Microwave Caramel Popcorn

This is a fun easy recipe to do with children.  This can be used when teaching:

• the sounds — OR, AR, Short O, or P.
• the word family -op.
• farms, seeds, plants, or heat.  

Caramel Popcorn

1.  Melt in the microwave in a large glass bowl on high for 2 minutes:

• 1 cube butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup corn syrup
• ½ tsp. salt

2.  Stir then microwave for 2 or 3 more minutes.

3.  Stir in ½ tsp. baking soda.

4.  Pour over 4-5 quarts of popped popcorn.

5.  Stir to mix then pour in a large brown paper grocery bag.

6.  Fold down the top then cook in the microwave for 2 minutes.

7.  Take out the bag then shake it and cook again for 1 ½ minutes.

8.   Pour out on a cookie sheet to cool.

9.  When cool break apart.

ENJOY!

Apples

Objective:  Help children discover and learn about apples.

Preparation:

• Find drawings or pictures of apples and apple trees from books, magazines or old calendars.
• Gather the following materials; Apples, Knife, Paper, Paint: red; yellow and green, Paper plate. 
• Decide on a book to read.     Suggested books: The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall ,The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons,Ten Apples Up On Top! By Theo LeSieg.,

Lesson:

• Read a book. 
• Discuss apples while showing apples, pictures and/or books.  Apples are a fruit, plant, have seeds.
• Discuss the changes through the seasons in apple trees.  Can be discussed with seasons
• Fruits are a healthy food. 
• It is fun to cut an apple in half horizontally to show the children the star pattern created by the core and seeds.  Use this apple to do the apple stamping in the activity below.

Discussion Questions:

• What color are apples?  Red, yellow, green or a combination of colors.
• How do they grow?  On apple trees.
• How do they taste?  Sweet, crunchy, juicy.
• What can we make with apples?  applesauce, apple juice, apple pie, apple cake, etc.

Activity: Apple Stamping  (It is fun to use red, yellow and green paint and make a stamping of each color.  Keep an apple in each color of paint and don’t mix colors.  Use paint shirts.  Do with one child at a time.)  

• Cut your apple in half( for an apple-shaped stamp cut the apple vertically – cutting it horizontally makes a circular shaped stamp.)
• Pour paint onto a pie tin or plastic plate.
• Dip your apple into the paint.
• Stamp your apples on the paper.  If the apples are carefully stamped, the star may be visible.  
• Set aside to dry.

Making Applesauce is a fun activity with children.  Applesauce blog to be posted soon.

For more educational products and information visit www.phonicsbyspelling.com

 

Stop the Spread of Germs

Teach How to Not Spread Germs

(A good lesson for the first day of school)

Objective: Introduce the concept of germs as micro-organisms that can make us sick.  Teach children how to stop the spread of germs.

Preparation:  Have the following materials:

• Hand washing facilities
• Liquid foam soap
• Paper towels
• Materials for model germs such as pom-poms, pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes, foam shapes, etc.
• Construction paper
• Decide on a book to read — Suggested books:  Germs are not for Sharing by Elizabeth Verdick, Germs! Germs! Germs! By Bobbi Katz, The Adventures of Micki Microbe by Maurine Burnham Guymon

Lesson:

Read the book(s) then discuss.  Discussion Questions:

• What are germs?  Germs are tiny living things called micro-organisms. They can’t be seen with our eyes alone, but they can sometimes make us sick.
• How are germs spread?  When you sneeze or cough germs rush out of your nose and mouth into the air.  Germs can be on your hands although they cannot be seen and can spread to things you touch.
• How do we prevent them from spreading?  Cover your face when you sneeze or cough with your elbow or shoulder to stop the spread of germs with your hands.  If you stay home when you are sick, your friends at school won’t get sick.
• When is it important to wash your hands?  You need to wash our hands after you cough, sneeze or blow your nose, play with a pet, or go to the bathroom.  We need to also wash our hands before we eat.

Have the children practice washing their hands.  Role-play washing hands.  (Squirt soap on hands then rub in for about 20 seconds or the length of a simple song, then wash and dry.)

Activity: Make Model Germs

It is fun to have children create germs.  Have the children make “germs” from pom-poms, pipe cleaners, and foam pieces glued to construction or heavy paper.  You can have them draw on eyes or use wiggly eyes or sequins.  Let them be creative and show their interpretation of what germs look like.  Write the word “germs” on the paper.

