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Updated July 20, 2006 All Rights Reserved, No reprints

without prior permission. http://www.flschoolsupply.com

Songs, Poems and Fingerplays

We Like to Go to School We like to go to school We like to go to school School is such a happy place We like to go to school!

I like school

I like school Can't live without it, I want to tell you all about it. The rhyme and the rhythm of the word, Is exciting to be heard, Words are fun to figure out. Then you know what reading's about. The sounds of the language in your ear, Will make you shout and cheer. I LIKE SCHOOL! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!

I Like To Go To School

(sung to the tune of "Farmer in the Dell") I like to go to school. I like to go to school. High-ho-the-derry-oh, I like to go to school. I like to sing new songs. I like to sing new songs. High-ho-the-derry-oh, I like to sing new songs. I like to play with friends. I like to play with friends. High-ho-the-derry-oh, I like to play with friends.

Hurray Day Today is the day! Hurray! Hurray! It's the first day of school And I'm on my way! Everything's different Nothing's the same Because I'm going to learn To write my name!

First Day of School

I wonder if my drawing will be as good as theirs I wonder if they'll like me or just be full of stares

Color Chant

Orange is an orange. Yellow is the sun. Brown is the bear and Purple is the plum.

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I wonder if my teacher will look like Mom or Gram I wonder if my puppy will wonder where I am!

Red is an apple. Green is a tree. Black is witch's hat. I can read! Listen to me.

ABC Chant

A B C D E School is where I want to be. F G H I J Learning to read and write each day. K L M N O Boys and girls I want to know. P Q R S T Sharing books with you and me. U V W X Y Now it's time to say goodbye. Z Z Z Z Z School is where I want to be.

Hallway Poem My hands are hanging by my side I'm standing straight and tall My eyes are looking straight ahead I'm ready for the hall. We raise our hands to speak. We work quietly at our seats. We use voices soft and sweet. We keeps our places tidy and neat. We are helpful, friendly, and fair. We take turns and willingly share

Books I like books I really do -- Books with stories And pictures, too. Books of birds And things that grow Books of people We should know. Books of animals And places, too, I like books

Important Rule (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle)

Here are some rules for you and me, See how important they can be. Always be honest, be kind and fair, Always be good and willing to share. These are rules we all should know, We follow these rules wherever we go.

Friendship's Rule Our teacher says there is a rule We should remember while at school, At home, at play, whate'er we do, And that's the rule of friendship true. If you would have friends, you must do To them the kindly things that you Would like to have them do and say To you while at your work and play. And that's the rule of friendship true; It works in all we say and do. It pays to be a friend polite, For friendship's rule is always right.

Success

I tried to teach my child from books, He gave me only puzzled looks, I tried to teach my child with words, They passed by him often unheard, Despairingly, I turned aside, How shall I teach this child I cried, Into my hand he put the key, Come he said and play with me!!

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M. Lucille Ford

There's Nothing In My Bag Today

Today I did my math and science, I toasted bread. I halved and quartered. I counted, measured, used my eyes, and ears and head. I added and subtracted on the way, I used a magnet, blocks, and memory tray. I learnt about a rainbow and how to weigh. So please don't say, anything in your bag today? You see I'm sharing as I play. I learned to listen and speak clearly when I talk, to wait my turn, and when inside to walk. To put my thoughts into a phrase, to guide a crayon through a maze. To find my name and write it down, to do it with a smile and not a frown. To put my pasting brush away, So please don't say, what, nothing in your bag today? I've learnt about a snail and a worm, remembering how to take my turn. Helped a friend when he was stuck, learnt that water runs off a duck. I looked at words from left to right, agreed to differ, not to fight. So please don't say, did you only play today?

A Teacher's Prayer for Snow by John Hillen

One night as I lay almost sleeping I heard a voice, and swiftly peeping I saw my wife devoutly praying. This is the prayer I heard her saying: Oh Lord, let it snow. Let it drift and let it blow. In the morning, no real fuss, Just enough to stop the bus. Enough to make the county say: "There will be no school today." Let the radio report: "Snow's deep!" And I'll roll over for more sleep. Then later on, say maybe ten, I'll turn the radio on again. Just in time to hear them say: "It's strange, the snow has gone away." And then I'll know, You made it stop. So I can go to the mall and shop. Please Lord, just hear my teacher's plea, And make it snow for the kids and me.

Top Ten Reasons To Become A Preschool

1. Cute little children, cute little paycheck. 2. Confidence that you will never, ever forget how to count to ten. 3. Attention Span ... do they have one? 4. Shoes that untie themselves. 5. Get to sing your favorite songs over, and over, and over. 6. With all this bending over, who needs aerobics? 7. Play, play, play. 8. Classroom art proudly displayed in kitchen galleries. 9. Small hands ... LARGE CRAYONS.

Make New Friends Make new friends But keep the old One is silver And the other gold. New made friends Like new made wine Age will mellow And refine

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10. You alone make little ones count.

"Welcome In" (Tune of "Twinkle Twinkle") "Welcome, welcome, welcome in. Welcome back to school, my friends. Welcome back to school today! We are here to sing and play."

Your School (Tune of “Father Abraham”) Insert the name of your school. Celebration School has many friends. Many friends have Celebration School. I am one of them and so are you. So let's just shout hurray! Right Arm, Left Arm, nod you head, turn around, sit down, etc. (Add as many motions as you wish.)

My Kissing Hand

Each day when I come to school I tell someone good-bye; (wave) I get a kiss (blow kiss) or a nice warm hug (hug yourself) and I don't want to cry (rub eyes)

I don't need to feel worried or sad to see them go (sad face) because there is a special thing that only I can know (point to self)

I have a kiss that I can keep and use when I feel sad, because I've got a "kissing hand" (kiss palm of hand) that always makes me glad!

Friends I like you , I like you Yes , I do , Yes , I do Friends are for sharing Friends are for caring I like you , I like you!

The Good Morning Song

I sing "good morning" to the sun, (make a sun over your head w/ your hands) "good morning" to the trees, (point to a tree outside) "good morning" to my school (point downward), and to the world (open arms). "Good morning" to my teacher, (kids wave at you) "Good morning" to my friends, (they wave to each other) "Good morning" to the people I love most. (give themselves a hug) I sing "good morning, good morning" (wave continuously) to everything in sight,

We are Going Home (Tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) We are going home right now, home right now, home right now. We are going home right now, but we'll be back tomorrow.

