Chapter 10. April: Transportation

Transcription

1 Chapter 10. April: Transportation Darling, L. (2008). April: Transportation. In L. Darling, Using the Mississippi Early Learning Guidelines: Complete curricula for three- and four-year-olds

2 Chapter 10. April: Transportation Introduction... 1 Unit Goals... 2 Reproducible: Letter to Families... 3 Weekly Lesson Plans... 4 Books for April... 8 Books and Book Talk... 8 Activities for Learning Centers Writing Center Taking a Trip around Town Transportation Words If I Could Fly Away Math Center Making Measuring Feet Number-Writing Science Center Weights and Measures Sink or Float Block Center Train Tracks Garages Building Bridges Music Center Transportation Songs Dramatic Play Center Train Art Center Car Painting Shape Collages... 27

3 Introduction In this unit, you and the children will investigate cars, truck, trains, vans, buses, boats, airplanes, and trains. There are many specific activities planned for the various centers, but do not limit the children to these activities when they are at the learning centers. All materials are available every day for children to select and use in addition to the activities and materials you make available to them. The focus this month is for children to: Practice their writing skills by copying words and numbers in the Writing and Math Center Use their imaginations in writing stories about traveling Become familiar with maps and the land and water forms they show Experiment with objects that sink or float Practice measuring with rulers and weighing objects using a pan balance Weekly Themes Week 1: Trains Week 2: Cars and Trucks Week 3: Boats Week 4: Airplanes

4 Unit Goals The child attempts to write by drawing and scribbling. In the Writing Center, the children will copy or use invented spelling to write words related to transportation. In the Math Center, the children will practice writing numbers. In Dramatic Play, the children will make schedules, signs, and menus for an imaginary train station. The child develops an awareness of and uses measurement. In the Math Center, the children will trace their feet and then measure them using rulers. In the Science Center, the children will use a pan balance to compare the weights of toy cars and marbles. The child explores the idea that the earth includes the land, water, and air. In the Writing Center, the children will use maps to plan a trip around town. In the Dramatic Play Center, the children will create a train.

5 Dear families, This month our theme is Transportation. We will talk about cars, trucks, vans, buses, trains, boats, and airplanes. We will plan imaginary trips using different forms of transportation. We will listen to songs about traveling, and build train tracks, garages, and bridges in the Blocks. We will transform our Dramatic Play Center into a train and train station. We will continue to practice our writing skills by copying transportation words and numbers in the Writing and Math Center. We need maps to use in many of our activities this month. If you have maps of our local community that we could use, we would greatly appreciate it. If you can, take your child to see or ride a bus, train, or unusual car or truck. The weather is getting warmer and we are looking forward to going outside every day. Please be sure that your child has a change of clothes just in case we get a bit muddy outside. Thank you for your help and support! Sincerely,

6 April: Week 1 April: Week 1 Trains Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Morning Circle Time Song/Fingerplay I'm a Choo-Choo Train I've Been Working on the Railroad Alphabet Song Down by the Station Engine, Engine Book Steam, Smoke, and Steel by P. O'Brien The Little Engine That Could by W. Piper I Love Trains! by P. Sturgis Freight Train by D. Crews Train to Somewhere by E. Bunting Movement Activity Roll the Ball Cross Over Alphabet Jump Freeze Hokey Pokey Learning Centers Writing Taking a Trip around Town - The children will use a map to plan a trip. Math Making 8 - The children will use a variety of materials to make group of eight. Science Taking a Trip around Town - The children will use a map to plan a trip. Block Train Tracks - The children will use blocks to make train tracks. Music Transportation Songs - The children will listen and move to songs about cars, trucks, boats, and trains. Dramatic Play Train - The children will transform the center into a train station and train car. Art Free Exploration - The children will use a variety of art materials to create art. Playground Free Play - Encourage the children to run and play throughout the playground. Afternoon Circle Time Song/Fingerplay I'm a Choo-Choo Train Book Big Book of Trains by C. Heap I've Been Working on the Railroad Alphabet Song Down by the Station Engine, Engine Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by R. Scarry All Aboard Trains by D. Harding Thomas and Friends by W. Awdry Daily Wrap-Up Review the children's trips around town. Talk about the different ways they made groups of 8. The Little Engine That Could by W. Piper

