All About Me - Submitted by Cindy
*****
CONCEPTS
Everybody is different. Every family is different. Each of us are special. We all live in different types of homes.
We have five senses. Smells, tastes, see, hear, touch. We see with our eyes, taste with our tongues, hear with our ears, smell with our noses, feel with our hands.
Everybody is different. Every family is different. Each of us are special. We all live in different types of homes.
*****
Songs And Fingerplays
Star Quality
Emphasize the importance of individuality with this song, sung to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
There's No One Like Me
There's no one who's just like me,
No one who knows how to be
Me when I am mad or sad.
Me when I am very glad.
There's no one who's just like me.
Me is who I'm proud to be!
Everybody Knows I Love My Toes...
Everybody knows I love my toes
Everybody knows I love my toes
I love my nails, my knees
My neck and my nose
But everybody knows I love my toes!
Everybody knows I love my eyes
Everybody knows I love my thighs
I love my legs, my lips
My neck and my nose
But everybody knows I love my toes!
Everybody knows I love my feet
Everybody knows I love my seat
I love my skin, my chin
My knees and my nose
But everybody knows I love my toes!
Everybody knows I love my toes
Everybody knows I love my toes
I love my nails, my knees
My neck and my nose
But everybody knows I love my toes!
My Foot...
"Three Blind Mice"
My foot has toes.
My foot has toes.
My foot has toes.
My foot has toes.
Whenever my feet are tickled,
My toes start to wiggle,
My foot has toes.
This Is Me...
This is me, from my head to my toes.
I have two eyes and a little nose.
I can wiggle my ears and stamp my feet.
From my head, to my toes, I'm really neat!
(Thanks Trisha Mullin)
Everybody Says...
Everybody says
I look just like my mother.
Everybody says
I'm the image of Aunt Bee.
Everybody says
My nose is like my father's
But I want to look like me!
Freckles...
Freckles are speckles,
Quite plain to see
On Ladybug,
Tiger Lily,
Butterfly - And ME.
I'm Glad I'm Me...
No one looks
The way I do.
I have noticed
That it's true;
No one walks, the way I walk.
No one talks, the way I talk.
No one plays, the way I play.
No one says, the things I say.
I am special.
I am me.
There's no one
I'd rather be than me!
All About Me...
In my mirror
I can see
Two little eyes
That look at me.
Five Senses
(Tune: Where is Thumbkin)
Five senses, five senses
We have them. We have them.
Seeing, hearing, touching,
Tasting and smelling.
There are five. There are five.
(I point to the parts of the body as I sing the song. The kids love it, know their 5 senses and their parts of the body that correspond to each sense.)
Sound Song
(to the tune of "Did You Ever See A Lassie?")
Did you ever hear a bell ring,
A bell ring, a bell ring?
Did you ever hear a bell ring?
Ding, dong, ding, dong, ding.
Did you ever hear the wind blow,
The wind blow, the wind blow?
Did you ever hear the wind blow?
Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish.
Two little ears,
One little nose
Ten little fingers
Ten little toes.
One little mouth
I open wide
Two little rows
of teeth, inside.
A tongue that pops
Both in and out,
Lots of joints
That bend about.
Muscles and bones
That do most things.
All held together
With my skin.
Actions:
Point to all parts of the body and translate words to action.
Discuss the functions of the body parts.
IF...
If I wore (point to self)
My hat (make hat with hands)
On my toes, (point to toes)
And my shoes (stamp)
You could (point to others)
Never tell (shake head)
Just which
Way up (point to head)
I Goes!
Active You...
You wiggle your thumbs and clap your hands,
And then you stamp your feet.
You turn to the left, you turn to the right
And make your finger meet.
You raise them high and let them down;
You give another clap.
You wave your hands and fold your hands,
And put them in your lap.
All By Myself...
There are many things that I can do,
All by myself.
I can comb my hair and lace my shoes,
All by myself.
I can wash my hands and clean my face,
All by myself.
I can put my toys and blocks in place,
All by myself.
Everyone Is Someone...
Everyone is someone.
Someone special who
Walks and talks in ways
That only he (she) can do!
We know someone special.
Someone we like too.
