Gathering Activity: Truck Puzzles and Truck Books
We read truck themed books and worked cooperatively to complete truck themed puzzles. 
Circle Time: I Stink by Kate and Jim McMullan
I have to confess that I wasn't a big fan of this garbage truck book the first time I read it to my kindergarten class. It is filled with references to gross things like dirty diapers, puppy poo, and ugly underpants. But fast forward 7 years and now I am the mom of two little boys who think the funniest things in the world are diapers, poo, and underwear. Seriously, all one of them has to do is whisper the word "diaper" and the two of them are in hysterics. And they LOVE watching the garbage truck. So, I gave the book a second chance. And I am glad I did. The McMullans do a great job teaching facts about how the garbage truck works and why we need the garbage truck. And while I am still not a big fan of the gross out factor of the Smelly ABCs included, all of my little 3 old friends thought it was hilarious. And since it was in an appropriate context, I even loosened up and enjoyed the book right along with them! I think the little ones enjoyed the reading of this book more than any other we have shared together this year.
After laughing at the story, we sang Oscar the Grouch's "I Love Trash." Which the little ones also found very funny.
Art: Recycled Garbage Trucks
Materials Needed Per Truck: Recycled brown paper grocery bag cut into a large rectangle for background, green construction paper scraps cut into one small square, one large square, and one triangle, 4 small black circles, brown and blue paint, matchbox sized garbage truck toys
1-Glue pieces onto the paper bag in the shape of a garbage truck.
I got the idea for this part of the craft here at No Time for Flash Cards. Love that site!
2- Using the trucks as paint brushes, paint tracks on the truck.
Snack: Garbage Can Pudding
We made dirt pudding and placed it inside a plastic cup wrapped with aluminum foil to look like a garbage can. We added a worm sticking out. They turned out very cute...and yummy.
*I know that I found the idea of wrapping the cup with foil to look like a garbage can on someone's blog, but I can't find it again. If it was your blog, let me know and I will add a link! It was a great idea!
Games: Trash Pick Up and Toss it in the Trash
1-Trash Pick Up
I spread out objects on the floor that are found in the story such as diapers (clean), neckties, empty, clean containers, toy apples and bananas from the play kitchen, and newspapers. Then the children take turns using their robotic claws to pick up trash and placing the items into clan garbage bags. When not picking up trash, they thought it was just as fun to be the one holding the big garbage bag.
2-Toss it in the Trash
The children tossed newspaper balls into a clean waste basket. We just had them all toss in at the same time. Then they would run and grab a ball out and try again. No waiting! (While patience is a great skill to practice with 3 year olds, it is fun when there is more playtime then waiting time in an activity).
