Each group in class got to create a unique dinosaur using various landforms. Each dinosaur came out with their own look, even though everyone used similar landforms. Here are the dinosaurs that were created in class.
Extension Activities:
Extension Activity #1: Children could create their own landform dinosaur using actually pictures of landforms. Various pictures of landforms would be laminated and displayed in the classroom. Children could tape the pictures onto themselves and actually be the dinosaur. For instance, children could tape a picture of rivers on their toes and feet, and tape an actual picture of a volcano onto their backs. They could then describe what landforms they chose and talk about their dinosaur, while having fun and being silly!
Extension Activity #2: Big Book Read Aloud: During this time, the teacher could read the book Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp, by Carol Diggory Shields. The teacher could read a big book that allows children to really see the illustrations of the dinosaurs. This could then be a gross motor activity where children stand up and do the motions that the dinosaurs do in the story.
Extension Activity #3: Measuring Life-sized Triceratops Print: During this activity, the teacher could put out a large, life size Triceratops print out on the floor, with pictures of Triceratops on the wall for children to see. Children's handprints could then be traced and put into the footprint to see how many preschool hands fills up one Triceratops foot. This could give children an idea of how large a dinosaur actually is! (Source: https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/simple-fun-dinosaur-footprint-activities/)
Extension Activity #4: Building Landforms with Sand: Children could create actual landforms in a sand table. Various landform cards with pictures could be put next to the sand table, and children could then try to create that shape with the sand. This would be a great way for children to learn through sensory experience. (Source: https://www.teachjunkie.com/sciences/landforms-for-kids-activities/)
Start each month by taking a good look around. Go for a walk and see what you can find (use all your senses!) that gives a clue to the season. Try it on several different days and see how your answers change.
Activity #2: Picture of the Month (pg. 241)
Choose one or two (or more!) things from your list to draw or photograph. I did a pumpkin in this picture because in the month of October I saw lots of pumpkins in various patches. This is also what makes me think of the month of October the most.
Activity #3: Drawing Leaves (pg. 244-245)
Leaves are fun to draw because they come in so many different shapes and sizes. There are two basic types: simple and compound. Simple and compound. Simple leaves have one blade (leaf) to a stem, while compound leaves have several blades (sometimes called leaflets) on a single stem. Within those groups, leaves have an amazing variety of patterns - see how many you can find!
Extension Activities:
Extension Activity #1: Nature Scavenger Hunt for October
This extension activity would allow children to brainstorm specific things they think they would find in October. The teacher can then document this and create a picture chart of those things that children can then seek out on a nature walk specific to that month.
Extension Activity #2: Roasting Pumpkin Seeds
This extension activity would allow children to take a possible field trip to a pumpkin patch, or use pumpkins in the classroom, to then carve out and take the seeds out. This would be a great way for children to get a sensory experience with the pumpkins. Children could then put their pumpkin seeds on a tray that the teacher could then put into the oven to roast as a snack. (Check for allergies).
Extension Activity #3: October Sensory Bin
This activity would allow children to get a sensory experience from the month of October, and it could even follow up from the scavenger hunt activity. Children can collect items from outside on their scavenger hunt that they can then collectively put into a sensory bin to play with. This sensory bin could have acorns in it, leaves with foliage on them, and various seeds. This would allow a piece of October to be in the room with the children. (Check for allergies).
Welcome to the teeny, tiny candy planet! This is a tiny planet (because I'm small), that has various different colors. The colors consist of pink, blue, purple, white, and red because I wanted something vibrant and fun. This planet's climate is all over the place because of the various colors. It is colder where it is blue and purple and white, and it is hot on the red spot. On my planet there are no creatures because the climate is too scattered and unpredictable, making survival nearly impossible. Because of this low survival rate, only sour patch kids can survive, and because the planet is so small, only two sour patch kids can live on it. I wanted it this way because I wanted a small, quiet planet that was also fun and silly. These sour patch kids do not talk, but merely stand on their small, colorful planet. None of this was planned, but rather thought out as I created it! :)
All about Bubbles! Bubble facts found below ...
Bubbles are made with 6 cups of water, 1 cup of soap, along with glycerin or corn syrup and baking powder.
The biggest bubble ever blown was 50 feet long and 2 feet in diameter. Record is from 1988 by David Stein of New York. The longest bubble from a bubble wand was 105 feet long in 1996!
Bubbles originated in London from a campaign for soup in 1866. The states began to sell bubble solution in the 1940's.
