| Volume 4, Issue 27
December 19, 2006
A WORD ABOUT THIS ISSUE'S THEME:
Let's Stay Warm
 Use our poem to encourage children to talk about
things that make them feel warm--both inside and out.
I have a snuggly jacket
That keeps me warm you see,
I've had it for so long
It is like a part of me.
When snow or chilly weather
Come blowing my way
My jacket gives me a warm hug
As I run out to play.
Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter
ACTIVITY IDEAS
THE MITTEN
Read to students The Mitten, by Jan Brett. Create a large felt mitten by tracing and cutting out 2 large mitten shapes. Glue the shapes together around the edges, leaving the top open. Then encourage children to retell the story by placing precut animal picture cards into the large felt mitten in the correct story sequence.
MITTEN MATH
Compile objects that can be used for non-standard measurement: paper clips, pencils, unifix cubes, and so on. Place a variety of mittens, warm socks, sweaters, scarves, hats on a table. Help children use the "measuring tools" to determine the lengths or widths of the warm items. Record students' findings on a chart.
IT'S SOOOOO BIG!
Provide children with this sentence frame:
My jacket is so big a __________ could fit in it!
Invite students to offer their ideas and create a list. Then have children copy their sentences onto a piece of drawing paper and illustrate them.
KEEP 'EM DRY
For each child, nail wooden clothespins to a piece of flat wood. Invite children to paint and decorate their racks. Show children how to place wet socks on each clothespin to dry. When children have completed their racks, let them take them home to use.
WHO'S HIBERNATING?
Talk with children about animals that hibernate. Explain that animals do this because finding food in cold winter months is difficult. Help children understand that animals stay warm while hibernating by having an extra layer of fat on them and by curling up in a sheltered place with leaves, grass, and so on. Then create a bear cave by hanging warm blankets over tables or chairs. Encourage children to bring in a teddy bear or other stuffed animal and have a classroom hibernation time.
ON THE WEB
Check out the following Web sites for additional background and activities.
 Environmental Education for Kids: Whooping Cranes
Find out how whooping cranes are raised and taught to make their southward migration.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/bird/crane8.htm
Jan Brett's Matching Animal Game
Print out these lovely animal cards for children to play a matching game--accompanies the book.
http://www.janbrett.com/games/matching_animals_game_main.htm
Winter and Children's Literature
You'll find a wonderful listing of "wintery" children's books with brief descriptions and related activity suggestions.
http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/winter.html
Winter Waltz
This activity is sure to warm up your children on a winter day!
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-winter.htm
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