Here is someone we call (Student's name)
We like you 'cause you're you!
Everyone's Important...
(sung to Have You Ever Seen A Lassie?)
(Student's name) is important, important, important.
(Student's name) is important to me and to you.
In work and in play
He (she) does his (her) best each day.
(Student's name) is important to me and to you.
Finger Song...
Sung to 'ABC Song'
1,2,3,4,5 fingertips,
I can touch them to my lips.
I can cover up my eyes,
I can clap them on my thighs.
Now let's do the other hand,
Are you sure you understand?
Five Busy Fingers...
Five busy fingers on each hand,
Do many things.....you'll see!
They'll cut, and tie, and sip, and snap,
What an important part of me!
Following Directions...
Please stand on tip toes. (Caregiver)
I will stand on tiptoes. (Child)
Wiggle your nose. I will wiggle my nose.
Please reach up high. I will reach up high.
Point to the sky. I will point to the sky.
Wave your right hand. I will wave my right hand.
Stand and look grand. I will stand and look grand.
Please jump in one place. I will jump in one place.
Please cover your face. I will cover my face.
Head And Shoulders...
Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Knees and toes, knees and toes,
Head and shoulders, knees and toes,
Eyes, ears, mouth and nose.
Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat,
Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat,
And hair and hips and chin and cheeks,
Ankles, elbows, feet and seat, feet and seat.
I Can Bend And Touch The Floor...
Sung to 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'
I can bend and touch the floor,
Touch the floor, touch the floor.
Put your hands on the floor,
Now let's walk around.
Look At Me And Remember...
Sung to 'Frere Jacques'
Look at me, look at me,
Remember me, remember me,
What am I wearing? What am I wearing?
Look at me, look at me.
Me...
Here are my fingers and here is my nose.
Here are my ears, and here are my toes.
Here are my eyes that open wide.
Here is my mouth with my white teeth inside.
Here is my pink tongue that helps me speak.
Here are my shoulders and here is my cheek.
Here are my hands that help me play.
Here are my feet that go walking each day.
Peek A Boo...
Sung to 'Frere Jacques'
Where are you hiding?
Where are you hiding?
I can't see you.
I can't see you.
Are you here or over there?
Are you here or over there?
Peek a boo!
Peek a boo!
Mulberry Bush...
Here we go round the mulberry bush,
The mulberry bush, the mulberry bush,
Here we go round the mulberry bush
on a cold and frosty morning.
This is the way we wash our hands......
This is the way we brush our teeth.....
This is the way we comb our hair.....
This is the way we go to school.....
Stretch, Stretch, Stretch Your Arms...
Sung to 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'
Stretch, stretch, stretch your arms
High above your head,
Stretch so high,
Reach the sky,
And then we'll stretch again.
Stretching,Stretching Boys and Girl...
Sung to 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star'
Stretching, stretching boys and girls,
Show the world who you are,
Reach above the moon and stars
Show the world who you are.
Stretching, stretching boys and girls,
Reach above the moon and stars.
Show Me If You Can...
Sung to 'In and Out The Window'
Where is your finger?
Where is your finger?
Where is your finger?
Show me if you can.
Good, now where's your nose?
Now, where is your nose?
Now, where is your nose?
Show me if you can. (Use other body parts.)
Ten Little Fingers...
I have ten little fingers,
They all belong to me.
I can make them do things,
Would you like to see?
I can shut them up tight,
I can open them wide.
I can put them together,
And I can make the hide.
I can make them jump up high,
I can make them jump down low,
I can roll them around
And fold them just so.
The Shape-Up Song...
Sung to 'Farmer in the Dell'
We're jumping up and down
We're jumping up and down
We're getting lots of exercise
We're jumping up and down.
We bend and touch our toes.....
We kick our legs up high......
We jog around the room.......
We wiggle our whole body....
We stretch up to the sky.......
There's No One Like Me...
(sung to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
There's no one who's just like me,
No one who knows how to be.
Me when I am mad or sad.
Me when I am very glad.
There's no one who's just like me.
Me is who I'm proud to be!
Touch My Nose...
Sung to 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star'
Wiggle wiggle little toes
Oh! my goodness what a pose.