7 April: Week 2 April: Week 2 Cars and Trucks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Morning Circle Time Song/Fingerplay Windshield Wiper Little Red Wagon Bicycle Built for Two Wheels on the Bus Little Piece of Tin Book My Car by B. Barton Little Trucks with Big Jobs by R. Maass Big Frank's Fire Truck by F. McGuire Garbage Collectors by P. Bourgeois Sheep in a Jeep by N. Shaw Movement Activity Car and Driver Find It Number Jump Ta Tee Ta Ta Roll the Ball Learning Centers Writing Free Exploration - Encourage the children to practice their writing skills. Math Measuring Feet - The children will use a ruler to measure tracings of their feet and make a class graph of the results. Science Weights and Measures - The children will use the scales or pan balance to compare the weights of objects. Block Garages - The children will build garages and roads for cars and trucks. Music Transportation Songs - The children will listen and move to songs about cars, trucks, boats, and trains. Dramatic Play Train - The children will transform the center into a train station and train car. Art Car Painting - The children will create art by painting with toy car wheels. Playground Free Play - Encourage the children to run and play throughout the playground. Afternoon Circle Time Song/Fingerplay Windshield Wiper Little Red Wagon Bicycle Built for Two Wheels on the Bus Little Piece of Tin Book My Truck is Stuck! by K. Lewis Don't Let Pigeons Drive the Bus by M. Willems Firefighters Fight Fires by C. Greene Truck by D. Crews Big Book of Cars DK Publishing Daily Wrap-Up Compare the graph of children's feet measurements. Talk about their experiences in the Dramatic Play Center.

8 April: Week 3 April: Week 3 Boats Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Morning Circle Time Song/Fingerplay My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean Row, Row, Row Your Boat Round and Round A Sailor Went to Sea Book Boats by A. Rockwell Toy Boat by R. DeSeve Boat Trip by P. Walker Sheep on a Ship by N. Shaw My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean Who Sank the Boat? by P. Allen Movement Activity Islands Punchinello Shape Jump Echo Me Rise and Shine Learning Centers Writing Transportation Words - The children will practice writing transportation vocabulary words. Math Free Exploration - Encourage the children to experiment with different manipulatives. Science Sink or Float - The children will experiment with objects that sink or float and chart their predictions and results. Block Building Bridges - The children will build bridges with blocks. Music Transportation Songs - The children will listen and move to songs about cars, trucks, boats, and trains. Dramatic Play Train - The children will transform the center into a train station and train car. Art Shape Collages - The children will make different vehicles using shapes. Playground Free Play - Encourage the children to run and play throughout the playground. Afternoon Circle Time Song/Fingerplay My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean Book Boats by B. Barton Row, Row, Row Your Boat Round and Round A Sailor Went to Sea Here is the Sea A Little Peace by B. Kerley I Love My Pirate Papa by L. Leuck Grandfather's Journey by A. Say Lightship by B. Floca Daily Wrap-Up Review the transportation word cards. Compare results in the Sink or Float activity.

9 April: April: Week Week 4 4 Airplanes Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Morning Circle Time Song/Fingerplay Birds Two Little Blackbirds We Can Itsy Bitsy Spider Over in the Meadow Book All Aboard Airplanes by F. Evans Airport by B. Barton Amazing Airplanes by T. Mitton Angela's Airplanes by R. Munsch Lisa's Airplane Trip by A. Gutman Movement Activity Birds Fly Busy Bee and Back to Back Color Jump Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes Help! Learning Centers Writing If I Could Fly Away - The children will dictate stories about flying to distant lands. Math Number Writing - The children will practice their number writing skills. Science Free Exploration - Encourage the children to use a variety of tools to explore and experiment. Block Free Exploration - Encourage the children to build with blocks. Music Transportation Songs - The children will listen and move to songs about cars, trucks, boats, and trains. Dramatic Play Train - The children will transform the center into a train station and train car. Art Free Exploration - Encourage the children to create art using a variety of art materials. Playground Free Play - Encourage the children to run and play throughout the playground. Afternoon Circle Time Song/Fingerplay Birds Two Little Blackbirds Color Song Book Big Book of Airplanes by A. Millard The Little Airplane by L. Lenski The Noisy Airplane Ride by N. Downs Once I Saw a Little Bird Over in the Meadow All Aboard Airplanes by F. Evans Amazing Airplanes by T. Mitton Daily Wrap-Up Read the children's stories about flying to distant lands. Review the map of the US and talk about traveling from place to place.

