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•Earth Theme: Art, Crafts and Games

•Earth Theme: Litter, Recycling and Coins

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•Earth Themed Snacks and Variey of Ideas

•Earth Themed Music Activities

•Seasonal Earth and Green Ideas!

•Earth Friendly Ideas for Middle and High School

32 Green Things to do at Home...

•Earth Friendly and 'Green' Contact Resource List

•Gardening Theme

•Bird Theme

•Worm Theme

•Insects/Creepy Crawlies

Also see crafts, art and games made from RECYCLED MATERIALS

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Earth and Green Theme Menu 

 Click here for all four early childhood literacy pages linked together...Fantastic!

This page has 'Tips and Ideas' for daily reading, book talk, and literacy in dramatic play. Although page 1 has ideas that are helpful to parents, it is a page that is more suited to early childhood teachers. 

 Parents AND teahers... Be sure to look  at page 2... there are more than 70   'FUN ACTIVITIES'  ---- that promote reading, writing and communication!

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Introduction: Definition of 'LITERACY'

Thinking is fundamental to literacy! Literacy is most commonly defined as the ability to read, spell and communicate through written language. However, in a more general sense, literacy is more than just the ability to read or write. It means being able to view, listen, read, comprehend, evaluate, speak, and write effectively and systematically.

Literate children approach reading and writing as fun and exciting activities. They use reading to learn about a wide range of subjects, and they use writing to share their own ideas. Literacy stretches imagination and stimulates interests. Youth who lack a comprehensive and enjoyable introduction to the world of literature tend to see writing and reading as work--something they have to do. Literacy broadens a person's world as surely as illiteracy narrows it.

Literacy is empowering.  It is one of the most important skills a person can have! How skillfully and successfully children develop their reading skills and grow towards literacy may influence their beliefs about their personal worth and abilities for a lifetime!

Because literacy develops along a personal continuum, same-age children may display varying levels of skills.  Because of this, both literacy activities for day care and preschool settings -- as well as literacy activities for the first grade levels-- may all be appropriate for each age group. So when planning activity lessons, look for activities geared from pre-k through first grade.

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There are tons of ideas in the following sections--but most of all----'WE' as teachers and parents... need to  model our love for the written word and reading!

Teachers...

• Label everything; write notes; keep a calendar and daily planner; post rules.
• Post lists of snacks; schedule; upcoming events; and children's responsibilities.  Children observe adults using print materials!
• Teachers and Parents...introduce new vocabulary words during routine conversation and book reading.

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DAILY READING

1. Ensure that children have 'daily experiences' of being read to and are independently reading meaningful and engaging stories, as well as informational texts.

 2. Help children learn how to choose appropriate books for independent reading.
 
3. Encourage children to join in reading by letting them complete rhymes or tell favorite parts of stories. After you have read the book a few times, stop when you come to the second word that rhymes, and let the children fill in the word.

    •"Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? I see a yellow fish looking at ____"

    •Use the fill-in-the-blank technique: For example, "Old Mother Hubbard went to her ____." This method also can be used with non-rhyming books.
 
4. Provide opportunities for children to talk about what is read and to focus on the sounds and parts of language as well as the meaning. 

5. Provide repeated readings of stories so children can gain mastery of the narrative, ideas, and language.
 
6. Actively engage the children. Example: "Do you know anyone who acts like that?"

7. Take time to answer children's questions about reading.

8. Allow children to choose the stories to be read during story time.

9. Encourage children to: compare and contrast, predict, ask why and how, and check their understanding of stories.
 
10. Guide discussions that help children summarize and relate texts to their lives; help them develop a deeper understanding of characters.
 
11. Listen attentively when children begin to read emergently, pretending to "read" aloud from a book.
 
12. Include: Songs, flannel board stories, finger play, poems, games, and stories with alliteration, rhyme repetition, and patterns.

13. Share several versions of the same story. For instance, there are two versions of the Little Pigs. The traditional version and then the 'True Story of the Three Little Pigs' from the wolf's perspective.

• Read a few to the children and let them choose their favorite version.
• Be sure to ask them why it is their favorite.

14. Have big books available for single or partner reading.

15. Play reading tag by choosing a book with many words that the child knows. Each time you want your child to read a word, tap him or her on the shoulder.

16. Ensure that the classroom/home library is well stocked with a variety of reading materials: Books, magazines, and newspapers. Allow time for children to enjoy the library area independently.

17. Try using a puppet with children. Many story telling kits have puppets included. The puppets can host your story time; the puppet can open the story time with a favorite finger play, song or rhyme. This can become a favorite ritual. A puppet can also serve as a role model for preferred behavior such as sitting quietly and listening to the story. Let children make their own puppets and use them to act out a story.

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TIP: GET AND KEEP ATTENTION DURING STORY TIME...
Wear different hats during story time.
Example: Construction hats, Beach hat, Cowboy hat, Gardening hat, Minnie/Mickey mouse hat, Train Engineers hat, London Fog rain hat, etc.

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PROVIDE A PRINT RICH ENVIRONMENT where children can see the purpose and use of the written language.
Label everything in the room. Rooms should be set up where children can read the room. Make word lessons and word walls that display words on a classroom wall that are part of phonics being used. Before you put the words up-show the children. Review the words on the wall and different areas once they are placed.

NOTE from KidActivities:

Be sure to make labels large enough where they are noticeable. Tour the room with the children and go over the words. I once was hired to consult with a Kindergarten program. The suggestion was made to provide a print rich environment.

When I returned to see how the group was doing~ I asked if labels were made.  They were...however labels  were on tiny scrap pieces of paper (one to two inches long and a half inch wide) and placed were they could not be seen. Additionally, the children were not told about the labels...where they were...or what they said. (Barb)

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FOR CHILDREN WHO CAN READ...

 1. Have child take turns in helping select reading material to read aloud to the class.
 
2. Ensure that all children have the opportunity to read aloud to someone with whom they are comfortable for at least 10 minutes each day; this reading may be done with volunteers, older buddies, or as a take-home reading program. Some children will still be reading emergently, particularly early in the school year.
 
3. Provide many ways for children to re-read books through shared reading, buddy reading, and small group reading.

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BOOK TALK

1. Have children ask their own questions about stories and respond to classmates' questions.

2. Allow class time for regular sharing of each child's thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

3. Enrich the conversation by responding to children, asking questions, and expanding on children's words.
 
4. Help your child see the story from the character's point of view. After reading a story aloud, ask a few simple questions:

• Which character is most like you?  How?
• Which character is least like you? How?
• What happens in the story that you wish could happen to that you wish could happen to you? Why?

5. Enrich children's vocabulary by providing pictures and discussions that relate to stories.

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BOOK STORAGE

• If shelf space is not available, books can be put into tubs.
• The tubs are labeled and a sticker is placed on the label. All of the books have a corresponding sticker. When finished, children place the book back in the correct tub. (This is also good for shelf use)
• Example. Science tub has a red sticker and each book a red sticker. You can also have a theme tub that changes as the theme changes.

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•LISTENING CENTER:  BOOKS AND TAPES - Use read-along books and CD's/cassettes in your listening center. If you don't have a tape/CD for a big book or familiar book - make one.

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•DRAMATIC/PRETEND PLAY 

Remember back to your days playing cowboys and indians or house?  It's still the same for kids today!!! Encourage creativity and language development in your children by providing a creative dramatic area in your center. Ensure the classroom has "special materials and play areas geared to encourage children in particular domains while appealing to their interests."

• Some examples of centers are:
Art center, music center, puppets, science center, home center, doctor's office, or other real-world play areas. Consider changing your dramatic play area every month to reflect a different theme.

Example: One month set up a doctor's office with real stethoscope, x-rays, doctor's scrubs, dolls for patients, ace bandages, gloves, and play- doctor kits. The following month change the theme.

1.  Encourage children to use literacy materials in their dramatic play.

• In a block area, provide maps and labeled photos of buildings and construction sites.
• In a woodworking area, provide tool catalogs, home improvement magazines, and picture reference books about building.
• In a home area, provide food packaging, menus, (use a collection of cereal boxes and take-out menus) phone book, and appliance instructions.
• In an office area, provide plane tickets, travel brochures, and computer keyboards.
• In a drugstore area, provide magazines and books, play money, checkbooks, paper bags for prescriptions, labels for bottles, empty medicine boxes, and prescription pads.
• In a store area, provide checkbooks and play money.
• Shopping - laminate sentence strips and bind into books - pictures of food, toys, clothing, and anything else you can find.
 All pictures should be clearly labeled; Include writing utensils and "list paper", small memo books and list type of paper (long strips of lined paper).

2. Provide time for children to create scripts for dramatic play. This will take at least 30 minutes to create and carry out the scripts.
  
