Practice Preschool - Shel Silverstein Week 1

Week 1

Day 1

• Sunbeam Lesson 14 "Adam & Eve..." (5 min)

Talk about how Adam & Even were the first people on the Earth. Explain that they were created in God's image and we are too, as their descendants. 

• Introduce Shel Silverstein (5 min)

Talk about how Shel Silverstein wrote poems--which are like short stories, songs, and plays. He also drew cartoons.  Shel Silverstein began drawing when he was seven years old! He also lived on a boat for nearly ten years of his life. 

• "Sick" poem from Where the Sidewalk Ends (5 min)

Read the poem and talk about being sick as well as telling the truth. Might be good to connect it to The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Take this time as well to remind students of germs and proper handwashing. If desired, sing "The Handwashing Song" from Healthy Habits theme. 

• Snack (5 min)

Today's tip: Make something together! It's fun to do that occasionally.

• Free Play (15-20 min)

Read/display the poem, "Eighteen Flavors", Where the Sidewalk Ends. Setup an ice cream parlor in dramatic play or make ice cream dough (mixture of inexpensive hair conditioner and cornstarch). Have other poems by Shel Silverstein out for children to look at. 

Day 2

• STEAM Lesson (Science) "Snowball" (5-10 min)

Read the poem, "Snowball" from Falling Up. 

If snow is available, conduct the following experiment: Melting Magic. Gather three identical jars/glasses. Fill the first with water (this will be your control), fill the second with ice cubes, and pack the third with snow (or have the students pack it in). Have students guess which jar will have the most water. Let jars melt, then observe!

If snow is not available, conduct the following experiment: Exploding Snowman. Draw a snowman face on a Ziploc sandwich bag. Wrap three teaspoons (or one tablespoon) of baking soda in a paper towel or tissue and place in bag. Pour one-two cups of white vinegar in the bag and seal quickly!! Stand back and observe (best to conduct this experiment outdoors or in a bathtub.)

•  Boa Constrictor! (5 min)

Act out/sing the poem, "Boa Constrictor", Where the Sidewalk Ends. 

• Painting! (5-10 min)

Read "We're Out of Paint, so..." Falling Up. Make a class alphabet book with different foods. Let children paint with watercolor, finger paints, etc. 

• Snack (5 min)

Today's Tip: Homemade Lunch-ables. Rowan often requests a "Lunch-able". All it takes is pieces of lunch meat, cheese, and a few crackers!

• Free Play (10-15 min)

Place ice cubes and water colors in the sensory bin. Add droppers, teaspoons, scoops, etc. Place other toys/objects out as an alternative option.