10 Circle Time: airplane bicycle boat bus cabin caboose captain car Books for April A Little Peace Airport All Aboard Airplanes All Aboard Trains Amazing Airplanes Angela s Airplanes Big Book of Airplanes Big Book of Cars Big Book of Trains Big Frank s Fire Truck Boat Trip Boats Boats Boats on the River Cars and Trains and Things That Go Don t Let Pigeons Drive the Bus! Firefighters Fight Fires Freight Train Garbage Collectors Grandfather s Journey I Love My Pirate Papa I Love Trains! Lightship Lisa s Airplane Trip The Little Airplane The Little Engine That Could Little Trucks with Big Jobs My Car My Truck Is Stuck! The Noisy Airplane Ride Toy Boat Truck Sheep in a Jeep Sheep on a Ship Steam, Smoke, and Steel Thomas and Friends Train to Somewhere Who Sank the Boat? B. Kerley B. Barton F. Evans & G. Guzzi D. Harding T. Mitton R. Munsch A. Millard T. Lord C. Heap F. McGuire P. Walker B. Barton A. Rockwell M. Flack R. Scarry M. Willems C. Greene D. Crews P. Bourgeois A. Say L. Leuck P. Sturges B. Floca A. Gutman L. Lenski W. Piper R. Maass B. Barton K. Lewis N. Downs R. DeSeve D. Crews N. Shaw N. Shaw P. O Brien W. Awdry E. Bunting P. Allen

11 Books and Book Talk Freight Train What do you notice about the shapes of the different cars? What do you notice about the colors of the different cars? Can you think of things that could be shipped by train? Big Book of Trains What kinds of trains do you see in this book? What are some of your favorite trains? What are some differences between these trains? The Little Engine That Could Why does the little blue engine struggle? Why won t the bigger engines help him? When have you tried to do something that was very hard for you? Cars and Trucks and Things That Go What types of transportation do you see in this book? What kinds of things happen in Busytown? What is your favorite vehicle in this book? I Love Trains What are some of the things the boy sees on the train? What is special about the caboose? Where would you like to go on a train? Circle Time: attendant cargo coal car co-pilot crew engine flight float All Aboard Trains Why do different types of cargo need different types of trains? What types of trains do you see in this book? What types of cargo would you put on a train? Steam, Smoke, and Steel How have trains changed over the years? What is special about trains now? What was special about some of the first trains? Thomas and Friends: Calling All Engines Who are some of Thomas s engine friends? How are these trains different from the trains we have seen in other books? What type of train would you like to be? Train to Somewhere Why was Marianne traveling on the train? What did she think was going to happen to her? How would you feel if you were Marianne?

12 Circle Time: freight jet lake ocean pilot railroad river My Car Why does Sam love his car? What does he do to take care of his car? Where do you like to go in your car? My Truck Is Stuck! Why does the truck get stuck? What problems do the gophers cause? How do the other drivers try to help? Little Trucks with Big Jobs What are some of the little trucks you see in this book? Which truck would you like to drive? Which truck do you think does the most important job? Why? Don t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! What does the bus driver say when he leaves the bus? What are some of the pigeons promises? What happens when the pigeon leaves the bus? Big Frank s Fire Truck What are some of the things Frank and his crew do each day? What would you like to do if you were a firefighter? What jobs would be scary or hard? Firefighters Fight Fires What do firefighters need to fight fires? How do they put the fires out? What else can they help us with? Garbage Collectors What do garbage collectors do? Why are they important in our town? What would happen if they didn t do their job? Truck What are some of things you see on the big red truck s journey? Where would you like to travel in a truck? What important jobs do trucks do for us? Sheep in a Jeep What are some of the problems the sheep have in the jeep? What are some of the rhyming words in this book? Would you travel with sheep in a jeep? Why or why not? 10

