dletters

LETTERS: Ii, Jj

Share your ideas too. E-mail me at stormie@preschoolbystormie.com

Games:

1. "Hot Ice Cube": Place an ice cube in a zip-lock bag, then have children pass it around as they would in the game of "Hot Potato." They can wear gloves for added fun, and because the ice may be too cold for some bare hands. The person caught with the ice cube when the music stops goes to a corner of the room and "melts into a puddle."

2. Gross Motor: "In and Out My Window": Cut a window and a door from a large box. Children take turns climbing in and out the window as you sing or say: "Go in and out my window, go in and out my window, go in and out my window, now go through the door." Because it will take time for each child to do it, you may want to make it an activity that's done throughout the morning during free choice time. (For a Christmas flavor, give them a bag (pillowcase) to throw over their shoulder as "Santa.")

Have children play musical instruments

Science: Introduce real ivy to the children

Snack: Ice cream

Take-Home Textured I: Children glue Christmas-decoration icicles on a letter I cutout, or if you're real lucky and can get hold of real icicles, let children dip them in dry tempera then paint their cutouts.

From Melissa Boer, Hull, Iowa:
Skating on Ice: For the letter "Ii," give the children ice skates by wrapping long pieces of wax paper up and around their shoes. Anchor them in place on their legs with rubber bands. Then, with music playing in the background, skate on ice (on the carpet, actually). Talk about how the children need to skate, not run, because the ice is slippery. :-)

Language: Place candy canes in the language center for chidren to draw around to form Jj's.

Home Center Play: Place old jewelry in a jewelry box for creative play.

Snack: Children spread jams or jellies on crackers, or make Jello.

Sing "Jingle Bells"

Children can be reminded of the letter Jj when doing "Jumping" activities (one of the gross motor skills listed for the month).

Make the ever-popular Jigglers. Here's a recipe that, as I recall, came from the back of a Jell-O box:

Christmas Star Jigglers 2 1/2 Cups boiling Water or boiling Apple Juice(Do not add cold water)2 Pkgs (8 serving size) JELL-O Brand Gelatin Dessert, any flavor
In a large bowl, have children carefully help you stir the boiling water (or juice) into the gelatin for at least 3 minutes, or until completely dissolved. Pour this into a 9 x 13" pan. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or until firm. Then dip the bottom of the pan in warm water for about 15 seconds. Have children take turns with cookie cutters and cut the Jello into shapes (stars would fit nicely with this month). Then enjoy! (A Christmasy-colored Jello might be nice!)

Take-Home Textured J: Children glue jelly beans on a J cutout, or they can paint their J with glue then sprinkle Jello on it, as they would do with glitter. (Enclose in a clear plastic zipper bag to prevent bugs.)

From Shelli Smith, Riverton, Utah:

Fine Motor: Children can make their own jewelry in celebration of the letter J by stringing fruit loops or macaroni on string to create necklaces/bracelets. (Color the macaroni first to make it "extra special.")

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Notes from Stormie:
*I offer "Wacky Animals ABC Cards" in the "Teaching Aids" section of "Stormie's Stuff for Teachers.
*If you would like to begin collecting ALL my current classroom ideas (each on a 4 x 6" index card), as well as new ones that I create, you can do so by ordering my "Activity Cards." Click here to check them out.

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