Day 3 of 5 days of Montessori Preschool

Topics:  Fall, Winter, Hibernation, Snow, Squirrels, Ducks 

Letter Identification: Letter Tray/Box: N is for Nut, S is for Squirrel

Nature: Look for Squirrels, Collect acorns (you’ll use these as manipulatives for this week) – can’t find acorns, substitute some other similar nut or a replica (such as glass, plastic, erasers shaped like acorns, or brown pom-poms)

Experiment with ‘treats’ for squirrels – roll pinecones in peanut butter and coat with birdseed, or put out dried corn cobs or peanuts. Observe the squirrels. Draw pictures of what you see.

Math: Squirrel Stash File Folder Game – can count out real acorns for the numbers
Acorn Addition File Folder Game – can use real acorns to add, here I am using acorn shaped beads from Oriental Trading.

Acorn Subtraction File Folder Game – can use real acorns to subtract

Maple Match File Folder Game

Short Path Game – get the squirrel to the acorn
Place index cards with numbers (or use sandpaper numerals) and have the children count out the correct number of acorns. You could attach the numbers to a type of container or have them just line them up in front of the number.

Provide a variety of nuts to sort by type, color, shape or size

(for fine motor, add a nut cracker and have them try to crack them!)
Use with Nut Picture Cards from Montessori Print Shop (99cents)

Estimation: Fill a jar with acorns, have your child guess how many. Watch this Sid the Science Kid video on Estimation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImUrlpszxOI

Squirrel Grid Game http://www.prekinders.com/2008/08/squirrel-grid-game/

More Acorn Math http://livingmontessorinow.com/2012/09/27/outdoor-acorn-math-activities/

Art: Dip acorns in paint and roll them around on paper (in a box) to make designs

Make a squirrel mask http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/crafts-images/animals/squirrels-masks-printables.png then hunt for acorns

Acorn prints – use the tops of the acorns dipped in paint like stamps to print on paper

Acorn Nature Collage http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2011/10/acorn-nature-collage.html

Sensory Box: Hide acorns in sand and have them search for them. They could use a sifter, or their hands.

Make some Shivery Snow Dough

Music: Make Acorn shakers by placing acorns into bottles or other type of container

Sing the Squirrel Song http://www.dltk-teach.com/rhymes/squirrel/mlyrics.htm

Recite the poem rhythmically, Pat the rhythm of the words or use rhythm sticks (or your acorn shakers):
Bushy tail,
coat of gray,
Finding nuts to store away.
Way up high
in the tree
Squirrel's looking
down at me.

Science: Sink or Float (drop them into a large bowl of water) have child guess before doing so, then watch this youtube video about http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlE0JYNZRqQ (pt1) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gebHimd0myU (pt 2)

Montessori Print Shop – Sink or Float Cards  ($1.29), do the sink or float activity.

Sprout an acorn – Place it in a sandwich bag with a wet paper towel and put it in a sunny spot, observe and document its growth – you could draw pictures and/or take measurements

Discuss the parts of an acorn http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acorn_diagram.jpg Take one apart and observe the different parts
Life Skill: Spoon Transfer acorns from one bowl to another, or use tongs or a strawberry huller

Game: The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game

Hide an acorn under one of three cups, move them around and have your child guess which cup it’s under

Montessori Print Shop -  Toddler Bundle – Fall and Winter Season Cards

Language: Talk about the items the animals thought were snow in the book, what else could be described as cold, wet and white? Go on a color hunt for WHITE items, like those they thought were snow in the book.

Five Squirrel Rhyme with printout http://twigglemagazine.com/November-activities/squirrel-rhyme-lesson.html

Duck Activities can be found on my Pond Life Pinterest Board

Cooking: Mamma Squirrel's Whole Wheat Nut Bread

Bread for the Squirrel Family and Yours Too!

Ingredients
* 2 cups whole wheat flour
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 Tablespoons of Wheat Germ
* 1 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, etc. toasted
* 1/2 cup dried cranberries and dates
* 1/2 cup honey
* 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* 1/2 cup molasses
http://southernfood.about.com/od/datesandfigs/r/bl30519h.htm

Autumn Acorn Cookies http://wafflesntrees.blogspot.com/2010/10/squirrel-treats-autumn-acorn-cookies.html

A Squirrely Snack – 1 cup sunflower seed, 1 cup almonds, 1 cup golden raisins, mix together in a bowl and serve.

For Older Children see pg 20-21 from this link http://teacher.scholastic.com/aproducts/statehomepages/nc/797462_SCI_NC_G3_001-080.pdf activities for the book From Acorn to Oak Tree by Jan Kotkke

Building: Lego Friends Squirrel Tree House

Other book suggestions: The Nutty Nut Chase by Kathryn White, Squirrels Thanksgiving by Steven Kroll, Nuts to you by Louis Elhert, A Squirrel’s Tale by Richard Fowler, From Acorn to Oak Tree by Jan Kotkke

Take it further: Talk about hibernation, book suggestions:  Hibernation Station, Bear Snores on, Don’t wake bear

Printables - http://www.3dinosaurs.com/printables/packs/bearsnoreson.php

This unit is a great lead into The Snowy Day unit as well! 

And can also be used in conjunction with the In the Pond unit or Rainy Day unit (coming soon!)