3. Put on a play with a pre-written or well known script. Dress up in costumes and act out a simple story.  Provide simple props and let children act out their favorite stories. Simple folktales like the Three Little Pigs and The Billy Goats Gruff are fun to act out. If children are over fours years old...pop popcorn for a snack afterwards.

4. Have staff take part in the dramatic play to model ways of using literacy materials and show children ways of dramatizing.

5. Have pretend phone conversations with the children asking what they did yesterday, are doing today, and want to do tomorrow?

6. Puppet Theater- Make puppets (bag, paper plates and sticks, socks, mittens, lunch bags, foam or felt).
Make Puppets, Write a play, Produce, Practice, Perform...

7. Masks: Make and play

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LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

 

Have the children sing songs and play games that encourage language play. (Visit the two pages of Early Childhood Songs)

1. The ability to pick out rhyming words is one of the first skills in phonemic awareness. Children who have been exposed to lots of music and nursery rhymes have a huge head start on these skills. 

There are many songs that play with sounds.
• "allaby, Woo" by Raffi is a wonderful way to play with initial consonant sounds. Children go around a circle and playfully insert a child's name into each verse.
• "The Name Game" by various children's artists is another.

2. Make up songs or rhymes using the children's names.  Let children add motions to the songs as you sing them.

3. ABC's sung frontward and then backwards...Have a poster of the alphabet and point to the letters starting with "Z" and go from there...
Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A

NOTE: When I consultd and observed one school site, a child actually starting singing the alphabet backwards as she was playing at 'choice time'. She wasn't thinking about it...she just started singing.

4. Sing a simple song with the children.  Count the words that rhyme. Make up a new song of your own using words that rhyme.

5. Lettercize to Music (music, movement, the alphabet)

• Children stand in a circle. A music CD with ABC's, using Rocky theme-music is played.    
• Children call out 'A aahh'(while doing a boxer punching motion with fist into the air)    
• Then 'B and b  sound'(making each letter sound after the letter name.) This is done all the way to Z. At intervals, the Rocky music will play and children aerobicsize to it(punching, jumping rope, etc.)  The alphabet starts again ---until the next Rocky aerobicsize movement.

6. For a transition activity, call each child's name using the same letter. Example: If the letter of the day is 'B'-Call Byrone, Beremy, Bita, Biane, Bal, etc.

7. Play the game 'Snap'!

One player says two words. If the words share a sound (first, middle, or last), the other players say, "Snap!" and snap their fingers. If the two words do not share a sound, the other players are quiet. Begin with first sounds and move into the other sounds as the children are ready. (You may have to work on teaching children how to 'snap' their fingers!)

8. Play a listening game in which the children blend an onset sound and rhyme that you pronounce separately. Example: b...at, bat. When you first play the game, begin by using words that are in the same family, such as: hat, cat, and fat. When the children become proficient at this type of activity, change it so that you keep the onset sound and change the rhyme: s...and, sand; s...un, sun; s...eal, seal.

9. Create or purchase a set of pictures and letter cards that have children sort pictures by the letter they begin with (beginning sound). Start with one letter and ask the children to help find the pictures that begin with that sound. Gradually add more letters to the sorting activity.

10. Play word games that help children hear syllables in words. Example: Clap syllables in children's names.

11. Print out two sets of alphabet letters: one upper case (capitals), one lower case (small letters).  Cut the letters out, mix them up and play a match-up game with your children (A-a, B-b, C-c).

12. 'Jumping Bean' game
Children take turns picking a letter from a container, and are to think of one or two words that start with that letter. If they pick out the word or picture of a 'bean' instead of a letter, children all get up and jump around like Mexican jumping beans!

13. Place a ball on a table in front of the class. Explain that there are special words that can be used to tell someone about the ball. Give two adjectives that describe it.

Example: red and round. On the chalkboard, write "It is red and round." Help the children read the sentence. Remove the ball and place another item on the table. Invite the children to think of two words that tell about the item. On the chalkboard, write "It is_____ and_____." Give each child a turn to read the sentence and complete it with his or her words that tell about the item.

14. Make large flash cards using words of your choice based on the children's level of ability. Laminate these cards. Laminate or cover the cards in plastic; the cards are now ready to use.

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This is page 1...be sure to continue onto page 2 for more than 70 wonderful activities the promote and encourage learning. Most are ideas where the children don't even realize they are learning!

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You may also be interested in:

• Drama and Music Centers
• Language and Writing Centers
• Science Centers
• Creative Transition Ideas

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LEAF, PUMPKIN, CANDY CORN & GOURD GAMES
Good for late September through November

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 PIE EATER TAG GAME!
Good for October to December because of apple and pumpkin pies!

• Split the students into two different groups; one is apple pie and the other group is pumpkin pie.

• Have one student be the pie eater, who will be standing on the center line. The pie eater can only move from side to side on the center line.

• All the students say to the pie eater, "Pie eater, pie eater are you hungry?" The pie eater responds with a 'yes or no' answer.

• If the answer is no, the pies (students) ask again.

• If the answer is yes, then the pies ask again, "What kind of pie would you like?"

• The pie eater then says apple or pumpkin and that pie tries to make it to the other side.

• If the pie is tagged, then they become a pie eater.

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BEAN BAG TOSS
Use a large piece of cardboard or a large, unfolded box…. Cut one or two leaf shapes out of the cardboard. Paint the cardboard orange, red and yellow. When dry have the children throw bean bags through the LEAF SHAPED holes.
Be sure to save for next year!

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LEAF BLOW GAME
Have a leaf race! In this, the children blow a leaf across a table with a straw. The first one across is the winner...

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HARVEST DASH (Outiside Game)

• Set up a fall relay with the kids. Fill large containers with sunflower seed bird feed. Have smaller, clear containers at the opposite end.
• Kids fill cup with seeds and race to dump it in the empty container.
• They sprint back to the start and hand-off the cup to the teammates.
•  Goal of the race is to be the first team to fill up the small container with the seeds.
• As an extra challenge, give the kids an over-sized soup ladle instead of a cup. Don't worry if the seeds spill; that's part of the fun! The birds will easily find them later.
• Tip: Try a dollar store for inexpensive clear containers. They usually stock plastic ones in apple or pumpkin shapes in the fall. Popcorn or candy corn also can be used in place of seed. 

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 GOURDS...

GOURD ROLL Have each child take a turn rolling a small, round gourd. Try to find one with lots of bumps for extra craziness! The kid with the longest roll wins. Play on a sloped driveway or a small hill for extra fun.

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GOURD BOWLING
Set up 'bowling' using empty two-liter soda bottles. If preferred, the bottles can be weighted with seeds or water. Use a round, bumpy gourd as the ball.

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GOURD RACE  Set up start and turn around lines… (About 10 feet apart) Dived children into equal teams…

• At the signal, first players walk from starting line to turn-around line and back to the stating line while holding a spoon with a gourd on it. Child then hands it off to the next in line.
• If the gourd falls off the spoon, players must stop and pick up the gourd with the spoon to continue.
• Continue until each child has had a turn. With many children—have many lines)
  

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PLAY RING TOSS AS RING AROUND THE GOURD
Assign different point values to different sizes of gourds, pumpkins, or dried Indian corn.

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GAMES USING PUMPKINS and more...

 • PUMPKIN AND FOOT RACE
Set up starting and finish lines and have the children race to see who can get their smallish pumpkin over the finish line. Only feet can be used to push pumpkins along. There can be no kicking; if any kicking is observed, that child goes back to their starting line. This would also be a good team relay race.

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PUMPKIN & BROOM RACE (Can be played in  outdoors or gym!)

• This is a simple race but since pumpkins are not smooth balls and refuse to roll in straight lines, you'll need plenty of room! You need medium pumpkins and sturdy sticks (or brooms); Use one pumpkin and stick/broom for each team.
• The racers line up on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides.
• On the signal, the racers use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line.
• Younger players may want to use their hands instead of the stick.
• If you want to play this as teams, make it a relay race.
• When playing inside use smaller pumpkins.

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PASS THE PUMPKIN RELAY
Line up into 2 teams.

• The first person passes the pumpkin OVER his/her head to the next person in line.
• The next person passes the pumpkin UNDER his/her legs to the next person, and so on.
• When you get to the end of the line the last person runs up to the front and starts it all over again. 
• Whoever has the first person that was in line at the beginning of the game--- in the back of the line WINS.

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FIND THE PUMPKIN
Supplies:
   Ten pieces of white paper
   Five pieces of yellow paper
   Five pieces of orange paper
   A crayon
   Scissors
Directions:
1. Draw ten white pumpkins, five yellow pumpkins, and five orange pumpkins. (Or adjust the numbers to reflect the number of you group)
2. Cut out all the pumpkins.
3. Decorate each pumpkin with a funny face.
4. Write the number 1 on the backs of the white pumpkins.
5. Write the number 5 on the backs of the yellow pumpkins.
6. Write the number 10 on the backs of the orange pumpkins.
7. Hide all of the pumpkins.
8. Youth try to find as many pumpkins as you can before the adult says "Stop!"
9. Players will add up the numbers of collected pumpkins. The player with the most points wins! This can also be played in teams.