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And now that I'm finished.... it's time to say "good night." (pretend to sleep)

Bring Your Smile to Preschool

Bring your smiles everyone. Hope on down for some preschool fun. Singing, dancing, playing too; lots of fun for me and you. Running and jumping in the sun, exercise is so much fun. Bring your smiles everyone, hop on down for some preschool fun.

The Name Song (Tune of “Where is Thumbkin”)

(Where is Thumkin tune)

where is ___name____ where is ____name____ there he/she is there he/she is how are you today sir very well I thank you sit right down , sit right down.

Off To School (Tune of “Mary Had A Little Lamb”)

Now we're going off to school,

Off to school, off to school.

Now we're going off to school,

To sing and dance and play.

Happy Day (Tune of “Sung to Merrily We Go Along”)

We have had a happy day

Happy day, happy day.

We have had a happy day,

See you all tomorrow.

A Circle of Friends

We've joined together as classmates as the new year begins... A year full of learning while we become friends. We'll share and be kind as we work and play. And our friendship will grow with each passing day.

The First Day of School

I wonder if my drawing will be as good as theirs I wonder if they'll like me, or just be full of stares I wonder if my teacher will look like mom or gram And I wonder if my puppy will wonder where I am.

Backpack

On my back a pack I carry In it, all my treasures. It's what I need So I can be One class higher!

Crayons, ruler, scissors too, And yes a little Elmer's glue

Welcome to School Welcome to school! May this school year bring You happiness galore, And may you enjoy it- Right to the core!

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Paper, pencils, in my bag… Wonder what made mom so sad?

Trapper keeper, nice and neat Will it really stay this clean?

On my back a pack I carry In it, all my treasures!

Today I'll be Just watch and see One class higher!

Welcome Welcome children, I'm glad you're here. We're all going to have a wonderful year! We'll draw and we'll write, We'll sing and we'll play, We'll paint and we'll build, And learn new things each day!

The leaves are falling One by one. Summer's over School's begun.

Back To School

Today I hurry off to school, To work and learn and play. I'm in a brand new grade this year. What a happy day!

Here We Are Together (Tune of "Did you Ever See a Lassie")

Here we are together, Together, together, Here we are together, Back at school again There's ____ , and ____, ____, and ____, Here we are together, Back at school again.

I am (Tune of “Frere Jacques”)

I am (name), I am (name), That's my name, That's my name, I am glad to be here, I am glad to be here, At school today,

Where is... (Tune of “Frere Jacques”)

Where is (name), Where is (name), Here I am, here I am, How are you today (name)? Very well thank-you. Yes indeed, yes indeed.

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At school today.

Our Class (Tune of "B-I-N-G-O")

There was a class that had a girl/boy, And ____ was her/his name-o, Jump, jump ____ (child's name), Jump, jump, ____ (child's name), Jump, jump, ____ (child's name), We're glad you're here today.

I am Somebody

I am somebody. The me I see is the me I'll be. I can be respectful, responsible and resourceful. I can succeed.

I am wonderful. I am good at learning. And I like to learn.

A Magic Pencil Grab hold of a magic pencil Open your eyes and mind For now begins a journey Of the most exciting kind. A journey into learning A step…a start…a glow, And I will be there with you To help and watch you grow.

The First Day

I gave you a little wink and smile As you entered my room today. For I know how hard it is to leave And know your child must stay. You've been with her for four years now And have been a loving guide, But now, alas, the time has come To leave her at my side. Just know that as you drive away And tears down your cheeks may flow I'll love her as I would my own And help her learn and grow. For as a parent, I too know How quickly the years do pass And that I, too have had my turn To take my child to class. So please put your mind at ease And cry those tears no more For I will love her and take her in

Who Feels Happy At School Today?...

Who feels happy at school today? All who do clap your hands this way. Who feels happy at school today? All who do wink your eyes this way. Who feels happy at school today? All who do jump in the air this way.

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When you leave her at my door.

Manners... We say, "Thank you." We say, "Please." We don't interrupt or tease. We don't argue. We don't fuss. We listen when folks talk to us. We share our toys and take our turn. Good manners aren't too hard to learn. It's really easy, when you find. Good manners mean JUST BEING KIND!

Kindness Pledge... Today I pledge to be kind, to use the nicest words I can find.

Today I pledge to try to share, to wait my turn and to be fair.

Name Song

Higgelty, wiggelty, bumblebee who can say their name for me? (child says name) let's all say it (name) Let's clap and say it (name) Let's whisper it (name)

First Day of School Sung to: "I'm a little teapot" Good morning, _____ how are you? This is the very first day of school. I'm so glad to meet you, others will be too, just come in the classroom, there's lots of things to do.

Brand New Year Sung to: "London Bridge" It's time to start a brand new year, Brand new year, brand new year, It's time to start a brand new year, Welcome new friends. We'll learn lots of brand new things, Brand new things, brand new things, We'll learn lots of brand new things Let's get started now.

What is your Name Sung to: "Frere Jacques" What is your name? What is your name? Tell us please, tell us please, We would like to meet you, we would like to meet you, What's your name? What's your name?

Off to school we go Sung to: "A-hunting we will go" Off to school we go, It's off to school we go, We'll take our lunch and ride the bus, With everyone we know. Off to school we go, It's off to school we go,

Happy Faces Sung to: "Jingle bells" Smiling faces, happy faces, giggling all around oh, what fun we'll have this way in a happy class today. He-he-he, he-he-he-

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We learn our ABC's and more, With everyone we know.

Ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha, In a happy class today!

ABC School Chant Sung to: " Marines marching cadence"

A B C D E School is where I want to be. F G H I J Learning to read and write each day. K L M N O Boys and girls I want to know. P Q R S T Sharing books with you and me. U V W X Y Now it's time to say goodbye. Z Z Z Z Z School is where I want to be.