13 Big Book of Cars Tell me about some of the cars you see in this book. What is different about some of these cars? Which cars would you like to drive? Boats How are boats different from cars and trucks? What types of boats do you see in this book? Where would you travel in a boat? Toy Boat What does David think about while he sails his toy boat? What does his boat dream of? What happens to David s boat when it gets loose one day? A Little Peace What do the children in the book do to help create peace? What are some of the things we can do to achieve peace? Which of the places in this book would you like to visit? Circle Time: sailor sea ship station steam engine tracks train Boat Trip What are some of the things Jane does to get ready for her boat trip? What are some things Jane does to stay safe on the boat? Where would you like to travel on a boat? I Love My Pirate Papa What adventures do the boy and his father have together? What is special about having a pirate for a father? What would you do if your father was a pirate? Sheep on a Ship What happens to the sheep when they are sailing? Why do they take their treasure chest with them? What are some of the rhyming words in this book? Lightship What jobs did the lightships perform? What dangers were there for the lightships? Why are there no more lightships? Airport What are some things you see in an airport? Have you ever been to an airport? Where would you like to travel on an airplane? 11

14 Circle Time: travel trip truck wagon wheels windshield wing Big Book of Airplanes What are some of the different types of airplanes? Which airplanes would you like to travel on? What are some of the jobs airplanes do for us? All Aboard Airplanes What are some of the different types of airplanes? Which airplanes would you like to travel on? What are some of the jobs airplanes do for us? The Little Airplanes How does Mr. Small prepare for his trip? What does Mr. Small see while he is flying? How do things look different from an airplane that they do when we see them on the ground? Amazing Airplanes What are some of the things you see in a cockpit? What jobs do pilots and copilots do? What are some of the rhyming words in this book? The Noisy Airplane What are some of the sounds heard in this book? Why is an airplane ride so noisy? What are some rhyming words in this book? Angela s Airplanes What happens when Angela and her father get to the airport? What captures Angela s attention? How does Angela find her father again? Lisa s Airplane Trip What happens to Lisa on her plane trip? What are her favorite parts of the trip? How does the airplane lady help her? 12

15 Activities for Learning Centers Writing Center Taking a Trip around Town This activity is designed for children to use their imaginations and dictate stories. Map of your local community Paper Markers Pencils 1. Invite one child at a time to the Writing Center. 2. Show the child a map of your community. 3. Take a few minutes to explain that a map is a picture of what a place looks like from the air. It shows roads, highways, lakes, rivers, cities, and towns. Some maps also have railroad tracks. Locate your center and another familiar place, such as a church or school, on the map. 4. Ask each child to dictate a story about riding around town. Encourage them to use the map to choose a destination, and to imagine what they might see as they ride around. 5. Compile the children s stories into a book titled, Our Trips around Town. Teacher Talk Where would you like to travel on a bus or a train? What do you think you might see along the way? After looking at the map, do you think you could get there on a bus? Are there other ways you might need to travel? Writing Center: airplane airport boat bus captain city conductor copilot cruise destination engine 2.4, , 5.7 Science Skills 4.2, Social/Emotional Skills

16 Writing Center: fly globe highway lake map passport pilot railroad river road route Transportation Words This activity is designed to give children the opportunity to practice their writing skills. They can copy transportation words from the cards that you provide, or they can use invented spelling to write the words. Add to the word cards as children think of different words that they would like to write. Word cards with the Writing Center vocabulary words Paper Pencils Markers 1. Set up the Writing Center with paper, pencils, markers, and the index cards with transportation words. 2. Encourage children to practice writing by copying the words from the index cards or using invented spelling to write their own transportation words. 3. Ask child if there are other words about transportation that she would like to copy, and add them to those already available. 4. In the Daily Wrap-Up, review the transportation word cards with the children and encourage them to read as many of them as they can. Teacher Talk Which words are you writing? How can you spell a word that you don t see written down? Are there other words you want me to write down for you? 2.1, 2.4, , 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, Social/Emotional Skills 3.1, 3.6,