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PUMPKIN BOWLING!
Supplies: 3 small pumpkins, 30 empty 2 liter clear soda bottles (less if your group is smaller!), a bag of gravel or pebbles placed in bottom of bottles

• Ask parents to save empty, clean 2 liter soda bottles for your game.
• Add about a cup of sand or pebbles in each bottle so they will stand without falling over.
• Divide kids into several teams of 3-8 kids each...line up and take turn at bowling!
• The small pumpkins are the bowling balls. If it's for a party- consider prizes.
• The kids that get a Strike receive another turn to bowl a strike. If they  bowl another strike, they receive a prize. When using prizes BE SURE EVERYONE GETS SOMETHING for playing!

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PUMPKIN HUNT – While the kids are out of the room - hide paper or small gourd pumpkins around the room. Challenge kids to find them all! When they have found all pumpkins you can serve a special snack or give each child a ‘goodie’.

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PUMPKIN BOCCE BALL- Object of Game: Roll a pumpkin closest to the big pumpkin. You need a large pumpkin. Also purchase several miniature or round sugar pumpkins. To play: Place the big pumpkin several feet away. Give each player a small pumpkin. Each player rolls (No tossing or throwing) their pumpkin and tries to be the closest to the big pumpkin. The player closest wins ...

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THROW PENNIES IN THE PUMPKIN

• Carve out a pumpkin (Do NOT make it a Jack-O-Lantern); line the inside with plastic or aluminum foil.
• Make the top opening large. Option is to use small plastic pumpkins which are quicker and not messy!
• To play the game---place the pumpkins a couple feet away.
• Give each player about ten pennies...and try to get them in!
• Each time one gets in--a point is earned... (You could also use a plastic Halloween pumpkin container)

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GUESS THE PUMPKIN'S WEIGHT!
Need: Large pumpkin
Bathroom or science class scale
Slips of paper

• Have children write their estimates of the pumpkin's weight on a slip of paper. Kids write their names on the paper, fold them, and place in a box. At the end of the time-frame, weigh the pumpkin and award a prize or the pumpkin to the child with the closest guess.

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PUMPKIN RACE (Like the above Pumpkin Race-- but using sticks instead of brooms)

Can be played in a yard, garage or even inside using small pumpkins!
This is a simple race but since pumpkins are not  smooth balls and refuse to roll in nice straight lines, you will need plenty of room!

You need two large pumpkins and two sturdy sticks.
The racers, line up on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides.
On the signal, the racers use the stick to roll the pumpkins to the finish line.
Younger players may want to use their hands instead of the stick.
 If you want to play this as teams, make it a relay race.

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PUMPKIN WALK
This is like a regular cake walk except instead of numbers, place pictures of several fall items on the floor for the children to walk on and call out the names of the items instead of numbers. Award the child that lands on the picture of a pumpkin---a small/miniature pumpkin! Use fall themed music such as "Turkey In The Straw" or "Jimmy Cracked Corn".

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WIN THE PUMPKIN!

Place children in a circle.
Start some music and pass a mini pumpkin from one person to another.
When the music stops-the person holding the pumpkin is out. 
The last one left keeps the pumpkin!

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MR. PUMPKIN HEAD
Do you have Mr. Potato Head game pieces???! The kids can have some Fall fun using them with small pumpkins!
Using a smallish to medium sized pumpkin, poke some holes where the eyes, nose and mouth would be (include hat and ears). Have the children decorate "Mr. Pumpkin Head" using Mr. Potato Head pieces.

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If you like Autumn Pumpkins-check out the entire PUMPKIN THEME! (It's NOT a 'Halloween/Jack-O-Lantern Category' but only Pumpkin Ideas!)

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NOT A GAME-- BUT WONDERFUL FOR YOUNG KIDS AND THE YOUNG AT HEART! 

MAGIC PUMPKIN SEEDS
Materials:
Pumpkin seeds, small paper bag and small pumpkins

• Show the children a small bag of pumpkin seeds and explain that you believe these are magic pumpkin seeds.
• Take the children outside to the playground (or your yard) where they toss the seeds onto the ground. Have them make up a few magic words, if they want.
• The next day, before children go outside--gather the seeds and put small pumpkins in their place.
• Take the children outside and delight them with the 'magical' pumpkins that have grown.
  If you have enough pumpkins, the children can take the pumpkins home and/or first decorate and paint them to add to theme of your space.
  Idea adapted from preschoolrainbow.org

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FLOATING PUMPKINS (Party Game)
Number the bottom of the small gourds that look like miniature pumpkins and float them in water for the children to choose one for small prizes. 

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POPCORN RELAY RACE – (Because October is National Popcorn Month-see Popcorn Theme --and also-popcorn is fun all year!)

All it takes are two big bowls of popcorn and some small cups per team. Have kids run and get a cupful of popcorn and transfer it to the bowl across the room. The first team finished wins. Because of potential popcorn mess, this would be good played outside! The critters can eat what isn't’ swept up! (Play in gym if you’re brave!)

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PUMPKIN SEED TOSS
Number and line up 5 small baskets or containers; have children stand 3 feet (or farther depending on ages) in front of the first container and toss seeds into them in sequence. Small prizes can be given for each container seeds get in.

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Idea***Have a 'PUMPKIN SEED SPITTING CONTEST' OUTSIDE!

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DRESS A SCARECROW AND RUN
Stock up on over-sized plaid shirts, goofy pants, floppy hats and any other clothing that a scarecrow might wear.  Make piles containing one of each item. The number of piles is determined either by the number of kids or teams participating.

• Line up kids and let the game begin!
• The children run to the pile, put on the outfit, and dart back to the starting line.
• If doing it as a team game, they  then switch the outfit with their teammate--who run out and back.
• First team with their last team member dressed as a scarecrow wins.

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CANDY CORN RELAY RACE

• Designate a starting line and a finish line.
• Set out a bowl full of candy corn for each player at the starting line and an empty bowl at the finish line.
• The players must use a large spoon to scoop candy corn out of the full bowl and then carry it to the empty bowl and fill it.
• They cannot spill any candy corn or use their hands!
• If any candy corn falls off the spoon, they must immediately pick it up and bring it back to the back to the starting line bowl and start over with that scoopful.

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PASS THE CORN GAME (Ages 4 - 10)
Divide the children into two teams (or as many as you need) and have them form two lines. You will need a cob of dried Indian corn for each team.
 
1. At the signal "go", the corncob is to be passed from child to child. The catch is that they can use any part of their bodies, except their hands.
2. If the corn touches the ground at any time, it must go back to the beginning of the line again.
3. Whichever team manages to get the corn to the end of the line first wins the game.
4. The corn can also be used in a relay, with the kids putting the corn between their knees, and racing "crab" style".

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TURN EVERYDAY GAMES INTO  FALL GAMES

 • LEAF, LEAF, PINECONE

The Leaf, Leaf, Pinecone is a version of the classic "Duck, Duck, Goose" with a nature-friendly twist.
This game is best played outdoors, but you can also gather pinecones and play this traditional game inside on a rainy day.

 Whoever is "it" must not only touch the heads of the other players, saying, "Leaf, leaf, leaf," but must also drop a fresh pinecone in the lap of the child they choose before running back around the circle without being tagged. The person trying to tag "it" can touch "it" with a hand above the waist or with the pinecone below the waist. For Thanksgiving play "Turkey, Turkey, Stuffing"!

•Instead of Simon Says, play the Scarecrow Says or the Witch Says, The Turkey Says, etc.

• APPLE-APPLE-PUMPKIN GAME
Just like duck-duck-goose---Play Apple, Apple, Pumpkin!  Same game with fall flair.

• "Musical Hats" ...Play "Musical Pilgrim Hats" in November

• Large-sized AUTUMN TIC-TAC TOE
Take a large piece of poster board and draw the tic-tac-toe lines on it; laminate it if possible.
Cut-two different leaf shapes; then simply play tic-tac-toe.

• THREE LEGGED SACK RACES – Add an autumn touch by creating an obstacle course using pumpkins, corn stalks and bales of hay.

• BINGO
Use candy corn as game pieces.

• In October play "Put the Wart on the Witch" or Put the "Nose on the Pumpkin". In November play "Pin the WATTLE on the Turkey" instead of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

• PARACHUTE LEAF TOSS (For younger children)
Take a sheet, or a parachute. Gather real leaves, fabric leaves, or paper leaves. Place them in the middle of the sheet. Gather around the sheet and have the children lift the sheet slowly and then quickly to see how all the leaves "float".

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MISCELLANEOUS HARVEST TYPE GAMES...

