I am teaching a Pre-K class this summer and the theme for the next two weeks is Community History. What could I all my pre-k class to do that connects to this theme?
I thought of helping them to construct houses or certain buildings using boxes and also make a large copy of a map of their community so that they can become familiar with where they live.
Any other ideas???
Your ideas are good, but they may be beyond the capabilities of pre-K kids.
To start, you could dress up in an old-fashioned dress for one day -- and then discuss how people dressed a long time ago.
Some children played with homemade corncob dolls. Perhaps you could get a bunch of corncobs and help them make their own dolls with bits of fabric and markers.
A short walk around town, looking at and discussing a few of the old buildings would also help reinforce your community history.
If you could find pictures of your town for the kids to color would be great. However, I'm sure, though, you could find some pictures of historic people and buildings for the kids to color.
Here's another idea. Ask a senior citizen (a retired teacher?) to come in and tell the kids the "way it used to be."
Have fun with this theme! :-)
You could also do "The Hokey Pokey" with the children. Rhythm and games are always a winner with children.
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/hokey.htm
Make ginger bread houses and let them decorate the ginger bread houses
That sounds like a great start for your Community History theme! Here are a few more ideas to further engage your pre-K class and help them connect to the theme:
1. Community Helper Dress-Up: Set up a dress-up area with various costumes representing different community helpers such as police officers, firefighters, doctors, and mail carriers. Encourage children to take turns trying on the costumes and role-play different scenarios.
2. Field Trip: Take a field trip to a local fire station, post office, library, or police station. It can provide hands-on experiences and interactions with community members while deepening their understanding of different community services.
3. Storytelling and Picture Books: Read age-appropriate books about community history, people's roles, and significant events that shaped the community. Some popular titles include "The Little House" by Virginia Lee Burton, "This is Our House" by Michael Rosen, and "The Big Orange Splot" by Daniel Manus Pinkwater.
4. Community Walk: Take a walk around the neighborhood or school surroundings and point out different community features like parks, shops, and houses. Discuss with the children what makes a community and how people contribute to it.
5. Community Art: Engage the children in creating community-inspired artwork. Provide them with various art materials to make collages or drawings of their favorite community places or landmarks. Encourage discussion about what makes their community special.
6. Guest Speakers: Invite community members such as police officers, firefighters, librarians, or local business owners to visit the classroom and share their experiences. They can talk about their roles in the community and answer questions from the children.
7. Community Puzzles and Games: Create or find puzzles and games that are related to community history and landmarks. Matching games, jigsaw puzzles, or memory games featuring landmarks or community helpers can be a fun way for children to reinforce their learning.
Remember, hands-on activities, real-life experiences, and open-ended discussions will enhance your students' understanding and connection to the theme of Community History.