Up above my head so high
Dancing way up in the sky.
Wiggle, wiggle little toes
Won't you come and touch my nose.
Two Little Hands...
Two little hands go clap, clap, clap.
Two little feet go tap, tap, tap.
Two little hands go clump, clump, clump.
Two little feet go jump, jump,jump.
One little body turns round and round.
And sits quietly down.
Wake Up Sleepy Heads...
Sung to 'Yankee Doodle'
Hey, you sleepy heads, wake up
You cannot sleep all day.
It's time to open up your eyes
So we can run and play.
Find your shoes and put them on.
We'll put your cot away.
We are rested from our nap
And now we want to play.
What I Can Do...
I can spin like a top.
Look at me! Look at me!
I have feet and I can hop.
Look at me! Look at me!
I have hands that can clap.
Look at me! Look at me!
I can lay them in my lap.
Look at me! Look at me!
When We Walk Down The Stairs...
Sung to 'Turkey in the Straw'
When we walk down the stairs we walk next to the wall.
We hold on to the handrail, so we won't fall.
We never push or shove because it's not the thing to do.
We walk the stairs so carefully and hope that you do too.
Where Is Thumbkin?
Where is thumbkin, where is thumbkin?
Here I am, here I am,
How are you this morning?
Very well, I thank you.
Run and hide, run and hide.
Where is pointer,
Where is middle ma'am,
Where is ring man,
Where is pinky,
Where is the whole family,
Who Feels Happy Today?
Who feels happy today?
All who do, snap your fingers this way.
Who feels happy today?
All who do, clap your hands this way.
Who feels happy today?
All who do, wink your eyes this way.
Who feels happy today?
All who do, fold your hands this way.
Who's Talking...
Sung to 'London Bridge'
When you listen to a voice
You can tell whose it is.
Everybody close their eyes.
Guess who's talking.
Wink - Wink...
Make one eye go wink, wink, wink;
Make two eyes go blink, blink, blink,
Make two fingers stand just so;
Then ten fingers in a row.
Front and back your head will rock!
Then your fists will knock, knock, knock.
Stretch and make a yawn so wide;
Drop your arms down to the sides.
Close your eyes and help me say
Our very quiet sound today.
Sh.....Sh......shhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I Can Do The Can-Can...
I can do the can-can just like this.
I can do the hoola hoop.
I can do the twist,
Queens go curtsy,
Kings go bow,
Boys go, 'Hi there!'
Girls go, 'Wow!'
Jack In The Box...
Jack in the box,
Sits so still,
Won't you come out now? Yes, I will!!!
Emotions...
If you're happy & you know it (clap your hands)
silly-shake your head
angry-stamp your feet
sad-say boo hoo (rub eyes)
hungry-rub your tummy
sleepy-close your eyes
excited-yell hooray (raise arms overhead)
scared-hide your eyes
I'm Glad I'm Me
No one looks
The way I do.
I have noticed
That it's true.
No one walks the way I walk.
No one talks the way I talk.
No one plays the way I play.
No one says the things I say.
I am special.
I am me.
There's no one else
I'd rather be!
I use the following story by my friend Vicki Witcher. I have it as a black line book, and I've made sentence strips for the pocket chart, using the illustrations from the book. I also have a cute child (about 3 feet tall) on my bulletin board, with the text written on sentence strips and placed adjacent to the correct part of the body. This is one of our first stories for tracking print and learning one-to-one correspondence:
I See Me
By Vicki Witcher
I see my head.
I see my shoulder.
I see my arm.
I see my elbow.
I see my wrist.
I see my knee.
I see my ankle.
I see all of me!
Part of our end-of-year assessment in kindergarten requires the children to name body parts as the teacher points to them. I discovered many of my students didn't know the words wrist and ankle, so we now learn them at the beginning of the year.
This is me, from my head to my toes.
I have two eyes and one little nose.
I can wiggle my ears and stamp my feet.
From my head, to my toes, I'm really neat!
Learning About Our Hands
There are two little eyes to open and close.
There are two little lips and one little nose.
There are two little cheeks and a tongue shut in.
There are two little ears and one little chin.
There are two little arms and elbows neat.
There are two little shoes on two little feet.