17 If I Could Fly Away This activity is designed for children to use their imaginations to dictate a story about traveling to places that are very far away. Encourage the children to think about what it is like to travel on an airplane, as well as what they might see when they reach their destination. All Aboard Airplanes (F.Evans) Paper Markers Pencils 1. Invite one child at a time to the Writing Center. 2. Review the book All Aboard Airplanes. Ask her to think about what it is like to travel on an airplane. 3. Ask her to imagine riding an airplane to a place far away, and to dictate a story about a journey to that place. Start the story with the sentence, If I could fly away 4. Let the child draw a picture for his story if she would like to. 5. If the child has flown on an airplane, she might want to tell you a story about that trip. 6. Compile the children s stories into a book titled, If We Could Fly Away. Teacher Talk Can you think of a far away place that you would like to travel to? What would the trip be like? What would you see when you got there? 2.1, Science Skills 5.1, 6.7 3,3 Social/Emotional Skills 1.3 Writing Center: sail sailor ship station ticket town train train track transportation travel van (the name of your community) 15

18 Math Center: add compare eight graph group Math Center Making 8 This activity encourages children to practice counting. Variety of objects such as toy cars and trucks and small blocks Paper Markers 1. Invite 3-4 children at a time to the Math Center. 2. Tell the children that they can use any of the objects in the center to make a group of 8 objects. 3. Have each child find the objects that she wants to use, and have her count them out loud, touching each one as she counts. 4. After each child has created a group of 8, let her draw a picture of her 8 objects. Teacher Talk Which objects do you want to use to make a group of 8? How do you know you have 8 objects? How can you draw a picture of your objects? 1.1, 1.6, , 4.6 Math Skills 1.1, 1.2, 1.4,

19 Measuring Feet This activity gives children the opportunity to practice measurement and graphing. Rulers Paper Markers Poster board Index cards 1. Invite 3-4 children at a time to the Math Center. 2. Tell the children that they are going to be measuring their feet. Show the children a ruler and explain that it is 12 inches long. Show them the lines on the ruler that mark off the inches. 3. Ask the children to each take one shoe off. 4. Have the children put pieces of paper on the floor and trace their feet. You might want to pair the children up and let them trace each other s feet. 5. After each child has traced a foot, ask her to use the ruler to measure the tracing of her foot. 6. Have each child write her name on an index card, and note the measurement of her foot. For example, Layla would write, Layla 6 inches. 7. Create a class graph and let each child put her index card above the appropriate measurement. 8. Ask the children to compare the size of their feet with others. Math Center: measure result ruler trace Teacher Talk How can you measure your foot? What will you write on your card? What do you notice about the different sizes of children s feet? 1.1, 1.6, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.6 Math Skills 1.1, 4.3, Science Skills ,

20 Number-Writing This activity is designed for children to practice their writing skills by concentrating on writing numbers. Number line Number puzzles Paper Markers Pencils Manipulatives like counting bears 1. Encourage the children to practice writing numbers. Provide them with written numbers to copy. 2. Encourage the children to match their written numbers with the correct number of objects. Talking Tips What numbers have you written? Can you count objects to match your numbers? How high can you count? 1.6, 2.3, 2.4, 4.2, 4.6 Math Skills

21 Science Center Weights and Measures This activity is designed to encourage children to compare the weights of different objects and report their results. Pan balance or scale (not a bathroom scale) Small toy cars and trucks Marbles Paper Markers crayons 1. Invite 2-3 children at a time to the Science Center. 2. Show the children the pan balance and demonstrate how to make it balanced by placing items on both sides until it is even. 3. Let the children experiment by putting a few cars in one side of the pan balance, then adding marbles until the sides are balanced. 4. Have the children record their results by drawing a picture or writing how many cars and how many marbles they used to balance the pan balance. Teacher Talk How many cars would you like to try to balance? How many marbles do you think it will take to make this balanced? How can you report your results? Science Center: balance compare country experiment explore float map measure object ocean pan balance 1.1, 1.6, , 4.6 Math Skills 1.1, 1.2, 1.4 Science Skills 4.1, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5,

