Thursday, October 30, 2014

Who are you gonna call? YOU know who!

 
White Ghost is a take off of a favorite children's book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
 I used a large sheet of construction paper, placed the child's forearms and hands on the far edges of the paper and drew around them. Then I used the remaining paper as the ghost. I drew lines for them to practice their cutting skills. Last I cut out and glued the arms on and interlocked the fingers. We chanted, "White ghost, white ghost what do you see?" They opened the arms wide and told me a color or shape that I had drawn inside on their hand prints. "I see a red triangle looking at me."
 
 I sent this home as a fun family game.
 
 It wouldn't be Halloween without a little ghost play. I prepared a sheet of paper with letters A-F for each student, and covered the papers and the table with clear adhesive. Next I put a shaving cream ghost in right hands and left hands, and the children finger painted with their ghosts, covering up their letters. I would shout a letter/sound and they'd have to uncover it. What fun!
 
 
The 3 year olds opened the class pumpkin, but first, we guessed what could be inside. Someone thought a ghost, but most knew it was seeds. We took turns inserting our hands and removing the seeds. When someone said, "I don't want to!" I replied, "Ewww! Neither did I. Look how messy my hands are, but we will wash them off, and then we'll make pretend pumpkin seed soup, so please get your seeds. WOW! You got a big handful. You tried! Look at your seeds!" While recognizing feelings and encouraging them to try new things instead of accepting an automatic no, everyone decided to reach inside. This activity generated lots of language and vocabulary: icky, sticky, wet, slimey, cold, yuck. The water play with small cups, spoons, ladles and colanders led to a fun sensory experience that lasted for half an hour for some of the children.
 
And because this is the season for ghosts, who are you gonna call?
 
This car pulled up across the street at a small automotive repair shop.
                                 Now, I would say that was my Halloween treat! Wouldn't you?

 

10 comments:

Sioux Roslawski said...

Linda--I KNOW your pre-schoolers come every day to school--eager to learn and experience.

Thanks for sharing your activity with us...

Pat Wahler said...

There's nothing like the pure joy of little ones to give any holiday an extra dose of special. What fun that you can share these special times with kids!

Pat
Critter Alley

Debra Mayhew said...

Linda, I love hearing about your class! You come up with such fun, creative ideas. I'm going to make the little ghosts with my boys this afternoon. Thanks for sharing!

Kim Lehnhoff said...

I think I've seen that car in Fenton. It makes Daniel giddy.

I love the activities you provide for the kids - I bet they take them home and talk to their parents about the fun they had!

Bookie said...

You are going to have a great time this week with kiddos and the holiday!

Lynn said...

Not only are you a brilliant writer, but you are so creative and I hope your preschoolers will someday appreciate all your hard work! I'm way behind on posts... but also love the Ghostbusters' car. My son's favorite thing when little was Ghostbusters! Your great grandchild is adorable! And loved your menopausal story about your friend, and YAY for Not Your Mother's Book!

Connie said...

Your class always sounds like so much fun. Makes me wish I were a kid again. :-)

Janet, said...

You are so creative and imaginative! I bet your kids just love to come to your class. Love the Ghostbusters vehicle!

Tammy said...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: you really should write a book for caretakers of preschoolers! That car is awesome!

BECKY said...

Cute kiddos having great fun! You're fabulous, Linda!