SPRING SCIENCE!

A "Lively" Set Up

What materials do you need in order to add investigations of living things in your center? First you will need tools for observation and comparison such as: a pan-balance scale and other standard and nonstandard measuring devices; magnifiers (hand-held and free-standing) ; and small dental mirrors (found in drug stores) for examining under and around small plants and animals. You will also need containers such as clear plastic cups and containers with lids for collecting insects, seeds, and plants; cheesecloth and rubber bands for covering some containers; clear plastic boxes or terrariums; ziplock plastic bags for collecting on walks; and muffin tins or egg cartons for sorting and classifying seeds and plants. You may even consider purchasing (or borrowing) a commercial ant farm or butterfly house, or an incubator for hatching eggs. Don't forget to include art materials and notebooks for children to create field recordings of their observations.

Insect Investigations

Questions of where bugs come from, where they live, and what they eat are great starting points for experimentation. A group interested in insects may like to study the life cycle of the fruit fly. Fruit flies are among the easiest to collect and observe. Children can place cut pieces of ripe fruit in two open glass jars. They can place one jar outside, and the other in the science center. Ask children to predict and observe which jar will attract the most flies. Soon, tiny flies will be attracted to the fruit inside the jars. Once they have appeared, you can cover the jars with cheesecloth. Watch closely. The eggs left by the flies will mature and hatch into new young flies and then grow into mature flies, thus completing their life cycle.

Plant Investigations

Children's seed and plant discoveries outside can lead to great activities inside. Have you ever noticed how a seed can push away a small rock, sprout in a place without soil, or even grow up through pavement? Why not try some of these amazing "Feats of Nature" as science experiments? Invite children to collect and discuss their observations from many plant and seed walks. What were some of the amazing things they saw? How would they like to experiment with these things? Children may want to experiment with the strength and power of plants by planting bean (or other large) seeds in small containers with different soil, gravel, rock, and other materials in them. After predicting what materials the seeds will grow best in, the children can water the seeds, place them in the sun, watch them grow, and record their predictions and observations.

There are many other forms of life to explore. Examining and comparing pond water (and other natural sources) and tap water is fascinating, as is growing mold, hatching eggs, and catching tadpoles. The natural world is the source of a "lifetime" of exploration and play.

Around Your Room

You can extend your project on ants and plants throughout your classroom as well as the science center.

Art Center: Can you paint with a plant? Replace the brushes at the easel with dried and fresh plant parts: stems, flowers, pine boughs, twigs, even roots!

Library/Writing Center: Collect books about insects and plants to create a "nature library" in the classroom. Include both fiction and nonfiction picture books. Invite children to organize and display the books in their own ways. Children can create library cards and take turns being the nature librarian.

SCIENCE WEBSITES:
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/it/projects/Museums/Teacher_Guide/Science/home.html
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/teachers_resources/lesson_plans.html
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/science/index.html
http://www.lessonplanz.com
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/maths/contents10shape.htm
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/earthsci.html

Kathy Stemke's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com
Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/kathystemke
Follow me on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=6147172660&topic=4910#!/kathymarescomatthews.stemke?ref=profile

HeliumWaldorf techniques for mastering math facts with body movements that any teacher can use

Kathy's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/237923/Kathy_stemke_dancekam.html
http://kathystemke.weebly.com

I'VE ADDED A TWEET BUTTON!

To make it easier for you to share my post with others, I've added a tweet button at the end of each post. Several blogs that I follow have this feature and I have found it very useful. If you are a member of twitter please try to use the button at the end of this post to tweet people to my site. I'll post a poem here for their reading pleasure.

SPRING DANCE
by Kathy Stemke

Vivaldi’s “Spring” song fills the stage,
Flowers shoot up in quick chasses,
Then balance awhile in the sun,
Like fragile children soon undone.

A whirl of drifting notes begin
To bring new life from deep within.
An instant to regroup and bloom,
Beauty bursts forth to fill the room.

Each petal breaks away in flight,
Twirling, swirling, in sheer delight.
Each one sails in different ways,
Finding its path all through life’s days.

Kathy's websites:
Moving Through all Seven Days link:http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/moving-through-all-seven-days/7386965#http://www.helium.com/users/406242.html
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Learn about the Tiger Beetle!

