Fun in the Sun Lesson Planning Page
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This week we are having some Fun in the Sun! This theme is all about celebrating: The Sun, Ice Cream (and other cold treats), and Summer.
Fun in the Sun Activities from Pre-K Printable Fun
- Create a Nature Suncatcher! There are many ways to carry out this project, here are a few ideas:
- Cut out the center of a paper plate, cover one side with clear contact paper and invite students to place treasures they found on a nature walk onto the sticky side of the contact paper. Then add another piece of contact paper so the nature items are sandwiched in between, hang from the ceiling to add visual interest.
- Cut a large piece of contact paper and remove the backing, fold over about one inch of the sticky side back so it can be stuck to a wall, do the same with the bottom, then invite preschoolers to stick on their items.
- Cut out the center of each side of a small box creating a little window on each side. Stick clear contact paper inside the box so the sticky side faces out each little window. Attach nature items then place another piece of contact paper on the outside. Hang the box from the ceiling.
- Make shadow imprint art by placing interesting items on dark construction paper outside and leaving in the sun for a day or two.
- This is a great week to break out the sidewalk chalk! Trace outlines of one another, create a hopscotch game, or any art they choose! Mix it up by dipping the chalk in water, observe how this changes the experience.
- Set up a music wall outside for exploration.
- Invite each child to create an ice pop recipe and then make them! Pick up some ice pop molds along with the ingredients chosen by the classroom. If you have a large group, consider having them vote on which flavors they want to make.
- Use chalk to trace each others shadows on the ground.
- Make puffy paint, invite preschoolers to create an fun summer picture. Provide a variety of colors including yellow for creating a sun, pink/white/brown for creating ice cream, and blue for water.
STEM
- Set up an invitation to construct sand castles outside. Consider providing clipboards and paper for planning and drawing finished structures, water, sand, and a variety of molds.
- Compare shadow sizes of individuals, animals, and objects.
- Set large animal figures outside. Draw an outline around their shadow, come back later in the day to see if the shadow changed size/shape/position.
- Set a thermometer in the sun and one in the shade, check the temperature at various times of the day and compare.
- Set up an outdoor shadow puppet theater.
- Create a sun dial using a pencil in the center of a paper plate, write numbers around the plate similar to an analog clock. Be sure to have the number 12 facing north when you place it outside.
- Go on a shape walk! Spend some time in the sun by going on a walk, while walking see what type of shapes you can find!
- Fill a dish with water, place several small animals and toys inside of the water then freeze. Preschoolers can enjoy melting the ice to get the toys out. Consider having the children test a few different methods to determine what will melt the ice fastest! You may choose to supply basters with warm water, salt, or place in a sunny location.
- Make homemade ice cream.
- Set up a play dough invitation to create ice cream treats! Consider providing real ice cream scoops, yarn for sundae toppings, and ice cream dishes.
Dramatic Play
Celebrate Ice Cream in your Dramatic Play area this week: Create an Ice Cream Parlor using the Pre-K Printable Fun Dramatic Play Pack or Ice Cream Truck in your space. Use pom poms, Fabric or Play Dough. Add "Toppings", Ice Cream Scoops, and Bowls (Don't forget the napkins!)
- Set up a lemonade stand! Preschoolers can take turns playing the role of drink mixer, cashier, and customer. Consider letting students experiment with making real lemonade, as a bonus they can practice their pouring skills.
- Set up a pretend beach! Provide towels, beach blankets, beach balls, a beach umbrella and sand (or something to represent sand.
Physical Development
- Break out the parachute, place beach balls in a variety of sizes on top for students to play with.
- Challenge students to do a crab walk!
- Split preschoolers up into partners. Give each pair a beach towel and beach ball, each child will hold onto one end of the towel and the ball will go into the center. Students work together to launch the ball in the air and then catch it.
- Pick up a beach ball that has sections with different colors (classic beach ball). On each color write a different instruction such as jump like a frog or balance like a flamingo (draw a small picture indicating the rule or have adult assist with reading). Turn on some music and start tossing the ball around a circle to each other, randomly stop the music. The child holding the ball will (with the help of an adult) read the instructions that are facing up on the ball. All the children act out the instructions and then continue the music to keep the game going.
- Bring a beach towel outside for a little outdoor yoga
- Provide beach balls in a variety of sizes. Hold a hula hoop up and invite preschoolers to toss beach balls through it.
Construction Space:
- Use blocks to explore shadows this week. Locate your block play near a window (or better yet outside!). Add uniquely shaped items, and large rolls of paper to your space. Encourage children to trace the blocks shadows on paper this week to discover how the shadows move.
- Provide blue scarves or felt for students to build pretend pools for block people. Consider adding little beach chairs and other fun beach play toys.
Group Activities
- During circle time read the book Ice Cream Soup by Ann Ingalls. After reading the book ask students to give their opinions about what happened. After everyone has had a chance to share, ask them if they have ever made an ice cream treat. Encourage students to share their experiences. After the discussion tell students they will have a chance to make some ice cream (this can be homemade ice cream, ice cream pops, or simple ice cream sundaes). Create the ice cream treat and enjoy at snack time. While enjoying the treat close the activity with a reflection on the activity and comparison to the story.