22 Science Center: prediction report result river scales sea sink stream weigh weight Sink or Float This activity is designed for children to make and test predictions. An assortment of items that float (toy boats, plastic cups, plastic toys, etc.) and items that sink (coins, marbles, rocks, etc.) Water Table or large clear plastic tub Smocks Copies of a chart with lists of objects Markers 1. Invite 3-4 children at a time to the Water Table or Science Center. 2. Show them the assortment of items. 3. Ask each child to pick an item that he wants to test. Ask him to predict whether the item will sink or float by putting an x in the column for Float or Sink. 4. Let each child make a prediction and then test a different item. 5. Talk about their results and ask them why they think some items float and some sink. Teacher Talk What do you predict will happen when you put your objects in the water? What happened when you put your objects in the water/ Why do you think some things float and some sink? 1.1, 1.6, Math Skills Prediction Chart 2.2, 3.1 Science Skills prediction 1.5, 4.1, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8 Object toy car marble Float Sink x x penny x report 3.1 pencil x Social/Emotional Skills pebble x result 4.2 toy boat x Science Center: river scales Sink or Float This activity is designed for children to make and test pr sea sink stream weigh weight 20 An assortment of items that float (toy boats, plas toys, etc.) and items that sink (coins, marbles, ro Water Table or large clear plastic tub Smocks Copies of a chart with lists of objects Markers 1. Invite 3-4 children at a time to the Water Table or 2. Show them the assortment of items. 3. Ask each child to pick an item that he wants to te

23 Block Center Train Tracks In this activity, children will use the blocks to create parallel lines. If there are train tracks nearby in the community, ask children to look at them through a car window if they ride by them. Talk about why it s not safe to walk near train tracks. Wooden blocks Toy trains Steam, Smoke, and Steel (P. O Brien) 1. In Morning Circle Time, tell the children that they will be building train tracks in the Block Center this week. As you read the different train books, be sure to point out the wheels and train tracks. Note that train tracks have to be parallel (side-by-side) so that trains don t jump off of the tracks. 2. Let the children use the book as a reference to see what tracks look like. They might want to use materials from the Art Center to make their tracks. Block Center: bridge build bus car conductor design engine Teacher Talk What do you notice about train tracks? How can you make tracks using our blocks? Are there other things you could use to make the tracks? 1.1, , 4.2, 4.3, 4.7 Math Skills 2.1 Science Skills Social/Emotional Skills 3.1, 3.3, 3.6,

24 Block Center: engineer garage lake parallel plan river Garages This building activity relates to the theme of transportation. Blocks Toy cars, trucks, and buses s 1. In Morning Circle Time, tell the children that this week they will be building garages for cars, trucks, and buses. Talk about where we park cars and what those buildings look like. Compare the different sizes of the vehicles and talk about how that changes the sizes of the garages. 2. Ask the children if they have ever seen a parking garage, which houses many cars. They might want to try to build bigger structures to park many different vehicles. Teacher Talk What types of garages can you build? What other things do you need to build with? Where did you get your ideas? 1.1, Math Skills 2.2, 3.1, Social/Emotional Skills 2.2, 3.6, 4.2, 4.9,

25 Building Bridges This activity encourages children to incorporate other materials into their block play. Blocks Toy vehicles Flat, sturdy materials like board, poster board, or Styrofoam 1. In Morning Circle Time, ask the children if they have ever seen a bridge. Let the children talk about the bridges they have seen and what they notice about them. 2. Tell the children that there are additional materials in the Block Center so that they can experiment with building their own bridges. 3. Encourage the children to test their bridges by driving toy cars and trucks over them. Let them use other materials in the classroom if they want to try different ways of building. Block Center: road span train track travel truck wheel Teacher Talk What do you notice about bridges? What do you need to build a bridge? What other things do you need to build your bridge? 1.1, Math Skills Science Skills 4.1, 4.2, 6.5, 6.6, , 3.1 Social/Emotional Skills 2.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.8,

