Earth Day | Preschool Theme

Videos	Finger Plays: • The Little Fish By The Ocean Floor • The Little Bird • Jump If You Love The Earth • Climbing Up A Tree Fun Songs To Sing: • Layers Of The Rainforest • The Farm • The Tree Dream • EARTH (tune of BINGO) • A Very Funny Kids' Poem About Trees Preschool Learning Videos: • Find The Fish • Chunk Rainforest Animals • Color Matching In The Big City • Learn To Read Desert Words • Ocean Animals: First, Middle Last
Activities	• Paper Plate, Puffy Paint Earth • Earth Day Connect-The-Dots • Tissue Paper Earth • Earth Day Muffins • Find The Fish • Cute Handprint Earth Craft • Painting A Tree • Painting Trees • Coloring And Counting!
Super Helpful Videos for Daily Use	Clean Up Time: • Clean It Up Crew! (complete with a 2 minute pre-cleanup warning!) Story Time: • Come And Read A Book Transition Songs: • Come Here If You're Happy • Can You? (The Animal Song) • Just Playing Around • Where Is Your Nose?

EARTH | Earth Day Song To The Tune Of BINGO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAqoVGbF1WAendofvid[starttext]

There is a planet that we call home,
And Earth is it's name-o.
E-A-R-T-H
E-A-R-T-H
E-A-R-T-H
And Earth is it's name-o

There is a planet that we call home,
And Earth is it's name-o.
-A-R-T-H
-A-R-T-H
-A-R-T-H
And Earth is it's name-o

There is a planet that we call home,
And Earth is it's name-o.
- - -R-T-H
- - -R-T-H
- - -R-T-H
And Earth is it's name-o

There is a planet that we call home,
And Earth is it's name-o.
- - - -T-H
- - - -T-H
- - - -T-H
And Earth is it's name-o

There is a planet that we call home,
And Earth is it's name-o.
- - - - -H
- - - - -H
- - - - -H
And Earth is it's name-o

There is a planet that we call home,
And Earth is it's name-o.
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
And Earth is it's name-o

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

Coloring And Counting! (with modifications)

Continuing our Arbor Day chats, here is a fun activity that

combines talking about trees with counting and 1:1 correspondence. Your child is being asked, on this worksheet, to color in 10 apples on the tree. So, grab yourself a copy of the page and then check out some thoughts that I had to help your kiddo be successful at this activity.

Color The Apples

MODIFICATIONS: Sometimes, doing things like coloring at the same time as she is trying to count something can be difficult for a little one. If you think that your kiddo might be in this position, try drawing 10 little apples (or circles) on the side of the page. Then, have your child check make a mark on the apples on the side of the page for each one she colors. Don't let the counting aspect drop, though. Be sure to tall about how she is going to color 10 apples both before and after the activity. And have fun!

A Very Funny Kids' Poem About Trees

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rxzPmkC2-Iendofvid[starttext]

Betty had a really funny poem that she wanted to share with us! This video is the second in the Free Online Preschool Series for 4/25/2013. Check out the other here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 3: The Letter K Song (phonics song)
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!


The leaves on my tree are green,
The flowers that grow are pink.
I'm glad it's my tree  in my yard,
And not my bathroom sink.
I would not want to brush my teeth outside -
That would make me laugh.
And I would not want a bird to live,
In the room where I take a bath.
Trees outside.
Sinks stay in.
That's the way it should stay.
I brush my teeth in the morning and the night.
And I climb and swing during the day.

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

Painting Trees (with modifications)

We're going to make some trees and work on some fine motor skills while we do it. You can probably get a pretty good idea of what the steps to this one are, just by looking at the picture. If you'd like to see the specific instructions, go ahead and do that and, then, make sure you read below for some thoughts that could help your little one.

