PreKinders on Facebook

by Karen on November 15, 2009

Just to let you know, I have created a Facebook page for the PreKinders website. Hope to see you there! Feel free to write on the wall.

I am also on Twitter & Delicious (see links to right).

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Fine Motor Skills Webpage

by Karen on November 11, 2009

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I have added several more activities to the Fine Motor Skills page. Two examples are posted below, but see the webpage for more.

Dot to Dot

I printed out the Geoboard Dot Paper from the Math Their Way website for this activity (I used the size on the second page). I added Pip Squeak markers, which are great for young children because they are short. Children draw lines with the markers to connect the dots on the paper.

Paper Clips

The children in my class are always wanting to use paper clips because they see me use them, so I set up this activity in the fine motor center. I cut squares of colored construction paper and placed them on the tray along with colored paper clips. Children stack the papers (all of the same color) and clip them with the matching colored paper clip. This was challenging for some children to manipulate the paper clip, but they loved doing it, and it gave them an opportunity to use paper clips with permission.

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Fall Fine Motor Fun #5

October 30, 2009

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Sand art is a good fine motor activity because children can pinch the sand with their fingers to apply it to their art work. Provide a leaf outline (or have the children draw one), a small bowl of white [...]

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Fall Fine Motor Fun #4

October 23, 2009

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One of my readers sent me this great idea for Fall fine motor skills & I liked it so much, I asked her if I could post it here.
This idea comes from Martha Berry. Thanks for sharing this, Martha!
“I [...]

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Fall Fine Motor Fun #3

October 22, 2009

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When you’re done using your pumpkins for displays in the classroom or other activities, cut them open & let the kids pick out the seeds using tweezers.

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Fall Fine Motor Fun #2

October 14, 2009

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Toothpick Punch
To do this activity, cut squares of construction paper (I cut mine 6×6 inches). Draw a simple pumpkin or leaf shape with a Sharpie.
I placed a stack of these papers in the fine motor center, along with toothpicks [...]

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Fall Fine Motor Fun #1

October 12, 2009

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I’m planning to add several Fall-themed activities that emphasize fine motor skills in my classroom. Here is the first.
To do this activity, draw a pumpkin or leaf shape on a plain white paper towel using a permanent black marker, [...]

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Getting Ready for October

September 28, 2009

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~ Here are some of my favorite links for Halloween ~
Thematic Units:
http://www.pre-kpages.com/halloween.html
http://www.thevirtualvine.com/halloween.html
http://www.kinderthemes.com/halloween2.html
http://www.littlegiraffes.com/october.html
http://www.teachingheart.net/halloweenindex.html
http://www.preschoolbystormie.com/ohalloween.html
http://www.kinderteacher.com/HalloweenArt.htm
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/halloween/
http://www.prekinders.com/halloween.htm
Printables:
http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/HalloweenPrintables.htm
http://www.prekfun.com/G-M/Halloween/Halloween_Printables.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jojoebi/sets/72157608090688912/
http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/assets/PDF/Life_Cycle_of_a_Pumpkin.pdf
http://play2learnprintables.com/halloween.htm
Music:
http://www.supersimplesongs.com/halloween/songs.html
(These are YouTube videos I plan to play on the computer projector.)
Rhymes:
http://www.teachersandfamilies.com/nursery/muffet.html
http://www.teachersandfamilies.com/nursery/spider.html
(Both of these have sound – turn up the volume!)
Center Activities:
Draw on a Pumpkin
For Kids:
http://www.meddybemps.com/halloweenpage.html
Lots of Links:
http://www.sabine.k12.la.us/zes/halloween/default.htm
If [...]

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Gummy Bear Song

September 18, 2009

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Here is a printable you can use for Dr. Jean’s Gummy Bear Song. My class loves this song. I printed these on cardstock, laminated them, and cut them out. We place the bears in a pocket chart & the [...]

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Grandparents Day

September 8, 2009

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Here’s a little something for Grandparents Day: a printable Happy Grandparents Day card.
I tend to like projects that are simple & something the children can do entirely on their own. I don’t like to micromanage the children’s artwork. I [...]

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