I Like to... Sung to: "London Bridge is Falling Down"

I like to paint and build with blocks, Build wit blocks, build with blocks, I like to paint and build with blocks, At my school. I like to sing and model clay, Model clay, model clay, I like to sing and model clay, At my school. I like to ride the trikes and swing, Trikes and swing, trikes and swing, I like to ride the trikes and swing, At my school.

I Want To Say Hello (Tune of "I'm A Little Teapot") I am your new teacher, Ms. (name) I want to say hello to you We will learn our letters and numbers too We'll have fun and learn lots too

Hi There! (Tune of "Shoo, Fly") Hi there, so glad you came Hi there, so glad you came Hi there, so glad you came 1-2-3 let's shout "hurray!" Hurray (spoken) Hi there, so glad you're here Hi there, so glad you're here Hi there, so glad you're here 1-2-3 let's give a cheer! Yea! (spoken)

School's the Place to Be! (Tune of "Sing a Song of Sixpence") Sing a song of gladness; Another year's begun! We'll be busy learning Till the year is done. Sing a song of good times,

Bring Your Smile to Preschool

Bring your smiles everyone. Hope on down for some preschool fun. Singing, dancing, playing too; lots of fun for me and you. Running and jumping in the sun, exercise is so much fun. Bring your smiles everyone, hop on down for some

For all my friends and me! New discoveries every day. Yes, school's the place to be!

preschool fun.

W-E-L-C-O-M-E

W hen you E nter this L ittle room, C onsider yourself O ne of M any special people who E njoy learning, laughing and playing together.

Arts and Crafts Name Recognition Help your child learn to recognize their name in print by printing it on a large piece of paper. Do another one the same size, this time cut out each individual letter. Let the child spell out their name trying to match the letters in the correct order with the printed name.

School Bus Wall Decoration Cut out a large bus shape from posterboard. Let the children fingerpaint the bus yellow. Once dry, map off bus windows with a black marker and draw a face for the driver on the bus. Take pictures of each child and glue them onto a bus window. Label the board: All Aboard the "Daycare Name" Express!

Back to School Mobile Tie a piece of yarn around various school supplies and hang from a small plastic clothes hanger. Looks really cute. If you use crayons try using the larger ones because they really stand out nicely! Welcome Wreath Put toilet paper rolls, paint brushes and paint on the table. When each child comes to the table invite him/her to paint the roll. When they are all dry, string the rolls together and tie to make a wreath. Stepping Into Preschool Mural Place a large sheet of bulletin board paper on the floor. Have the children take off their shoes and paint the bottoms of their feet. Let them walk across the paper. Label their feet with their names and title the top of the paper, “Stepping into Preschool”. Looks cute hanging on the wall that first week of school. Parents love to see it!! The Future’s So Bright Provide each child with a large white sun shape. Invite them to balloon paint it with yellow and orange paint. Balloon painting is gorgeous! After they dry, cut out the sun shape and glue a picture of the child 11

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in the center of the sun. Then mount the sun onto a blue piece of construction paper and laminate! It is such an adorable craft and one that the parents will treasure! Magic Names To help begin name recognition with your class, here is a great back to school activity. Before the children arrive to class write each of their names on a piece of white cardstock paper, using a white crayon. Be sure to press down firmly with the crayon. When it is time to do the activity, have the children watercolor paint the white paper. They will be surprised when they see their names “magically” appear on the paper!! Schoolhouse Art Have a blank schoolhouse template ready for each child. Encourage them to decorate it by adding doors, windows, trees, playground equipment, kids, etc. It’s fun to see each different interpretation of what school should look like! Self Portraits Provide each child with a child cutout and ask them to decorate it with their favorite things. Be sure to provide them with plenty of items to use in their decorating---various stickers, kids magazines, crayons, lace, ribbon, buttons, sandpaper, etc. When everyone is finished, sit in your circle time area and let everyone talk about their pictures. It’s a great way to get to know your class! Snack Mats Give each child a large piece of construction paper and let them decorate it with various art supplies (glitter, stickers, crayons, markers, etc.) Add their name to the top of the paper and once it has completely dried, laminate them. The children can then use their placemats during snack time! Family Trees The first week of school send home a blank tree pattern with a note to the parents asking them to help their child create a family tree. It should be stressed that this is a family project. It’s a great way to get the families involved in their child’s education. Allow them to be as creative or simple as they like. Encourage them to include pictures of family members because children love to see their family especially the ones that are missing them during the day! Circle of Friends Before the year begins, send a welcome letter to each child in your class welcoming them and telling them how excited you are for the year to begin. In your letter, also enclose a tagboard cutout of a child. Ask them to decorate it and bring it to school on the first day. When the children bring them in, place them on the wall and make a “Circle of Friends.” Tote Bags Here is a cute idea suggested to me by another teacher. I did them last year and it was one of the best ideas! It’s a great way to make sure papers make it home and to keep a child’s belongings organized! Provide each child with a canvas tote bag that they will be able to use all year. You can pick them up at Oriental Trading for less than a dollar each. Using fabric paint, write the child’s name on the bag. Allow them to decorate the tote bags with items of their choice. I would have a supply of buttons, sequins,

