There are so many different themes that can be taught during your Winter emphasis in the classroom. Penguins is a them that will delight.
Preschoolers love penguins and pretending to waddle around the class. It can be a great time to sneak in some science as well. Here are some activities for the classroom.
Storytime
Make storytime come alive with enthusiasm and games. Some books to check out with your kids are: Augustine by Melanie Watt; Please Be Quiet by Mary Murphy; Puffins climb, Penguins Rhyme by Bruce McMillan and if you are doing your winter theme before Christmas read SnowBear's Christmas Countdown by Theresa Smythe. Allow the students to waddle like a penguin every time they see a penguin in the book. Reading is so important at this age. It is important as a teacher to make reading stories fun and since the children will model you, show a love for reading at this time.
Sensory Table
This is my favorite part of the classroom. You can place snow in the table (available at stevespanglerscience.com). This is good for younger preschoolers to feel what snow feels like. You can also place a block of ice in the table.
Another experiment is to explain to the children that a penguin has a special gland in its body that produces an oil which makes the penguins feathers waxy. The waxy feathers protect the penguin from extreme cold and icy waters in the South Pole. In order to show the children how the water repels off of the waxy feathers, draw a picture of a penguin. Color the feathers of the penguin with black and white crayons in front of the children. Pour a cup of water all over the picture. The water will soak the paper, but will roll off the crayon. This science experiment will show the children that the water will roll off of the penguin because of the waxy feathers. The children loved this experiment.
Homeliving
Pretending to be a penguin can be fun for the kids. Create penguin vests by painting paper sacks black. Have a red clip on bowtie for extra fun. Explain that the male emperor penguins carry their eggs on their feet, keeping them there and protecting them with a fat pouch that hangs down over their feet. Place a ball on their feet and allow them to try and balance the "egg" as they walk.
Art
Painting with feet: paint the children's feet black. Put their footprint on white paper. After it dries, add googly eyes and an orange beak. Paint the tummy in a white circle on the foot. The kids will love being messy.
Another activity is to paint with ice. Freeze some black paint mixed with water. Put a craft stick in the ice cube just before frozen. Print out a template of a Penguin and allow the kids to paint with the ice cube. It is a way for them to see how cold ice is while doing art.
Snack
To make a penguin, get an Oreo cookie. Twist off one side and break into two pieces. These will act as the wings of the penguin. Put back on other half with white side showing. Spread two pieces out like wings. Add a chocolate kiss as the head and beak. Be sure to do it in the afternoon before sending the kids home so that they are not bouncing off the wall.
Music
I'm a Little Penguin (sung to tune of "I'm a Little teapot.")
I'm a little penguin black and white,
I waddle to the left and I waddle to the right.
I cannot fly but I can swim, so I waddle to the water and jump right in!
A fingerplay that will also excite the kids is as follows:
Five little penguins swam the ocean floor,
One saw a whale and then there were four.
Four little penguins spun around, whee-ee!
One spun off, then there were three!
Three little penguins, with nothing to do,
One went fishing, then there were two.
Two little penguins, having lots of fun,
One fell off, then there was one.
One little penguin, when the day was done,
Went home to sleep, then there was none.
This should provide a full day of fun for the preschoolers in your class. Enjoy the winter wonderland part of your lessons. Kids love learning and imagining. Please comment if you have any other suggestions.
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