Hats

*Hat Day
On Hat day we all wore hats from home and made hats here. (Just cut
construction paper about 4" wide and long enough to go around childs head.
Then we glued multi colored construction paper strips about 1" wide to the
top of the Hat band so they stick up in all different directions. Looks kind
of like an upside down spide. I hope I described this well enough) We also
read the 500 hats of Bartholemew...something by Dr Suess (I can't remember
the name and a few other books from the library whose titles I can't recall,
I just asked the childrens librarian for books on hats!) At circle we all
made up stories about our hats and printed them on the 'puter. A good time
was had by all<G>.

*HATS, HATS, HATS!
When doing our yearly theme on Hats, we start by having a crazy hat day.
 Kids really enjoy this, and it helps get the parents involved and interested
at the beginning of the theme.  On that day, we work in small coop groups to
make a large paper-mache Sombrero.  Throughout the week we do lots of other
hat related activities.  One of my (and their) favorite activities is to make
up their idea of the "Best Hat in the World"  We brainstorm each child's idea
of what type of hat it will be:
  -color(s)
  -shape
  -what is on it?
   -flowers       -pictures
   -feathers       -words
   -diamonds       -hearts
   -bows        -ribbons
   -spots, dots, stripes, patterns, etc...
  -what is it made from?
  -How does it make you feel?
   -cozy/warm
   -magical
   -pretty/handsome
   -relaxed
   -interesting
   -sports player
  -where can you buy this hat?
  -how much does it cost?
 
* The children always amaze me with the other things they come up with for
their hat ideas.  They draw pictures in their journals, and dictate the story
of their hat to me.
 
* Some great Hat books-- "Jenny's Hat" by Ezra Jack Keats & "Caps for Sale"
 
* Circle time activity:  sit the class in a cirlce, and one child has a hat
on their head.  Chant:    (Mary's) wearing a hat.
     What do you think of that?
     Take it off, and pass it to (Johnny).
 This really encourages sharing, because nobody ever wants to pass the hat,
but learn to realize that nobody wants to pass it to the child that won't
give it up!


*Here is a couple of cute patterns for play hats using Fun Foam.  They are
adorable, you could use them later for a play or just for role-playing.
 
*There is a book by the name of this unit, (Hats, Hats, Hats) by Morris and
Heywood.  It is a multicultural photography book and part of their series. 
 
*Another good book to use during a hat unit would be Caps for Sale.

  
* Fun Foam Play Hats
 Basic Materials:  Scissors,  Ruler,  Needle & Thread,  Pliers

 Nurse Nancy Hat Materials:
  Fun Foam Sheets - White,  Red
 Instructions for Nurse Nancy  Hat:
 With foam lengthwise, make a  fold 3" up from bottom. Bring  top sides down
to bottom  making a cone shape. Secure  with glue.
 
 Fold the point down to center  back. To make the red cross, cut 2 pieces of
red foam, 3/4" wide and 2-1/2" long and  criss cross. Glue to center front of
hat.

* Peter Pan Hat Materials:
  Fun Foam Sheet - Moss Green, 2 Gold Pony Beads, 1 Large Yellow Indian
Feather
 Instructions for Peter Pan Hat:
 
Fold fun foam in half widthwise. At the fold, bring the sides together to
make point of hat.  Fold bottom up (this is about 3") and secure with needle
and thread. Repeat on other side  folding the 3" piece up. Secure.
 
 Sew a gold pony bead at the sides where you secured with thread. Glue ends
together at  either side of the hat. Insert feather into one pony bead at
either side.

* Red, White & Blue Sailor Hat Materials:
Fun Foam Sheet - Royal Blue,  6 1-1/2" Gold Safety Pins,  6 Ea. Red, White &
Blue Pony Beads

Instructions for Red, White & Blue Sailor Hat:
Open the coiled end of the safety pin with pliers to enable you to slip the
beads onto the non-open end of the pin. Slip one red, one white and one blue
pony bead onto the pin and  reclose the coil.
 
Fold the hat in the same manner as the Peter Pan hat, but secure the flap
with one of the safety pins. The pins will be in the center and at each end
of the hat (refer to illustration).

* Napoleon Hat Materials:
Fun Foam Sheet - Royal Blue,  2 1-1/2" Gold Safety Pins, 2 Small Gold Jump
Rings, 2 Red Star Sew On Jewels

Instructions for Napoleon Hat:
Attach one star jewel to each safety pin on the enclosed side, as explained
above.  Fold the hat the same way as the Peter Pan hat. Secure in center with
one safety pin.  Round off the ends of hat with scissors.

*Hat stories
Aunt Flossie's Hat
Caps for Sale
Chicken Sunday
Who Took the Farmer's Hat


*  Hat Happy
 
 I wear my hat upon my head
 I wear my hat upon my hair
 I wear it here I wear it there
 My hat and I go everywhere.
 
 I wear it in the rain and snow
 I wear it even when it's hot
 My hair feels lonely when its off
 My head feels happy when its not.
 
 And when it's time to ge to bed
 And Mama says, "Take off your hat,"
 I do exactly as I'm told
 And put it on my kitty cat!