Today we started our study of the letter “E” and the color purple. We combined both with our first activity. We made elephants from the letter “E” on purple paper.
I used a tutorial from No Time For Flashcards for this project. The children colored the “E” and ear, and then I cut them out. They then glued them to a purple piece of construction paper and added a wiggly eye. I think these are some of the most colorful elephants I have ever seen. 🙂
I allowed the children to use paintbrushes for a change to paint their folders with purple paint. I think they were surprised to use brushes considering all of the unusual items they have painted with in the past few weeks. 🙂
After they were finished painting I used a foam brush to paint one of their hands with gray paint. Then I helped them place their hand on their folders. After they were dry a construction paper ear and and a marker eye, mouth and tail were added. I think the resulting elephants were just too cute. (I will share more about their folders on Friday.)
We recited the following finger plays and songs I found at Everything Preschool.
Circus Elephant
A circus elephant I went to see, (Hold hand over eyes like binoculars.)
He had four legs and was bigger than me. (Hold up four fingers and then point to self.)
He had two ears big and round, (Show two fingers and make a circle with hands.)
And one long nose that made a sound errrrr (Make elephant trunk with arm.)
The Elephant (To the tune of The Mulberry Bush)
The elephant goes like this and that, this and that, this and that.
(Walk heavily and stomp feet loudly)
The elephant goes like this and that, cause he’s so big and fat!
(Puff up cheeks and stretch out arms)
He has no fingers and has no toes, He has no fingers and has no toes.
(Wiggle fingers; wiggle toes)
He has no fingers and has no toes, But goodness, gracious, what a nose!
(Stick arms out like a long trunk.)
An Elephant Went Out To Play
An elephant went out to play
On a spider web one day
He (she) was having so much fun
He (she) invited another one
Come on (name)
Note: I called the first child to walk around the circle like an elephant, and then each child chose another child in turn until everyone was walking in a circle like elephants with their arms as trunks.
The math center activity above came from The Complete Daily Curriculum for Early Childhood
(which is a great resource). The children were to place the correct number of peanuts on each elephant. It was a good activity for teaching one-to-one correspondence.
Wednesday we will be doing some activities with eggs, and tomorrow I will share another frugal and fun activity with you.