For more educational materials and information visit www.phonicsbyspelling.com

 

Teach about Summer–The Season

Summer

Objective: Help children see and experience summer and how it is different to other seasons.

Preparation:

• Find drawings or pictures from books, magazines or old calendars of summer activities, food, and sun protection items.
• Print the attached worksheet. Downloadable PDF link: summer vs. winter worksheet
• A world globe and lamp.
• Decide on a book to read.  Suggested books: The Wonderful Tree, by Adelaide Holl,  Wake Up, Jeremiah, by Ann Himler,   The Sky Dog, by Brinton Turkle,   Frog and Toad Together, by Arnold Lobel The Reasons for Seasons by Gail Gibbons
  

Lesson:

Read a book(s) then discuss while showing pictures:

Discussion Questions:

• Why do we have summer?  Summer is the time when our part of the earth tilts towards the sun.  This can be demonstrated by holding the lamp next to the globe and explaining how the Earth is tilted on its axis.  Put a sticker on the globe where you live.  Rotate the globe around the lamp showing when their part of the Earth is tilted more toward the Sun it causes the sun to rise higher in the sky it causes longer days.  The rays of the sun hit the earth more directly causing hotter weather.  When their part of the  Earth is tilted away from the Sun it is winter.  The Sun rises low in the sky, and causes shorter days.  The rays of the sun strike the ground indirectly causing colder weather.
• What is the weather/temperature like in the summer?  It is the warmest season of the year.
• What are some ways to protect ourselves from heat and sunburn?  Protect yourself by using sunscreen, wearing a hat, wearing sunglasses, drinking a lot of water, etc.
• What kind of things do we do in the summer?  We play in the water. go on vacations/camping. celebrate the fourth of July, ride bikes, have picnics, play summer sports like baseball and soccer, etc.
• What kind of foods are fun to eat or drink in the summer?  We eat ice cream, Popsicles, watermelon, etc.
• How is summer different from winter?  We wear lighter clothes.  It is hot outside.  

Activity: Worksheet 

How do we dress differently in the summer than in the winter?  Have the children do the attached worksheet. Discuss with them what each picture is and to which column it belongs. Ask why each article of clothing would be appropriate for that season.

For more educational products and information visit www.phonicsbyspelling.com

Vehicles

Vehicles

Objective: Children will learn how vehicles can help us and that vehicles travel through the air, on the land and on the water .   Note: You may want to teach vehicles in 2 or 3 lessons.

Preparation:

• Find drawings or pictures of a variety of different types of water, land and air vehicles from books, magazines, internet, or old calendars.

• Prepare red and green paper for the Red Light, Green Light activity.

• Paper and crayons for making paper airplanes.

• Print out vehicle book from the following link: vehicles book

• Cut vehicle book into quarters then staple together to make a book.

• Suggested books:

  • Truck Talk by Bobbi Katz

  • Follow That Boat by Jim Razzi

  • Tracks by David Galef

Lesson:

Read a book then discuss vehicles while showing pictures.

Vehicles are machines that take people or things from one place to another.  Discuss Vehicles and what they are used for:

    1.  Water:

• Water was the first method of travel.
• Today, ships are used to move big things around the world.
• Often boats and ships are used fun.

     2.  Land:

• We can travel on land in cars, buses and trains. 
• We use these to go to school, to the park, to the grocery store, or to Grandma’s house.
• Trains and trucks are used to move the food we eat, the clothing we wear, and materials to make homes.
• Big vehicles are used to make roads, and buildings.
• Some trucks deliver things like mail, furniture, etc.

    3.  Air:

• We can travel by air in airplanes and helicopters.
• Airplanes takes packages and mail. 
• Helicopters help our community and world.  They are used to fight fires, help police, and move injured people to the hospital. 

    4.  Space:

• Rockets are used to take people, satellites and other things into space.  

Possible Activities:

Play Red Light, Green Light:

• Talk about how red means go and green means stop.
• Have children line up in a row at least 10 feet away from you. 
• Say, “green light” while holding up green paper.
• The children start coming towards you.
• Say, “red light” while holding up red paper.
• The children stop.
• Continue until they reach you. 
• Variations are: Use the Spanish words “verde” and “rojo” for the colors– Let the children take turns being the stop light–They could crab walk, hop, or crawl.

Make a paper airplane:

• Have children decorate the paper with markers or crayons.
• Help them fold the paper to make a paper airplane.
• Fly airplane.

Make a Vehicle book:

• Read each page with the children.
• Then have them draw a vehicle to go with the sentence.
• Repeat with each page.

