This document provides an overview of an Earth studies curriculum for preschoolers that incorporates various subjects like science, math, and language arts through hands-on activities with natural elements. It is designed to be adaptable to different learning needs and can cover most educational standards through exploring patterns and changes in weather, seasons, and other earth processes while developing skills like counting, writing, movement, observation, and questioning.
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Earth materials for preschoolers
1. Earth Studies for Preschoolers
Turning the natural elements of Earth into an experience that can
be covered by all subject areas
Created by: Alison Webb
2. Overview:
Patterns and changes
Use this to incorporate all subjects
Adapted to all students needs
Can be used to cover vast majority of
standards
7. Gross motor: (Jump over rocks, throw and catch (small)
rocks, water toys, etc)
Fine motor: (pick flowers, pick up water with eye-dropper,
(small) shovel dirt)
Introduce self, explain that you will be presenting the topic of earth materials for preschool and how it can effectively be used in any pre-k classroom.
Covering Earth and its contents will extend much beyond just science. The patterns and changes of weather, seasons, water, etc. can be incorporated by all subjects and lesson plans can be adapted to high and low ability students. Projects within this theme can also cover a vast majority of early childhood education standards.
A video by the Storybots (a popular group of robots among many preschoolers) is a great way to introduce this theme and give them a little insight at what they will be learning. It is fun to watch, sing and dance to! The four main areas this theme can be applied to are science, math, language arts and both gross and fine motor skills.
Science is clearly the subject where most activities will stem from in this theme. Students can learn about what makes up the Earth (dirt, oceans, sand) and see what each of those are through sensory activities. They can also learn about changes in weather and the seasons, such as what happens when it gets very cold or very hot. Changes in water and what causes it is also an important point to incorporate here.
Any project done as a part of this theme can incorporate math. They can count rocks, fish, flowers, even clouds to practice their counting skills. They can also focus on writing numbers and play number matching games. This subject is probably the most flexible when it comes to this theme, there is a lot of room for many different activities that can easily meet standards.
Language arts will most easily tied in with projects done from those mentioned in the science slide. Students can learn adjectives to describe what they are seeing, feeling, etc. Such as HOT water, COLD ice and ROUGH sand. Letter recognition and writing practice can be associated with the focus of the day/week. For example, when learning about water, they can practice their W, flowers would be F and so on)
Possibilities for gross and fine motor skill growth are endless in preschool. To incorporate the Earth theme, these are just a few examples of what could be done.
Besides just meeting state standards, Earth studies for preschoolers will allow children to embrace the fact that they are natural explorers, and learn from it! All of the projects and ideas previously mentioned are all stepping stones in helping children construct and develop ideas, raise questions and curiosity about the world around them, and give them confidence of themselves and their environment. The early childhood period is a crucial part of a student’s physical and cognitive development, and this theme is just one of many that can help students begin a life of endless learning.