Kindergarten

Easy Rocket Craft – Perfect Space Themed Project for Preschoolers

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities, Science Tagged With: Crafts, Easy & Inexpensive, Elementary, Kindergarten, Math, Preschool This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

As I journey down our homeschool path, I have a few homeschool “bibles” from which I source activities and ideas for preschool learning. For example, one of these books is Rachelle Doorley's Tinkerlab: A Hands-On Guide for Little Inventors. This book is accessible, beautiful, and filled with easy crafts (like the rocket ship craft in this post) for preschoolers. In other words, I simply enjoy the process of looking at its pages because I feel inspired by the words and images. I am excited to show you one of the many projects in this book – the straw rocket craft, simple and packs a punch with kids. If you have ever wondered how to make a rocket with kids, this easy craft is the perfect starting point.

“There is the happiness which comes from creative effort. The joy of dreaming, creating, building, whether in painting a picture, writing an epic, singing a song, composing a symphony, devising new invention, creating a vast industry.” ~ Henry Miller

Doorley presents simple yet powerful ideas to help us parents and teachers guide our children's innate desire to learn, to do, to build, to wonder, to create, and to imagine by presenting an arsenal of hands-on learning activities. Children develop problem-solving, logic, and critical thinking skills by doing rather than imitating. She does this by introducing easy crafts and activities for preschoolers, like the rocket craft presented in this post. This science craft is the perfect addition to a spaced themed unit of learning.

Doorley provides easy to read and to digest philosophy and research behind the ideas presented in Tinkerlab: A Hands-On Guide for Little Inventors. She also provides tangible words of wisdom to adults in how to make these activities happen in our home and classrooms. You will be hearing a lot more about this book as we explore and progress through it.

Easy Rocket Ship Craft for Preschoolers

Materials

1 piece of construction paper (or 2 if you want different colors)
Scissors
Straw
Tape

How to Make a Rocket for Kids

Cut paper in half
Roll one half into your rocket's body
Tape so the body stays wrapped up

Cut a circle about 1.5 inches in diameter from the other piece of paper
Then, cut a slit to the center (or origin of the circle
Roll from slit to create a cone from the circle
Tape paper to maintain a cone
Finally, place nose on the end of the rocket's body. Secure with tape.

Blow a puff of air through the straw. Watch your child's face light up with joy.
Repeat.

11 Easy Extensions for this Easy Craft

The child can decorate her rocket. So, add decorating materials (e.g. glitter, glue, markers, stickers, etc) to your materials list for added rocket detail.
Incorporate your rocket into imaginary play and storytelling
Try a shorter (or longer or fatter or skinnier) straw and see what happens
Use shorter (or longer or fatter or skinnier) body and see what happens
Create different size cones for the nose. Observe what changes when you blow through the straw.
Ask about shapes (e.g. cone, circle, cylinder)
Discuss rocket launches
Inquire how the speed at which the rocket launches might change (blow slowly, blow quickly, short breath, long breath, etc)
Remove the nose and ask why the rocket doesn't launch
Then try blowing up instead of blowing out. How does this change the launch pattern of the rocket?
Take the space learning a bit further and discuss gravity

This project is one of over 50 in Rachelle's book, Tinkerlab: A Hands-On Guide for Little Inventors. She has a great Tinkerlab blog, too. I can't recommend her work enough to you all! You won't regret a minute spent!

More Straw Rocket Projects for Kids

If your child wants more straw rockets, check out these tutorials. Have fun!

Make a Slingshot Straw Rocket

How to Make Simple Straw Rockets

How to Make a Rocket from Paper & a Straw

I hope we inspired you today!
Marnie

Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten Graduation Songs

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: Kindergarten, Preschool Songs This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Is the school year coming to an end and you are looking for the perfect way to celebrate a preschool or kindergarten graduation? Believe it or not, there a plethora of preschool graduation songs exist out there in the universe. But, how do you choose which songs are the best for you? That is where I come in!

