Covered Buckets/Boxes

Another great way to use those old books, 

or new ones in this case, 

is to cover boxes and/or buckets.

Great place to store books, art supplies, etc.

Perfect for the classroom...

... and home!

Creative Tables for Classroom or Home

Creative, colorful, stimulating, easy way to inspire reading.

Cover a child's size table in your classroom, or in your home.

I purchased this table at Goodwill; it was in perfect condition.

I cut out old book jacket covers, then glued them onto the table with Mod Podge. 

I covered it with the Mod Podge hard coat, twice. 

I have also done this with small book cases and accent tables.

It is very appealing/eye-catching/attractive/inspiring for little ones,
drawing them to the area. 

I used it in my reading center, switching to Dramatic Play at times,
keeping books on and near by.

I used a copy of each of my own books, 

Patti's Perfect Profession and Patrick Pretends, 

to make these tables and accessories:

If you don't have time to create your own,

buy one here!!!

Creative Advertising/Attraction in Classroom

Before... I bought this snowman at a thrift store for $1.00, thinking I would fix him up!

After...
Wanted some cute advertising at a craft fair I was working at, so I fixed him up!
I had used two of my own books to cut and decoupage with, so I had two spare, empty book covers; I glued them onto Mr. Snowman, added some "snow tex," ribbon, and a spare gold Christmas tree, hot glue, and viola! So much warmer!!!
Now I am using it as part of my Christmas decor, minus the business card ornaments.

Teachers: I would display this in my reading center in December...
would most definitely attract kids to area! Replace business card ornaments with cute, colorful, kid-attractive ornaments.

More fixer-upers/advertising...

My favorite Christmas Elf...

Preschool Daily Music Box & Songs

Welcome to the Patti and Patrick Blog! 

I would love to share my teaching expertise, with creative curriculum ideas,
lesson plans, and all things that worked well in my pre-k classroom!

THE DAILY MUSIC BOX 

I used this each day at circle.

Children love this!!!

Materials:

*CD's or laminated paper circles. 

(I used the small paper "records" from Party City, 50's theme)

Write the song on the back and laminate.

*Any durable box that is slightly larger than your "CDs."

*Songs, chants and finger plays. 

(I changed these up monthly to go with the themes, 

but always keep the favorites in the box;

 repetition is always good too!)

*Gold plastic coin 

Cut a slit in the top or side of the box so a gold coin will easily slip in. 

The kids loved inserting the coin!

Add a corresponding sticker...

Identifying is empowering!

The CDs are in the box, each one having a different 

song/chant/fingerplay/movement activity on the back. 

The leader of the day selected the song(s) by first dropping in the coin, 

then picking out a CD. Children love this job!!! 

A teacher subtly putting on a pair of 

silly glasses at circle is always a crowd pleaser,

and can be a good teaching tool as well.

The giggles are guaranteed!!!

Ok, now that you know how to store your daily music,
you need some songs to write on the back of your CDs.
I always went with the theme, and/or the letter of the week,
so my suggestions will be Patti and Patrick theme related.


Happy singing, dancing and wiggling!!!

IF YOU PLAY AND PRETEND

(Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)
If you play and pretend, shout hurray! Hurray!

If you play and pretend, shout hurray! Hurray!

If you play and pretend, and you play with your friends,

If you play and pretend, shout hurray! Hurray!

If you read a book at night, shout alright! Alright!

If you read a book at night, shout alright! Alright!

If you read a book at night, just before you shut your light,

If you read a book at night, shout alright! Alright!

PATTI IS DOING...

(Tune: Ride Sally Ride &

Your thigh bone's connected to your knee bone)

(Use corresponding movements for all versus)

Patti is taking a, bubble bath,

Patti is taking a, bubble bath,

Patti is taking a, bubble bath,

So splash, splash, splash! 

Patti is brushing her, doll's hair,

Patti is brushing her, doll's hair,

Patti is brushing her, doll's hair,

So brush, brush, brush!

Patti is painting a, pic-ture,

Patti is painting a, pic-ture,

Patti is painting a, pic-ture,

So paint, paint, paint!

Patti is stirring some in-gredients,

Patti is stirring some in-gredients,

Patti is stirring some in-gredients,

So stir, stir, stir!

Patti is using a ham-mer,

Patti is using a ham-mer,

Patti is using a ham-mer,

So bang, bang, bang!

Patti is flying in, outer space,

Patti is flying in, outer space,

Patti is flying in, outer space,

So fly, fly, fly!

Patti is reading her bedtime book,

Patti is reading her, bedtime book,

Patti is reading her, bedtime book,

So read, read, read.

Patti is singing and, dancing,

Patti is singing and, dancing,

Patti is singing and, dancing,

So dance, dance, dance!

PATRICK FOUND A SILLY LAND
(Tune: BINGO was his name-o)

Patrick found a silly land,

and he can spell silly!

S-I-L-L-Y,

S-I-L-L-Y,

S-I-L-L-Y, 

Now we can spell silly!

Patrick found a silly land,

and he can spell silly!

(clap) I-L-L-Y,

(clap) I-L-L-Y,

(clap) I-L-L-Y,

Now we can spell silly!

(Continue eliminating letters as in BINGO)

Stay tuned for so many more creative curriculum
ideas that cover all of the content areas!

Next blog post: A fantastic circle idea 

that has so many interactive activities!!!

Stay Tuned!!!