THIS ISSUE'S THEME: Awesome A
 WELCOME! to Education World's Early Childhood Education Newsletter. Every other week, we'll bring you activities and suggestions to give your teaching themes a boost. You'll find some new ideas -- or perhaps a new spin on an activity you've used in the past. We're happy to be a part of your teaching and hope your school year is filled with wonder, creativity, and fun-filled learning.
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Volume 7, Issue 12
August 3, 2009
Theme: Awesome A
Awesome A
A is for airplanes,
And applesauce, too.
A starts the alphabet,
Let's see what A can do!
This school year, each of our newsletters will bring you and your children rhymes, activities, and resources that feature a different letter of the alphabet. We know that many of you introduce the alphabet to your children one letter at a time by sharing activities that reinforce each letter over the course of several weeks. We hope our year-long format will support your teaching and give you some new ideas to enhance your alphabet instruction.
Note: To augment your teaching of the alphabet through visual, auditory, or kinesthetic processes, share with children obvious LETTERS: The Associative Alphabet Every Child Will Remember by Gisela Hausmann.
Susan LaBella
Editor, Early Childhood Education Newsletter
ANTS, ANTS, ANTS
 Read to children Ant Cities by Arthur Dorros. Discuss how ants live and work together. Next, give each child a 3-cup section of an egg carton. Keeping the three cups attached, children should paint the section black. Staple three pieces of black pipe cleaner to each side of the section to create six legs. Glue two pieces of pipe cleaner onto the "head" for antennae. Let children use white crayon to draw ant eyes. Invite children to give their ants a name that starts with A.
AHH, AN ALLIGATOR!
Give each child a 2 to 3-inch ball of green clay. Help children roll the clay into a log. Next, show them how to use their thumbs and pointer fingers to pinch bumps (scales) along the top of the log. Let them flatten out the tip of the log to create the alligator's head/snout. Let them pull out a tail. Children can use pencils to make eyes, a mouth, and texture on their alligators' bodies. Display children's awesome alligators as you have students move around the room like alligators. To do this they should get down in a front lying position, put their weight on their forearms, and pull themselves along with their feet dragging behind them on the floor.
AQUARIUMS ANYONE?
Make these fun snacks and bring on some smiles. Make blue jello as directed and pour in clear plastic cups to cool. When the jello is almost set, push gummi fish or other candy sea creatures into it. Serve when jello is firm. In addition, you might place an aquarium with goldfish in your classroom. Let children feed and watch the fish. Give the fish names that begin with the letter A.
HEARING "A"
Divide students into groups of ten. Say a word. If the word begins with an A sound, students should lie on the floor and use their bodies to create the letter A.
FINDING "A"
Tape the letter A onto a table or mat. Around the room hide index cards next to things whose names start with A. Write the name of the item on the card. Invite children to search the classroom for "Hidden A's." When a child finds a card, he/she returns to the table to say the name of the item.
APPLE PIZZA
Read to children The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall. Talk with children about the cycle of growth for an apple tree. Discuss foods that are made with apples. Then make these sweet apple treats:
Give each child a toasted English Muffin half.
Help children spread cream cheese and applesauce onto the muffin.
Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Toast in a toaster oven for about 20 seconds more and enjoy!
AWESOME AVACADOS
With children cut open several avocados and remove the pits. Push 6-8 toothpicks evenly around the circumference of the pit. Add water to a small glass and place pointed end of the avocado pit into the water. (The toothpicks should rest on the top of the glass.) Watch as avocado roots grow into the water. When the roots are long enough, plant the pit and roots in loose soil.
YOUR WORD CORNER
Here are some words you will need.
See them, say them … hey, you can read!!
all
and
are
away
Write the words above on a chart and review them. Then read aloud each sentence below. Try each word in each sentence. Let children tell you which word fits.
How ______you? (are)
I ate it ________________. (all)
He went far _____________. (away)
You _________I will go. (and)
Check out the following Web sites for additional background and activities.