Preschool songs are a fantastic way to celebrate the start of a day, the end of the day, graduation, diversity, culture, basic concepts, holidays, and so much more!

The songs and poems included in this post are fun and memorable for kids, adults, and parents. Little ones will get their bodies moving, practice important skills learned throughout the year such as following directions and respecting those around them as they move their bodies to the songs.

Preschool Graduation Songs

Minford Kindergarten Graduation “Dynamite!”

Such a fun song to end the school year. This song is a take on the infamous song “Dynamite” changing the lyrics to make for an appropriate preschool graduation song.

Thank You by Patty Shukla

Lyrics:
“Two little words
Two little words
Two little words
Not good bye

It’s the end of the year
Graduation is here
Our two little words
To our Teachers, Moms, Dads, Grandparents and All

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you everyone
Thank you for all you’ve done
Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone
Thank you for all you’ve done

You taught us to read and write
You taught us to learn
You told us it’d be alright
And how to take our turn

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you everyone
Thank you for all you’ve done
Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone
Thank you for all you’ve done

You helped us to tie our shoes
Learn shapes and colors too
There’s so many things you do
We just want to say

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you everyone
Thank you for all you’ve done
Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone
Thank you for all you’ve done”

Can't Stop This Feeling

Who doesn't love a little Justin Timberlake? Plus, this song captures the feeling many of us have at the end of a school year on the precipice of beginning a new adventure!

One Small Voice by Jack Hartmann

You can't really go wrong with the ever-enthusiastic Jack Hartmann. This version of One Small Voice is particularly compelling because it includes ASL.

“We Are The World (with Sign Language)

This song resonates with people all over the world and will certainly leave an impact as children move onward in life.

Summer Loving Kindergarten Graduation Song

I sang this song on top of a piano when I was in sixth grade. So, I have a soft place in my heart for this song, which perfects an end of the school year vibe.

You've Got a Friend in Me with Sign Language

Really raw footage of an adorable rendition of “You've Got a Friend in Me”. This Kindergarten class nailed it.

Time to Graduate

Albeit a bit cheesy, this graduation song for preschoolers will do the trick. Kids love it and parents adore it.

I'm Ready to Go

Such a sweet performance by this graduating class.

I hope you enjoyed this list of preschool graduation songs!

Be sure to check out our other preschool song lists!

Marnie

Make a Marbled Art Paper Print of the American Flag

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: Art, Elementary, July 4th, Kindergarten, Preschool This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

One of my favorite parts of my Montessori training was the art portion. Not only did I learn a ton of process art activities for preschoolers, but I also got to do the activities! How lucky am I? Recently, we created an American Flag with marbled paper.

Marbled paper is known for a vibrant design as a result. So, creating an American Flag certainly required a bit of constraint. Once we created our flag, however, we made more marbled paper with gorgeous, creative designs.

Kids absolutely love this art activity. The result is beautiful (albeit the process is a bit messy and that is ok!). A super fun addition to a 4th of July, Memorial Day, or Veteran's Day themed unit.

Make a Marbled Paper Art Print of the American Flag

Art Materials Used

White cardstock
Shaving foam
Liquid watercolor or food coloring
Scissors or paper cutter to cut the cardstock
Tray
Drying rack (like the one you use for baking) is super handy

Steps to Take to Make Marbled Paper

Cut your cardstock to a size you'd like
Cover the tray (mostly) with the shaving foam
Add your American flag color design using a squirt bottle or dropper
Use a brush to smooth out foam and colors
Add stars to your flag (although it would be nice to be completely strict about placement and number of stars, I advise you to let it go, especially when working with kids!)
Press the paper flat onto the foam
Lift and allow time to dry
Admire your creation & consider extensions to this activity

Marbled Paper Extension Ideas

Make a Fourth of July night scene. Use black construction paper as the background and paper hole punch stars from your marbled paper
Create a string of stars using the marbled paper and hang it in your classroom or playroom
Design greeting cards & sell at a school function to raise funds
Make bookmarks as gifts for family, friends, & teachers

Before I go, I'd like to say one thing – this art activity will not produce an exact replica of the American flag. Give kids a poetic license. Allow them to be creative with the concept, which lays the foundation for the activity.