Tree Hands

MODIFICATIONS: Right off the bat, if your kiddo is not one to enjoy painting on his arm and hand in the name of art, don't try to force the issue - trace your little ones arm and hand instead. Then, have him go ahead and paint inside the traced area. He can even use something like a cut piece of potato to paint with. It'll give the tree some texture and provide the opportunity for additional awesome benefits. What benefits are those? I'm glad you asked. I go into more detail on those benefits in on that in this Get More Out Of Painting Article. Now that the trunk is done, it's time for the tree leaves. Try the eraser side of a pencil, making sure to remind your kiddo to dot, as described in the, "Get More Out Of Painting," piece. Have fun!

The Tree Dream (Arbor Day Song For Children)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xDua7NPqlQendofvid[starttext]

This video is the second in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/24/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 3: What Shape Is That? (learning game)
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!

I had a dream that there were no trees,
And that would be very bad.
No homes for all the animals,
No air to breathe for me, mom, or dad.
But then I woke up and I looked outside,
And I was very glad.
My tree was there and much better than that,
I couldn't believe all the leaves it had!
My tree was there and much better than that,
I couldn't believe all the leaves it had!

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

Painting A Tree (with modifications)

Here's a fun and fun and easy painting activity for your little one to do that ties into the Earth Day and Arbor Day time of year. It's a picture of a tree. The way that the craft is designed, kids go ahead and use their fingerprints to create the leaves on the tree as well as some little birds. That doesn't necessarily work for every kiddo as there are many, many children who do not want their fingers all painty. Here's the original link (and then check out my idea below it:

Painting Trees

MODIFICATIONS: So, what I was thinking is that your little one can actually go outside and search for something like a rock to use in place of their finger or paintbrush. It will avoid the problem of their finger getting all painty but, at the same time, keep their art different and interesting. Have fun!

Climbing Up A Tree (Earth Day/Arbor Day Movement Song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Yp0V2Yw_Yendofvid[starttext]

Here's a brand new song, all about climbing a tree and some of the animals that you might meet up there. This video is the second in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/23/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 3: Missing The Letter T!
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!

I'm climbing up my tree to see what I can see,
I think I see a squirrel grabbing nuts for him to eat.
I keep climbing up my tree t see what I can see,
I think i see a mother bird making a nest for her baby.
I keep climbing up my tree to see what I can see,
I think i hear my Mommy and she's calling up to me:
"Come Home!"
I'm climbing down my tree, going home to my family,
I say, "goodbye," to the mommy bird, who chirps a tune to me:
"Chirp Chirp! Tweet Tweet!"
I keep climbing down my tree, going home to my family,
I say, "goodbye," to the squirel with all the nuts in bis belly.
I'm as happy as can be! Im so glad I have my tree!
I'll come back and play another day, 'cause it'll be waiting just for me!

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

Ocean Animals: First, Middle, Last (preschool game)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd6btU2ZOXYendofvid[starttext]

Join Mr. Mike and Betty (and their ocean friends) as they try to figure out which friend is first in line, in the middle, and last in line! This video is the third in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/22/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 2: Jump! If You Love The Earth (Earth Day movement song)
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

Jump If You Love The Earth (Earth Day movement song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgdL8xEKGncendofvid[starttext]

Here's a brand new song, all about taking care of the Earth, the planet that we all live on. This video is the second in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/22/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 3: Ocean Animals: First, Middle, Last
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!

Clap your hands if you like the air,
The clouds and the birds you see.
Now clap again if you want to keep it,
Clean and pollution free.
Now pat your head if you like the trees,
And you want to keep them around.
Now pat again if you know that you should,
Plant one if you chop one down.
Now wiggle your ears if you like the oceans,
The fish and the water too.
Now wiggle again if you want to keep them clean,
For the animals and swimming - thats fun to do!
Jump up and down if you love our planet.
Jump if you love the Earth.
Jump up and down if you love our planet.
Jump if you love the Earth.
Jump up and down if you love our planet.
Jump if you love the Earth.
Jump up and down if you love our planet.
Jump if you love the Earth.
Jump if you love the Earth.
Jump if you love the Earth.