- **This is a first reader book, some students may be ready to help out with reading this book. Be sure to place it in your reading center after the activity for independent exploration!
- Provide play dough and pretend toppings for students to re=enact the experience.
- Set up an ice cream shop dramatic play invitation to extend this activity.
- Set up a getting ready for the beach relay race! Set up materials on one end of the room such as sunglasses, sunhats, flip flops, beach towels, and a swim ring. Students start the side of the room opposite of the materials. You can do this activity one of two ways:
- Have one child volunteer to be dressed, their peers will take turns collecting materials from the other side of the room and bring them back to dress the volunteer. (if you have two teachers consider splitting the group up into two groups and each dressing a teacher!)
- OR provide enough materials for each child to dress up for the beach, children take turns skipping/hopping/crawling/crab walking across the room to the materials and putting them on one at a time.
- Read the book Summer Color by Diana Murray. Follow the reading with a color sorting activity:
- Use a variety of colored bowls and objects from around the classroom
- Pre-K Printables Club Members, there is a set of Color Sorting Mats included in your membership. This resource is located in the member area under "By Learning Standard" in the Math section.
- If students are still engaged/interested follow up by splitting into pairs, assign each pair a color and see how many items in the classroom they can find that have that color.
Parent Engagement
- Set up a parent sign-up sheet for providing ingredients for making ice cream treats in the classroom. Include items such as: ice cream, sprinkles, fudge (squeeze bottle), cherries, disposable bowls and spoons, extra ice cream scoops, and ice cream cones. **Be sure to include enough opportunities for every family to participate. Also consider asking for a few parent volunteers to help during the event.
- Visit your local parks and recreation department, see if they have fliers or booklets with information about fun summer activities for families. Set some near the entry for parents to pick up.
- Invite families to the program for an ice cream social or BBQ lunch.
Community
- Invite your local health nurse or a pediatrician to come talk about sun safety.
- Visit an ice cream shop for a behind the scenes tour!
Literacy
Start your lessons off with a fantastic book! Here are some suggestions to add to your Fun in the Sun theme!
Summer Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Yee
Just One More by Jennifer Hansen Rolli
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner
Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems
Fun in the Sun by David Catrow
Milk to Ice Cream by Lisa M Herrington
Just One More by Jennifer Hansen Rolli
And Then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner
Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems
Fun in the Sun by David Catrow
Milk to Ice Cream by Lisa M Herrington
- Invite preschoolers to write a recipe for a yummy summer treat! Collect the recipes for a classroom recipe book. Try some of the recipes throughout the summer.
- Set up an invitation to draw names, letters, and numbers in a Beach Inspired Sand Tray
- Write letters on a beach ball. Toss the ball around in the circle, when someone catches it they read one letter on the ball
- Advanced preschoolers can try to name a word that starts with that letter.
- Advanced preschoolers can try to name a word that starts with that letter.
More Activities from Around the Web
Fork Sun from I Heart Crafty Things
Puffy Paint Ice Cream Craft from Crafty Morning
Koosh Ball Painting from Four Seasons Creative L
Paper Plate Sun Visors from Crayola
Sun Catchers from Hands on as we Grow
15 Outdoor Recipes for Play from Teaching Mama
Puffy Paint Ice Cream Craft from Crafty Morning
Koosh Ball Painting from Four Seasons Creative L
Paper Plate Sun Visors from Crayola
Sun Catchers from Hands on as we Grow
15 Outdoor Recipes for Play from Teaching Mama
Sun Oven from Ten Kids and a Dog
Ice Cream Dough from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Summer Scented Paint from Nuture Store
Pool Noodle Sensory Bin from Erica's Educare Learning Center
Sun Number Match from Modern Preschool
Color Matching Popsicles from About Family Crafts
Ice Cream Dough from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Summer Scented Paint from Nuture Store
Pool Noodle Sensory Bin from Erica's Educare Learning Center
Sun Number Match from Modern Preschool
Color Matching Popsicles from About Family Crafts
What melts in the Sun? experiment from Frugal Fun for Boys
Upper Case Lower Case Letter Match from Miss Kindergarten
Counting Sun Rays from Little Family Fun
Summer Games from Kids Activity Blog
Make Sun Raisins from Learn Play Imagine
Mr. Sun Song from 1st Grade W.O.W
Upper Case Lower Case Letter Match from Miss Kindergarten
Counting Sun Rays from Little Family Fun
Summer Games from Kids Activity Blog
Make Sun Raisins from Learn Play Imagine
Mr. Sun Song from 1st Grade W.O.W
Homemade Ice Cream from Little Bins for Little Hands
Making Sun Prints from In the Playroom
40+ Water Summer Activities from Raising Whasians
Beach Ball Towel Toss by Brilliant Beginnings Preschool
Making Sun Prints from In the Playroom
40+ Water Summer Activities from Raising Whasians
Beach Ball Towel Toss by Brilliant Beginnings Preschool
Fun Materials to Add to the Learning Environment this Week
Plan Your Next Theme
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