There are two little shoulders stout and strong.
There are two little hands busy all day long.
~~~
This is my hand,
My hand will do
A 1000 loving things for you.
And you will remember
When I am tall
That once my hand
Was just this small.
*****
Games
Whistle Game
(Sense of Sound)
Even toddlers can play this game by Jan M.
Materials: One whistle
Description: During circle time, teachers give one child a whistle and have them go and hide. When the child is hidden, instruct the child to start blowing the whistle. The other children are then to follow the sound of the whistle to find the child. The child who finds the hidden child is next to get to hide.
Mirror Anatomy (game)
Children can practice naming the parts of their bodies while looking in a
mirror. They will also enjoy practicing different facial expressions.
Observing how they look when they have different feelings inside helps
children to understand the Body Language of others.
People Puzzles (game)
Materials: Masking Tape
Make a very large shape on the floor with masking tape. It's fun to make
letters and numbers.One by one the children fit their bodies along the
outline shape until the puzzle is complete. Let some children watch as the
people puzzle comes to life.
Kid Connections (game)
Each child finds a partner. As you call out body parts, each child connects
with his partner. 'Toe to toe! Elbow to elbow! Knee to knee!' Then try
calling 'finger to shoulder' or 'lips to ear' or 'heel to back.' Experiment
with connecting cheeks, thighs and knuckles. The children will watch and learn
as they successfully bond in these 'kid connections.' They will discover more
and more body parts and all the ways these different parts move, bend, twist,
and turn.
*****
Art
-Rip up different kinds of paper, to hear the different sounds (newspaper, tissue paper, tissues, etc) Then use the scraps to make collages.
-Finger paint with 2 primary colors, to make a new color (SEE the change)
-Binoculars-
Let children decorate 2 toilet tissue rolls and then attach them together, to make binoculars. Attach string, if desired, so they can wear them.
-Air fresheners:
Use whole oranges, insert cloves all around. Attach a ribbon ontop, to hang it with. This is also very pretty, if you have some mesh netting to wrap around the orange and then stick in the cloves. The different color lace makes a nice look.
-Painted pizza:
Use the round cardboard circles, that they use at pizza places. Have children paint them red. Then let them sprinkle on onion flakes, parsley and oregeno. The onion flakes look like cheese and it really looks like a pizza. Plus, it will havea distinct scent.
-Star jars.
Use a jar, about the size of a baby food jar, and fill it 2/3 full with corn syrup, and then fill the rest with water. Add a couple drops of food coloing (color is your choice). Then add metal confetti. When shaken, they are like a 'snowglobe'. You could even hot glue something to the inside, bottom of the jar, before doing everything.
-Let children paint with "texured paint" To make the paint, use tempera paint and add sand- this gives it a gritty feeling. Salt will make it sparkle (and a bit gritty) Soap will make it smooth and shiney (and easier to wash off little hands and clothes.)
Hands that care necklace.
Each child traces their hand, puts their name on it, and cuts it out. String all the hands together, to make a "Hands that care" necklace. Then you can keep it as a classroom reminder that we are all frends, or you can make it for someone as a group project.
Beginning of the year activity using The Rainbow Fish
Grade Level: 1-3
Submitted by: Mo, 2nd Grade Teacher
This is a great getting to know you activity for the beginning of the year!
Objective:
The students will see that everyone is special and has something unique to offer.
Materials:
The Rainbow Fish book
paper fish scale for each student
Blown up Fish on butcher paper
Activity:
-
Read The Rainbow Fish to the class, discussing the ideas of sharing and uniqueness.
-
Give each student a paper fish scale.
-
Have each student decorate their scale with information about them using pictures and/or words.
-
On the large fish, paste everyone's scale. Keep it up throughout the year to reinforce the idea that they are a community with lots of wonderful differences.
It's Me...
Materials: Large piece of craft paper, paper plate, crayons or paint
On a large piece of construction paper have children glue a paper plate that
will become their face. Have the children draw their face on the plate and
their body on the construction paper, trying to duplicate themselves, ie:
color of eyes, hair and what they are wearing. They may add buttons and wool
for hair. It is always fun to see how they draw themselves and the paper
plates add dimension to their drawings.