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lace, shaped sponges or cookie cutters, fabric paint, etc. They are adorable and I rarely had a student who would forget to bring their bag to school. Fabric Art This is such a neat project. I have done this in the past and it is just stunning! For each child you will need a piece of plain white fabric measuring approximately 12” X16”. Use a small dowel rod and use fabric glue to secure the fabric lightly around the dowel rod. At each end of the rod you will also want to glue on a length of ribbon that will be long enough to hang from the wall. Before the children arrive you will also want to precut several shapes from contact paper. You might try using apples, crayon or pencil shapes, trees, leaves, basic shapes, etc. My personal favorite are apples! Have the children press the contact paper on the fabric in whatever pattern they desire. When they are finished, place a few sheets of newspaper under the fabric. Next, fill a few small spray bottles with fabric dye (I think Rit dye is the one at Walmart.) Allow the children to lightly spray around the area where the contact paper shapes are and use a few colors if desired. Blot the fabric gently so any excess dye won’t run off of the contact paper. Allow to dry and remove the contact paper. The designs will show through the because the shapes will still be white! Hope this one makes sense! Quite a bit of pre-planning but totally worth it!! First Week Name Tags A great way to remember the names of the children and for them to start the year with a fun craft, try this activity. Provide each child with a shape cut from cardstock. You could use apples, crayons, etc. Write their name in the center of the shape with a marker and punch two holes in it. Then let the children take over from there. They can further decorate their name tag and when finished they can string it onto a piece of yarn. They can add colored macaroni or beads. You can also use this for field trips!! Blossoming Friendships Since the beginning of the year brings about many new friendships, it’s a great time to make flowers. You can trace a child’s hand on construction paper and cut it out. Roll the hand and tape sides together, leaving enough of a hole to place either a straw or a pipe cleaner through the end to resemble a lily! I think these are adorable! I like to make one for each child in the class, place them in a vase and make a sign that reads “Friendships bloom in preschool.” Through the Year Shirts Here is a cute project that will be a wonderful keepsake for the parents. At the beginning of the year, each child will bring in a slightly larger white t-shirt. Begin by writing their names on the shirt and the date. Then paint it with handprints and apples. Do this again towards the end of the year using handprints again and summer items, such a suns, flowers, watermelons, etc. On the back of the shirt, make a growth chart to record how the child has changed during the year. I also like to put a footprint and a handprint on the back. These turn out really cute!! Family Banners Even in Pre-K some children have a hard time separating from their parents (my child is one of them!!). To help make the transition a bit easier, try this activity. Prior to school starting, send a welcome letter to the child/family along with a long sheet of construction paper. I would send each family a different color of paper. Ask them to trace each family members hand in a row on the paper. Inside the

handprint, write their names in pencil. Bring them to school on the first day. Your job is the cut around the handprints to make a handprint chain. Hang all of the handprints of the children and their families together to make a long chain. You may want to write the names of the children in a black marker so they stand out and the child can locate their family easily! This helps the child feel as if part of their family is always with them!!

Book List

Manners by Aliki. Say Please by Virginia Austin Perfect Pigs: An Intro. To Manners by Marc Brown and Stephen Krensky What Do You Say, Dear? by Sesyle Joslin Monster Manners by Bethany Roberts School Bus by Donald Crews Annabelle Swift, Kindergartener by Audrey Penn Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten by Joseph Slate Will I Have A Friend? by Miriam Cohen Never Spit On Your Shoes by Denys Cazet Miss Nelson Is Missing by Harry Allard and James Marshall Get Out Of Bed! by Robert Munsch Miss Malarkey Doesn't Live In Room 10 by Judy Finchler What Mary Jo Shared by Janice May Udry I Like School by Michael Mantean Shawn Goes to School by Petronella Breinburg Everybody has a Name by Richard Browner Billy's Treasure by Dorothea J. Snow The First Day of School By PK Hallihan Going to Daycare by Mister Rogers The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg Amelia Bedelia Goes Back to School by Herman Parish Berenstain Bears Go Back to School by Stan and Jan Berenstain My Teacher Sleeps in School by Leatie Weiss A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech Back to School, Mallory by Laurie Friedman Back to School with Betsy by Carolyn Haywood Arthur’s Back to School Surprise by Marc Brown Arthur’s Back to School Day by Lillian Hoban Back to School for Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos First Day Horray by Nancy Poydar

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Pinky Dinky Doo: Back to School is Cool by Jim Jinkins Going to School by Anne Civardi Friends at School by Rochelle Bunnett Arthur’s Teacher Trouble by Marc Brown The Awful Aardvarks Go to School by Reeve Lindbergh Bad Boris Goes to School by Susie Jenkin-Pearce Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault Clifford’s First Day of School by Norman Bridwell Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes Curious George Goes to School by Margaret Rey David Goes to School by David Shannon Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London It’s Hard to Share My Teacher by Joan Singleton Prestine Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes Mary Wore Her Red Dress by Merle Peek Miss Malarkey Doesn’t Live in Room 10 by Kevin O’Malley Morris Goes to School by Bernard Wiseman Never Spit on Your Shoes by Denys Cazet Sparky and Eddie: First Day of School by Tony Johnston Teacher From the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler Time for School, Nathan by Lulu Delacre What I Did on My Summer Vacation by Marc Teague The Wheels on the Bus by Raffi

Kids in the Kitchen

School Bus Snack Cookie Spread a graham cracker with yellow lemon frosting, then add mini oreo cookies for wheels. If desired, use dark brown gel to add details. School Bus Snack This is a super cute snack and the kids love it!! Each child will need a twinkie snack cake. You will also need yellow frosting and 1 bag of gummy lifesavers. Cut out a small rectangle from one end of the Twinkies to make it look like the hood and windshield and so it is shaped like a bus. Spread yellow

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frosting on the Twinkies and add Gummy Lifesavers for the wheels. Now it looks like a bus! Serve with milk and fresh fruit.

Getting to Know You Pudding Take a large coffee can, clean and decorate. Chill the can. Add the ingredients for Instant pudding and seal lid with tape. Have the children sit in a circle. Have them take turns saying their names as they roll the can across the circle to another student. After a few rounds, have the children call the name they are rolling to. In no time you have a yummy snack to share or for finger liking good fun, let the children finger paint with the pudding on a clean table and then take prints of their masterpieces.

Friendship Mix What better way to get to know your new friends at school than with a tasty snack?!? Set out a sign up sheet and ask each child to bring in one item to include in the mix. Some of the items you might include are peanuts (check for allergies), raisins, M&M’s, pretzels, goldfish, teddy grahams, etc. Have each child pour in their ingredient and gently stir to mix. Scoop the mix into individual bags and enjoy!!

Graham Cracker School House Make your own school house! Spread peanut butter on graham crackers and apply to sides of small milk carton. Decorate the houses with mini marshmallows, red hots, raisins, etc.

Rice Cake Faces Using a rice (or popcorn) cake as your base, create a silly face. Use peanut butter or cream cheese as the "glue" to stick a variety of toppings on to create a face. It works best if you spread the "glue" over the whole surface then apply the toppings. Some ideas are: Eyes- M&M's, raisins Nose- Cherries Hair- cheese (sliced or grated) Ears- small pretzels Mouth- licorice pieces

Fruit Salad

Ask each child to bring in a prepared fruit. Mix together bananas, oranges, strawberries, grapes, apples, peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc. It’s a tasty and nutritious snack the kids will enjoy! You can also top with yogurt if you like!