FLOATING PUMPKINS
Number the bottom of the small gourds that look like miniature pumpkins and float them in water for the children to choose one for small prizes.

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TURKEY IN THE STRAW
Fill a wading pool with straw and hide a small picture of a turkey in it for groups to dig through to see who can find it first.

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THE SQUIRREL GAME - Let the kids pretend they are squirrels gathering nuts for the winter. Give each a small paper bag, then toss out several unshelled nuts onto the floor and let the kids race to see who can collect the most. Older and younger children should be separated for this game. Another way to play this game, (if you have a way to corral a large quantity of leaves) is to hide nuts beneath a large pile of leaves and give the kids a set amount of time to find as many nuts as they can.

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PICKING APPLES
A regular sucker pull can become "Apple Picking." Make a large apple tree with lots of red apples out of construction paper; then connect the tree to peg board. Mark the tips of the handles on only a few caramel apple suckers then poke them through the peg board holes; poke several unmarked suckers around the marked suckers; then let the kids pick an apple. Have prizes ready for those who get the marked suckers, but everyone gets to keep the sucker they pulled.

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There are '20 APPLE THEMED' GAMES (near bottom of page) in the Apple Category... Click here  Great in the Fall!!!

OTHER AUTUMN GAMES:

 • HALLOWEEN GAMES HERE...

• THANKSGIVING GAMES HERE...

Back to top of page 

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SOME SONGS TO USE FOR GRADUATION!

Many to choose from for Pre-K through High School...Some also good to put together for a Graduation Party!

♥Use music to play during a slideshow...
♥During any transitions...
♥While audience is entering and leaving

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•Alice Cooper-- School's Out

•Amy Grant-- I Will Remember You

•The Bangles-- Hazy Shade of Winter

•The Beach Boys--Be True to Your School

•The Beach Boys-- Graduation Day

•The Beatles-- In My Life

•The Beatles-- With a Little Help from My Friends

•The Bee Gees--Don't Forget to Remember

•The Who--My Generation

•Bill Medley-- (I Had) The Time of my Life
 
•Bob Dylan-- The Times They are A-Changin'
 
•Billy Joel-- Moving Out
 
•Billy Joel-- This is the Time
 
•Bo Bice-- Remember Me

•Boston--Don't Look Back
 
•Boys II Men-- It's Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday
 
•Charlotte Diamond--Each of Us Is a Flower

•Carrie Underwood-- Whenever You Remember

•Celine Dion--Because You Loved Me
 
•Chris Isaak-- Graduation Day
 
•Christina Aguilera-- These are Special Times

•Cyndi Lauper--True Colors

•Corey Smith--I'm Not Gonna Cry

•David Cook--Time Of My Life

•Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young--Teach your Children
  
•Crosby Stills and Nash-- Wasted on the Way
 
•Diana Ross-- I'm Coming Out
 
•Dido-- Here With Me

•Elton John--Circle of Life
 
•Eve 6-- Here's to the Night

•Everyly Brothers--Dream

•Faith Hill-- There You'll Be

•Frank Sinatra--High Hopes
 
•Green Day--Time of Your Life

•Gwen Stefani--Running

•Hoobastank-- Remember Me
 
•Indigo Girls-- Closer to Fine

•Irene Cara--Fame

•Jack Hartmann--Together

•Jim Croce--Time in a Bottle

•John Denver--Leaving on a Jet Plane (Also by Peter, Paul and Mary) 

•John Mayer--Time Is On My Side
 
•Josh Groban-- You Raise Me Up

•Judy Garland--Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Also Somewhere Over Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Iz (Israel Kamakawwiw'ole

•Kanye West-- Graduation Day

•Kelly Clarkson--A Moment Like This
 
•Kelly Clarkson-- Breakaway

•Kool and the Gang--Celebration

•Lady Gaga--Just Dance
 
•Lee Ann Womak-- I Hope You Dance
 
•Lenny Kravitz-- Again
 
•Madonna-- This Used to be My Playground
 
•Mariah Carey--Make It Happen

•Marvin Gaye--Ain't No Mountain High Enough
 
•Matchbox 20-- Closing Time

•Michael W. Smith--Friends
 
•Michael Tolcher-- Kings in Castles

•Miley Cyrus--The Climb
 
•Natasha Bedingfield--Unwritten

•Nickelback--If Today Was Your Last Day

•Night Ranger-- Goodbye
 
•Paula Cole-- I Don't Want to Wait

•Phil Collins--On My Way

•Phil Collins---You'll be in my Heart
 
•Pink Floyd-- Another Brick in the Wall
 
•Porter Wagoner- Graduation Day
 
•Queen-- We are the Champions
 
•R. Kelly-- I Believe I Can Fly
 
•Rascal Flatts- My Wish
 
•REM-- It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)

•Rembrandts--I'll Be There For You

•Rod Stewart--Forever Young
 
•Sarah McLachlan-- I Will Remember You

•Scorpions--Winds of Change
 
•Semisonic--Closing Time
 
•Simon and Garfunkel-- Bridge Over Troubled Water
 
•Simon and Garfunkel-- Hazy Shade of Winter
 
•Simple Minds-- Don't You Forget About Me

•Smashing Pumpkins-- Today

•Smokey Robinson--Really Gonna Miss You

•Steve Miller Band-- Fly Like an Eagle

•Stevie Wonder--A Place In The Sun

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• Design a pre-cut person, hand, or heart shape. When children are caught being kind, take the design with their name and deed on the shape. 

• The shapes are taped together in a chain or patchwork style connecting the kids of the program or classroom.

This is a good project for the entire school---connecting one end of the school to the other! Check it out with the school to see if they'd like to join you!

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Establish specific days of the week that focus on kindness in different areas of children's lives-- such as:
    •'Kindness in the Classroom Day'...
    •'Good Manners Day' and 'Kindness at Home Day'...

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Create a special 'Kindness Section' in your school or center newspaper--where good news about acts of kindness are reported. If there's no school newspaper, create a classroom newspaper.

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 KINDNESS LESSON...
Trace each child's hand on a piece of paper. Ask children to think of different ways people can be kind to others. Write their ideas on each finger of the hand drawing. It can be completed as described or cut out, mounted and decorated. Can also be put on wall or bulletin board.

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A GIANT PAPER DOLL CHAIN
What You Need: Paper and paint or markers...
Cut out life-size cutouts of  children. Have them paint them. Put them together in a large paper doll chain with the heading "We are all Friends"...

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THE COMPLIMENT GAME
This game is good to play when you have a group of children, especially if they tend to have a lot of personality conflicts.

Break children into groups; give each child a piece of paper.
Ask them to tear it into pieces--one for each child in the group.
On each piece of paper they should write the child's name, and then list all of the positive characteristics they can think of about that child. Try to have them focus on personality traits and behaviors, not physical attributes.
 
When each child has completed their lists, they should put all of them into a box. An adult in the group can read aloud all of the positive comments about each child. The children are usually very surprised at how many great things are said about them.
If they would like, the children can keep their lists in a folder or notebook. Then, when they're feeling a little down about themselves, they can read about how wonderful other people think they are.

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THANKS FOR THE COMPLIMENT!
Need: Paper, markers, tape
Everyone gets a piece of paper taped to their back. (Make sure their name is at the top of the paper.) Each person is given a marker. Each person in the group must walk around the room and write a compliment or positive remark about that person on their back..... NO PEEKING!

When everyone has written something positive on each others back, everyone returns to their seat. With a smaller group, everyone exchanges papers without looking at their own. Each participant can take a turn at reading off the person's list to that person aloud. (Adjust for a larger group)

What a great self-esteem booster. It doesn't matter if the group knows each other well--- because you can say things like..."He seems friendly" etc. But this is a great activity to do with kids who have been in a group for a while.

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 PURCHASE, DOWNLOAD OR MAKE BOOKMARKS
 
When you "catch a child" in an act of kindness, give them one of the bookmarks! Children receiving the bookmark feel good and the other children will want to know how to get one. It presents an opportunity to discuss altruism and acts of kindness with your group. Special bookmarks may be downloaded on the Random Acts of Kindness web-site

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation...

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to "pass it on" to others. They provide free educational and community ideas, guidance, and other resources to kindness participants through the website.

BOOKMARKS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD ARE:
1. Bookmarks showing 'ten great ideas' for doing kindness every day.
2. Ten (More) Ideas For Kindness.
3. 'Kindness Pass It On' ... a sheet of bookmarks that you can print out and give to whoever needs a fun reminder about doing kindness.

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RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS CLUB This is a club for third through eighth graders. The club is based on service learning and community service. Through this process, responsible youth will make the club successful.

  • The kids in the club brainstorm some service learning projects, and then implement their ideas.
 
   •  A contract must be signed as a promise of commitment.