Snack Time Placemat...
Materials: Picture of child, transparent adhesive paper Mark each child's
place at snack time with a personalized placemat. Using a 9 X 12 inch sheet
of construction paper glue the child's picture on it and print the child's
name underneath the photograph in large letters. Cover it with transparent
adhesive paper for protection. Instead of using a photograph have the child
do a self-portrait.
That's My Name...
Materials: Paper, Pencil, Glue, Macaroni, buttons, popcorn, seeds. Print the
child's name on a large piece of paper and have the child glue macaroni,
buttons or popcorn over the letters.
Body Outline...
Materials: Large craft paper, crayons or paint
Place a large sheet of craft paper on the floor and have the child lie on
it. Trace the child's outline with a crayon or marker, then cut it out. The
child can then add facial features, body parts and clothing using paint,
crayons or fabric. Help the children identify body parts starting with the
head. Point out differences when they are finished, the different sizes,
(tall, short) color eyes, hair etc. We are all different and all special!
Hand Prints...
Materials: Paper, paint, brush
Have your child paint the palms of their hands and make a print on a piece
of paper. Make your own hand print next to each child's. Compare the prints. .Discuss growing up and the changes that take place.
"Painting with Feet"
Preschool children often engage in finger-painting. But for this preschool activity children will use sensory motor and problem solving skills as they paint with their feet.
You will need:
Mural paper or craft paper on a roll, newspaper, tempera paint (2 compatible colors), liquid detergent, at least 4 flat pans, towels for cleanup, relaxing instrumental music, and an adult helper.
Teachers before you do this preschool activity in the classroom send notes home to parents. Explain that their children will be participating in a messy painting experience and ask them to send their children to class in old clothes. It might also be a good idea to have a change of clothes available for each child.
Prepare the painting area in advance by carefully taping a long sheet of mural/craft paper to the floor so that none of the edges can come loose. Surround the mural paper with taped down newspaper. Take the time to make sure all paper is taped down securely. This will make a big difference when the activity is in progress.
Next, place a tub of warm soapy water at one end of the mural paper. At the other end, place flat pans lined with thin moistened sponge cloths. Mix tempera paint with liquid detergent and pour it on the sponge cloths. The sponge cloths will keep the children from slipping in the paint and from getting too much paint on their feet!
Teachers and children now gather together and talk about different ways people can paint. Start the discussion by saying, "Sometimes we use a brush to paint. Sometimes we use our fingers and hands. Do you think we could paint with our feet?" Encourage children to think of ways they can paint with their feet. Dipping bare toes in paint and making toe prints? Or how about dancing with paint on bare feet!
Help two or three children at a time to take off their shoes and socks and roll up their pants (don't forget, you can join them). Put on calm instrumental music and help each child to carefully step on the paint sponge pad and walk or dance his / her way to the other end of the mural/craft paper. Suggest that children let the music move their bodies as they dance with paint on their feet. Don't be surprised if some children want to get more paint and dance over and over again.
As preschool children dance and paint, suggest different ways they might use their feet. For example, you can ask, "What would happen if you painted on your tiptoes? How would it look if you used just the sides of your feet? How can you draw with your toes?" Take time to verbally recognize the other suggestions they make.
When each child is finished painting, help him / her to step into the tub of warm soapy water to wash off their feet. Some children will find that this is the best part! Make sure that an adult is nearby to help children completely dry their feet.
Thumbprint Critters...
Materials: ink stamp pad, tempera paints or chocolate syrup, paper, markers
or colored pencils or crayons. Press your thumb or fingertip onto a piece of paper. This will leave your thumbprint on the paper. Make as many prints on the paper as you like. Let the prints dry. Draw faces, legs and other features on your critters with markers. Tiger (1 print body 1 print head, strips, legs, tail, and ears)- Turtles (1 print body, shell blocks, legs, tail, head) - Butterfly (4 print wings, body, head, antennas) - Lion (1 print body, 1 print head, legs, tail, main) - fish, rhinoceros, hippopotamus
A Handy Mobile...
