Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Time For Tots: The Rain Cycle

Yeah! We finally did a Time for Tot's Day again. In case, you are new to my blog, which many of you are (thanks!)... a while back I felt like I was getting stuck in a rut. I knew I needed to figure out something new and extra to do with my kids for all of our sakes. So I decided one day a week I would spend extra time with my kids doing crafts, readings stories, whatever it may be.. just something new and different. And every Wednesday, I share what we did the previous week.

You can see previous Time For Tot's Days by clicking here, or the tab at the top of my page. Feel free to use these ideas and resources to make your days a little more fun.

It has been raining a lot here lately. And well in Southern California we don't get much rain, so this has been a big change. All of the rain inspired this week's theme, the Rain Cycle.

We began by reading a story about Drippy and how he becomes rain. This is just a cute on-line story found here. My kids wanted to listen to it three times.

We then did a worksheet on the water cycle and practiced saying words like evaporation and condensation. And we practiced writing the letter W, since water begins with W of course.


And how do those clouds move from the oceans to the land?
Well by wind of course.
Which the kids were more than happy to act out with straws and cotton balls.

And then the real fun began.
Clouds are so light and fluffy,
until they start filling with water.

We simply dropped the cotton balls in water and watched them fill up and then even made it rain.

And then for our final project, we made cotton ball clouds, and of course any good storm also needs a picture of a rainbow.



And the final products

It was a great day. And I am so glad we started this up again.

**********************************
  • Drippy Rain Story: Found at here.
  • Water Cycle Worksheet found at the Kidzone found here.
  • W Worksheet found First-School Preschool Activities and Crafts or here.

21 comments:

  1. How cute! What a great craft idea...I'm going to have to do that with my crew.

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  2. Great idea! Look at those smiling faces.

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  3. I love these projects so much and your babes always look so cute working on them. Great idea for this crazy weather week!

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  4. My Mom and I both marvel at the things you do with your kids. This one looks like it was tons of fun. It's funny too, because I was just thinking about this yesterday, and I thought...hmmmm she hasn't been doing time for tots. Glad to see you've brought it back.

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  5. Isn't it nice to have rain for a change??!!?? I love it too. Great project. I used to do a co-op preschool and your Time for Tots remind me of that.

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  6. I want to come over for Time for Tots!

    No really, can I come over? It looks fun!

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  7. please don't ever stop your time for tots!!! they are some of my favs!

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  8. I really love this idea. I think when it gets to be more rain weather here, we will totally do it. My kids would LOVE it!

    Your kids are just cute, and I really love their pictures!

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  9. "You are my inspiration..." Okay, that is all of the song I know. But really. Some other young mothers in my ward and I decided to do a preschool. We are all lost for ideas on how to teach our kids. But I told them not to worry, my super cool friend in CA will give us all ideas! I then sent out an email with your TFT link. I hope you don't mind us stealing/borrowing your ideas. It is just that they are all so clever!

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  10. What a great idea! I think I'm going to do this with my kids! Very creative. ;)

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  11. Wow. You really have it together. I have so much admiration for parents who have such a hands on interest in the lives of their children.

    Well done!

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  12. Ah crap. That "Sharon" comment was me (logged in as my wife).

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  13. I love these posts ... and you prove that you don't need much to create a memorable, fun and educational time with your kids. And anything that involves water is a definite plus!

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  14. You're such a good mom! I'm impressed.

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  15. You are so creative!!! I am very impressed that you take time to think of a theme, think of activities and actually make it happen. Alex does a fantastic job for her age, by the way!

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  16. You are so creative!!! I am very impressed that you take time to think of a theme, think of activities and actually make it happen. Alex does a fantastic job for her age, by the way!

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  17. Wow, definitely sounds like a great day and fun times. Lucky kiddos!

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  18. Emmy...loved your latest time for tots and thanks for documenting it with so many beautiful pictures. I wish I could give you all a squeeze and a kiss!! Love you!!! XOXO

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