Gym-bo-Whee!!!: Creating an Exercise Studio/Gym in the Dramatic Play Center

Since our next unit surrounds physical fitness, nutrition and topics ranging from the human body to healthy habits, my co-teacher and I created one pumped-up gym. From weights crafted from a pool toy and plastic party plates (designed by my fabulous mom) to tot-sized exercise bands, I think our little gym will be buzzing with activity.

Take a look at some of the "equipment" that was created for our gym. Instructions are included in the captions. No sweat! 

Many of the items were found at Dollar Tree Dollar Stores. These stores really save you a buck and makes a teacher's job a breeze. I don't know what I do without you Dollar Tree!

Old exercise bands cut into sections 

Is it hot in here? Make sure to wear your wristbands to soak up that sweat. 

Hoop-la! Create a hula hoop jumping, hopping etc. gross motor game in your gym by placing mini-hula hoops in your dramatic play area.  (Dollar Tree) 

Pumping Iron! Cut long, flexible pool toys in quarters and place a heavy duty glue (My mom used Aleene's Jewel-It Embellishing Glue) thickly on ends of pool toy. Press black plastic plates over the glue. Hold for a minute so the plates adhere to the pool toy. (All items for this project were bought from Dollar Tree). 

Having a ball! Use these as exercise balls! (Dollar Tree)

Time Out for Teacher: Best Salon in Illinois: Wesley James Salon

Spring break is in full swing this week at my daycare, so vacation time beckoned on my work schedule. What better way to put a "spring" in my step by removing the winter doldrums of dry, staticy and brassy hair then getting a new hair cut and style!

I skedaddled my way to a local salon with an elegant moniker, Wesley James Salon, and have to say I am overjoyed with their hair-roic results. Goodbye flat, lackluster color, Hello gorgeous!

Below you will find a review I posted on Yelp.com describing the glorious events which followed upon entering this upscale, low-brow salon with more charm than a dimpled smile.

This salon gives you knockout style without the pompous attitude of their downtown cousins! The staff gave me some of the most shear-ly phenomenal service I have ever had in my many, many, many hair -rowing encounters. 

My stylist, Kelly, is a hair genius who expertly applied subtle shades of natural blond highlights and erased some very coppery tones from my hair, to create a shimmering mane full of vanilla and carmel decadence! I also received a precision haircut that even the most persnickety client would be drooling over.

If Hollywood knew of her beauty talents, the stars would be breaking down the doors of this quaint and secluded salon located in the adorable town of Clarendon Hills. 

Another point I would like to make about the staff is their dedication to client satisfaction. Since Kelly had another client waiting, another stylist, Jaclyn, asked if she could blow-dry my hair so Kelly could attend to her next client. Talk about a teamwork! 

Jaclyn is a blow-dry goddess. I have thick, curly hair that sends most stylists into full blown panic attack mode, but Jaclyn wielded her mighty round brush and proclaimed victory over my unruly locks in no time flat! 

I left the salon glowing and feeling like I had just won the hair lottery! Thank you Wesley James Salon! 

Teacher's Pet: On Your Mark(er), Get Ready Set, Create! Best Markers: Sargent Art 30 Classic Fine Tip Marker

Sargent Art 30 Classic Fine Tip Markers are some of the best markers a self-confessed adult colorer (Is that even a word?) has ever used.

 The vibrant marker inks illuminate even the most mundane preschool coloring projects I have created during lesson planning. The rich, bold and striking colors are artfully arranged in a palette of hues and tints ranging from navy to pastel pink and everything in between!

One note of caution, is to test the marker you are planning to use beforehand. Sometimes the marker doesn't exactly match the color stated in order to avoid the dreaded marker meltdown.

After years of using numerous brands of marker,  I have been won over by these artistic and crafty cuties.

Move over Van Gogh, there's a new artist in town!

Leaping Leprechauns: Check Out This Cute Little St. Paddy's Day Ditty!

The fabled leprechauns will come out to play tomorrow on merry ole' St. Patrick's Day! Check out the song I've written and dedicated to the littlest leprechauns I teach every day.