Farm–Animals, Plants, and Machines

     Farms

Objective:  Children will learn about animals, plants and machinery on farms.  Also learn to listen and follow directions.  (You may want to divide Farms into 3 lessons. Also it is good to teach the “AR” sound with farms.)

Preparation:

• Find drawings or pictures of farm animals, plants and machines from books, internet, magazines or old calendars. 

• Print the attached worksheet.  Farm following directions worksheet
• Possibly plan a trip to a farm.
• Suggested books:

  • Farm Flu by Teresa Bateman  

  • Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown

Lesson:  Discuss farms while showing pictures.

• Farm Animals: Discuss with pictures the types of animals found on the farm and each animals purpose.

• Farm Plants:  Discuss with pictures the types of crops grown on the farm. Include fruit trees, garden fruits and vegetables, hay, wheat, corn, etc.

• Farm Machines:  Discuss with pictures the types of machines found on the farm and their uses.

Activity:  Following Directions Worksheet

Give each child a worksheet and a set of crayons.

Give them directions to follow. Here are some examples:

1. Choose a color then write your name on the top of your paper.

2. With your blue crayon, circle all the animals.

3. With your yellow crayon, color the animal that comes from an egg. 

4. With your brown crayon, write the word, “Farm” on the bottom of your paper.

5. With your red crayon, draw a square around the farm plants or crops.

6. With your purple crayon make a triangle around the barn.

7. With your orange crayon, color the tail and ears of the animal we get wool from.

8. With your gray crayon, color the face of the animal we get milk from.

9. With your green crayon, color the plant or crop used to make flour for bread. 

10. On the back, use many colors to draw yourself on a farm with a tractor. 

Wrap Up:  Read a fun Farm book while they draw on the back of their worksheet.

Weather Review

 

Objective:  To review weather.

Preparation:

• Find pictures or drawings of weather in books, magazines, internet, or old calendars.
• Have crayons, pencils or markers to finish the books.
• Print the template for the weather book.  Cut into 2 pages. Use half a sheet of construction paper for the cover.
•  weather book template page 1    weather book template page 2  
• Suggested Book: Weather by Gallimard Jeunesse

Lesson:

Read the book and discuss:

• Discuss any pictures of weather. 
• Discuss what weather the children have seen.
• Review ideas from other weather lessons. 

Activity:

Help the kids make their weather book by reading and discussing each page as they work. When finished, read the book together.

Suggested Discussion questions:

• What do you wear when it’s snowy; rainy; etc. ?
• What kinds of activities can you do when it’s snowy; rainy; etc.?

 

 

 

   

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Weather: Rain and Snow

    

Weather: Rain and Snow      

Objective: Help children learn about the water cycle and how water is a part of our weather.

Preparation:

• Find drawings or pictures of rain, snow and other storms from books, magazines or old calendars.
• Collect a pan, water, a cookie sheet, and a stove or something to heat the water.
• Make word cards; evaporation, water cycle, water vapor, and condensation. 
• Have crayons, pencils or markers.
• Scraps of construction paper in white, dark blue, green and yellow.
• Print the water cycle on light blue or white paper. water-cycle-picture   If you do this activity with older children, they can write all the words.  
• Create a sample water cycle.

Suggested books:

• Cloudy with a Chance Of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
• Franklin and the Thunderstorm by Paulette Bourgeois
• What Makes it Rain? by Keith Brandt

Lesson:

Read a book then discuss water weather:

Discussion questions:

1. How do you feel when it rains?
2. Are you afraid of storms, if so why do they scare you?
3. What activities do you like to do in the rain?
4. Where do you think rain comes from?
5. What other weather has water in it?  (snow, hail)

Demonstrate “condensation” and “evaporation” by heating a small pot of water on the stove. Heat the water until you see steam.  Show the “water vapor” and “evaporation” cards.  Say, “The steam is water vapor or evaporation.”  Hold the cookie sheet above the water.  Show how the water condensate on the cookie sheet. Show the word card “condensation. Say, “If we hold this cookie sheet for a long time above the water it will start dropping rain. 

Activity: Help children learn about the water cycle by making a water cycle collage picture.  (Tearing paper is a skill that most children have to be taught.)

