I can't believe summer is already over. We started our first "official" week of homeschooling our kindergartner two weeks ago, and I've been doing some preschool activities with my 4 and 2 1/2 year-old children as well. At these ages, books are the heart of all our learning.
Whether your children are heading off to preschool or kindergarten, or you are doing your own school at home, here are a few fun "back to school" books and activities you might enjoy.
Back to School Books
My Friends
Taro Gomi
I read this book with the children in our preschool co-op last year, and we talked about how just as the little girl learned something different from each of her animal friends, one of the fun things about school is that we can make new friends and learn from each other.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Because we did a letter of the week theme for our pre-school, we introduced the year with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I found a palm tree decoration at the dollar store that we used as our own Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree in our house, adding colorful construction paper letters each time we learned them.
If You Take a Mouse to School
by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond
My children love Laura Numeroff's books, and this back to school book featuring mouse is charming.
Back to School for Rotten Ralph
by Jack Gantos and Nicole Rubel
My kids love how mischievous Rotten Ralph is...
Seven Little Mice Go To School
by Kazuo Iwamura
My oldest son loves snakes/the woods, so this non-conventional back-to-school book featuring mice who outwit a snake was a hit for him.
Back to School Songs
To go along with our back to school books, we also sang some fun songs. These are all classic children's songs that can be found on various kids' songs anthologies if you are unfamiliar with the tunes:
"The ABC Song" (to go with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom)
"Make New Friends" (a fun round to go with My Friends)
Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.
"The More We Get Together" (a fun get to know you or opening song)
The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Optional bridge to "The More We Get Together":
There's _(child's name)_______ and _____________ and ______________ and ______________,
The more we get together the happier we'll be.
Back to School Snack
A fun back-to-school snack (and other Chicka Chicka Boom Boom activities), can be found at Mrs. Martell's Class. The children made Chicka Chicka Boom Boom trees with sliced apples as the leaves, a chocolate wafer trunk, cocoa puff coconuts, and skittles in place of the colorful alphabet letters.
Or if you want another fun treat, you can try making these cute apple cupcakes that we shared earlier with you.
Back to School Craft
For a simple back to school craft, I printed out each child's name extra large on a full-sized sheet of paper. The children traced and decorated their names and then I provided them with stickers, scrap paper, and other craft supplies to decorate with and glue on in an open-ended collage.
Also, don't forget to check out all of our A to Z Preschool themes that you can do on your own at home or as part of a preschool co-op. Happy Learning!
Whether your children are heading off to preschool or kindergarten, or you are doing your own school at home, here are a few fun "back to school" books and activities you might enjoy.
Back to School Books
My Friends
Taro GomiI read this book with the children in our preschool co-op last year, and we talked about how just as the little girl learned something different from each of her animal friends, one of the fun things about school is that we can make new friends and learn from each other.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Because we did a letter of the week theme for our pre-school, we introduced the year with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. I found a palm tree decoration at the dollar store that we used as our own Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree in our house, adding colorful construction paper letters each time we learned them.
If You Take a Mouse to School
by Laura Numeroff and Felicia BondMy children love Laura Numeroff's books, and this back to school book featuring mouse is charming.
Back to School for Rotten Ralph
by Jack Gantos and Nicole RubelMy kids love how mischievous Rotten Ralph is...
Seven Little Mice Go To School
by Kazuo IwamuraMy oldest son loves snakes/the woods, so this non-conventional back-to-school book featuring mice who outwit a snake was a hit for him.
Back to School Songs
To go along with our back to school books, we also sang some fun songs. These are all classic children's songs that can be found on various kids' songs anthologies if you are unfamiliar with the tunes:
"The ABC Song" (to go with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
)"Make New Friends" (a fun round to go with My Friends
)Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.
"The More We Get Together" (a fun get to know you or opening song)
The more we get together
Together, together
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Cause your friends are my friends
And my friends are your friends
The more we get together
The happier we'll be
Optional bridge to "The More We Get Together":
There's _(child's name)_______ and _____________ and ______________ and ______________,
The more we get together the happier we'll be.
Back to School Snack
A fun back-to-school snack (and other Chicka Chicka Boom Boom activities), can be found at Mrs. Martell's Class. The children made Chicka Chicka Boom Boom trees with sliced apples as the leaves, a chocolate wafer trunk, cocoa puff coconuts, and skittles in place of the colorful alphabet letters.
Or if you want another fun treat, you can try making these cute apple cupcakes that we shared earlier with you.
Back to School Craft
For a simple back to school craft, I printed out each child's name extra large on a full-sized sheet of paper. The children traced and decorated their names and then I provided them with stickers, scrap paper, and other craft supplies to decorate with and glue on in an open-ended collage.
Also, don't forget to check out all of our A to Z Preschool themes that you can do on your own at home or as part of a preschool co-op. Happy Learning!
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