The Ultimate List of Light Energy Experiments for Kids

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities, Science Tagged With: Easy Science for Kids, Kindergarten, Physics, Preschool This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

I scoured the internet to discover the BEST activities to explore light. This post includes dozens of light energy experiments for kids to keep you and your kids busy.

Light Energy Experiments for Kids

Build Your Own DIY Spectroscope from Buggy & Buddy

Kids will LOVE to make their own DIY spectroscope! The best part of this science activity is that it can be done with a few simple materials and explore the spectrum of different light sources. This science activity for kids makes a great addition to a unit on light or weather. Plus, you get to see rainbows so add it to an April preschool unit or St. Patrick's Day themed unit.

Sky Science – Why does the sky change colors? from Steam Powered Family

Finally, have an answer to the age-old question: why is the sky blue? Even better explore why the sky changes color at sunrise and sunset. You can explain until you're blue in the face about the science of the sky colors but doing an experiment brings the understanding to a whole new level.

Learning about Optics with Two Fun Light Experiments! by From Engineer to Stay at Home Mom

Explore how light behaves with this activity! Furthermore, explain the concept of OPTICS as the study of how light works. This water and light experiment was showing him how light works.

Explore the Eye's Blind Spot from Carrots Are Orange

The blind spot is a little spot of the eye. Everyone has a blind spot. The blind spot is the point in the eye where all the nerve in the eye come together. The nerves form a bundle of nerves calls the optic nerve, a nerve that runs from the eye to the brain.

So, why makes the blind spot “blind'?

$Light Experiment - Refraction$

Simple Light Refraction Experiment from Look We're Learning

Learn an easy way to teach kids about light with this simple light refraction experiment!

Light Activities for Preschoolers – Learning about Light Energy from Carrots Are Orange

This post includes loads of light energy experiments and ideas to explore.

DIY Sundial from KC Adventures

Learn an easy way to make a sundial using simple materials.

UV Light Experiment from Inspiration Laboratories

Try this simple exploration to explore ultraviolet light with your child.

Exploring Science Through Art: Colour & Light by Childhood 101

This activity is sweet and to the point. What a lovely hands-on way to explore color and light.

Reflection Science with Light Patterns in a Box from Buggy & Buddy

A super cool and remarkably easy to put together light energy experiment.

Rainbow Science for Kids: Exploring Prisms from Buggy & Buddy

Prisms are one of the most beautiful and simple materials. Learn ways to explore light science with this simple object.

Easy Motion Science Experiment from Carrots Are Orange

Learn how movies are made with this easy motion science experiment. My sons have been on a “how does this work?” kick. This easy science experiment was one answer to “how do movies get onto a screen?”

Science for Kids: How to Make a Kaleidoscope

Learn how to make a kaleidoscope in this fun & easy science activity and a craft for kids. Kids will LOVE to explore light, reflections, and symmetry by making their own kaleidoscope.

Other Experiments Worth Checking Out

Easy Science Activity with Balloons – How to Build a Balloon Rocket

Science Activity with Milk & Food Coloring

The Ultimate List of Baking Soda & Vinegar Experiments

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Activities, Science Tagged With: Chemistry, Elementary, Kindergarten, Preschool This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

This post delivers the ultimate amazing list of baking soda and vinegar experiments for kids. We're talking baking soda and vinegar with balloons, rocket boosting baking soda and vinegar, color changing experiments, and so much more! Are you ready to dig into these ROCK star baking soda and vinegar experiments? Yeah, me, too…

The Science Behind Baking Soda & Vinegar

Baking Soda and vinegar react chemically we know that much simply by observing the experiments. We can see the chemical reaction. What it is about the two ingredients that react in such phenomenally cool ways?