  • The children deliver the items that the program produces to the people in need Example: pictures to senior homes, etc.
 
  • Participating children can receive special things for being in the club.  An idea is a badge similar to 'security badges' that staff wear, or a special certificate.
 
  • Also arrange special surprises. In October, one program had a local farm donate small pumpkins for all the students in the RAK Club. This demonstrates the receiving end of a random act of kindness!

  • Recognize the members of this club at a school assembly or event at the end of the school year.

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KINDNESS BULLETIN BOARD
Created by Toni in Missouri

1.  Youth brainstorm ideas for unexpected, kind things to do for people--people who would not expect children to do a favor/kindness for them.
2.  Each idea is put on a shape and put on the board.
3.  When a student completes a RAK, they sign their name on the act that is posted on the board.
4.  By the end of the year, hopefully all of the brainstormed acts will have at least one signature on them to signify that someone acted in that manner for someone.

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RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS from After-School program to Host building Staff

To increase RAK and morale between your program and host staff, consider an RAK for them.
    • One morning provide a surprise pastry, donut, cookies or fruit table in the lounge.
    • Have the children make cards to put on the teachers room doors announcing the random surprise!
 
One school contacted a local shop to come to the school and make all the teachers lattes/coffee drinks one morning. (This is also a great idea to surprise SAC staff!)
 
Have SAC children volunteer to carry teacher's books, boxes, etc. when needed without being asked by the teacher.
 
On a recognized Kindness day, put together some staff goodies for the staff lounge with a note saying, "Goodies to brighten your day. From  the students of  ______ " 
     • Chocolate Kisses to remind you that you are loved!  
     • Starbursts to give you a burst of energy on the days you're low! 
     • A Lifesaver for you in return for all the times you’ve rescued us!  
     • A "thank you" for all the laughs and Snickers you share!  
     • And most importantly, smiles to pass on!
     • Adapted from an idea on the RAK website

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Celebrate an annual SAY SOMETHING NICE DAY ! (Good for All Ages)

On your “Say Something Nice Day’ notice something you like about a person and tell them. This can be during a 'Kindness Day or Week'--or ANY time of the year!

Declare a day in your classroom, home or program that this is Say Something Nice Day. Each participant promises to approach one person that day and finish the sentence:
“One of the things I like about you is ________________.”
When you are back together at the end of the day, share your experiences.

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Tip: As Marcia Cousin of Ballard Elementary has said in her paper, 'Random Acts of Kindness for Kids'...
Most kids easily understand "act" and "kindness" but might be unfamiliar with "random". Helping them define and learn to use this word is crucial to understanding the phrase.

Explain Random Acts of Kindness. You can do this by reading or telling children Random Acts of Kindness stories to get them to fully understand the concept.

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 ACTS OF KINDNESS FOR ANIMALS...

•Make a birdbath from a plastic dish and put it in your yard or on the windowsill. Keep it filled with water.
 
•Maintain water bowls during cold months for both migrating and local birds. Make birdseed available as well.
 
•Notify authorities immediately about pets left in hot cars. You may save a life.
 
•Talk to younger children about why catching wild creatures such as frogs and turtles is not a good idea. Remind them that wild animals need to stay wild and free.
 
•Offer to wash your dog or a neighbor's dog.
 
•Make nutritional treats for dogs and cats, and give them to neighbors for their pets. Make extra for animal shelters.
 
•Hold a fundraiser and donate the proceeds to an animal shelter or wildlife fund

•Adopt a lion, tiger, whale, or other animal. Many zoos, aquariums, and animal sea habitats have adoption programs. In exchange for financial support, you get a photo and biography of your new adoptee.

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THIS IDEA WAS SENT IN by Ora Crenshaw...SPREAD KINDNESS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

The students at Franklin Elementary in Little Rock, all made cards with 'original kind sayings'.
On February 14th the students and staff delivered the cards and small gift bags to neighbors surrounding our school. The students LOVE sharing with others!

We received very nice responses from the neighbors.
One parent drove by and told us: "This is really nice. This is the kind of activity that I want to see my child involved in."
He took pictures of us and he had a huge smile on his face. His daughter was a little embarrassed, but we were proud. Also a neighbor called expressing: "I've just had the nicest thing  happen to me. I received an Act of Kindness" card from elementary school children. It made my day."

This is only one of the community projects that we have been involved with this year. WE LOVE PAYING IT FORWARD!!! The staff started these activities realizing that when children learn to share, it can be contagious and encourage them toward becoming better human beings who ENJOY being kind to others.

Thank you Ora for sharing! Barb 

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  From Laura~  At the After Care Program I run, we have a RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS CHAIN. A link is addded every time a random act of kindness is witnessed (The loops are made out of construction paper).  We then send a coupon home that says  "Be proud of your child, they have performed a random act of kindness today!" The kids love it! Each year we try to beat the previous year. We hang the chain around the room.

 

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 KINDNESS FOR THANKSGIVING
Near Thanksgiving, make a huge turkey body out of construction paper and affix it to a wall.
(Or make a smaller body and put on card stock or construction paper)

Give kids multi-colored paper feathers (construction paper, and write something nice about other students or family members.
Collect the feathers and place on the turkey.

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THE GOOD ELF! (A Winter RAK Activity)

  1. Challenge children to do random acts of kindness for others for one day.
 2. Advertise, post info, and make a big deal about the day!.
 3. Tell youth that they are not to reveal that they have done these nice things and if someone should ask them, "Did you put away the dishes...or games..or whatever..."? They reply, "Must have been a good elf".

This activity helps children realize we don't always have to be recognized when we do something for someone else. If playing with preschoolers or kindergarteners, you may want to send a note home explaining how parents can help.
I can't remember where I first saw this, but we do it every year! Cassie/Mi.

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100 ACTS OF KINDNESS
Adapted from L. Davis & C. Adams, Iowa

Celebrate the 100th day of school! (In the States, this is usually in February)

Make a large poster in the shape of the number 100 to hang in your classroom/program area. SEVERAL WEEKS before the 100th day of school, discuss acts of kindness toward others. Based on the number of youth in your group, two to three weeks before the big day, announce open season on acts of kindness. Encourage the children to recognize acts of kindness by others.
 
Each time kids see a classmate or friend engage in an act of kindness, they will tell staff and then put a sticker and their friend's name on the poster. The students can NOT name themselves, only others.
 
It should be easy to reach the goal of 100 acts of kindness. A profound difference in behavior, relationships, and outlook will be noticed.

• ANOTHER NICE KINDNESS FOR 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL...
Collect 100 hugs. Keep track on them on a chart.

Go to Page 2 for more Kindness Ideas and Display Boards...

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This page includes seven 'Kindness Display Boards'...as well as Ideas and Tips for 'Adult Acts of Kindness'.  'Slogans and Quotes' suitable for making posters and boards are at the top of page 1...

   On a wall, have children/staff make a HUGE GUMBALL MACHINE. Children's names combined with their act of 'kindness' are recorded on large gumballs and then placed on the gumball globe. When the machine is filled- celebrate with the group for achieving your goal!

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Great idea! Your own version of a GRAFFITI WALL!  The 180 Ways to Be Kind  photograph is courtesy of Classroom Display Blog  Put up a large sheet of paper and title. Challenge children to come up with '180 ways' to be kind to each other, teachers, parents, friends, siblings and community in general! (180 is just an idea-it could be 175, 200, etc.) If you have an after-school program, consider opening it to the entire school! 

Additionally, the '100th Day of School' falls about the same time in February as 'Random Acts of Kindness Week'! Consider combining the Graffiti Wall with 100 ways to be kind and celebrate both!

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"WALL OF LOVE" DISPLAY WALL

The staff at Colchester Institute Library (UK) put together this "Wall of Lurve" (You can call it Wall of 'Kindness'  'Friendship', or  '______'.)  The  library staff provided a display for students and staff to write messages. Around 150 pink hearts were displayed on the Wall at the entrance to the library.

This is something that could easily be adapted to a class or after-school program!  The hearts could  be filled with Acts of Kindness November's World Kindness Day and Week as well as February's Random Acts of Kindness Week! A really nice idea to cover Valentine's Day, Friendship Month and Kindness Week all in one!

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'KINDNESS RECIPE FOR A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR!' (or...'OST YEAR', 'SAC YEAR', etc.) Just copy the sample image! This would also be wonderful ANY time of the year with the caption 'Recipe for Kindness!'

Source: Clayton County Public Schools by Deanna Rogers

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WIN BOOKS through ACTS OF KINDNESS!

Tim Anders (Dr. Hope) and Alpine Publishing Inc., is offering FREE award winning, bilingual (English and Spanish) children's books by Tim Anders. An ENTIRE elementary school class, group, or organization can win  books through an "Act of Kindness" contest.

Children are encouraged to perform acts of kindness for their community, individuals and each other. This  contest hopes to inspire elementary school children and their parents to help those in need--as well as teach compassion and love for others.

