Getting a Move On

This week I had the chance to wrap up our co-op preschool's unit on transportation.  I was the lucky lady that covered boats and bikes. 

For our day on boats we introduced the topic by putting a boat puzzle together as a group. 

Then we viewed a variety of boats (row boat, sailboat, cruise ship, kayak, motor boat, etc.) and discussed how they were different and identified their parts.  We found out if anyone had ever been on a boat.  Two out of six kids claimed to have been on a boat.  Rhys got to show a picture of himself and mommy kayaking.

We read Toy Boat by Randall de Seve which is about a toy boat that gets lost at sea and, again, we identified the different boats mentioned in the story.  We also talked about their special jobs, i.e., fishing boat, ferry, tug boat.  Don't worry!  The toy boat was found by his owner.

I taught the kids two different versions of  "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" -- the tradition and my favorite: Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream, if you see an alligator don't forget to scream. Ahhh!  We paired up and held hands to row back and forth and made quite a ruckus.

During our art project we finger painted blue waves and glued construction paper triangles and half circles to create sailboats.  A yellow marker created our sun.

For snack we had apple wedges and banana halves with toothpick sails inserted and peanut butter crackers.

After a bit of free play we regrouped and to preface our science experiment, we read Who Sank the Boat by Pamela Allen.  This is a funny book about a group of animals that get in a rowboat--the very last being a tiny mouse. 

We then had show and tell.  Every child was asked to bring a water friendly object that they thought would sink or float.  They brought toy dinosaurs, boats, dolls, rubber ducks, rocks, and a paper clip.  We made guesses as what may happen with each.  Then we moved outdoors. 

Outside, using a tub of the wet stuff, we did our sink or float experiment and categorized the objects thus. 

Then we floated Tupperware containers and filled them with things until they capsized.  Then we enjoyed some free play.

Our day on bikes really got us rolling!  We introduced the topic by bringing a bicycle in and talking about the different parts (frame, wheels, spokes, handlebars, etc.) and their functions.  We asked if anyone had rode a bicycle or tricycle.

We then read Safety on Your Bicycle by Lucia Raatma-- a dry but informative read that was made a whole lot better with discussion and summing up.  Everyone volunteered that they had been on a bicycle or tricycle before.  They talked about the bike colors and how many wheels.

We looked at helmets which some children brought.  I explained that inside our head is our brain and what a brain helps us do.  I described it as soft and shared that it doesn't heal or get better very well.  We examined the helmets and talked about the Styrofoam and that it can protect your brain.  Using a chunk of Styrofoam, each child got a turn to pummel it with all their might.  They did not break the Styrofoam.  We decided it would do a good job protecting us.

We then labeled the parts of a helmet and demonstrated how to wear them correctly.  They had fun trying them on.  I gave each child a light knock on their helmet.  We talked about the bright T-shirts that everyone wore as a way to be seen, and many other rules of safety.

At the table we reviewed safety by gluing the 3rd step in a 3 step sequence to three different bike safety stories (riding bikes with adults present, walking a bike when crossing a street, and wearing a helmet that is fitted properly).  We talked about why these might be good decisions and what consequences not following the safety rule might bring.

For snack we ate brains!  Okay, I'm very open to trying things culinarily speaking (yes, I just made new word) but I'm not that adventurous!  Each child got half a tangerine, rounded side up.  We described that our brains are soft and we have to be careful with them and reaffirmed that helmets are a good idea.

After a bit of free play, gathered around the computer and thanks to Google images, we viewed a wide variety of trails.  We considered that there were different kinds of trails and that they could be used by different travelers (i.e., hikers, horse riders, and bikes).  Then we moved to the garage for our art project because it was too breezy outside.

In the garage large sheets of white paper had been taped down.  The kids thought it was so cool that I was putting paint all over the tires of a tricycle.  Each child got a turn to ride the trike and with a little assistance, they stayed on the paper most of the time.  This was so entertaining to the kids.  They loved it! 

After we revisited the different uses for trails, we glued trail signs for hiking, horse riding, and cycling on our twisted, paint-trailed paper.

We ended with more free play while the large sheets were cut for them to take home.  They had the option of enjoying story time as I read Bicycle Race by Donald Crews, a fast paced and lively read.  Overall, I think all the kids had a fun and positive time learning about a couple more forms of transportation this week.  I had a great time and really appreciate all that each child brings to our learning experience.

I was especially pleased with Rhys today.  I prepped him briefly before his friend began to arrive that he would have to share, take turns, and that it was okay if others touched his toys.  He did great!  He did some really good interacting today!  Way to go, Rhys!  And Hooray! for Mommy for completing a great preschool week!