* For the letter N, we talk a lot about the neighborhood. We take a walk around the neighborhood. Before going, we make a list of things that we think we will see. When we return, we check our list and add to it things that we saw that were not already on it. * I also give the children black paper. They use colored chalk or craypas and draw a picture of a neighborhood at night. I give them foil stars for the sky(nine, of course.) I attach all of the pieces of black paper together on a bulletin board. It looks just like a real neighborhood at night! * This week is the letter N Day 1 - we colored the letter Nn and glued on noodles Day 2 - we made necklaces using a piece of tipped yearn and all different shapes and sizes of beads Day 3 - napkin craft (use eyedroppers with colred water solution dripped on napkin and put on colored custruction paper) haven't tried this one yet but it sounded interesting Day 4 - something with Noah's Ark not sure yet * Here is a great Noah's Ark idea Paint a piece of construction paper blue(sky) on top and green(grass) on the bottom. Cut a paper plate in half and paint one half brown(the Ark) We cut out two white clouds and one yellow sun, and glued them on top. We glued animal crackers all around the Ark and on the green grass. We also typed Gen.7:8-9 (All creatures, male and female, came to Noah and entered the Ark. I reinforced the Masterpiece on cardboard and glued yarn on the back to use as a hanger. * This week is the letter N One I did do that was fun was a noodle nest for a bird. I used the chunchy Chineese noodles and had the kids form a nest shape by gluing them on plain construction paper. The bird was a tracing of the childs hand print with the fingers sorta spread out as wind-swept feathers. The fat part of the hand near the thumb is the birds head so I premade a beak & an eye they glued on. I also had the kids make necklaces. We used drinking straws cut into pieces, big macaroni I had colored with food coloring & vinegar, & laminated pieces of paper. I also have the kids make a picture of a necklace. I draw small ovals to resemble links and have the kids wad up pieces of colored tissue paper & glue on. They decide the color pattern (if any) and the number of "beads". * Number Necklaces. Precut out nut shapes and put number 1,2,3 on them. Punch a hole on the top of each on so the children can lace them. Then provide stickers so the children can add 1 sticker for #1 etc... Then lace into a necklace. Of course... Noodles on the letter N, the colored sprials look neat and a long and straight and easy to use. Play "name that tune" Make a neck tie: Precut out a shape of a necktie, have the children color these, glue on scraps of ribbon, sequins etc... and write a big letter n on the front. Hole punch and lace with yarn for a necktie. take a walk around the neighboorhood if possible. Counting 9 noodles. We also did a unit on the sun this week: we did: Sat in front of windows with the sun shinging through and discussed the feeling of the heat, vs sitting away from the window. Painted a sun that was shaped from foil, neat Look ! Make sun catchers out of yogart lids. Pour glue in the lid of yogart give the children a variety of jewels, and some glitter. have them create ! then let these sit for at least 3 days, then remove from the lids, hole punch then hang in a window ! Make stained glass suns.. Take a piece of wax paper and cut it the shape of a sun. then have the children brush on glue to the sun and put yellow and orange tissue paper on it. When completely dry, one or two days, the tisue will peel off of the waxed paper and it will look like stained glass. hang in a window. *Noodle Art Color various noodles with food coloring and a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Use different colors. Pour out on paper towel on a cookie sheet and let dry. Have the children design a picture using the noodles. *Nests Give each child a small paper plate. Have the children tear up newspaper into small pieces. Use a mixture of glue and water and have them build their nests on the paper plate. While the nest is drying, have the children cut out a bird to sit in their nest. *Necklace Relay Divide the group into two teams. Provide an old cheap necklace, or one you have made from noodles, for each team. The first player in each line puts the necklace around his or her neck and shakes hands with the next person in line. The second player must remove it and place it on their head, so on and so on. The first team to have everyone wear the necklace wins. You can also do this activity with a mens neck tie. Makes the game more challenging. *Nachos Let the children take a serving of chips and you can melt Velveta Cheese for a more mild taste or use Nacho Cheese and serve in small bowls for them to dip their chips in. *Number Necklaces. Precut out nut shapes and put number 1,2,3 on them. Punch a hole on the top of each on so the children can lace them. Then provide stickers so the children can add 1 sticker for #1 etc... Then lace into a necklace. * Of course... Noodles on the letter N, the colored spirals look neat and a long and straight and easy to use. * Play "name that tune" * Make a necktie: Precut out a shape of a necktie, have the children color these, glue on scraps of ribbon, sequins etc... and write a big letter n on the front. Hole punch and lace with yarn for a necktie. take a walk around the neighboorhood if possible. * Counting 9 noodles. *Also see ideas in these files: Themes, Library Extenders, Any Day /Everyday Activities, and Dramatic Play/Prop Boxes for more activities that may start with your focus letter.