Back to School Toast

Cut a slice of bread with an apple shaped cookie cutter. Toast the bread and spread with apple butter!

Sign Language

School Books Study

Teach Write Learn

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Read English Math

History New Clothes

Spanish

School escuelaFriend amigoTeach eseñarLearn aprenderBook libroAlphabet alfabetoPlay jugarTeacher profesorDesk pupitrePencil lápizCrayon lápiz de ceraPaint pintarMusic músicaFun diversiónBus busLove amorOne unoTwo dosThree tres Four cuatroFive cinco

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Six seisSeven sieteEight ocho Nine nueveTen diez Eleven once Twelve doceThirteen treceFourteen catorceFifteen quinceSixteen dieciséisSeventeen diecisieteEighteen dieciochoNineteen diecinueveTwenty veinteRed rojo Blue azul Yellow Amarillo White blanco Black negro Brown Marrón Purple morado Pink rosa Orange naranja

Misc. Odds and Ends Ideas for Getting Your Children’s Attention Lights ~~ Children are often trained to be quiet when the lights go off. When you need to get the attention of the class a good idea is to flash or dim the lights.

Call them by their names ~~Children have more respect when you talk directly to them not at them. Using their names shows that you care about them individually.

Clap Your Hands ~~Clap your hands in a pattern and you will capture the attention of your class. It works everytime and before you know it, you’ll have your class clapping with you!!

Whistle ~~This is not for me at all as I tend to jump out of my skin when I hear it. However, I know many teachers that use a whistle and their classes always line up nicely when they hear the loud, piercing noise!!

Whisper ~~ Another trick to try is whispering. Say something along the lines of, “If you hear me, raise your hand.” For those that are listening they will raise their hand. The ones that were a bit chatty will wonder what they have missed out on! Test Taking First Aid Kit For later in the year when you are doing assessments or if you are in kindergarten you will be administering tests, this is a little something you can do for your class!

1 pack of Smarties Candies - to boost your test taking brain power 1 pencil -- to help you record the knowledge you have learned 1 sticker -- to help you stick with the task at hand 1 eraser -- to use when you check over your work 1 Hershey's Hug -- for all the hard work you put into the test 1 highlighter -- to highlight all your success 1 pencil grip -- to get a grip on the task at hand FOR BEST RESULTS, COMBINE WITH: 1 night of restful sleep 1 nutritious breakfast 1 positive attitude POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: Improved Test-taking Skills Good Grades

First Day Care Package for Students This is something that I make and hand out to my children during our before school get together. I am not opposed to bribery and when I give them a little something before school even begins, it seems to make the first day of school a bit easier!

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Dear _______________

You are a star in my class (Starburst) It's ok to make mistakes… that’s how we learn (Eraser) I’m nuts about you (Peanut in shell) You are going to learn so much this year (Smarties) Everyone needs a hug-let me know if you need one (Hersey’s hug) I am so happy to have you in class! Love,

Mystery Boxes Mystery Boxes are a great way to keep children busy when there is idle time between activities. All teachers always have a few children who finish their work right away while others are a bit slower! Gather a supply of empty baby wipe containers. Fill each box with a different set of supplies. Some items you could place in the boxes include: Dominoes, Lacing cards, Toy cars, Crayons, glue and craft sticks, Assortment of pom poms, mini puzzle, magnets, etc. Good Behavior Here is a list that I was given years ago by a fellow teacher. I thought it might be helpful!

A List of Ways to Encourage Good Behavior These are mostly suited for the younger students but can be adapted for older classes.

• Classroom Rules

Work with students to come up with a set of classroom rules and consequences.

• Color Cards

Have a pocket chart with all students names on it. Beside each name have a pocket where either a red, yellow, or green card will be display. Red=some sort of consequence decided and explained earlier. Yellow=Warning Green=You're doing great.

• Punch Out Card

Each child receives a pad of paper. Whenever they are performing well, helping out, etc.., give them a punch with a one hole hole puncher. When students reach a certain number of punches, they can pick from a box of prizes.

• Class Points

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Display a tally system of points on the blackboard. Every time students are performing well, give them a point. When the class earns a certain number of points by the end of the week, they get to do a class fun activity at the end of the week.

• Marble jar

If the class is doing well add a marble to the marble jar. When the jar is filled, they get to do a class fun activity. Count the marbles regularly as a regular math activity.

• Positive Popsicle Sticks

Write out positive comments on popscicle sticks like "great helper", "super effort", etc., and hand them out accordingly. When each student recieve a certain number of popsicle sticks they can get a reward.

• Good Behavior Chart

As a class, come up with a list of good behaviors. At the end of the day, go through each one and ask the class how each was demonstrated in the classroom during the day. Then, as a class thank the student who accomplished it.

Scavenger Hunt Get your students accustomed to your classroom with this simple treasure hunt. Ask them to find various objects that you will be using frequently. Items you may want to include on their hunt:

• The cubbie with their name on it. • Their seat at the table or desk. • Various Centers • Sink • Trash Can • American Flag • Bathroom • Crayons or Pencil Box • Pencil Sharpener • Lunch Boxes

Welcome Bags I love to make these each year! They are comforting for the children and the parents will almost always comment the next day that they were thrilled when the saw the bag and read the card because they knew that their child was in loving, caring hands. The parents tend to suffer from separation anxiety, not the children! Believe me, I know…I am one of those parents and my own children are just down the hall from my own classroom!! Hahaha!! To make a Welcome Bag, take a brown paper lunch bag and fill it with the following items and attach the card:

You are Special!

The cotton ball is to remind you that this room is full of kind words and warm feelings.

The chocolate kiss is to comfort you when you are feeling sad. The tissue is to remind you to help dry someone's tears.

The sticker is to remind you that we all stick together and help each other. The star is to remind you to shine and always try your best.

The gold thread is to remind you that friendship ties our hearts together. The rubber band is to remind you to hug someone.