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

Cute Handprint Earth Craft (with modifications)

Happy Earth Day! There's a really fun and easy craft that's just perfect for a day on which we celebrate our planet and all that you need is some paper plates, some blue and green paint, and glitter and glue (though they are optional). You've seen the picture. You can check out the details and then hop on below and I'll give you a tip that might help your kiddo.

Handprint Earth

MODIFICATIONS: How many of you have a little one who is not a fan of having his hands painted? Sometimes, to help with this we go ahead and give the kiddo a pair of gloves to wear while working with the paint. Let's try something different this time. Once that blue paint is dry, have your child place his hands onto the plate, in the appropriate spots, and then trace them. Make sure that the outlines are very distinct. You can even go over what you have traced with black, or even green, permanent marker so that it stands out even more. From here, have your little one grab his paintbrush and, very carefully, paint in his handprints. Super cute!

Learn To Read Desert Words (Earth Day game for children)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tSbw5ePYpAendofvid[starttext]


Join Mr. Mike and Betty as they try to sound out the letters in some desert-themed words, to try to read them! This video is the third in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/19/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 2: The Little Bird (fingerplay song)
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

The Little Bird (fingerplay song for children)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlICxP2H1ecendofvid[starttext]


Let's tell a fingerplay story about a little bird! This video is the second in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/19/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 3: Learn To Read Desert Words
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!

There was a little bird who lived up in a tree,
Chirping at the clouds that floated by.
Then that little bird flew on down to me,
Landed on my shoulder and winked his eye.
He said, "tweet tweet,"
I said, "tweet," back,
I didn't know what else to say.
Then that little bird flapped his wings,
And flew himself away.

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

Earth Day Muffins (with modifications)

Kids love to cook. I think that it's a combination of getting to spend time with you, getting to actually have a part in making something that they are going to get to eat, and doing what is usually a grown-up job. There is a really cute muffin recipe that you can make with your kiddos on the No Time For Flashcards website. They are called, "Earth Day Muffins," because they come out looking kind of like the planet Earth, with green muffin for the land and blueberries for the water. Go ahead and check out the recipe and, while you're there, notice the pictures. I'll talk more about those when you get back.

Earth Day Muffins

MODIFICATIONS: Today, we won't exactly be talking about a modification because, well, it's already all set for you right in the original post. Those pictures are absolutely perfect, because they show the activity, step-by-step. If you're little one is someone who does well with visuals or really benefits from knowing exactly what's coming up next, these are perfect for you. It helps to make children feel more grounded and in control. Just go ahead and print out the page and go over the steps with your little one, one at a time, pointing to each as you go. Then, when you're ready to start the recipe, you can even ask you child to tell you what step comes next. Imagine - your child telling you how to make muffins... correctly! It will be such a fun time for you guys and a real sense of accomplishment for him. Enjoy!

Color Matching In The Big City (Earth Day game for children)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq-dwsV5DFsendofvid[starttext]


Help these business people find the briefcases that match their suits! This video is the third in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/18/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 2: The Farm (animal sounds song)
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

The Farm (animal sound song for children)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VCRITgBTpAendofvid[starttext]


Let's sing a song about a time when I visited a farm with my mommy! This video is the second in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/18/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 3: Color Matching In The Big City (Earth Day game)
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!

I went to the farm with my Mom one day,
And I heard the animals start to say,
"We're glad you came to play today."
And this is how the cow said it:
"Moo! Moo! Moo! Moo!"

I went to the farm with my Mom one day,
And I heard the animals start to say,
"We're glad you came to play today."
And this is how the sheep said it:
"Baa! Baa! Baa! Baa!"

I went to the farm with my Mom one day,
And I heard the animals start to say,
"We're glad you came to play today."
And this is how the horse said it:
"Neigh! Neigh! Neigh!"

I went to the farm with my Mom one day,
And I heard the animals start to say,
"We're glad you came to play today."
And this is how the chicken said it:
[chicken sounds]


I went to the farm with my Mom one day,
And I heard the animals start to say,
"We're glad you came to play today."
And this is how the dog said it:
"Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark!"