• Give each child a sheet of light blue or white water cycle picture paper.
• Tear dark blue paper big enough to fill half of the bottom part of the paper to look like the ocean. Have the children glue it on their paper by the word “ocean”.
• Tear a sun shape of yellow. Have the children glue it by the word “sun” above the ocean. Talk about how the sun heats the water and causes it to evaporate. Help them write “sun” on the sun.
• Tear a piece of white paper and have the children shade it with gray with the side of a crayon to look like a rain cloud. Have the children glue it on their paper opposite the sun by the words, “rain cloud”. (Explain how the droplets of water vapor come together and cool to make a cloud and when they get too heavy they condensate on bits of dust and begin to fall to the earth as snow or rain depending on how cold they are.)
• Have the children draw the rain coming from the cloud by the word, “rain” below the cloud. Discuss the ways the rain helps all living things and all the benefits of rain and storms.
• Tear a piece of green or brown paper to look like a slope of land coming down to meet the ocean. Have the children glue it next to the ocean piece of paper by the word “land”.
• Tear a strip of blue paper to look like a river. Have the children glue it on the slope of land by the word, “river”. Talk about the collection of rain into rivers, lakes and oceans
• Read all the words on the picture together.

Check out our website: http://www.phonicsbyspelling.com/

Weather – Wind

 Wind

Objective: To learn about and experience wind and air.

Preparation:

• Find drawings, books, magazines or old calendars of wind.
• Have crayons, pencils or markers for the children.
• Square paper or print out pin wheel template. pinwheel template
• New pencil, straw or make your own stick by rolling up paper.
• Straight pins.
• Masking tape.

Books:

• Wind by Ron Bacon
• Wind by Marion Dane Bauer

Lesson:

• Explain to the children that wind is moving air. 
• Wind is invisible.
• Discuss some of the signs that tell us it is windy. (Use pictures or books)  Give them clues such as clouds moving in the sky, wind chimes ringing, feeling the winds on our skin, and leaves or paper blowing across the yard.  
• People use wind for many different things such as; flying a kite, sailing a sailboat, or blowing windmills to create electricity.

Activity:   Pinwheel  pinwheel template

• Give the children the square or template.
• Have the children color and decorate both sides of the pinwheel.
• Have them cut on the diagonal lines. Making sure to have them stop cutting where the line stops.
• Take every other point and bring it to the center of the pinwheel.
• Push a pin through four of the points and the center of the pinwheel.  Then push the pin through the eraser of the pencil or about ½ inch from the top of a straw or rolled paper.
• Bend the end of the pin down against the pencil, straw or rolled paper. Leave a little space between the pin and stick so the pinwheel spins freely. 
• Wrap several times with masking tape to keep in place and to cover the sharp end of the pin.

Optional activities:

Kite:     http://www.ehow.com/how_4742941_make-paperbag-kite.html

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Weather – Air

         Air/Weather

Objective:  Help children understand how air affects the world around us.

Preparation:

• Find drawings or pictures books, magazines or old calendars of wind, plants, and animals.
• Have a large balloon.
• Have crayons, pencils or markers for drawing.
• Drawing paper.
• Decide on a book to read. Suggested books:
• Air Is All Around You by Franklyn M. Branley  
• If We Could See Air by David T. Suzuki    
  

Lesson:
Read a book then discuss:

• Did you know that air is all around you?
• Without air there wouldn’t be any life on Earth? (Have everyone breathe in and exhale out.)  
• Air is the gas that floats all around you and makes up our atmosphere. We can’t see it, since it is made up of colorless gases.  
• Some of the gases that make up the air around us are oxygen, and carbon dioxide. We like to shorten carbon dioxide and just call it “CO₂”.
• All life on Earth depends on air to stay alive. When we breathe, we inhale air. Our bodies use the oxygen. 
• Humans and animals make CO₂ and exhale it into the air. 
• Plants use CO₂ and put oxygen back into the air. 
• Plants clean the air. Let’s give the plants some CO₂.  (Breathe in and exhale out again.)  
• Although we usually can’t feel it, air is always touching us.  (Blow up a balloon.)
• One of the few times that you can actually feel air is when it is windy.  (Make wind by letting the air go in the balloon.) 
• Air is used for many different things, such as flying planes, sailing on a sail boat, or blows windmills to create electricity.

Activity: Make an air cycle picture.   

• Give each child a sheet of drawing paper.
•  Have the child draw a picture of self on one side of the paper and a tree on the other side.
•  Draw an arrow from the tree to the child. and write “oxygen” by this arrow.
•  Draw an arrow going from the child to the tree and write “ CO₂” by that arrow.
•  Have them lightly color some air with the side of a blue or gray crayon.

Optional activities are to make airplanes or kites.

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