Activities for Letters G, H, and I

 We made our own clay using water, flour and oil.  This activity was in conjunction with our Bible story about God creating each of us.  The children made themselves using our homemade clay, just like God shaped us; He is the potter, we are the clay!

 G is for Grandma, Gaga and Gugs!  This is one of the children's grandmothers; I inadvertently deleted a picture I had of another grandmother, which I was really disappointed about.  It was a nice picture.  We learned more about letter G with a grandparents' visit for sharing letter G foods with them:  grapes, granola bars, goldfish crackers, glazed doughnuts, Teddy Grahams and grape juice!

 The kids asked me if they could wear the costumes to school, so we had a costume day! 

 H is for Horse.  I found these horse cut-outs at Michaels.  We colored them, placed a mane and tail on with yarn and gave the horse eyes with googly eyes!  I explained to the children they could design the horse according to what they felt a horse really looked like, and on the other side they could make a horse that is different from what we imagine.

 We turned this letter H into a horse! I precut the shapes.  The children colored the nose and eyes!

 Letter Hunting:  I first googled various images of our letters.  I found about 12 or 13 images for each letter.  I printed them out on cardstock.  Then I cut out each image.  Around the preschool I hide letters; for example, I hide 12 letter G's and 12 letter H's.  The children then hunt for the letters and place them in the appropriate piles, i.e., letter G pile or letter H pile.  This helps them with letter recognition!  And they love to go a hunting!

 I would say this is a pretty impressive tower.  I did help a bit when it got too high for them to reach.

 Pretending to be asleep.

 More pounding of nails (toothpicks).  Not sure why they love this activity so much, but they do.  Look at Jake's little hand below--so cute!

 Getting ready to bake with our Chef's Hats!  I cut strips of cardstock, measured the strips around each child's head to make sure it would fit the circumference of their heads.  I then cut a white trash bag in half and stapled it to the inside of the head band, fluffed it up, and voila!  The kids tried to help me with this, but it was a little difficult for them to do themselves.  They enjoyed helping me staple the trash bag to the cardstock.  I think they turned out very cute!

 Chef Casey!

 Chef Madison!

 Chef Jake (who did not want his picture taken)

 The kids asked me if they could use my camera and take my picture.  Sure!  Why not!  Chef Mrs. M!

 The kids still using my camera.  Can you tell??

 Time to play in the kitchen since we are pretending to be chefs today!

 Out Community Helper guest:  Staci Kuhns, caterer, came with cupcakes and all the necessary tools to decorate them!  The kids loved this and were very attentive!  She taught them about the things she has to do before she makes or touches food:  wear gloves and wear a hat with hair pulled back. 

 Listening to the guest speaker!

 Jake trying his hand at decorating his cupcake! 

 This took a lot of concentration on the part of the kids!  They truly enjoyed this activity.

 Pretty!  Looks really good, too! 

 Finished cupcakes!

 

 

 I is for Ice cream.  The children told me what toppings they like:  crushed Oreos, M&M's and sprinkles.  I also brought out some Hershey's syrup and whipped cream!  Yum!

 Good stuff!  Vanilla and rainbow ice cream.

 Bible Lesson:  Smile, God Loves You!  God loved us before we loved Him.  He loves us unconditionally!  I purchased several colors/designs of paper plates, and also two types/shapes of pasta.  The children glued the pasta on the center of the plate as a Smiley Face, and I wrote the words at the bottom:  Smile, God Loves You!  They then decorated the edges of the plate with more pasta!  I punched a whole at the top and inserted ribbon so they could hang up their Smiley Faces!

 I is for Instrument!  I used these Quaker oatmeal containers, wrapped them with construction paper (colors chosen by the students).  I then gave them various items with which to decorate their drums!

 

 Another instrument for letter I week!  Recorders!  Sorry moms and dads, but they are taking them home!  The children began marching around the house like they were having a parade!