an easy project for rainbows for any age. Just
paint the kids hands - across not down the fingers with rainbow colors
(all colors at once so hands are striped) then press or let them press
their hands all over the paper (any color paper of your choice -though
blue is nice- you know, for the sky LOL.) You could draw a rainbow
shape (just a "n" shape doubled) and have older kids fill in area by
themselves. Then we wrote "Little Hands from Rainbow Village" (cause
that's our name). They were really cute and SOOO easy.
Flowers are Coming Up
sung to London Bridge
Flowers are coming up,
Coming up, coming up.
Flowers are coming up
from the ground.
Blooms of pink, red, yellow and blue.
Yellow and blue, yellow and blue.
Blooms of pink, red, yellow and blue
Are all around.
RAINBOWS SONGS
Submitted by Iram
Oh, Rainbow
(to the tune of "Oh, Christmas Tree")
Oh, rainbow, oh, rainbow,
How lovely are your colors.
Oh, rainbow, oh, rainbow,
How lovely are your colors.
Purple, red and orange, too,
Yellow, green and blue so true.
Oh, rainbow, oh, rainbow,
How lovely are your colors.
-------------
Rainbow
(to the tune of "There's a Hole In My Bucket")
There's an arc in a rainbow,
So pretty, so pretty.
There's an arc in a rainbow,
With colors you see.
The sun after rain
Makes the colors, the colors.
The sun after rain
Makes the colors you see.
There's red and there's orange
And there's yellow so pretty.
There's red and there's orange
And there's yellow you see.
There's green and there's blue
And there's violet so pretty.
There's green and there's blue
And there's violet you see.
There's an arc in a rainbow,
So pretty, so pretty.
There's an arc in a rainbow,
With colors you see.
by Meish Goldish
SPRING IDEAS
Submitted by Kathy
Daffodils:
One little daffodil had nothing much to do,
Out popped another one, then there were two.
Two little daffodils were smiling at a bee,
Out popped another one, then there were three.
Three little daffodils were growing by the door,
Out popped another one, then there were four.
Four little daffodils were glad to be alive,
Out popped another one, then there were five.
Five little daffodils were wearing golden crowns,
They danced in the breeze in green satin gowns.
Umbrellas:
Five umbrellas stood by the back door,
The red one went outside, then there were four.
Four umbrellas pretty as can be,
The blue one went outside, then there were three.
Three umbrellas with nothing to do,
The green one went outside, then there was one.
Just one umbrella alone in the hall,
The purple one went outside, and that was all!
SCENTS OF SPRING:
The Smelling Song
sung to: It's raining it's pouring
I'm smelling, I'm smelling,
my nose is busy smelling.
This is the song I like to sing,
When I smell most anything!
The nose knows:
challenge your children with a matching game. Collect several plastic
margarine tubs. poke small holes in the lid of each tub. Place a
different fragrant item in each tub. (peanut butter, lemons, cinnamon,
pickle juice are just a few possibilities) Cut or draw a picture
of each item and cover the pictures with clear contact (laminate)
mount the pictures on construction paper. Let your children smell
the tubs and try to match them to the pictures of the items they
contain.
Stop and Smell the Flowers:
Have your children make flowers by coloring baking cups with markers
and gluing on construction paper stems and leaves? Spray cotton balls
with cologne or air freshener, and have the children glue a fragrant
cotton ball to the center of each "blossom." When the flowers are
dry, display them on the wall or a bulletin board and invite visitors
to "stop and smell the flowers."
Sing a song of springtime
tune of: sing a song of sixpence
Sing a song of springtime,
sunshine fills the sky.
See the little bluebirds,
as they fly on by.
Look at all the flowers,
blooming pink and blue.
What a pretty time to sit
and watch things start anew.
Spring Song
tune of "bingo"
There is a time when flowers bloom,
and grass turns green all over.
It is coming soon
it is coming soon,
it is coming soon
and spring is its name.
There is a time when birdies sing,
and children play outside.
it is coming soon
it is coming soon
it is coming soon
and spring is its name
RAINBOW SONGS
Submitted by Lisa
If you want to see a rainbow
(sung to If your happy and you know it)
If you want to see a rainbow, check the sky.
Just as its raining, look up high.
With the sun behind your back,
you will see the colors stacked.
Oh, I love to see a rainbow in the sky!
Rainbow Train
sung to The mulberry bush
The rainbow train is coming to town
coming to town, coming to town.
the rainbow train is coming to town
It's moving very fast!
The rainbow train is full of toys
Full of toys, full of toys
The rainbow train is full of toys
For all the girls and boys!
The red car's filled with bats and balls
Bats and balls, bats and balls.
The red car's filled with bats and balls
For all the girls and boys.
The orange car's filled with puzzles and blocks,
Puzzles and blocks, puzzles and blocks.
The orange car's filled with puzzles and blocks
For all the girls and boys.
The yellow car's filled with dolls and planes,
Dolls and planes, dolls and planes.