*************************Make a Tiger Beetle!

1. Paint one section of a paper egg carton.
2. Poke three holes on each side of the body.
3. Place three pipe cleaners through the holes to make legs.
4. Glue beans, buttons, or small rocks on for eyes.
5. Glue yarn or a small twig for a mouth.

Imagine yourself relaxing in the glistening hot sun on a beach in South Africa, when suddenly you feel the painful pinch of an insect bite. Looking down you see a ferocious, 2 inch metallic bronze beetle with bulging eyes, a hairy face, long skinny legs, and a huge protruding hook-like jaw. You have just been introduced to the tiger beetle. But don’t step on it, because it is on the endangered species list in many places.

FEEDING
The tiger beetle got its name due to the brutal way it catches and consumes its prey. He is a fluid feeder, who uses pre-oral digestion. When he clutches and crushes an insect in its powerful mandibles, digestive juices are secreted onto the prey. While squeezing, he sucks in the partially digested meal. He has excellent eyesight and is a fast and agile flyer. He sometimes catches his victim in mid air. He has been recorded running at 2 feet per second. The caterpillar-like larva, just as fierce, lays in wait near the entrance of its burrow and snatches helpless insects dragging them to the bottom for consumption.

MATING
The male approaches the female in a series of sprints, then jumps on her back and clasps her thorax with his mighty mandibles. He’s the jealous type and may guard his female for up to 12 hours after copulation to stop other males from mating with her. Females lay their eggs in small holes in the dirt. During metamorphosis the egg changes into a worm-like larva, which constructs a vertical tube several feet deep. The larva consumes any insect that crosses its path for up to 2 years. After moving through the pupa stage, the adult beetle emerges in summer.

PHYSICAL VARIATIONS
The 2,000 species of tiger beetles (Cinindelidae) come in almost any color ranging from the bright red daytime active bugs to the jet-black nocturnal creatures. Many of them sport an iridescent or metallic body with armor-like wings. The “plain Jane” species looks eerily like a common beetle with a grayish brown body and white spots on its wings.

HABITAT
A tiger beetle’s lifestyle is regulated by temperature, humidity, light intensity, and wind. They remain inactive on cool cloudy days. They prefer hot sunny days on the sandy shores of a tropical ocean, or wooded rivers and streams. In fact, they live just about everywhere in the world except on some remote islands, Antarctica and Tasmania.

ENEMIES AND DEFENCES
The Tiger Beetle has many enemies. Beetles are a main staple in the diet of many species of birds. Larger insects like dragonflies often munch on the crunchy beetle. Amphibians and reptiles have also been known to feed on these beetles. Surprisingly, even mammals like badger, fox, moles, mice, opossum, raccoon, skunk, and squirrel consider tiger beetles a tasty delicacy. Of course, humans too have developed insecticides to kill insects like the tiger beetle. So, how can a poor bug survive? When in pursuit, the beetle runs in a zigzag pattern, and gives off an unpleasant smell. Adult tiger beetles also exude a foul smelling, brownish liquid when captured, which has corrosive properties. They have been seen crawling into crevices to escape from danger.

Tiger beetles, which live on beaches, are under great pressure from development and recreation. Remember that the beach you are on may be some creature's living room--tread softly and treat it with respect.

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SONGS AND RHYMES FOR SHAPES!

CIRCLE SONG (tune: “If Your Happy and You Know It”

A circle is a shape that goes round. (clap, clap)
A circle is a shape that goes round. (clap, clap)
A circle is a shape
That goes round and round and round.
A circle is a shape that goes round. (clap, clap)

Tiptoe slowly on the circle and go round (clap, clap)
Tiptoe slowly on the circle and go round. (clap,clap)
Tiptoe slowly on the circle,
And go round and round and round.
Tiptoe slowly on the circle and go round. (clap,clap)

SONNY SQUARE

Sonny square is my name.
My four sides are the same.

Slide around me, I don’t care.
Slide around me, I’m Sonny square.

Each angle is the same.
Equal angles are my game.

TIMMY TRIANGLE

I’m Timmy triangle.
Come on gang, look at me.
Count my sides, one, two, three.

Hop on one foot, on all three.
Hop the triangle with me.

Add my angles, it’s a breeze.
One hundred eighty degrees.

RICKY RECTANGLE

Ricky rectangle is my name.
My four sides are never the same.