26 Music Center: ambulance boat bus car cement mixer dump truck feul freight train moving van railroad school sea snowplow tow truck Music Center Transportation Songs This is a list of CDs that have songs about different forms of transportation. You might also find songs on CDs that you have used in previous months. One or more CDs of children s songs about transportation, such as these: The Wiggles, Here Comes the Big Red Car Kimbo Educational, Cars, Trucks and Trains James Coffey, Lots and Lots of Trucks Raffi, The Singable Songs Collection 1. Play a different CD each day. 2. Encourage the children to dance, move, and sing along to the different songs. 3. Let the children play along with instruments if they wish. 4. You might want to use these songs in Afternoon Circle Time. Teacher Talk What is this song about? What do you like about this song? How can you play the instruments with this song? 1.4, , 1.2 Social/Emotional Skills 1.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.8 wheels 24

27 Dramatic Play Center Train This month you will transform the Dramatic Play Center into a train station and train. Use the book All Aboard Trains (D. Harding) as a reference. As you talk about other forms of transportation, the children may want to change the center as well. For instance, they might want to make an airplane or airport, or a bus or bus station. Let the children decide how they use the center. All Aboard Trains (D. Harding) Chairs Cash register Table or puppet theater (to use as a ticket booth) Toy food and utensils Suitcases Clothing Bedding like blankets and pillows 1. In Morning Circle Time, tell the children that you will be transforming the Dramatic Play Center into a train and train station. 2. Ask the children to tell you what they know about traveling on a train. Make a list of things they might need to change the center. 3. Let the children help you set up the center. They might need materials from other centers (maps from Science, for example) to create their train. They also might make train schedules, signs, and menus in the Art Center. Teacher Talk What do you know about traveling on a train? What do you need to make a train and train station? How can you change this center to make an airplane and airport? 1.1, 1.2, 1.6, , 4.3, 4.6, 4.7 Math Skills 1.1, 4.4 Science Skills 5.1, , 3.1 Social/Emotional Skills 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.8, 4.9 Dramatic Play Center: Vocabulary Words area bathroom bedroom berth bunk caboose car compartment conductor destination engine engineer lower berth luggage passenger porter route schedule seat station stop ticket train travel upper vacation waiting window 25

28 Art Center: airplane boat car circle collage color create cut glue imagine path pattern Art Center Car-Painting This activity is designed to give children an experience of experimenting with art materials, which is an important part of making art. Tempera paints Paper plates Toy cars and trucks Paper 1. Have paper plates with paint available in the center along with a variety of other art materials. 2. Provide the children with cars in different sizes. 3. Show the children how they can drive the cars through the paint and onto the paper to create tire tracks with the paint. 4. Let the children mix the paints and use as many colors as they like to make their tracks. Teacher Talk What happens when you drive the car across you paper? What designs can you make with the cars? What other vehicles would you like to try? Math Skills 3.1 Science Skills Social/Emotional Skills 3.6, 4.1,

29 Shape Collage This activity is designed to give children the opportunity to practice tracing, cutting, and gluing. Do not pre-cut the shapes for the children. It is important that they have a chance to draw and cut out their own shapes. Construction paper Scissors Glue Shapes to trace Markers Books about transportation (choose ones with obvious shapes in the illustrations) 1. Invite 3-4 children at a time to the Art Center. Show the children the books about transportation. Ask them to describe the different shapes they see in the pictures of cars, boats, trains, and airplanes. 2. Show the children the different shapes that are available to trace. 3. Encourage the children to trace and cut out different shapes, and use them to make their own picture of a form of transportation. Teacher Talk What shapes do you see when you look at these books? How can you use shapes to make your own pictures of cars, boats, trains, and airplanes? How did you decide what shapes you needed? Art Center: rectangle scissors shape square trace track train transportation triangle truck wheel 1.1, 1.6, , 4.3 Math Skills Social/Emotional Skills 3.6, 4.1,