The penny is to remind you that you are valuable and special. The toothpick is to remind you to "pick out" the good qualities in your

classmates. The bandage is to heal hurt feelings in your friends and in yourself.

The eraser is to remind you that we all make mistakes and that is O.K. The life saver is to remind you that you can come to me if you need someone

to talk to.

Classroom Management Tips

Class Lists and Phone Numbers A great way for the children and their parents to keep in touch with their classmates is to send home the class phone numbers. To make this list take their thumbprints and ask them what animal or bug they would like. You can create ants, caterpillars, butterflies, beavers, and spiders out of their thumbprints, list their phone number and title the page, "Thumb-Buddies". Changes of Clothes I highly recommend having each student bring in a change of clothes that they can leave at school. Even in Pre-K and Kindergarten accidents can happen and you don’t want the child to ever feel embarrassed. An easy way to store your change is to provide each child with a plastic shoe box. You can pick them up for less than a dollar. The children can decorate it and when they are finished, simply write their name on the box and place in their cubbies. If you don’t want to spend that kind of money, a Ziploc baggie works well too!!

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Daily Attendance For a quick way of checking roll which lets the children take responsibility for their environment, try this idea. Cut out a large school bus and have the children finger paint it the yellowish-orangish color. When it's dry, draw windows on the bus and place a picture of each child on the windows using Velcro. Underneath, have a place for the children to move their picture to form a line or inside a school house. When the kids come to school each day, have them move their picture from the bus to the line/schoolhouse. When they leave to go home, move their pictures back to the school bus! Unit/Theme Tub Storage Keep all of you thematic units organized and ready for use with storage tubs. You can pick up these clear tubs at any store for a few dollars. Store everything in it from lesson plans, books, puzzles, manipulatives, story props, etc. It’s a great and easy way to stay organized! Reproducible Storage What teacher doesn’t have pages and pages of reproducibles that you want to use year after year but seem to have a hard time keeping organized? Using traditional file folders seems to get messy and unorganized quickly. Try using three ring binders and organizing your papers according to themes. This will make it much easier to find the following year. Simply purchase a large 3-ring binder (I would suggest at least a 2-3 inch binder.) and divide the themes using tabbed dividers. Pocket Charts Pocket Charts are a great way to keep things organized in your classroom. Carson Dellosa makes great pocket charts that will help keep you organized. You can use them to keep track of daily activities, substitute information, work for your classroom aide, etc. Student Papers Whenever I used to put my student’s papers in their cubbies they always ended up on the floor and half of them didn’t make it home. This nifty solution solved that problem and it became the responsibility of the parents to get their child’s work. Purchase a large Rubbermaid file container and make a hanging file folder for each student in your class. As you have work ready to send home or important notes, simply place it in the child’s file. Be sure to put a note on the front that reads “Please check your child’s folder daily!” The picture below will give you a general idea of what to look for.

Stickers If you are like me and have a ton of stickers you will need to keep them organized. Use a three ring binder with page protectors to store and organize your stickers! Simply place a sheet of blank cardstock in to each page protector and write the type of sticker on the top of the page (ie. Stars, Christmas, happy faces, community helpers, etc.).

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Learning Centers Learning Centers are a great way for children to explore different activities and work independently. I love learning centers and I think all preschool classrooms should have them!! Here is a list of a few centers and some of the items you can put into the centers. To make your centers exciting for your class be sure to change the materials/items in them when you change themes.

Math Centers • Unifix Cubes • Sorting Boards and Containers • Sorting Items • Pattern Cards • Beads and Items for Lacing • Number Templates • Number Mobiles and Posters • Sand/Dot Number Cards • Magnetic Numbers • Graduated Puzzles • Graduated Spoons • Feely Box w/ Number Items • Tactile Numbers • Pictures for Sorting, Seriating • Hourglass • Timer

• Dominos • Number Books • Number Stickers • Colored Wooden Cubes • Scales • Number Puzzles • Number Pictures • Lock and Key Board • Number Stencils • Commercial and Teacher made Board

games • Counting Jars • Dice • Abacus • Rulers • Cash Register or Adding Machine

Writing Center • Markers - Variety of Sizes, Colors and

Tips • Pencils - Variety of Sizes and Colors • Pens • Crayons • Dauber Paints • Pencil Sharpener • Rulers • Paper Clips • Pads and Tablets • Assortment of Paper

• Overhead Projector • Envelopes • Desk • Masking Tape • Transparent Tape • Posters and Pictures of the Alphabet • Tactile Letters • Stencils - Theme Related • Salt Trays • Rubber Stamps and Ink Pads • Typewriter

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• Stapler • Hole Punch • Scissors - a Variety of Cutting Styles • Stamps and Stickers • Labels • Folders

• Chalk/Chalkboards • Alphabet Displays • Theme Related Blank Books and Book

Jackets for Preschoolers to Author and Illustrate

• Computer

Literacy and Listening Center • Books - Large Variety and Theme

Related • Tape Recorder/Player with Earphones • Class Made Books • Class Made Recorded Stories • Stuffed Animals • Environmental Print Pictures And

Posters • Alphabet Posters • Poetry and Rebus Posters

• Pillows • Comfy Chairs • Felt Board and Pieces • Puppets and Stage • Soft Reading Light • Make Believe Reading Glasses • Music --Background

Art Center • Paint Brushes - Variety of Sizes • Paint Rollers - Variety of Patterns • Eye Droppers for Painting • Feathers for Painting • Kitchen Utensils that Provide Unique

prints (Potato Masher) • Wall Paper • Contact paper • Pudding • Brightly Colored Glue • Spray Bottles Filled with Water Or

Paint • Dental Floss for String Painting • Variety of Paper in Colors, Textures And

Sizes • Marbles and Anything that Rolls For

Painting • Foil

• Tissue Paper • Sand, Sawdust, Dirt • Clear Shower Curtain • Bubble Wrap • Rolls of Brightly Colored Masking tape • Unusual Cake Pans or Molds For Marble

Painting • Tree Bark for Rubbings • Beads, Baubles, Jewels, etc. for Collage

items • Small Collectibles from Nature For

Collage Making • Lacing Yarns • Variety of Scissors • Markers • Crayon Melting Tray • Easel

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• Sandpaper • Acrylic Table or Trays

Science Center • Magnifying Glasses • Mirrors • Prisms • Magnets • Scale • Balance • Tweezers • Ruler • Tape Measure • Stopwatch • Egg Timer • Terrarium • Jars, Clear Containers • Binoculars/Monocular • Microscopes (Geo Safari makes nice

ones for kids.)