Two are short, and two are long.
Jump my sides, come right along.

One and two and three and four.
Jump around and jump some more.

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CONSONANT BLEND WORKSHEET

Just click on this image to enlarge it. Print it out and use it to practice your sh,th,ch,br,and gr blends.

SIGHT WORD SEARCH

Just click on the picture to enlarge it. Print and make copies for your classroom.

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THINGS THAT FLY!

How High Can You Fly?

1. Tape a large piece of paper to the wall.
2. Practice jumping and touching the paper with one finger.
3. Put one finger on an ink pad
4. Take turns: jump, touch the paper, mark with ink
5. Measure the height with a ruler

Make paper airplanes with each students name on it. Place a 25 foot measuring tape outside on the playground. Have flying contests and measure how far each plane goes.

Balloon Craft

1. print out the template (click on picture to enlarge)
2. color the balloon
3. take digital pictures of each student in the class
4. cut out and glue students into the box
(tissue box or strawberry carton)
5. tie lengths of ribbon or string to each of the 4 corners of the box
6. glue or tape the other end of the string to the balloon
7. tape a fifth piece of string to the top to hang

Air Balloon Action
(I’m a Little Teapot Tune)

I’m a big bright balloon, way up high,
(from squat, rise up onto your toes)

Gliding on air currents, watch me fly!
(arms out, fly around the room)

When the air is used up, I’ll come down,
(touch the ground)

Swirling and whirling, to the ground!
(turn, spin, and squat)

For a dot-to-dot hot air balloon go to:
http://www.first-school.ws/t/cp_transportation/balloon_trace_c.htm

EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES

I HAVE A NEW BOOK UNDER CONTRACT: "TROUBLE ON EARTH DAY!" A teacher activity book will follow. It's a great fictional story that teaches kids how to RECYCLE, RETHINK, AND REUSE things around the house!

Ladybug Rocks!

1. Wash an dry some smooth round or oval rocks.

2. Paint the rocks with acrylic paint in colors of your choice.

3. Paint a head using black paint.

4. Use a black sharpie to draw spots and an line down their backs.

5. Glue on two wiggly eyes. You can substitute beans for the eyes if needed.

Nest Building Activity!

For most birds, nest-building supplies consist of whatever nature has lying around — wood, grass, twigs, feathers, and fur. You can provide the birds in your neighborhood with easy-to-obtain nest fodder by stuffng a mesh onion bag with materials such as pet fur, colorful strands of cloth, bits of stuffing, hay, colorful yarn cut into short lengths, hair from your brush, or feathers from an old down pillow. (Avoid anything synthetic or sharp.) Snip a few large holes in the sack so birds can poke around, then hang it in a tree, ideally near a feeder so it will get noticed.

In the coming weeks, be on the lookout for birds visiting the sack, then watch what trees they return to — from the right viewpoint, you might even get to see your building materials being incorporated into the birds' nests.


Tin Can Herb Pots!

1. Completely wash and dry aluminum can. If necessary, sand off any rough edges from opening of can, and poke holes in the bottom with a screwdriver..

2. Paint can desired color, repeat coats if needed. Decorate however you like. Decorate with stickers if desired.

3. Place enough rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the can to form a single layer.
Add enough potting soil to fill the can two-thirds full.

4. Remove potted herb from its container and transplant into the can.

5. Place can on a plate (to catch any water drainage) and add some water to the newly planted herbs.

6. Paint craft stick whatever color you like. Use a black Sharpie marker to write the herb name onto the stick.

7. Insert your plant marker into the soil, being careful not to crush any roots along the way.

8. Place your new garden in a sunny window and remember to water them!

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Kathy Stemke on Education Tipster

Kathy Stemke on Helium
Kathy Stemke on Associated Content
Kathy Stemke’s Website

Rhymes with CH, SH, BR, GR, and TH Sounds!

WEBSITES KIDS LOVE!

