Look at what I am writing

I have been having a hard time getting some of the boys and girls interested in writing during work time (free choice). I do not believe in the drill and kill because I want children to want to learn and have fun doing it, so I started taking pictures of the children that were working in the writing area during work time. I made a book with all the children’s pictures in it and what they had told me about their drawing or writing. I then placed that book up on the writing center cabinet. I could not believe that it could be that easy to get the others involved in writing. The morning I placed that book in the area I must of taken 30 pictures of children that had never been to that area before and they were having fun. I heard all morning long “Teacher look at what I am writing.” It is now the favorite area of the classroom. It keeps me busy refilling the area but it is well worth it. It is only November and all the children can write their names and other letters, numbers and sentences! I should of done this years ago.

Alex said, "look I can write the alphabet."

Adran said, "look at all my numbers."

The Things Preschoolers Will Say

While jumping up and down today after smashing my finger. I had one of my students come up to me to see if I was OK. Oh I thought how sweet. Once she saw that I was alright she looked at me with the most serious face and said “You really want to use that “S” word right now don’t you.” So I’m standing there thinking wow this little girl in my class knows the “S” word, I will look at this on the positive side and say “Wow Lilly Letter Lady is doing a great job in teaching the children their letters and letter sounds.” The positive side of using puppets to be repeative.

Turkey Color Bingo

Place a supply of construction paper feathers in a variety of colors on the center of table. Give each child a turkey body. Turn over a color feather card and have the children identify the color. Once they have identified the color have each child find that color from the supply of feather. Once they have found that color have them place it around the turkey. Keep play until the turkey is full of feathers.

You can find this game and more hands on learning activities in the lesson Turkey Time Math, Literacy and Art Fun.

Teachers Pay Teachers

Turkey Feather Patterning

Have children create different kinds of color patters with the feathers around the turkey. Keep challenging the children with harder types of patterns. (AB, AABB, ABBA, and ABC)