Making Choices
Animal Charades
Instructions
- Place a box of animal crackers in front of a child (animals are often lion, tiger, bear, elephant, etc.)
- Let child select two crackers without letting anyone else see the crackers
- Child secretly selects one of the animals to act out and places under a napkin while putting the other cracker back into the box
- Child will act out the animal (charades) and other participants will try to guess the animal
- After the animal has been correctly identified, remove cracker from under napkin to verify identity
- Continue with other players or let child play 4 or 5 times
- After playing, enjoy an animal cracker snack together
Simplify
Instead of using animal crackers, whisper the names of two animals in a child's ear. Let him choose one animal to act out for charades.
Extend
Making wise choices is a life long piece of being happy and succesful. Remember, to give a child choices in small ways to build up to making hard choices later on....Playing games can be an easy way to begin by just giving child two choices of games - Would you like to play Charades or play a game of Candyland? Would you like to play a game before dinner or after dinner? You may choose two people to play the game with you, etc.
Materials
- bowl of animal crackers
- napkin
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Curriculum Plan Resources
Skills Focus
- Shape - Review
- Color - Indigo
- Number - Ten, 10
- Alphabet Letters - K,X,Z
- Senses - Review
- Character Trait - Curiosity
- Target Words - If, When, Sad, Soon
Monthly Proverb
American- Don’t use a lot when a little will do
Did You Know?
"Handwriting is an integral part of every child's school experience. 30% to 60% of the elementary school child's class time is spent in fine motor/writing activities, with writing as the predominant task." Early Childhood Research & Practice
Books to Read
"Dr. Seuss’s ABC"
by Dr. Seuss (Activity 5 and 25) (audio book available)
"Are You My Mother?"
by P.D. Eastman (Activity 13 & 25)
"Curious George"
by H.A. Ray and Margret Rey (Activity 12 & 25)
Music Playlist
"Roy G Biv"
by Mar. Harman, Album: Music Makes It Memorable (Activity 18)
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
by Israell Kamakawiwo'ole, Album: Facing Future (Activity 18)
"Stand By Me"
by Ben E. King, Album: "Stand By Me" (Soundtrack) Activity 14 and 19
Monthly Materials List
Click Here to view the list!
Fingerplay / Poems / Songs
Ten In a Bed
(Activity 7 and 26)
There were ten in a bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." So they all rolled over and one fell out. There were nine in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over, roll over." So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were eight in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were seven in the bed in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were six in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were five in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were four in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were three in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There were two in the bed and the little one said,
“Roll over, roll over.”
So they all rolled over and one fell out.
There was one in the bed and the little one said, "Good night!"
(Each time "roll over" is said, rolling motion is dramatized with arms)