Here are some great kids' websites that kids enjoy:

http://www.noggin.com/
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/index.ht ml
www.funschool.com
www.funbrain.com
www.pbskids.com
www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/
http://kids.discovery.com/
www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/
http://animal.discovery.com/
www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
www.kidzone.ws/tracers/patrick/index.asp
http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/
http://www.kidsgames.org/
http://www.learningplanet.com/
http://www.learn4good.com/games/online.htm
http://www.highlightskids.com/
http://games.disneysblast.com/
http://www.cyberkids.com/fg/
http://www.history.org/kids/
http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html (for older kids!)
http://www.smithsonian.org/websites_a_z/

Also children's book publishers such as Scholastic usually have good sites that have activities that coordinate with their books. It would be nice to read and then reinforce with activities.

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Action Rhymes and Activities for Sunday!

COMING SOON- ACTION ALLEY DAYS OF THE WEEK BOOK!

Skate on Sunday,
And don’t be shy,
S-u-n d-a-y!

We slip and slide on Sunday too,
We always have so much to do.

Skate exploration!
Skate around the room while saying the rhyme. Remind the children to slide their feet on the floor instead of picking them up. When the rhyme is done everyone freezes and holds their last funny position. For interest, add small jumps and turns like real figure skating.

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Action Harvest Poems and Songs!

PUMPKIN, PUMPKIN

Pumpkin, pumpkin, on the wall, (reach arms up high on tip toes)
Pumpkin, pumpkin, tip and fall. (sit on the floor)
Pumpkin, pumpkin, roll and rock, (rock side to side)
Pumpkin, pumpkin, down the block! (lay flat, log roll)

WATCH ME GROW (tune: Mary had a little lamb)

We are pumpkins, watch us grow, (squat/ slowly rise up, arms out)
watch us grow, (jump) watch us grow. (jump)
We are pumpkins, watch us grow, (squat/ slowly rise up, arms out)
Straight up don’t you know. (squat and jump up high then sit)

PUMPKIN POEM

One day I found a pumpkin seed. (Pick a seed up off the ground)
I planted it, and pulled the weeds. (Dig, plant, pull weeds)
It sprouted roots, and grew a vine.(Move your arms like sprouting roots)
A pumpkin grew; I called it mine. (Cross your heart and sway)
The pumpkin was quite round and fat.(Open your arms and rock on feet)
The vine, it crept just like a cat. (Walk on hands and feet)

PUMPKIN SONG (tune: I'm a little teapot)

I'm a little pumpkin, short and round.
Here is my big stem, next to the ground.
When it’s time to pick me, don’t you doubt!
Just cut me open, and scoop me out!

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DAYS OF THE WEEK SONG!

DAYS OF THE WEEK BOOK IS COMING SOON!
It includes movement activities to learn how to spell the days of the week, worksheets, matching activities, and much more!


7 DAYS A WEEK (Sung to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")
As they are singing the children can sit in a pike position on the floor and row with their arms.

ACTION CLOCK POEM!

MY ACTION ACTIVITY "CLOCK BOOK" IS COMING SOON!

I’m in the clock club, I’m OK. (Arms overhead make a circle)
I tick all night, and tick all day. (Marching, hands on hips)


I have two hands, and have a ball, (Marching, two hands out)
Because I have no arms at all. (Marching, hands behind back)


My minute hand, moves with such power, (Standing, circle arm quickly)
with sixty minutes in every hour. (Standing, circle arm quickly)


My hour hand just isn't as fast, (Standing, circle arm slowly)
In a big race, it comes in last. (Standing, circle arm slowly)


Quarter past, half past, in there place (Point arm to the left, then down)
Quarter to, o'clock on the face. (arm right, then up)


Twenty-four hours makes just one day, (Arms overhead make a circle)
There’s always time for us to play! (jump in place)

MONEY SKILLS!

Recognizing, counting, spending, giving, and saving money are important life skills that should be taught to young children. Educating, motivating, and empowering children to become regular savers will enable them to keep more of the money they earn and do more with the money they spend.

Here is a song and a rhyme that children love to say that will help them identify the different coins and bills we use as money.

COIN RHYME

Penny, penny,
Easily spent.
Copper brown
and worth one cent.

Nickel, nickel,
Thick and fat.
You're worth five cents,
I know that.

Dime, dime,
Little and thin.
I remember,
you're worth ten.

Quarter, quarter,
big and bold.
You're worth twenty-five
I am told.

THE DOLLAR SONG (to the tune of "Ten Little Indians")

10 little, 20 little, 30 little pennies.
40 little, 50 little, 60 little pennies.
70 little, 80 little, 90 little pennies.
100 pennies make a dollar!

