# Preschool Curriculum: Mindfulness and Nature Exploration
## Weekly Theme: Exploring Friendship with Animals
### Age Group: Preschool (3-5 years)
### Week Overview:
This week, we will explore the theme of friendship with animals, focusing on mindfulness, nature exploration, and hands-on STEM projects. Our activities are designed to promote social-emotional learning, creativity, and a deeper connection with nature.
### Circle Time (10 minutes daily)
* **Monday:** Introduction to the theme - "Welcome to the Forest"
+ Read the story: "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" by Beatrix Potter
+ Discuss the importance of friendship and kindness towards animals
* **Tuesday:** Mindfulness Moment - "Animal Breathing"
+ Guided meditation: focus on breath, just like animals do
+ Yoga activity: "Animal Moves" (e.g., cat-cow, bird wings, rabbit hops)
* **Wednesday:** Story Time - "The Story of a Tree and a Robin"
+ Read the story: "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein
+ Discuss the value of friendship and giving
* **Thursday:** STEM Exploration - "Leaf Investigation"
+ Collect and observe different types of leaves
+ Create a leaf collage using natural materials
* **Friday:** Reflection and Sharing - "My Favorite Animal Friend"
+ Share a favorite animal and why it's special
+ Create a classroom "Friendship with Animals" chart
### STEM Projects (30 minutes, 2 times a week)
* **Tuesday:** "Rock Painting"
+ Collect stones and paint them using natural materials (e.g., leaves, twigs)
+ Create a stone mandala
* **Thursday:** "Leaf Structure Analysis"
+ Use a magnifying glass to observe leaf structures
+ Create a diagram of a leaf's parts
### Yoga and Movement (20 minutes, 3 times a week)
* **Monday:** "Forest Animals" yoga sequence
+ Cat-cow, downward-facing dog, tree pose, and more
* **Wednesday:** "Animal Moves" obstacle course
+ Crawl like a bear, hop like a frog, and jump like a rabbit
* **Friday:** "Nature Scavenger Hunt"
+ Explore the outdoors and find items in nature (e.g., leaves, rocks, feathers)
### Art and Creativity (30 minutes, 4 times a week)
* **Monday:** "Animal Mask Making"
+ Create masks using natural materials (e.g., leaves, twigs, feathers)
* **Tuesday:** "Leaf Rubbings"
+ Create leaf rubbings using paper and crayons
* **Wednesday:** "Friendship Collage"
+ Create a collage using pictures of animals and natural materials
* **Thursday:** "Nature Journaling"
+ Draw and write about observations in nature
### Worksheets and Coloring Pages
* **Monday:** "Animal Friends" coloring page
* **Tuesday:** "Leaf Patterns" worksheet
* **Wednesday:** "Story Sequencing" worksheet
* **Thursday:** "Leaf Measurement" worksheet
### Story Time
* **The Tale of Peter Rabbit** by Beatrix Potter
* **The Story of a Tree and a Robin** (created by the teacher)
* **The Giving Tree** by Shel Silverstein
### Assessment
* Observe students during activities and note their participation and engagement
* Collect worksheets and coloring pages to assess fine motor skills and creativity
* Use the classroom "Friendship with Animals" chart to assess understanding of the theme
### Materials
* Books and stories
* Yoga mats and props
* Natural materials (e.g., leaves, stones, twigs, feathers)
* Art supplies (e.g., paper, crayons, paint, glue)
* STEM materials (e.g., magnifying glasses, leaf diagrams)
### Extension
* Invite a guest speaker (e.g., animal expert, park ranger)
* Plan a field trip to a local park or nature reserve
* Create a classroom "Pet Corner" with stuffed animals and natural materials
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# Preschool Curriculum: Mindfulness and Nature Exploration
## Monthly Theme: Exploring the Elements
### Age Group: Preschool (3-5 years)
### Monthly Overview:
This month, we will explore the theme of the elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Our activities are designed to promote social-emotional learning, creativity, and a deeper connection with nature.
## Weekly Themes:
### Week 1: Earth
* **Circle Time:** Introduction to the theme - "Welcome to the Earth"
+ Read the story: "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss
+ Discuss the importance of taking care of the earth
* **STEM Project:** "Soil Exploration"
+ Create a soil collage using natural materials
+ Explore the texture and smell of soil
* **Yoga and Movement:** "Tree Pose" and "Mountain Climbers"
* **Art and Creativity:** "Leaf Rubbings" and "Earth-themed Painting"
### Week 2: Air
* **Circle Time:** Mindfulness Moment - "Breathing like a Bird"
+ Guided meditation: focus on breath
+ Discuss the importance of air for all living things
* **STEM Project:** "Wind Sock Experiment"
+ Create a wind sock using natural materials
+ Explore the effects of wind on objects
* **Yoga and Movement:** "Bird Wings" and "Flying like a Butterfly"
* **Art and Creativity:** "Cloud Observation" and "Air-themed Drawing"
### Week 3: Fire
* **Circle Time:** Story Time - "The Story of a Firefly"
+ Read the story: "The Firefly" by Lois Ehlert
+ Discuss the importance of fire safety
* **STEM Project:** "Solar Oven Experiment"
+ Create a solar oven using natural materials
+ Explore the effects of sunlight on objects
* **Yoga and Movement:** "Fire Dance" and "Warm-up Exercises"
* **Art and Creativity:** "Firefly Craft" and "Fire-themed Painting"
### Week 4: Water
* **Circle Time:** Reflection and Sharing - "My Favorite Water Activity"
+ Share a favorite water activity
+ Discuss the importance of water for all living things
* **STEM Project:** "Water Filtration Experiment"
+ Create a water filtration system using natural materials
+ Explore the effects of water on objects
* **Yoga and Movement:** "Water Moves" and "Ocean-themed Yoga Sequence"
* **Art and Creativity:** "Water-themed Drawing" and "Sea Creature Craft"
### Assessment
* Observe students during activities and note their participation and engagement
* Collect worksheets and coloring pages to assess fine motor skills and creativity
* Use the classroom "Elements" chart to assess understanding of the theme
### Materials
* Books and stories
* Yoga mats and props
* Natural materials (e.g., leaves, stones, twigs, feathers)
* Art supplies (e.g., paper, crayons, paint, glue)
* STEM materials (e.g., magnifying glasses, soil, wind socks)
### Extension
* Invite a guest speaker (e.g., park ranger, scientist)
* Plan a field trip to a local park or nature reserve
* Create a classroom "Elements" chart with student work and observations
## Sample Worksheets and Coloring Pages:
### Earth
* **Leaf Patterns** worksheet
* **Soil Exploration** coloring page
### Air
* **Cloud Observation** worksheet
* **Bird Watching** coloring page
### Fire
* **Firefly Life Cycle** worksheet
* **Solar Oven Design** coloring page
### Water
* **Water Cycle** worksheet
* **Sea Creature Habitat** coloring page
## Sample Stories:
* **The Lorax** by Dr. Seuss
* **The Firefly** by Lois Ehlert
* **The Rainbow Fish** by Marcus Pfister
* **The Giving Tree** by Shel Silverstein
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