For more info about the "Act of Kindness" contest books, please visit laughingday!

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ACTS OF KINDNESS IDEAS FOR ADULTS...

The best example to children in the meaning of kindness and altruism -- is for adults in their lives to demonstrate generosity of spirit, good deeds and acts of service...

•Stop negative comments by changing the subject when someone starts talking in a negative, bad way.

•When you meet someone, learn their name and one personal thing about them. This shows people 'we care'.

•When you have good service somewhere, write a letter to the company and that person's manager, telling them about their outstanding employee.

•Put something you no longer need on craigslist.com for free.
 
•Put change in a vending machine.

•Listen to someone who needs to talk. Just listen to them.

•Do something nice for someone when they are ill --wash their dishes, cook a meal or tidy up their house.

•Buy a phone card and give it to a homeless shelter for them to give to someone.

•Bake cookies and take them to someone who is homebound.

•Leave a book you have already finished somewhere for someone else to read. Leave a note in it for them to pass it on.

•Buy a meal for a homeless person.

•Send a card to someone in the military overseas.

•Locate a family that is struggling financially and buy each member several small gifts then have it delivered while you remain anonymous.

•If you're tall and see someone trying to get something on a super market/store shelf--that is out of reach--get it for them.

•When shooping--let someone go ahead of you in the checkout line.

•Compliment a stranger, especially if they seem as if they're having a bad day...

Read to a child.....Make a wish come true.....Rake someone's yard.....Smile at a stranger.....Be a courteous driver.....Help Special Olympics.....Sing a song.....Pick up litter.....Train Seeing Eye dogs.....Tutor immigrants......Be a pen pal.....Hold a door open.....Change a tire.....Adopt-a-Highway.....Organize a neighborhood watch.....Teach peer mediation.....Tell a joke.....Sub for Santa.....Start a community garden......Be a Crisis-Line volunteer......Send a thank you note.....Give clothes at a shelter.....Tend abused children.....Wash a car.....Visit a lemonade stand.....Plant a tree.....Recycle.....Visit a sick neighbor.....Give a tip.....Volunteer.

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WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING by Mary Rita Schilke Korzan  ......children are always learning from the adults around them...(Maybe good for a newsletter or just a reminder to ourself?)

• WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

• When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

• When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

• When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

• When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

• When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

• When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

• When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

• When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

•When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

• When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.

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DOING NICE THINGS--Something to think about...

When you incorporate 'Random Acts of Kindness and Community Service' into your programs, homes, and classrooms, consider not basing the activity where children receive individual PRIZES AS AN INCENTIVE. However, do set goals and celebrate as a group (family) when goals are acheived!

We want children to do nice things--because it is helpful to others and feels good! Don't offer bribes, or bargain for good works. For example: "If you do this---I'll give you____". These practices don't build character, or a sense of program/family community.

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'Community Service and Acts of Kindness' go hand in hand. You may also be interested in the Community Service Ideas (Many kindness activities there) and Bully Category

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SHARE YOUR IDEAS...♥ What are some things you are doing in your home or in your school, classroom, center, or program? Let us know via the contact page--and your 'Acts of Kindness' will be entered on this page! Thank you for sharing...

Back to Page 1...

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Click here for pg. 2

CREATIVE means... Original, resourceful, imaginative, inspired, artistic, inventive, ingenious, innovative, productive, having vision, freshness, novel, unique.... Do you have any ideas that suit the word "creative"? 

If there is something you've done or do--that is a bit different or fun-- would you share with us? Send it via the 'contact page'. All contact information will be held in confidence and not shared. You will be given full credit for any and all ideas!

Below are some activities from about the site--to get you going...

Thank-you.
Barb Shelby

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OPEN YOUR PROGRAM TO NEW EATING EXPERIENCES!

Choose 1 day a month to try a different type of food. Go through cookbooks with the kids and put together a shopping list of international foods aisle items.... Or, go to the produce department to find fruits and vegetables from other countries to try.
You also can go through the newspaper’s local restaurant review section with your kids and choose an ethnic restaurant where you can pick up specialties to try...

As the children try the new food, talk about how they are the same or different from what they usually eat. What are the different tastes? What are the different ingredients?

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PLAN A HEALTHY HEART DAY! (Read this, it's fun!)

Celebrate a “healthy” heart with fun, aerobic activities that get children up and moving. You may want to set up several skill stations; this is an idea adapted from Celebration Games: Physical Activities for Every Month (2006 Human Kinetics).

STATIONS CAN INCLUDE:

• Step Aerobics Station:  Set up four or five step aerobic steppers and music.
• Healthy Heart Station: Demonstrate several aerobic exercises and have children perform three aerobic exercises of their choice at this station (ie. jumping jacks, jumping rope, jogging in place)
• Cholesterol Game:  Pictures of both high and low cholesterol foods are taped down. Children throw beanbags underhand from a throw line at low cholesterol foods.
• Blood Pressure: Make a sign that says “normal blood pressure 120/80” and tape down pictures of things that can raise blood pressure such as smoking, unhealthy foods, lack of exercise and stress. Children THROW BEANBAGS UNDERHAND from a throw line at the things that will raise blood pressure. (You can put point values on targets and total points)
• A healthy, yummy snack table at culmination of activity.

Divide the children into groups and disperse them evenly among the stations. Place them in a numerical order and have them keep this order for all stations. Set the number of tries for each turn and announce when it is time to rotate to the next station. Leave ample space between stations and advise children not to stand in the throwing areas. Adapted and expanded upon from: School-age Note of the Day- 2/5/07 schoolagenotes.com     

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HEART BEATS...

Can you find or borrow one or two good quality stethoscopes?
Show children how to use the stethoscopes to listen to their heart beat. Show them how to tap out the rhythm of their heart: lub-dub-lub-dub.

If young---Ask children if they can think of any way to change how fast their hearts are beating.
For all kids---Have them jog in place for several minutes, then have them recheck the rhythm beats of their hearts.

Extended Activity:
Are any of your parents or friends a nurse or doctor? Ask him/her to visit your group and bring in a stethoscope. Have the visitor talk to the kids about keeping their hearts strong and healthy. (With exercise, good food and sleep!)

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START A BOOK" of RECORDS~ Your own Guinness Book of Records!!!
This one is a winner! Keep your own SAC book of records and have the kids try to set records for things such as:

• Most jumping jacks

• Jumps in jump roping

• Running laps in gym

• Running laps outside

• Most crafts made for the month or year

• Longest handstand

• Most books read, puzzles completed, etc.

• Anything else that you can think of.

Example for "Book of Records"...
ALL IN ONE! Group Activity: Stand in a circle holding hands. One person is in the middle. That person in the middle calls in some one--one at a time. The goal is to see how many people you can fit in the middle---without breaking hands. Use this yearly to see if each new year can beat previous years!

• When kids seem to be tired of this activity give them a new record to break and a fun reward if they set a new record!
• Be sure to make this a yearly ongoing event---NEW records can be set each year!!! 
• TIP: Remember--with something like this--CONSISTENCY is the key!

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TWO BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IDEAS! Creative Fun from the 'Back to School' Category'!!!

#1 BUILDING NEW FRIENDSHIPS Bulletin Board

I do an opening week activity that also takes care of a bulletin board for the first month or so. I cut several block shapes (like cement blocks) out of brightly colored paper. On each, I write a declarative statement.

     • I love broccoli. I have broken a bone. I went ice-skating this summer. I have been in another country. I have met someone famous. Be creative with your statements!

Sometime during the first few days, I pass them around and students sign all blocks that apply to them. I sign them also, then circulate them through the rest of the teaching staff, the administrators, the cafeteria workers, custodians, crossing guards, playground aides, etc. It usually takes  about a week to get them all back.

I then "build" a wall with them on a bulletin board under a banner I made on the computer that says "Building New Friendships."

Whenever visitors come into our classroom, I ask them to sign the appropriate blocks, also. This is really a conversation starter and helps the kids find common areas of interest with people they might not have thought of otherwise. Idea of Tami Knight on 'Classroom Displays and Bulletin Boards' by Barbara Colvin

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#2 GREAT IDEA! BACK TO SCHOOL MEMORY GAME AND PUZZLES

1. On one of the first days of school-- take each child's picture.
2. Make double prints and laminate each photograph.
3. Make a Memory Game out of the pictures of the kids. (The children would play the game of Memory just like the regular game)

After a few weeks, save one copy of photos for your program 'Memory Book' or if this is for a classroom--give to parents!
Cut the other set of photographs and make a personal puzzle for each child. Submitted by Ilene/California

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WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THE RECYCLED MATERIAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS THE CHILDREN MAKE? There are MORE than 23 instruments that you can make in the Homemade Musical Instruments Category.  