2 small, 4 small, 6 small nickels.
8 small, 10 small, 12 small nickels.
14 small, 16 small, 18 small nickels.
20 nickels make a dollar!

1 tiny, 2 tiny, 3 tiny dimes.
4 tiny, 5 tiny, 6 tiny dimes.
7 tiny, 8 tiny, 9 tiny dimes.
10 dimes make a dollar!

1 big, 2 big, 3 big quarters.
4 big, 4 big, 4 big quarters.
1 big, 2 big, 3 big quarters.
4 quarters make a dollar!

MONEY PUZZLES

To help the children identify money, you can make simple puzzles for them to put together. For instance, just find an image of the front and back of a quarter on line. Glue the front and back together, then laminate for durability. Simply cut the sheet into large puzzle pieces for a fun activity. It’s a good idea to make the dime a small puzzle and the quarter a large puzzle.

QUARTER RUBBINGS

Make a large Qq or quarter on a poster board. The quarter (also called a quarter dollar) is worth 25 cents or 25 pennies. Have one or more children count out 25 pennies. One quarter can be written 25¢ or $0.25. The front of the quarter pictures a left-facing profile of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America.

The front reads, "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and the year the coin was minted or made. The small initial by Washington is the mint-mark, showing the location that produced the coin (D means Denver, Colorado, S means San Francisco, California, and P means Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).

The back of the quarter pictures the presidential coat of arms (an eagle with outstretched wings). The back reads, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "QUARTER DOLLAR." E PLURIBUS UNUM is Latin and means one out of many.

Let the children make crayon rubbings of the quarter using different color crayons. The children then cut out the rubbings and glue them to the giant poster board. This, too, could be used as a puzzle.

COUNT OUT MONEY (activity found on www.makinglearningfun.com)

Once your children have learned the value of each coin, place some money amounts on index cards in a bowl. As show in the picture above a child picks out $.45 for Cracker Jacks with a circle large enough for a quarter, and two circles large enough for two dimes. When they are ready, eliminate the circle clues, and have them count out the money on their own.

MONEY STORE is great fun. Let your child arrange empty food cartons or boxes to create a store. Either you or your child can put a price tag on each one. For young children the items may cost 1cent to 5 cents each, while older children can handle 10 cents to a few dollars. After shopping at the store they pay you with play money. At first, allow them to buy just one object. When they’re ready, increase the number of items.

MASH POTATOES

Parents should emphasize the importance of money by their example. Explain the difference between a “need” and a “want” using this game. You explain to the children that Mashed Potatoes represents something we “need” to survive as it provides nutrients for our bodies, and that Gravy represents something that may make the mashed potatoes taste better, but it isn’t something we “need” to survive. Therefore it is a “want.” You have then shown the difference between a “want” and a “need.”

The next step is to create flash cards or cut out pictures from magazines and have the children yell out MASHED POTATOES for something that represents a “need” or GRAVY for something that represents a “want.”

SET GOALS

Teach the children to set goals by earning and saving money for a particular purpose. Ask them what items they may want to save for. (toy, gift for someone, charity) This helps the children learn the value of money.

SAVING

Talk about the benefits of a piggy bank or savings account. Make a piggy bank. Use a large plastic jar, four empty thread spools, a milk bottle top and some construction paper. Glue the spools on one side of the jar for the pig's legs. The milk bottle top should be glued onto the plastic jar lid as the pig's nose. Use the construction paper to make pig ears and a curly tail. A grown up can cut a slot in the top of the pig for the money to be put in. Explain that the bank pays them for the use of their money by giving interest. Parents should encourage saving, but allow them to use some of their money on special occasions. Point out the increases in their savings account as interest is paid to them.

More Multiplication Tips!!

If you're children are struggling with multiplication, try these mental and physical multitasking activities to get your children back in the swing of things. This hula hoop game is fun with two or more players taking turns and keeping score, but can work as well with one.

