Science

Skeleton Preschool Theme

October 28, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Non-scary preschool theme featuring art, math, science, manipulative and dramatic play activities.

Skeleton preschool theme? It’s only something I considered doing recently. In the latter part of October, my activities usually focus on pumpkins…bright orange, happy ones! My preschoolers are encouraged to dress up in non-scary costumes. Skeletons are not on the list to plan a theme around for my little students.

Glam skull pillow. — My Skeleton Theme Inspiration

But I couldn’t help notice a glammed up skull on a shopping trip this fall. Inspired by its beauty, my thoughts turned to “Yes, I can introduce some skeleton activities, and do it in a way that is non-threatening to preschoolers.”

A focus for fall purchases became skeletons of all kinds. They were not hard to find … or expensive. Here’s what I bought and here’s what to do.

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Reptile Egg Science

September 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Here’s an easy to do Science experiment to transform an unshelled, boiled egg into a rubbery reptile egg! It’s perfect for the classroom or to do with your children at home.

Reptile egg activities. Make a rubbery reptile egg and use turtle and snake figurines with egg theme play mats.

Animal eggs come in different colors, shapes, sizes and shell textures. Bird eggs feel hard. Snakes and many turtles lay soft shelled eggs with a rubbery feel. Snake eggs are usually oval; turtle eggs are round to slightly oblong.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to download free printables to extend this activity.

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Dinosaur And Sweet Potato Vine Activities

July 26, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

One Spring I was greenhouse shopping, and a ledge of sweet potato vines caught my attention. The sales clerk suggested that the leaves looked like dinosaur footprints.
That thought stuck with me, and soon after I picked two uniquely colored sweet potato vines to add contrast to the flowering plants on my deck. I was also eager to use some leaves in dinosaur themed nature play.
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Saving Green Sea Turtles

April 10, 2019 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

One in a thousand baby green sea turtles lives to become an adult. Sea turtles face many challenges in trying to survive. Here’s how they get their start in life.

At night, baby green sea turtles scurry to the ocean from the deep hole they dig out of. They hatch from eggs deposited by their mother (also at night) on a sandy beach above the high tide line. The small, white eggs are buried in a blanket of sand to keep them warm and hide them from predators. The eggs are left alone to incubate for 50 -70 days.

The temperature of the nest determines the sex of the turtles. Warmer eggs become males; cooler eggs become females. Both males and females can dig out of the same nest, because the temperature can vary in different parts of it.

The hatchlings hurry to the ocean in the dark when it is less likely that they will be eaten by crabs or shore birds like gulls or herons. Most babies do not make it to the ocean. Even if they safely make it to the water, they could be eaten by birds hovering above the waves or predatory fish lingering close to shore.

Transparent Page Divider Activities

August 28, 2018 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Photo collage for transparent file folder activities for the early childhood classroom.

School supplies are stocked everywhere, sales are on, and I’m buying a substantial amount of transparent page dividers! I am using them for their usual purpose, and setting some aside for the following activities.

Transparent Page Divider Jellyfish

Page divider jellyfish shapes, transparent stir sticks and picture prompts offer an invitation to create on the light table.
The jellyfish can give each other “hugs” so new colors are discovered.

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