DON'T JUST MAKE an instrument from recycled items. Take it further; how about starting a program Green Band?

• Invite children to join the MUSICAL GROUP playing/singing/making noise!
  OR...

HAVE A MARCHING BAND & PERFORM!!!
Practice, practice, practice….......Too noisy--practice outside!!! 
Then put on a show for a school assembly, a few of the classrooms and/or a Parents’ Night! You can also take the group "on the road" and entertain an assisted living facility or other community groups.

• Directions for making instruments and considerations in putting a band-group together are in the Homemade Musical Instruments Category.

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Celebrate an annual SAY SOMETHING NICE DAY! (All Ages)

On “Say Something Nice Day’ notice something you like about a person and tell them. Declare a day in your program that this is Say Something Nice Day. Each participant promises to approach one person that day and finish the sentence:
“One of the things I like about you is ________________.”
When you are back together at the end of the day, share your experiences.

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CREATE A SUPER HERO!

The city of Metropolis, Ill., honors its most-famous resident, Superman, from June 12-15. The Superman character has been a part of pop culture for more than 60 years. Talk with the children in your program about Superman and other super heros. (This can be any time of the year! It doesn't have to be in June.)

For a fun activity, have the children in your program come up with a superhero they can be.

• What superpower or powers will they have?
• How will they design their costumes?
• What will be their superhero name?
• Why are they fun to read about and watch?
• How are they different from us?
• Depending on the age of the children in your program, you can have the children write paragraphs about their creation, draw pictures, create comic strips or a combination.
• For more fun, BE PREPARED TO SHARE with the children the superhero you've created for YOURSELF!  Source: school-age-note-of-the-day June 11, 2008

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CELEBRATE DIVERSITY WITH AN ECLECTIC FOOD FEAST!

Help youth in your program appreciate diversity. Celebrate with an eclectic dinner featuring cuisine from different countries or geographical regions. Serve Puerto Rican rice-and-beans, Boston clam chowder, a Chinese stir-fry, and peach pie ...The variations on this theme are endless, and the dinner doesn't need to be time-consuming.

You can achieve almost the same effect by stopping for TAKEOUT from Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, and your local pizza parlor (Italian or Greek).

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A very large program in Montclair, N.J. (38 staff and 225 childen attending daily) offers a PAJAMA CLUB!

• On Friday nights, staff members operate a pajama club for all students and their siblings-- 3 years of age and older. The pajama club offers parents a night out from 7:00 pm–10:00 pm -- twice a month for a charge of $12 per child, paid in advance.
• Children are encouraged to come dressed in their pajamas for stories, art, and music.
• Every month, the club “travels” to a different country and explores it together.
• Local restaurants have begun to offer discounts for families whose children participate in the club.

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HAVE THE CHILDREN IN YOUR PROGRAM MET FLAT STANLEY?

 By participating in a Flat Stanley project, children can enhance their literacy skills, make new friends and learn more about the world. This project, inspired by Jeff Brown's book Flat Stanley, involves children creating their own paper Flat Stanleys to be sent on a journey.

Children can take their new paper friend to their home, to the homes of friends and relatives and to local points of interest. Children can then write about the travels and experiences of their Flat Stanley in a journal.

The program can be extended by swapping Flat Stanleys with another program or having children mail their Flat Stanley and journal to visit a friend or relative in another city/state for a few days. Flat Stanley should be accompanied by a letter introducing the project. (You can also now connect digitally with a Flat Stanley App)

You can learn more about the Flat Stanley project and find a Flat Stanley template on The Official Flat Stanley Project website  

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The following are three ideas by Christine Holtz - winner of the 2008 AfterSchoolPRO Quest for Excellence Award. Christine has worked in afterschool for more than 16 years and is a School Age Program Assistant - Target Level at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix, AZ.

#1 PROJECT- BUILD A DOLL HOUSE WOODWORKING PROJECT...
The children made BLUE-PRINTS ALLTHE WAY DOWN TO THE LANDSCAPING, and determining the kind and amount of materials needed. This required the children to come together to problem solve, debate, and compromise on different aspects of the plan. Then the construction phase started.
Children learned quickly that they needed to measure and calculate in order for their home to be accurate. Through this one project alone, children learned logical sequence, valuable communication skills, math, and teamwork.

#2 JOB CENTER

• Here children apply for PROGRAM JOBS such as tour guides: Kids assist in orientation of incoming families.
• Zoo Keeper: Children maintain program pets.
• Community Leader: Children make calls to set up community projects and office assistant... 
• These are only a few. After  children apply, the oldest interview applicants and fill the positions.
  This is a great ongoing activity demonstrating REAL LIFE SKILLS they will soon encounter as young adults joining the workforce.

#3 Another innovative idea developed due to the extreme summer heat in Arizona and the limitation of the children to enjoy the great outdoors. This was no challenge to Christine. She brought the outside in with an overnight camping area in the Drama Center. The children’s imaginations soared when tents went up, sleeping bags went down, and a paper fireplace was created. Their imagination led to surrounding the camp with rocks and caves and a fishing hole.

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CAN YOU ADAPT ANY OF THIS IN YOUR PROGRAM?
We are an after-school program in a museum, so we probably differ from many programs, but we do offer a number of special programming activities, including having the kids share and display their own collections in the museum (Pokemon cards, rocks, dolls, t-shirts, etc...)

It's a GREAT WAY for kids to understand the importance of capturing part of the legacy of their childhood and learning why museums collect and preserve objects.

We also have Sleep Overs in the museum based on  thematic subjects such as dinosaurs, whales, mammals, Adirondack mountains, immigration, Women's history, etc... We run educational activities for kids and their chaperons until 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. (Art & crafts, museum education programs with lots of objects & artifacts to examine & explore, free time in the museum and usually a music or story telling program to close the evening.) Then campers bed down in the exhibit gallery and when they awake, we provide breakfast and a scavenger hunt through the museum before they go home at 9:00 a.m.

Our kids often make their own MINI MOVIES about particular exhibits. We are a natural history museum that also features the social history of NY State. Kids often don't see the relevance of history to their lives, so we charge the kids with making a movie about a particular period, as evidenced in a museum exhibit. Examples might include: Harlem in the 1920's, Ellis Island, Native Peoples of NY State, whales or other animal-related exhibits, etc. The kids have to conduct some research to gain background knowledge before writing scripts, creating story boards, assembling costumes, rehearsing and practicing camera work, etc. They suddenly become "experts" on a particular subject and often ask to interview curators, scientists, historians or other experts so that they can "get it right" for their films! (Stephanie Miller, Director of Youth Services, New York State Museum)

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DO YOU INCLUDE CLUBS IN YOUR PROGRAM? Take any 'Kid Activities' Theme-and turn it into a club!
Why Should You?

• Community spirit grows as mixed-ages interact

• Children interact with those they may not know

• Social skills & creativity are nurtured

• Older help the younger

• Younger learn from the older

• New skills are learned; learning is integrated

 • Mixed-ages are supported

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STAR FISH CLUB "LEARNING EXPERIENCE, INCENTIVES AND MORE"!!!  (From Tasha Palmer, California)

 I called this the STAR FISH CLUB; my theme for the year was Oceans of Fun! Basically,  I  created a poster with 84 questions the children needed to answer/research/do.The students could answer as many as they wanted to. None of the questions were theme based--but random. I used some of the questions from the website, but I also incorporated character education and various languages, math skills, etc. - Knowing how many of my students struggled with telling time or multiplication (from the previous year) I included that topic as well.

 I would create worksheets and put on the board "Question 17---See Ms. Tasha for a worksheet on telling time." ... I had grade level sheets so I could make it harder for my upper grades than lower grades. During homework time if a child had no homework or finished their homework, they would have time to work on the questions.

Students were entered into the HALL OF FAME for answering one question. There were special prizes for MEETING MILESTONES such as 24 or 48 questions. At the end of the school year, I had a SPECIAL DINNER for the families of those students who completed the awards.

Throughout the year, I would have SPECIAL DAYS for "Hall of Famers" as an added incentive and to keep the kids motivated. It was so much fun!

The kids really got into it and so did their parents. My students learned so much and really enhanced some of the skills. Their teachers were excited and willingly stayed after school to help research some of it.
...what was even better was the kids didn't see it as more homework but as FUN! From Tasha Palmer in California I adapted this idea from a school teacher in Oregon. (See website: www2.redmond.k12.or.us/mccall/renz/masteryclub.htm)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON STAR FISH CLUB QUESTIONS:

    • As for tracking the answers the children gave-I created a system in which the students wrote their answer on a sheet of lined paper to include their full name and what number they are answering.

    • I wouldn't accept any papers without this information.

    • I also had a box next to the board that the students submitted their work. Each morning I would go through the questions, check them, write comments, and on a star chart next to the child's name (which they can't get their name on the chart until they answered the first question) I would write what number they have completed. They were then able to always see which ones they have completed and also how many they have completed.