HULA HOOP MULTIPLICATION

1. Have your children make individual lists of the multiplication tables. (skip counting) Fold each list and place them in a bowl.
2. Each child takes a turn picking from the bowl. They must recite the table while using the hula hoop. (Ex. 4,8,12,16...) The other child can time them and check for correctness.
3. Now the next player gets a turn. After several turns, the player with the highest time wins.
4. You can modify this activity by changing the movement. (Ex. jump in and out of the hoop, hop on one foot in the hoop, circle the hoop on your wrist)

CIRCLE AND BEANS MULIPLICATION

Cut a 12 cicles and laminate them for durability. Use a bag of beans for counters. Write a multiplication problem on an index card. Explain that the first factor is the number of circles you need to use, and the second factor is the number of beans to put on each circle. (Ex. 5x7=) 5 circles with 7 beans on each circle. The kids will love this fun way to use concrete manipulatives to understand abstract concepts.

Handwriting Word Clues

For capital A, start at the rooftop, go down the slide to the sidewalk, then down the slide the other way, and cross at the fence.
For lowercase a, don't start at the fence. Start under the fence. Go up and touch the fence, then around and touch the sidewalk, around and straight down.
For capital B, go straight down to the sidewalk, around for his big chest, and around for his big tummy.
For lowercase b, start at the roof, go down, b-b-bounce up and around.
For capital C, start just below the rooftop, go up to touch, around, and up.
For lowercase c, start like little a: Go up and touch the fence, then around and up.
For capital D, start at the roof, go straight down, pick up, and go around.
For lowercase d, first little c, then little d.
For capital E, go down for a strong backbone, over for his hat, over for his belt, over for his shoes.
For lowercase e, get in the center of the space below the fence; go toward the door (or window), up to touch the fence, around and up.
For capital F, go down, over for his hat, over for his belt (but no shoes).
For lowercase f, start to make a little c up in the air, then straighten it out, go down, and cross at the fence.
For capital G, form a big C, then come back to the line to give him a tray to hold straight.
For lowercase g, first make a, then, gee, that's a good idea: If the ball falls, it falls into the basket.
For capital H, down for a wall, down for a wall, then cross at the fence.
For lowercase h, start at the rooftop, come down, and hump over.
For capital I, start with a straight back, then give him his headdress and his moccasins.
For lowercase i, go down from the fence, and give him a feather.
For capital J, go down, and turn to make a basket, and put his hat on.
For lowercase j, start at the fence, go down through the sidewalk, and turn the same way, and give him a dot.
For capital K, go down, come out here, into the center, and down to the sidewalk.
Lowercase k is just as tall as his daddy. Start at the rooftop, go down, pick up at the fence, into the center and down.
For capital L, go down and turn the corner.
For lowercase l, just a straight line down from the rooftop to the sidewalk.
For capital M, go down straight, down the slide, up the slide, and down straight.
For lowercase m, go down, hump around, hump around.
For capital N, go down straight, down the slide, down straight.
For lowercase n, go down, up, and hump over.
For capital O, always form a C first, and then close it up.
For lowercase o, same way: first a little c and close it up.
For capital P, go down, pick up, and around to the fence.
For lowercase p, start at the fence, go straight down into the ditch, come up and put his chin on the sidewalk.
For capital Q, first make a big O, and give the queen her walking stick.
For lowercase q, start with an a, come down, and give the queen some curly hair.
For capital R, down, pick up, and around to the fence, then slant down.
For lowercase r, down, up, and hook over.
For capital S, first form a c up in the air between the rooftop and the fence, then swing back.
For lowercase s, form a tiny c up in the air, and then swing back.
For capital T, go down and cross at the top.
Lowercase t is just a teenager, not as tall as his daddy, but not short either; cross at the fence.
For capital U, down, curve, and up (no stem).
For lowercase u, down, curve up, and straight down for a stem.
For capital V, slant down and up.
For lowercase v, slant down and up.
For capital W, slant down, up, down, up.
For lowercase w, down, up, down, up.
For capital X, down on a slant, pick up, back in the other direction.
For lowercase x, down and back.
For capital Y, start with a v up in the air, and put a stem on it.
For lowercase y, go down on a slant, pick up your pencil, slant down, touch, and on into the ditch.
For capital Z, make a 7, and then go back.
For lowercase z, make a little 7, and then go back.

THE LETTER X

Show the children a real x-ray. Share with them that an x-ray is a picture of human bones. The human skeleton consists of 206 bones. These bones support your body and allow you to move. Bones contain a lot of calcium (an element found in milk, broccoli, and other foods). Bones manufacture blood cells and store important minerals.