• Listening Tubes • Flashlights • Graphing Grids • Test tubes • Beakers • Lab Coats • Safety Goggles • Gloves • Trays • Hose/Tubing • Gears • Small Machines to take apart • Books about nature and animals •

Sensory Center • Playdough - Add Different Textures:

Sand, Sawdust • Silly Putty • Goop • Gel Filled Sensory Bags • Tactile Boards • Feely Bags • Sand Table and Bins with:

Dirt Rice Dried Beans Packing Peanuts Potato Flakes

• Different Colored Sand, Mud and Coffee Grounds

• Shaving Cream • Fingerpaint • Pudding • Hair Gel • Flour • Oatmeal • Cornmeal • Water Table and Bins with:

o Scented Water o Colored Water o Icy Water o Warm Water o Soapy Water

Items to Place in Sensory Tables:

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• Sponges • Buckets • Cups • Sieves • Sifters • Funnels • Tubing • Pumps • Baster

• Squirt bottles • Squirt Creatures • Shovels and Scoops • Whisks • Egg Beater • Water can • Toy Mills • Sand Molds

Dramatic Play Center • Cups • Silverware • Dinnerware • Cookware • Table/Chairs • Kitchen Furniture • Kitchen Items • Aprons • Vase and Flowers • Plastic Food • Empty Food Boxes • Broom, Dustpan • Dish Towels • Puppets and Puppet Stages • Doll House

• Home Living Furniture • Phones • Family Themed Dress Up Clothes • Suitcases • Purses • Wallets • Dolls and Baby Items • Toiletries • Sponge Curlers • Old Hair Dryers - Cords Removed • Full Length Mirror • Lunch Boxes • Tool Belts • Tools and Tool Box

Back to School Bulletin Board Ideas

School Bus Create a large yellow school bus, with the children's heads (photos, photocopies or drawings) in the windows. The side of the bus could read "Hop on board for a year full of fun!"

Busy Bees Make bees buzzing around a hive. Put each child's name on the bee and title your bulletin board "WELCOME TO ONE HONEY OF A ROOM"

Whale of a Good Time Heading on the board is "Everyone's Whale'come!" A large picture of a whale with smaller whale's with all the children's names on them. This is a really cute project if you have the children balloon paint the whales using a blend of different colors!

We All Fit Together Heading on the board is "We all fit together". Using a large floor puzzle as a pattern (or create your own}, trace each piece (from heavy cardstock) and put a number in the corner so you know where it will go! Have each child draw a picture of themselves on their piece and decorate it any way that they want. Fit all the pieces together and place on the bulletin board! You can also take a picture of the kids and glue it to the center of the puzzle piece.

Bright Star Print each child's name on a star. "Welcome to my Bright Stars!" The heading could also read, “Our Class is filled with shining Stars!”

What a Great Catch! Take pictures of the children the first day of school. I attach the pictures to a fishing net with fish cut outs and hang up with the words "Our Class is a Great Catch!"

Our Future's So Bright This is such a neat bulletin board and the kids enjoy making it as well!! It is a great big sun with sunglasses on with the caption "Our Future's So Bright, We Have To Wear Shades." I take their pictures individually the first day wearing sunglasses and then put them up on the BB.

Picture Perfect Using black construction paper cut out camera shapes (I attempted to draw a shape for you below to demonstrate—obviously art is not a gift I possess!). Take a picture of each of the children the first day of school. In the flash part of the camera, tape a piece of aluminum foil. In the circle part tape the child’s picture to it. The heading will read, “We have a Picture Perfect Class!”

Step On In! Have a bulletin board saying "Step on in for a Great Year" or "Stepping into a Great Year at (your school's name)". Find a pattern of a shoe and copy it. Have the children take a look at their own shoes and try to copy the designs on the shoes! It turns out really cute!!

Jumping into Pre-K Cover the door of your classroom or your bulletin board with blue butcher paper. On green paper cut out

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a big frog sitting on a lily pad. Above the frog write, "Look who's jumping into Pre-K!". Make little frog cut outs for all the children in your class. Write each child's name on one and put them around the door or on the bulletin board. The children have a great time finding their name.

We are Special Provide each child with a cardstock cut out of a person. Send the cutouts home with the child along with a note attached to the parents. Ask them to work with their child to decorate the cutout to reflect things their child likes. When they bring them back to class, take turns during circle time to discuss each child’s doll. Then hang them on the class bulletin board that reads “We are Special”.

What a Grape Bunch of Friends! This is a super cute bulletin board. Give each child a small purple plate and ask them to turn it into a picture of themselves by adding eyes, hair and a mouth. Once they are dry, arrange the plates on your bulletin board to make a bunch of grapes. Use brown construction paper or bulletin board paper to make a the grape vines. Also add leaves and the title “What a grape bunch of students” or “What a grape bunch of friends.”

Making Music Music is a vital part of every preschool classroom and should be incorporated on a daily basis. Children can learn so much through songs. A way to keep things fun is to make your own musical instruments. Here are instructions for creating them!

Guitar

Old shoebox or tissue box

Rubber bands Scissors Paper-towel tube Pencil Paints Crayons/Markers

Decorate an old shoebox or tissue box. Cut an oval-shaped hole in the top of the box. Stretch a few rubber bands lengthwise around the center of the box. Make sure the rubber bands are stretched over the hole. Decide which end is the bottom of the guitar and put a pencil under the rubber bands, right

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beneath the hole. Tape or glue the paper towel roll on the opposite side. This will be your handle. It's a guitar!

Lumi sticks (or Rhythm Sticks) Cut 1/2 inch dowel rod into 2-12 inch sections. Paint if desired. My personal favorite classroom instrument!

Tambourine Punch holes approximately every 3 inches around the outside edge of a foil pie pan. Attach bells with ribbon through the holes.