    • I would then have one of my students pass they answers back in the PM with my comments.

    • The box was left out during the day so at anytime the students could turn them in. They knew I would not be returning them until the next day. It really only took about 10 minutes in the morning as not all of the students were doing it. I did this with 125 students ages 1st - 5th grade.

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CLAYMATION MOVIES My name is Erika Thiel, I am the 4-H Program Coordinator in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Over the past four years I have been able to offer an Art & Technology program where we make claymation movies and also do image manipulation – the list goes on and on.

At any rate, I utilize Image blender and Video Blender programs from Tech4Learning (ages range from K-12). Tech4Learning provides the software and site licenses for multiple computers AND lesson plans; the software doesn’t come free but I feel it has paid for itself with the amount of resources they provide. In addition, the lesson plans address National Education standards. For more information click here. 

 

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 DOES YOUR PROGRAM HAVE A SWAT TEAM? SWAT stands for students who assist teachers.

SWAT members help students, staff, and parents before and after school and during special events. Students receive training in matters such as courteous greetings, assisting others, and maintaining a safe environment. One school (Deer Park Elementary in Texas) believes this is instrumental in helping promote an atmosphere that is orderly and friendly in their school. This is different than the school safety team. SWAT is something your program could provide and then have members offer their services for school functions.

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CHECK OUT THE ACTIVITIES OF ONE JR. HIGH AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM!

WILSON JR. HIGH AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Council Bluffs Community School District

CLUBS:
 
1. A BLAST FROM THE PAST!
Students work with peers in small groups to create web pages, display boards, performances, and compositions related to historical events/people. Teams of students present their project at a local competition and have the opportunity to go on to regional and national competitions. They also explore careers related to the area of history. Research, literacy, team work, problem solving are skills that are honed in this club.
 

2. SOLAR CAR...
Teams of students create model solar cars, culminating in a race in May. The program focuses on math, science and technology. Grand prize winners receive a trophy, gift certificate to "Discover" and are featured in a local newspaper story.
 

3. WEB CLUB...
Students receive training in website development, digital design, digital photography, interviewing skills and writing. Students create a CD and their own personal web site, and they interview information technology professionals in the community.
 

4. OUTDOOR ADVENTURE...
Students meet once per week and also on two Saturdays to focus on environmental issues and how they relate to students' lives. Students hike, climb ropes, learns how to survive in the wild, and explore careers related to the environment, sports and physical education. Literacy, team work, health sciences, environmental sciences are all skills acquired in the club.
 

5. REEL TO REEL...
Students work in teams to create digital video documentaries. They learn how to create a story board and interview people, use a digital camcorder and create a CD. They tour TV stations and have speakers come in a talk about careers in communication and technology fields.
 

6. EVENING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
PIZZA AND PAGES...
Parents and students attend weekly evening sessions to discuss selected books. Dinner and baby sitting are provided. Participants keep the books at the end of the program

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TRANSITION BOARD: Have a ______(Blank) of the Day--Each and Every Day!

 

It's fun to have a daily program or classroom feature where there is a "_______ (blank) of the Day! "
This could be a doodle, riddle, trick question, joke, definition of a word or quote.

Brains crave variety and incorporating activities such as this, will certainly go towards some cognitive variety!

Each month or week, change out "What the _____of the Day" will be!  As written above, it could be the puzzle, a word definition, riddle, trick question, or quote. Great for all school ages to high school! Just put the _______on a black board or white board near the room entrance. By the end of the day---discuss guesses and answers.

....if you're taking the time to look at the sample board to the left--the answers are: Period in History, Reading between the lines, Long underwear, Eggs over easy, I understand, Down town, Paradise or Pair of dice!

It's fun to see how many more ideas of your own that you and the kids can come up with! Board by BShelby-KidActivities

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GUESS THE PERSON, ANIMAL OR THING! (This could be  a version of "Have a  ______ of the Day!"

1. Using a picture of an animal, children's character or personality, cover the entire picture with puzzle pieces to hide identifying features.
 
2. Take one piece off at a time; children guess who/what is underneath.

3. This can be done as a group game, individual or team play. It could also be set up in a special daily spot--with guesses being made as removed pieces reveal who/what it is!

4. Depending on how you play this-points can be added or subtracted. The most points of course going to the individual or team who correctly guesses with the least amount of puzzle pieces removed!

Be sure to check out the Transition/Sponge activities and games...More than 75 ideas!!! Don't make kids sit/stand and wait. Have fun whenever you  have some "down time"...

See page 2 for more ideas!

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Click here for pg. 1

 

 This is a fun 'Community" idea for the month of April!

'EARTH DAY' GROCERIES PROJECT
Four Simple Steps

 

1. Borrow. Contact a local grocery store that uses large paper grocery bags. See if the manager will let you "borrow" enough bags so that each student in your school can decorate one. Let the manager know about the project and its environmental education message, of course! Grocers usually get these bags in "bundles" of 500.
 
2. Decorate. Have students at school decorate the bags with pictures of the earth, environmental messages, the name of your school, etc. Be creative! DO NOT allow students to write their last names on any bags.
 
3. Deliver. A couple of days before Earth Day you and/or your students return the decorated bags to the grocery store - with many thanks to the manager! The store then distributes these bags (full of groceries) to happy and amazed shoppers on Earth Day.
 
4. Report. Fill out the Report Form on the project web site with a count of how many bags your school made. Please, only one report per school. All reports will be posted on the Earth Day Groceries site

You do not need to sign up or register, just have a great time with the project! For more information, check the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on the above website link.

Another Idea: If you can't use paper bags, you can have students decorate individual fliers, or even bookmarks, which can be handed out to shoppers or inserted in their shopping bags. These will be counted in the project tally, so do send in your report!
This is a great idea, even if you do it on your own!

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SURVIVOR READER! (Good Idea for Reading Club or Book Club!)
Who are the ultimate readers in your class/program? And what are they willing to do to prove it? Will they eat fried worms (gummy candy) ala How to Eat Fried Worms (Thomas Rockwell)? Can they climb a beanstalk (rope ladder) like Jack? Will they drink Freckle Juice (Judy Blume)?

Search titles to create a challenge to tax even your boldest readers.
You can also create a booklist of "survivor" titles such as Hatchet (Gary Paulsen), A Girl Named Disaster (Nancy Farmer), My Side of the Mountain (Jean Craighead George) along with a competition to see who survives reading all the survivor books. Adapted from: nea.org

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NAME FUN...Good for about grade 3 to adult--some younger children 'may' enjoy a couple!

WHAT WOULD YOUR NAME BE IF YOU USED...

(Examples shown...)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: First pet & current family car (Pixie PT Cruiser)

2. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: Favorite color & favorite animal (Red Chimpanze) 

3. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: Middle name, city where you were born
(Jean Detroit)

4. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: the first 3 letters of your last name and first 2 letters of your first name
(She Ba)

5. SUPERHERO NAME: 'The' plus 2nd favorite color and  favorite drink
(The Brown Sweet Tea)

6. NASCAR NAME: The first names of your grandfathers
(Joseph Anthony)

7. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: Your 5th grade teacher's last name, a major city that starts with the same letter
(Celestine Chicago)

8. SPY NAME: your favorite season/holiday and flower
(Autumn Daisy)

9. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit plus article of clothing you're wearing right now and add 'ie' or 'y'
(Watermellon Soxy)

10. HIPPY NAME: What you ate for breakfast plus your favorite tree
(Muffin Red Maple)

11. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: 'The' and Your favorite hobby/craft and favorite weather element plus the word 'Tour'
(The Designing Blue Sky Tour)

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Have a PURPLE PEOPLE EATER Theme...

A fun theme to celebrate with kids! Be sure to visit it for art, crafts, and literacy ideas. Good for Classrooms, after school and childcare programs...Also would make a fun family event!

Additionally, check out all the themes featured in left side category list of this site...

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EACH MONTH-CELEBRATE 'BONZA BOTTLER DAY'!

What is it??? It's a day just to have a reason to celebrate. We all need a day to just be silly and have fun--so celebrate!!! 
This happens each month when the day and date are the same number!
Example: January 1, February 2, March 3, April 4, May 5, etc.

Bonza Bottler Day is a favorite with many school classrooms and programs because it provides a break in routine for the students and teachers. It has been celebrated since August 8 (8-8) 1985!

When the number of the year also coincides with the number of the day and month (October 10, 2010, there is reason to have a bigger celebration (more food, more friends and more decorations).This is called a 'Bodacious Bonza Bottler Day'. As the official website  states, "Bodacious means extraordinary, impressively great in size, or enormous" Consider making this a monthly event the kids can look forward to!

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This is Page 2... Back to Page 1 for Creative SchoolAge Care Program (OST) Ideas

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