I went to the farm with my Mom one day,
And I heard the farmer start to say,
"We hear you all! All right, let's play!"
And this is how the farm sounded:
[lots of animal sounds]

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

Tissue Paper Earth (with modifications)

Here's a fun and easy craft for Earth Day that you can do with your little one. It comes with a really cute poem from SomewhatSimple.com. Go ahead and grab the page and then check down below to see what I came up with to help your child be as successful at this activity as possible, while also growing and developing along the way.

Happy Earth Day Poem

MODIFICATIONS: One of the trickiest parts of this activity is getting your kiddo to keep those tissue paper squares inside the Earth circle. So, here's the thing - I have thought and thought about this and I keep coming back to the same issue. Saying within the lines here is hard. That circle is going to start to get covered up by the tissue paper and then all bets are off, as it is. That pretty much rules out using a marker to highlight the circle - you won't be able to see that when it's covered up, either. I do think that there is benefit to having the child glue tissue paper around the circle first, right on the line. While this might help create that border in the child's mind, however, it might also be very boring and turn your little one off from this activity much more quickly. You can draw a happy face on the inside of the circle and a sad face on the outside of the circle and explain to your child why each face is feeling the way that it is in relation to where you should glue things. And then I thought that, maybe this isn't the right activity to be worrying about staying in those lines. Maybe it is too tough at this point and, what a child needs is to be able to complete the craft, from start to finish, successfully, getting to look at the final product that, in fact, looks as it should. Eureka! Print out 2 copies of the paper. Cut the circle out of one of them. Give your child that circle and only that circle to glue the tissue paper onto. When that part of the activity is complete, produce the second page and have your child glue their circle right onto the circle on the new page. There you have it! A great looking craft, while doing an end run around the trickiest part. However, it still gives your little one that, "staying within the lines" feel and some basic practice at it, believe it or not. Just, practice that he can be successful at right now.

Earth Day Connect-The-Dots (with modifications)

What better way to get ready for Earth Day than by celebrating with a picture of the Earth itself? And, when there is a picture, it may just be time to connect-the-dots! This one comes to us from BigActivities.com and is just a very basic connect-the-dots activity, using the capital letters, "A," through "P." Grab a copy for yourself and then check down below for some tips that you might find very useful.

Earth Day Connect-The-Dots

MODIFICATIONS: Since you're little one is going to be working with the letters of the alphabet here, it might be a good idea to do what is called, "activating prior knowledge." All that this means is that you're going to give your kiddo a frame of reference from which to call upon for this activity, helping her remember all of the things that she knows about, in this case, the alphabet, so that she can be as successful as possible at this new alphabet activity. Go ahead and try singing the "ABCs," with your child in order to do this. Encourage your little one to sing the song again as she tries to connect the dots in the picture. If connecting those dots and keeping the letters in her head is too much to do at the same time, you can go ahead and write down the letters of the alphabet, you only need to do up to "P," in this case for your kiddo. This way, she will have something to reference as she continues with the activity.

Chunk Rainforest Animals (pre-reading game)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu_GvD6TfeYendofvid[starttext]


Let's go through the rainforest, layer by layer, learning about animals and breaking words into their separate chunks! This video is the third in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/17/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 2: Layers Of The Rainforest song
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]

Layers of the Rainforest (song-along song for children)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA3m7Nacj6Uendofvid[starttext]


This video is the second in the Free Online Preschool series for 4/17/13. Check out the others here:
Part 1: Let's Say Hello!
Part 3: Chunk Rainforest Animals (pre-reading game)
Part 4: Goodbye... See You Soon!


There are 4 layers in the rainforest - 
4 Layers
There are 4 layers in the rainforest -
4 Layers
Forest Floor, Understory, Canopy, Emergent
There are 4 layers in the rainforest - 
4 Layers

Thanks for watching!

[endtext]