Classroom Critters Ant Farm
Learn some cool facts about these insects and how to order an ant farm for your classroom.
http://courses.ttu.edu/thomas/classPet/1998/antfarm/ant_student.htm
Artie the Airplane
Print out this cute coloring page.
http://www.artietheairplane.com/coloringbook/artie.html
Apple Poems and Songs
Find some fun stuff here.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8854/apples.html#poems
Animal Cracker Charades
Scroll down to find this game of charades.
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/animal.htm
Anchors Away!
Try this fun chain-making activity.
http://www.first-school.ws/activities/alpha/a/impactaposter.htm#anchor
COMING NEXT ISSUE
August 17, 2009
The Letter B
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Nonfiction Matters: Reading, Writing, and Research
This is an important book for several reasons: one, nonfiction reading, writing, and research is a relatively new emphasis in elementary school, and in turn, nonfiction seems to be an important key in retaining boys' interest in reading. The appendixes in this book include various forms, reading logs, and so on, and a set of extremely valuable bibliographies of well-crafted nonfiction books in various categories. Written by Stephanie Harvey. Happy reading!
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Understanding By Design
Grant Wiggins is one of the most important education thinkers, with a unique and logical point of view on a fundamental aspect of school -- assessment. In this expanded second edition, Wiggins and co-author Jay McTighe convincingly turn the traditional assessment model on its head. Instead of creating curriculum and then figuring out assessment, they argue that we first determine what kids should learn, second how we're going to assess that learning, and only then design curriculum to enable students to pass. Not many education books crack the top 1,000 in Amazon sales, but this one does. Enjoy!
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The Best of LEARNING GAMES
If you enjoy Education World's weekly LEARNING GAMES feature, you'll love this book! Education World and the National Education Association (NEA) have joined forces to create a handy, pocket-size booklet of more than 30 of our most popular learning games. PLUS an extra bonus -- ten more games for classroom fun!
These classroom games span the grades and the major subject areas -- and inject a healthy dose of fun into the serious business of teaching and learning. Looking to fill the end of a hectic day with something fun and educational? Looking for a great reward for students that will make valuable use of free time? Looking to reinforce basic skills with a fun activity? These games will fill the bill!
Included in this 80-page booklet you'll find these games and more:
Math Facts Race (Math, grades K-8)
You Can Count on Spelling (Math and Language Arts, grades K-12)
Find It... Fast! (All Subjects, grades K-12)
Concentration Review Game (All Subjects, grades K-12)
The Dictionary Game (Language Arts, grades 3-8)
Play Ball: A Major League Review Game (All Subjects, grades K-12)
Friendly Feud (All Subjects, grades K-12)
Plus 35 more games!
The Best of LEARNING GAMES is part of the Teacher Treasure Series, an NEA Professional Library Publication.
http://store.nea.org/NEABookstore/control/productdetails?item_id=0696800
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More Political Correctness
Kids don't get in trouble anymore. They merely hit "social speed bumps."
You're not having a bad hair day; you're suffering from "rebellious follicle syndrome."
You're not shy. You're "conversationally selective."
You don't talk a lot. You're just "abundantly verbal."
Your homework isn't missing; it's just having an "out-of-notebook experience."
You're not sleeping in class; you're "rationing consciousness."
You don't have smelly gym socks; you have "odor-retentive athletic footwear."
You're not being sent to the principal's office. You're "going on a mandatory field trip to the administrative building."
American Anthem
A display of flags was set up in a kindergarten class. "What flag is this?" asked the teacher as she pointed to the U.S. flag.
"That's the flag of my country," answered one of the brightest young students.
"And what's the name of your country?" the teacher asked.
"Tis of Thee," replied the child.
Family Dollar
Teacher: Sonya, if you had one dollar and then asked your father for another one, how many dollars would you have?
Sonya: One dollar.
Teacher: You don't know your arithmetic.
Sonya: You don't know my father.
A Brief History
Carl: I wish I'd been born 1,000 years ago!
Elisa: Why?
Carl: Just think of all the history that I wouldn't have to learn!
Little Johnny Strikes Again
Teacher: Can anyone tell me how many seconds there are in a year?
Little Johnny: That's easy, there are 12… January second, February second...
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