Shakers Place beans, rice, macaroni, etc inside any small plastic bottle. Secure lid in place (I super glue mine on)

Kazoo Cover a toilet paper roll with contact paper and paint it. Punch 3 holes in the tube with scissors. Cut a small square of wax paper, fit it tightly over the end of the tube. Secure it with a rubber band.

Sand blocks Use two small rectangle blocks. Cut a piece of sand paper to fit the surface of one side of the block. Glue it in place-use craft glue or rubber cement (Elmer's glue will melt the sand paper). Attach a spool on opposite side for a handle.

Drums Use an empty coffee can, oatmeal box, or formula can. Paint or cover with contact paper.

Wrist bells String 3 or 4 bells onto a large pipe cleaner. Twist the pipe cleaner around a child's wrist.

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Drum

Dowel Rod Cotton balls Balloons Empty coffee can or other container Tape (masking, painters, or electrical) Colored construction paper Art supplies for decorating Glue

First, have your child decorate a piece of construction paper however she likes. She can use paints, markers, stickers, or even craft items that can be glued on. Then glue the construction paper around the empty container. To make the top of the drum, cut the bottom of the balloon off and stretch it out. Place it over the top of the container and as far as you can over the edges. Then wrap the tape around the side of the container to keep the balloon in place. That's your drum! To make a drumstick, glue a few cotton balls together and secure them on one end of the dowel with tape.

Name Recognition A great way to help the children feel like they are truly a part of the classroom and to learn name recognition is to do various craft projects that revolve around their names! There are several ways you can do this and all are a bit different but have the same end result! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Invisible Names ~ Using a sheet of white cardstock paper, write the child’s name with a white crayon. Have them watercolor paint over the paper and their names will appear. Mount this paper onto a piece of colored construction paper and it can easily be displayed.

Bean Names ~ On a piece of cardstock or construction paper, write the child’s name in black marker. Provide the class with a supply of beans (any kind will work) and school glue. Have them squeeze the glue onto their names and place the beans on the letters!

Do a Dot Name ~ Again, write the child’s name on a piece of cardstock or construction paper. Provide each child with the do a dot markers (similar to bingo markers) and have them dot their names.

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Cotton Names ~ Write the child’s name with a marker on cardstock or construction paper. Provide each child with a bottle of school glue and have them trace the letters of their name with the glue. Stick cotton balls to the letters of their names. You can also get colored cotton balls at walmart.

Rainbow Names ~ On a piece of cardstock write the child’s name with a pencil. Have the children trace over the letters in their names with one color at a time, using multiple colors. The end result will be a rainbow name!

ABC Sponge Names ~ Using alphabet sponges, have the children sponge paint their name onto a piece of paper.

Stamp Names ~ Using stamps, press the letters of each child’s name onto a piece of paper.

Button Names ~ Write each child’s name on a piece of cardstock or construction paper using a black marker. Provide each child with school glue and have them trace the letters of their name with the glue. Add buttons to the glue and allow to dry! This is really neat looking!

A Teacher’s Role Author unknown

The early childhood teacher holds several roles. The teacher must love all of her children and treat them as equal but special individuals, thus she is a mother. The teacher must ask thought provoking questions and encourage exploration and investigation, thus she is a scientist. The teacher must sing loud and proud, even if she can not carry a tune, thus she is a musician. The teacher must encourage children to use their words and talk out their feelings, thus she is a mediator. The teacher must run, hop, jump, skip, and tumble with the children, thus she is a gymnast. The teacher must share accounts of far away lands and imaginary people, thus she is a storyteller. The teacher must bandage scraped knees and kiss "ouchies", thus she is a nurse. The teacher must give words of encouragement, louder and stronger than

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anyone thought possible, thus she is a cheerleader. The teacher must listen with open ears and an empathetic heart, thus she is a friend. The teacher does not entertain, dictate, police, referee, lecture, demolish, or judge. The teacher is a facilitator, enabler, questioner, encourager, organizer, nurturer, backer, advocator, and supporter. The early childhood teacher holds several roles, each different in action, but equal in importance. To teach is to touch a life. And that is what the most important role of the teacher is.

Other Resources

Kids

Back to School at Billy Bear's Time For School Mini Book Kids Domain Back to School Fun Back To School 2 Back To School Coloring Pages Back To School Activities School Bus Activity Sheet Back to School Daze Crossword Puzzle School Bus Safety School Bus Safety Coloring Pages Egg Carton School Bus Back to School Online Jigsaw Puzzles School Bus Dot to Dot School Days Crossword Back to School Maze Friends Word Search Make a School House Backpack Tags Back to School Match Game Back to School E Cards

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Teachers Ten Games for Classroom Fun! Back To School Getting To Know You Activities ProTeacher Back to School Ideas 14 More Activities For the 1st Day of School Back To School Poems and Activities First Day Checklist Setting Up Your Room Monthly Themes Back To School Ideas For Bulletin Boards Keeping Them On The Edge Of Their Seats Major Concepts by Harry K. Wong More Back To School Activities First Day of School Ice Breakers Even More Back to School Activities Advice For First Year Teachers School Writing Paper Back To School Ideas Back to School Poetry AtoZ Teacher Activities and Ideas First Day Going Back to School Back to School from Family Education Warm Ups, Games, and Icebreakers Back to School from Education World Essential Back-to-School Tips Back-To-School Book First Day Of School Grades K-3 Ten Ways to Break the Ice! Fun Themes for Back to School Back To School Poems and Songs Everyday Activities Good Morning Songs Tips to Getting the Year Off to a Great Start Back To School Bulletin Boards Back to School Songs and Poems Bulletin Board Sayings ABCteach Back to School Learning Student's Names Icebreakers Galore Sample First Day of School Icebreaker Scavenger Hunt Getting To Know You Printable Icebreakers/Mixers A List of Reward Ideas 101 Teaching Tips Back to School Crafts What Did You Do on Your Summer Vacation? My Favorite Things Art Back to School Calendar Templates Getting to Know You Graphing

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Parents, Are You Ready for Back to School? Learning Begins at Home

School Health Parent-Teacher Issues

Interactive Lunch Box Make Your Home Reading Central

What No Child Left Behind Means for Parents, Schools and Communities

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Welcome to school!

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