"Oh Leprechaun"
Tune: "Oh Danny Boy"

Oh leprechaun
So sneaky and tiny
You hide about the shamrocks
Oh so green
You guard your gold
Found beneath the rainbow
Oh leprechaun
Oh leprechaun
You call Ireland home!

by Jennifer Hatcher

*If you use this song on your website or blog, please be sure to give me credit and link back to my blog, not just this posting. Thank you* 

Where's My Pot of Gold?: Fun St. Patrick's Day Learning Activities

Bouncing shamrocks! Can St. Patrick's Day be here already? Irish eyes will be smiling as your little leprechauns are getting "jig-gy" with these Emerald Isle-inspired activities! No blarney about it!

The Rainbow Sight Word Game and Shamrock Fill-In the Missing Numbers Game 

Completed Shamrock Fill-In the Missing Numbers Game

Shamrock Fill-In the Missing Numbers Game (Unfortunately, I do not remember what website I found this ingenious idea from) *See Above*

Subject: Math - Placing number in 1-10 sequential order and identifying missing numbers.

To Do:Create shamrocks and numbers from a Cricut cartridge, coloring page or other die-cut machine using green and gold cardstock. Laminate for durability. Place hook and loop Velcro on numbers and shamrocks. 

  Place shamrocks in 1-10 sequential order in your circle. Give each student a missing number and have them fill in the missing numbers. 

* Have older students place the shamrocks in sequential order in your math center and have them individually place "missing numbers" in their correct order. 

The Rainbow Sight Word Game (Game Source Printout: themeasuredmom.com)  *See Above Picture*

Subject: Language Arts: Print Awareness and matching color words to their correct colors. 

To Do: Place The Rainbow Sight Word Game on a table. Have each student choose a colorful bear counter as their game piece. Place color word game cards (that you had previously color coded for non-readers) face up on the table. Have each student place their bear counter on start. Students take turns choosing a card and identifying the color on the card. They then move their bear counters to the first circle that matches their card (ex. purple card= first purple circle on The Rainbow Sight Word Game. Continue until a student lands on the "pot of gold" finish line.  (Optional: Laminate game cards and The Rainbow Sight Word Game for durability beforehand). 

No Losers Alternative: Have each child play out the game and give them a St. Patrick's day sticker. Some of my favorite stickers are St. Pat's Day by Darice. They are very cute,  seasonal and colorful. 

A Few Center Ideas 

Water Table

Green water with gold glitter

Dyed Green, orange, and white rice (Irish Flag) 

Fill with foam shamrocks, plastic coins, colorful fruit or bear counters (rainbows) and a leprechaun for the students to find. 

Fine Motor

Pot of gold Playdough mats (Wonderful for number recognition too!) http://www.makinglearningfun.com/themepages/StPlaydoughMats.htm

Lacing cards (Rainbow and shamrock)

http://www.chalkinmypocket.com/2011/03/st-patricks-day-lacing-cards-shamrock.html

Irish Symbols of Luck and Folklore puzzles (a great math center idea also)- Print out and color Irish symbols of luck such as a horseshoe, shamrock, harp, leprechaun etc. Glue onto cardstock and laminate. Cut into several pieces. This activity also teaches children the following subjects: Social Studies: Recognizing common themes in Irish folk customs, math: parts of a whole and spacial concepts, language arts: understanding symbols used in Irish folklore and literature. 

Art 

Cut a paper plate in half and have children collage rainbows with wrapping, tissue and construction papers.

Snacks 

Green Fizzers 

• Seven Up 
• green Food dye 

Mix together and serve cold. 

Healthy Alternative 

• Dye milk green with food coloring 

Shamrock Sundaes 

Mint chocolate chip ice cream with "orange" whip cream.  Add a couple of chocolate candy gold coins (remove wrapper prior to eating). 

Healthy Alternative

• Use shamrock cookie cutters to create shamrock apple shapes 
• Carrot sticks, celery and a healthy white dip to celebrate the colors of the Irish Flag 

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!