In just a jiffy you can make a handy mobile. Trace around your hand, on four pieces of construction paper of different colors. Cut out four hand shapes. Tape a hand shape to each end of two straws. Tie a string to the middle of each straw and connect the straws. Tie another string to the middle of the top straw and hang your mobile where it can move around freely.
Picture Frames
Each child frames a picture of themselves with jumbo craft sticks. They decorate the frame with stickers or sequins. I put magnetic tape on back so parents can hang on the fridge.
Mirror Activities...
One thing we did was to have the children look into the
mirror and draw what they see. It is nice to see the self-portraits. We
also made a "mirror" to hang in the hall with the self-portraits by using tin
foil in the middle of two pieces of construction paper. It is safe and gave
everyone the feel of what we were trying to convey.
Here Are My Fingerprints
Each student's fingerprints will give this project a personal touch. In advance, make a class supply of the poem pattern (see print link below). To make a fingerprint project, have each child write his name at the top of a 12" x 18" sheet of construction paper, and then have him trace both hands on his paper. Instruct each child to press each finger (including thumbs) one at a time on a stamp pad, then onto the corresponding finger on each hand outline. Direct each student to glue a copy of the poem (see separate note) on his paper. To complete the project, write the date at the bottom of the paper. Here are my fingerprints!
*****
Misc Activities
Measure the height and weigh students. Make a graph and compare at the end of the year.
Make handprints with the handprint poem.
A Texture Book
(Sense of Touch)
Preschool children will use the sense of touch during this lesson plan. They'll also observe, compare, experiment and practice descriptive and expressive skills.
You will need:
A variety of different textured materials such as cotton balls, scraps of velvet fabric, aluminum foil, sandpaper, burlap, dried leaves etc. Large sheets of oak tag or construction paper, crayons, scissors, stapler and old magazines.
Teachers, with a small group of young children, set out a collection of different textured items on a low table. Include a few samples of each type of texture so that there are enough items for children to compare. Together, talk about the different ways things feel. Teachers can say, "Today we are going to feel many different things. What do your hands and fingers tell you about each of these?"
Encourage preschoolers to feel the objects and talk about what they notice. Help them use describing words by saying, for example, "Look, this one feels bumpy. Can you find another one that is bumpy?" Permit time for exploration.
As preschool children begin to feel and find things that are similar in texture, help them group the like textured items together in piles. While doing this ask, "Why do you think this one goes in this pile" How is it the same as the others?" After youngsters have sorted the items, they might want to mix them all up and sort again. This process is fun!
Some young children can become "texture scientists" by selecting a textured item to hold and going around the classroom finding something that feels the same. When they find something ask the other children to go and feel it too. The process of matching a small textured piece to something similar in their environment helps young children practice comparative thinking.
Make the Book
After the textured pieces are sorted into piles, invite children to choose a pile and make a collage. Use each collage as a page in the book. When the book is completed look at the pages together and ask preschoolers to give you descriptive words and phrases that describe each page.
For example, you can say, "This page is full of rough scraps. They are as rough as..." Write the descriptions on the pages and enjoy your completed book together. Place the Texture Book on display for children to "read" and touch.
Extension: If you have a few textured pieces left over make a texture chart by using oak tag, glue and a felt tip marker. Use the same words for the chart as the children used to describe their pages. For example, next to the cotton, the word "soft" etc.
Make Green eggs
Make Stone soup
Make Textured cards with children and let them feel the different textures
Make T-shirt people for Open House. Each student brings in a favorite T-shirt. Hang the shirt on a hanger. Then each student decorates a paper plate for a face. Tape the plate on the hanger above the shirt and put it in the child’s seat. When people come into the room, it looks like the children are sitting in their seats. This is great for the Me Unit!
Have students draw a picture of their families.
Make thumbprint cookies. Make peanut butter cookies and let each child put his/her thumbprint in a cookie before baking.
Examine fingerprints with a magnifying glass. Also make thumbprints with paint or stamp pad. Make a thumbprint graph.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom trees- make a green handprint with paint and them paint the underside of the forearm brown and press down to make the tree trunk. When it dries, glue colored ABC macaroni or ABC cereal on the tree.
Pop popcorn to show how we use all 5 senses. Hear and smell the popcorn pop. Taste, touch, and see the popcorn.