The science is that baking soda and vinegar react with each other because of an acid-base reaction. Baking soda is a bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and vinegar is an acetic acid (HCH3COO). One of the products this reaction creates is carbon dioxide, which makes the bubbles.

Baking Soda and Vinegar Experiments for Kids

Fizzing Colors from Happy Hooligans is not only fun science learning but it is also great fine motor skills work. This baking soda and vinegar experiment with food coloring adds a bit of pizazz to a child's day.

Busy Toddler adds a bit of a twist on the dropper food color experiment by Happy Hooligans. She presents the baking soda and vinegar activity with hidden colors. By adding this element of surprise, this activity has kids at ‘hello'.

My sons LOVED this baking soda & vinegar experiment. Chelsey from Buddy & Buddy nails this one with her exploding baggies.

Along the same lines, Sarah from Frugal Fun for Boys & Girls created a rocket baking soda & vinegar experiment for her kids. Totally out of this world!

Katie from Preschool Inspirations tops the cake with her color changing baking soda & vinegar experiment.

A few years ago we explore chemistry with a baking soda and vinegar experiment with balloons. To celebrate Earth Day we use an earth balloon and really made the scientific point about expanding air.

Maria Montessori & Science

What is a scientist?… We give the name scientist to the type of man who has felt experiment to be a means guiding him to search out the deep truth of life, to lift a veil from its fascinating secrets, and who, in this pursuit, has felt arising within him a love for the mysteries of nature, so passionate as to annihilate the thought of himself. ~ Dr. Montessori

More Easy Science Experiments for Kids with Baking Soda & Vinegar

Kim from Life Over Cs does a fizzy baking soda and vinegar experiment with ice!

Darcy at Darcy and Brian creates a Melting Rainbow Baking Soda and Vinegar experiment.

I quickly added this baking soda and vinegar activity to our list. Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls made hot ice from a few items you likely have in your home at this current moment.

Life Over Cs presents us with a playdough volcano baking soda & vinegar experiment.

The Pinterested Parent takes her baking soda and vinegar experiment a step further by creating art from the volcano eruptions!

Bitz and Giggles created electric eels twist on the baking soda and vinegar experiment!

What's Next After All this Baking Soda & Vinegar Experimental Learning?

Try to add other substances such as carbonated water, hydrogen peroxide, or dish soap. Observe how the eruption changes.

Montessori Preschool Bird Unit

By Marnie Craycroft Filed Under: Montessori, Outdoor Education Tagged With: Kindergarten, Life Science, Nature, Preschool, Zoology This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

I have vivid memories of red cardinals visiting the birds feed during the whitest and shortest days of the winter season. The vibrant red ricocheted off the glistening white of newly fallen snow.

Always fascinated with the adaptation of these birds, I studied birds over the years through observation mainly. I always anticipated spring with nests, eggs, and eventual chirping.

I recently began homeschooling my youngest son. At 4-years-old his schooling with me is limited to max two hours a day. Then we're out and about exploring when I carefully observe him as he develops interests in various topics.

One such topic, much to my delight, is birds.

So, of course, like any Montessori trained homeschooling mother would do, I began making materials as we read about birds, their beaks, their nests, their feet, and their sounds.

Related Read: Bird Feeding At Home & In the Classroom

Take time to listen to birds' calls and talk about how the sound makes you feel, why the sound is what it is, and so on. Then, go out for a walk and see if you can hear a bird's call. Then discuss the rhyme and reason behind the call. Listening activities are a big hit with kids and will engage them in the learning process. There are amazing apps put out by the Audubon Society that will add a great deal to the learning & teaching in your homeschool.

Types of Birds Beaks

The shapes, sizes, & functionality of birds' beaks will spark an interest in your child. You can lean into your child's personality. Is he a gentle, nectar sipping hummingbird or a carnivorous raptor such as the bald eagle, or maybe a “chisler” like the woodpecker? Find that hook and go with it.