The yellow car's filled with dolls and planes,
For all the girls and boys.
The green car's filled with cars and boats,
Cars and boats, cars and boats.
The green car's filled with cars and boats,
For all the girls and boys.
The Blue car's filled with whistles and drums,
Whistles and drums, whistles and drums.
The blue car's filled with whistles and drums,
For all the girls and boys.
The purple car's filled with marbles and tops,
Marbles and tops, marbles and tops.
The purple car's filled with marbles and tops,
For all the girls and boys.
Red and orange, yellow and green
Blue and purple cars I see.
The rainbow train is here at last
I'm glad it came so fast!
"Did You Ever Hear A Rainbow"
(Did You Ever See A Lassie)
Did you ever hear a rainbow,
a rainbow, a rainbow
Did you ever hear a rainbow
FORGET TO SAY PLEASE?
Did you ever hear a rainbow,
a rainbow, a rainbow
Did you ever hear a rainbow say
ICKY OLD PEAS?
Did you ever hear a rainbow
a rainbow, a rainbow
Did you ever hear a rainbow say
______ BROKE THE CHALK? (insert a child's name)
Did you ever hear a rainbow,
a rainbow, a rainbow
No, I never heard a rainbow
CAUSE RAINBOWS CAN'T TALK!
Under The Rainbow (Up On The Housetop)
First comes the rain cloud passing by
Dropping raindrops in my eye
Then comes the sunshine up so high
Now a rainbow in the sky
Yea-Yea-Yea who wouldn't go
Under the rainbow, yes, siree,
Under the rainbow you and me.
Barney's Rainbow
Simple and beautiful a rainbow
So pretty for the eyes to see
There's red, orange and yellow
green, blue and purple
And it's curved like this you see.
Somebody told me that a rainbow
Has a pot of gold at the end
I don't really know if that's so
But it's kind of fun to pretend
It was made for you and me.
SPRING SONG
Hunk 'o' Mud Tune (If You're Happy & You Know It)
Oh I wish I was a little hunk 'o' mud.
Oh I wish I was a little hunk 'o' mud.
Then I'd ooeey and I'd gooeey over everybody's shooee!
Oh I wish I was a little hunk 'o' mud!
Spring planting
Submitted by Rebecca
We do a planting project in my son's old wagon. I place a large
plastic trash bag over it and then fill to the top with soil. We
planted a row of lettuce, beans and of course, marigolds. Then
we wheel it out into the sun every morning and wheel it back before
the buses in the afternoon. We have left it out by accident
but someone always comes up the hall with it. They know where
it belongs. You do have to be careful about over-watering but
you could add a layer of gravel if you wanted to provide a little
drainage.
SPRINGTIME PLANTING
Submitted by Marilyn
My 3/4's class is having a good time observing how plants/seeds grow. First
we took Lima Beans and placed them on wet paper towels, then placed
the paper towels in a clear cup. Each child made one. Another
day we placed apple and cantaloupe seeds on wet paper towels and
placed them in plastic baggies and hung them on our window. Another
day we scooped out potatoes, placed wet cotton balls in them, decorated
them with eyes and put grass seed on the wet cotton balls. (Making
grass heads) Today we wet sponges and sprinkled bird seed onto
them. Also, we do not have a planting garden in our playground,
so we made our own. I purchased 80lbs. (2 large bags) of topsoil
and we put it in an old water table tub. I purchased cell packs
of petunias, impatients, and marigolds. The children loved
planting an garden inside (it was pouring rain today) and we watered
them with our sprinkling cans. When the weather is nicer, we
will place the entire tub in a corner of the playground that gets
a good amount of sunshine. This is the next best thing to a
patch of actual land to plant our flower.
We will take the entire month to observe and chart which method of planting
(cup, baggie, or sponge) provided the best environment for growth of seeds. Should
be interesting!!!!!
Flower Bingo
Following ideas submitted by Nancy
Made a easy and cheap bingo game and played it and played it and
played it today. Made bingo cards out of a cute flower with pedals
and stems with leaves. The bingo part is the pedals. I colored the
pedals different colors. I made a spinner with just the flower part,
not the leaves and stem. I enlarged it too. I colored the pedals
the same colors as on the flowers, each flower being different but
yet some of us got bingo at the same time. they don't care though.
Its the fun that counts and the learning of colors for the little
ones. Each flower has 8 pedals so there are 8 bingo spaces to fill.
I used the daisy mini erasers from oriental trading. I got the flower
I think from Teachers Friend May idea book. but I enlarged it. I
laminated it for strength. I am sure we will use this one a lot.
Rain picture idea
Set out cutouts of of umbrella people or whatever you want
to create a rain scene. Use blue construction paper to make your picture
on. Take the picture outside and sprinkle white rice (uncooked) on
the picture. Let sit in the sun for awhile and remove rice. The paper
will discolor where the rice sits. It will look like rain. Have fun!
FOR MORE SPRING IDEAS GO TO: HUMMINGBIRD'S
SPRING ARCHIVES
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