Fall Nature Table

I've seen this idea on several blogs and have wanted to do something with my playroom table instead of collecting junk. So, I'm even offering my before and after pictures. Brace yourselves!

Before: a cluttered mess where items get dropped.










After: a collection of our Fall and Apple Themes

Books about Johnny Appleseed
and 10 Apples Up on Top
Cut & Paste Apple Tree
Fall tree using colored egg shells














Another fall collage using colored egg shells

Display of pumpkins from farm field trip






Items collected from nature walk, corn milled at Farm Day, books on the Harvest Moon



It was hard to get a full picture where you could visualize everything. The kids were very excited to see the transformation! Much nicer than the cluttered table. I'm hoping to change it regularly depending on the season- so check back later!

Week 1 All about Me

General week's schedule:
Songs: Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes, BINGO w/ child's name
Key Verse: Ps. 139:14 I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Books: A House for Birdie by Stuart Murphy, Hands, Hands, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins and The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss

Monday
Favorite Things: discussed favorite: toy, book, snack, color, sport, game and ask what they want to be when they grow up. Record answers to save for later activity.
Review letters in his name and talk about other things that begin with each letter.

Tuesday
Preschool Day Activities:
Songs: Head, Shoulder, knees and toes and BINGO using child's name:

There was a mom who had a boy

and Evan was his name-o

EVAN, EVAN, EVAN

and Evan was his name-o

What's in a Name: write child's name in large block letters on cardstock. Have them glue beans, pasta and rice inside.
Outlines: child lays down on butcher paper and is outlined. Then he gets to decorate it using whatever materials you have around the house.
Favorite things: discussed above answers
Family Tree: draw a picture of a tree with branches signifying each member of the family. Cut out apples for each family member labeling each with the first letter of their name and glue them onto the tree. Have the child glue pictures next to the correct apples.

Wednesday
Talk about who is in our family
Name game: write family members' names on index cards two times and then make an additional card with just the first letter of each name (could be upper or lowercase). Have child pick a single letter and then find names that begin with that letter. You could also do it reverse and match names first then find the correct beginning letter.


Thursday
Make hand prints with poem - see All about Me theme from preschoolexpress.com
Favorite Books: find pictures of favorite items and glue them onto white paper, staple them together to create a small book. Have the child color his self-portrait on front.

Friday
Label body parts
Computer: complete facial jig-saw puzzles found at: http://www.dltk-kids.com/puzzles/theme.asp?tid=32 Great exercise and you can adjust the puzzle difficulty

Play Balloon Tap by calling out certain body parts (ex. elbow, finger, head) to hit the balloon without letting it fall on the ground

Preschool

This week we are starting a co-op preschool in which two other moms and myself will alternate teaching, helping, and caring for younger siblings. The book we are working from is Kitchen Table Play & Learn by Tara Copley & Andrea Custer.

The units are based on various themes with lots of hands on activities and a bit of preparation for the teacher. It will be great for "Eager to Help" to have some other boys his age to work and play with. I will also supplement throughout the week with various activities related to that week's theme. This is another reason I was eager to set-up this website so that I can keep track of all the things we do.

Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any other fun ideas related to the theme of the week.