Make a shoe graph with the children’s shoes. Trace students’s shoe and measure them with rulers, chain links, etc.
Age, hair color, eye color, boy/girl graphs.
Family Tree
Need: Paper, sponges
Directions: Give each child a tree shape drawn on a piece of paper and sponges cut into apple shapes and have them sponge paint the apples onto the tree to represent each family member. The teacher can write in each family member's name on the apples
The Long and Short of Me
Original Author Unknown Need: Bulletin board paper, marker Directions: Cut a three-foot long piece of bulletin board paper for each child. Spread
the paper out on the floor. Have the child sit on the edge of the strip and stretch one leg out as far as possible over the length of the paper. Use marker to trace the outline of his leg; then write the words "my leg" above the outline. In the same fashion, make and label an outline of his arm, hand, and foot, lining each part up at the same edge of the paper. Allow the child to choose more body parts to trace as space allows- a finger, thumb, or even a toe. After drawing all the outlines, have the child color them. Using the resulting picture graph of his/her body parts, encourage him to compare their lengths.
About me
Original Author Unknown Need: Paper, crayons & markers, magazines, laminate, 3 ring binder
Directions: The best project we do is one that is done at home by the family. Each
child is given a sheet with "All about _______ " on it. He or she can decorate it any way they wish using family photos, drawings, magazines etc. When it comes back we laminate these pages and put a ring on it to create a class book. The children look back on this book with their families all year long. We also did a book where the parent got a sheet of paper that said "___________is special because....". This was a page the parents had to create about their child.
" All about Me"
Original Author Unknown Need: paper, paint, crayons, child hand, child's foot
Directions: The children made hand prints with tempera paint. This caption is below the prints: I have two hands and on my hands I have 10 fingers. Will you count them with me? Then the children did Foot prints. I traced their little feet and the children colored them. Caption: I have 2 little feet and on my feet I have 10 little toes. Will count them with me? Then the children did a Self Portrait Caption: Self Portrait It is really neat to see that the children see no race. Children know that their skin is of different color. I asked several questions and wrote down their answers:
What is your favorite color?
What foods do you like to eat?
What is your favorite thing to do?
What is your favorite toy?
How do you help Mommy and Daddy?
What do you like to do with your mommy or Daddy?
What do you want to be went you grow up?
What is your favorite cartoon?
What is your favorite movie?
What is favorite Food?
I write all their answers down on a sheet of construction paper and place it in the back of the book. The children can't answer all the questions but they try. I love to hear their answers.
All About Me "TV" Book
Original Author Unknown
Need: Child's Picture, Picture of a TV screen, paper, crayons
Directions: Take a picture of them at the beginning of the week. Xerox copy a TV
screen and put the photo in the middle of the screen. On the back they put favorites foods, colors, activities.
"All About Us Books"
Original Author Unknown
Need: Child's picture, paper, crayons, markers, etc...
Directions: I asked each family to send in a picture of their child. Each child decorated a piece of construction paper in whatever manner they wished....using bingo dabbers/markers/crayons/stamps & stamp pads/ stickers etc. etc. etc. Then we placed a piece of double stick tape to the back of their picture and they taped their picture anywhere they wanted onto their decorated construction paper. I typed and ran off the following questions for each child to answer.
MY NAME IS____________________. (child wrote own name)
I HAVE __________SISTERS AND _________BROTHERS. (Child used number stickers to fill in answer.)
I HAVE A PET _______________________. (Child chose an animal sticker that depicted their pet or left this blank.)
I LIKE THE COLOR ______________. (Child chose a crayon sticker or used markers to color the answer.)
I LIKE TO EAT ___________. (Answer was dictated by child and written by teacher.)
AT HOME I LIKE TO ________. (Answer was dictated by child and written by teacher.)
AT SCHOOL I LIKE TO_______. (Answer was dictated by child and written by teacher.)
I took the two finished pages from each child and bound them together with the rest of the class's to make an "ALL ABOUT US BOOK!" We pulled a name each day from our LET'S TAKE TURNS BOX and that person got to take the book home for one night to share with his/her family. This was very well received by children and parents alike. As the children "read" the book with their parents all sorts of stories unfolded
as their friends and classmates pictures and stories about themselves appeared.
