If You Give A Mouse a Cookie

Gathering Activity: We read stories with our Mommies about mice.


Circle Time: We read the Book Club Selection If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff  and sang songs and did finger plays about mice and cookies.  We acted out the story using props such as a straw, tape, and blanket and tried to place them in the right order. 


Snack:  We started snack time right after circle time today because of our special activity.  We made cookies with our Mommies!  All of the ingredients were pre-measured and placed in containers.  Each child was given an item to place in the bowl.  As the recipe was read aloud, the children took turns placing their items into the mix.  Then they each got to help beat the cookie dough and scoop the cookies onto trays.  When they were ready to eat, we drank milk out of straws with our cookies.

Playtime Activity: While we waited for our cookies to bake, we played Cookie Monster Bingo.  If you don't have this game, you could play any type of bingo game and make small brown circles as cookie bingo markers.

Art Activity: When we finished enjoying our cookies and milk, we laid on the floor and drew pictures of our families on large paper, just like the mouse did in the book!

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear

Gathering Activity: We read books together about Bears.

Circle Time: We read The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood.  We did finger plays and sang songs about mice and bears.


Art Activity: Cute as a Button Strawberries
Materials Needed: strawberry shape cut out of poster board , buttons, and green foam piece cut into shape of strawberry topper, glue, foam paint brushes

Directions: Paint the strawberry shapes red.  Glue on buttons and foam topper.  Allow to dry.

Snack: Red Ripe Strawberries and Cinnamon Bread Bears 

Playtime Activity:

Strawberry Scented Playdough (We tripled this recipe, and made ahead of time, for our 7 kids).

We had free exploration with cookie cutters and play dough tools.

The Pout Pout Fish

Gathering Activity: We played with fish puzzles and read fish themed books.

Circle Time: We read The Pout Pout Fish by  Deborah Diesen.  We sang songs about fish, practiced color words with colorful flannel board fish, and played with fish puppets.

Art Activity: Paper Bag Fish

Materials Needed: A paper lunch sack, plain paper bag, crumpled newspaper to stuff the sack, glue, pipe cleaners, and decoration material such as glitter glue, googly eyes, sequins or metallic confetti, markers, colored paper etc...

Directions:
1. Stuff half the sack with crumpled newspaper.
2. Twist on a pipe cleaner above the stuffing to form the body and tail.
3. Glue on a pipe cleaner mouth and eyeball.
4. Decorate the tail and body.


Snack: Goldfish crackers and fish shaped sandwiches (created with a cookie cutter)

Playtime Activity: We played fishing games with magnetic poles and fish.   You can find directions to make these here, but we already had enough between all the families.

Mouse Paint

Special Instructions:  Wear your swimsuit, bring a towel, and dry clothes 
Gathering Activity: We will make mouse ears together and read stories about mice in the living room.

Circle Time:Read Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh. Sing mouse themed songs and finger plays. 
(Please see Circle Time Instructions Tab for complete info)
Art Activity:
Materials Needed: Predrawn simple mouse outlines, watercolor paint boxes for each child, paint brushes, pink pom poms, googly eyes, glue, small cups of water for rinsing brushes.

Directions: Use paint brushes to paint like the mice did in the story.  Allow the children to explore as the mix the water colors together.  Discuss with them what colors they see as they mix together. Allow them to use glue to add a pom pom nose and googly eyes.

Snack: Strawberry Mice and Cheese cubes

Playtime:
Materials Needed: A large sheet of white poster board for each child, 3 disposable13x9 pans each filled with red, yellow, or blue paint, and a swimming pool labeled "CAT."

Directions: Allow the children to step into the paint (WITH ADULT HELP) and then dance on the paper.  This is fun and slippery, and must have a great deal of adult supervision!  When they finish their creations, they can wash down to a nice soft clean in the pool water.