The longest bone in our bodies is the femur (thigh bone). The smallest bone is the stirrup bone inside the ear. Each hand has 26 bones in it. Your nose and ears are not made of bone; they are made of cartilage, a flexible substance that is not as hard as bone.

PASTA SKELETON

This pasta skeleton is easily made from a few different types of pasta and dried beans glued to a piece of black construction paper. They can write the word X-ray on the bottom of the "X-ray".

THE X POEM

X is the Roman name for ten,
X is the mark of many men;

X means a crossing, as drivers may note,
X in a square also counts as a vote;

Xmas is Christmas, a season of bliss,
X in a letter is good for one kiss;

X is for xylophone music renowned,
X marks the spot where the treasure is found.

Make a xylophone paper craft!

1. Cut out eight various size color bars for a xylophone.
2. Discus and identify each color bar. Example: Hold a color bar and say: What color is this? Yes, yellow. What other things are yellow. How about the sun or a lemon.
3. Shape - The rectangle. For this activity we can focus on the rectangle shape of each color bar. Discuss that the color panels are rectangles (two long sides and two short sides). Have the children find other things around them that are rectangles - a door, a refrigerator, window, area rug or table.
4. Alphabet Letter X- Each color bar displays two letter X's, discuss and identify the X. Display the Xylophone poster and say that xylophone starts with the letter X.
5. Counting & Sizing: Have the children count and organize the color bar rectangles in size sequence from shortest to longest. Ask which bar is the shortest? Which is the longest?

Make a Water and Rainbow Colors Xylophone

Many of you are probably familiar with the water xylophone in elementary school. This one has one additional element: color mixing

1. You need six to eight glasses or glass jars (I use jam/jelly jars) the same size.
2. Line them up next to each other but not touching. Gradually add water to each jar from a little to the last one close to the rim.
3. Add a bit of tempera paint or food coloring showing children how mixing the primary colors will yield the secondary color - start with red, then mix red and yellow to get orange, the third glass is yellow, and so forth in the same order of the rainbow.
4. To keep the glasses steady make a base with play dough and press the glass on the base.
5. Give children new pencils or regular metal spoons and have them tap the glasses to hear the different sounds that are produced. The glasses with more water will produce a lower pitch sound, and those with less water will produce a higher pitch sound.

X SOUND POEM

By crossing two lines
this letter called X
Can sound like K-S
If it comes at the end of
A word such as flex

Teaching Tips for Early Readers

There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s eyes light up with joy because they’ve finally read their first word. Having fun with language is the key you need to unlock the world of reading to your child. The following are tips for hooking kids on reading. Try them and see what works for you and your child.

1. Make reading a habit. Give your child lots of opportunities to read. Bring a book with you wherever you go. They can read in the car, or waiting in the doctor’s office.

2. Play a rhyming game with a puppet. Have the puppet say, “My name is Mark. Can you find words that rhyme with Mark?” If the answer is yes, jump up and down, and if the answer is no, squat down low. “Does park rhyme with Mark? Does ball rhyme with Mark?”

3. Trace and say letter sounds. Involving the senses of touch, sight, and speech is a powerful tool for learning letter sounds. Use a finger to trace a letter while saying the letter sound. Do this on a paper, in a sandbox, or on a plate filled with sugar.

4. Play sound matching games. Using a set of alphabet letters, have your child pick the letter that matches the sound you make. Start with five letters and add more letters when your child is ready.

5. Pick books that are the right difficulty level for your child. The aim is to give your child many successful reading experiences. Have fiction and non-fiction books available. Dig deep into the meaning of books. Ask comprehension questionsd.

6. Have your child watch your lips to see how you make certain sounds. You can ask, “Can you see my tongue touch my teeth when I say (th)? Does it tickle your tongue?”

7. Play sight word concentration games. Make two sets of common sight words, and have them hunt for pairs. If they can read the word, it goes in their pile.

8. Point out words all around the town. (traffic signs, grocery signs, advertising signs)

9. Gently correct your young reader.

10. Say silly tongue twisters, sing songs and say rhymes. This will help kids become sensitive to sounds in words.

Keep reading fun! With activities like these you can inspire your child to practice every day. The more kids see and work with words, the more they are able to effortlessly decode them. Be patient and encourage them. This will give them the desire and confidence to continue to learn, and soon they will be hooked on reading.