"ME" Flag
Original Author Unknown
Need: Crayons, magazines, paper
Directions: The children can make "ME Flags" and decorate a pennant shape with pictures of themselves and things that they like, toys, food, people, stories, activities, etc. They can make it into a collage. When finished, have a "ME parade" carrying their flags.
Mirror added
Original Author Unknown
Need: paper, aluminum foil, marker
Directions: Make a hand mirror out of construction paper and aluminum foil and print "I am special" on it
"You are special"
Original Author Unknown
Need: Popsicle sticks, paper, crayons
Directions: I gave each child 6 popsicle sticks and told them to make a house on there paper and glue it down flat after, they drew there family inside with pets or what ever was special to them.
We make "Me Placemats"
Original Author Unknown
Need: paper, crayons, markers, paint
Directions: The children make placemats and color, paint, or write about things that make them who they are. Some draw pictures of their families, some draw their house, others just scribble. Then we laminate them and use them at meals.
All About Me Bags
Submitted by: Pati Mitchell
Need: paper bag, crayons, markers, paint
Directions: Send home a letter explaining to the parents work with their child to decorate the outside of a plain grocery bag with all about me information:
Things that I like to eat
My family
Things that I like to do
etc...
Then inside the bag, they can bring one favorite toy. In class the child talks about their bag and brings out their favorite toy or stuffed animal. This is a great oral language development activity.
Posters
Here are some "All About Me" ideas from Jodi, in California.... (Thanks again, Jodi!)
I encourage the parents to make posters for and about their child to bring to class that month! I have had some real doozies....wonderful posters with the child's baby pictures, pictures of family etc... I gave the parents ideas of what to include in the poster like: your child's favorite toys, books, friends, foods, clothes, habits....pics of friends and family, baby pictures, activities that the child can do all by his/her self, hand prints, foot prints...anything that is in your child's world! And the results were awesome.
ME Books
We also made "ME" books that month, and everyday the craft was placed in each child's book that they could take home at the end of the month. The pages of the book included a mosaic picture of each child’s face we made by cutting small squares of flesh colored paper, then brown, yellow, tan, blue, green, and black. Then the children can chose the color squares that look like their own hair, and eyes and glue them on their faces...You'd be surprised at how much each child's picture looked like the child! You could almost pick them out without looking at the name! The book included pages with their handprints, and a neat craft about each child’s family...I have cut out figures for Adult men and women, older boys and girls, younger boys and girls, and babies too! The child simply picks out the members of their family and glues them to the background and ....Voila...instant family!
Other pages in the book were created by finding our favorite things like cookies or swimming pools in magazines..cutting them out and pasting them to a page in a collage about "Our Favorite Things" we did the same with things that the kids didn’t like (veggies mostly... but some kids even picked out pictures of cigarettes and spiders and owies...) and a page about things they could do all by themselves...i.e. tying their shoe or writing their name or riding a tricycle! (Parents Magazine works great for finding pictures like that!)
BODY COLLAGE
Grade: K-6
Age: 4-10
A Me, Myself and I project.
What You Need:
-
Large paper bags or a large roll of kraft paper.
-
Pencils.
-
Crayons, pencil crayons.
-
Old magazines and photographs.
-
Fabric, yarn, buttons.
-
Glue.
-
Scissors
What You Do:-
Cut open two large paper bags and tape them together until you have a size that's a little longer and a little wider than yourself. Or you can use a section of a kraft paper roll.
- Lie on the paper and have a partner trace around your outline.
-
Cut out the body shape.
- Find pictures in magazines that show things that you like. Cut them out and paste them to your body outline. These could be anything from pictures of animals, to computer games, cars or musical groups.
- Draw your face, shoes, etc. using pencil crayons or crayons. You might also wish to glue pieces of fabric onto your collage.
- Hang your collage on a door.
I begin this unit during the first week of school,
when my students make a simple fill-in-the-blanks book about
their first day at school. Pages include:
My name is ______.
I am ______ years old.
I go to _______ school.
My teacher's name is _______.
I am in ________ grade.
I like to _____________ at school.
They illustrate each page.
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Centers 
