I Scream for Ice Cream

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

We hope you have enjoyed Dinosaurs, Fairytales and Robots.  Of course, we have saved the best for last: Ice Cream!  Can not think of a better summer topic or way to end our fun time together.    

MATH

1. Build An Ice Cream Cone (YUM)

Directions:

Identify the number on the ice cream cone and count out the correct number of ice cream scoops to match.  You can do a few at a time, since there are around 20 scoops.  For the higher numbers, make sure you touch each scoop as you give it a number if this is difficult to do.

Extension:  There are 4 cones without numbers on them.  You can use a small piece of paper to write a number from 11-20 on it and have your child count out the scoops.

2. I Spy Ice Cream Count

Directions: 

 Start with the first ice cream picture and put an "X" over the ones that look the same.  Your child can either count as they put the "X" or count after all the "Xs" have been made.  Next, have your child take a different color and put an "X" or circle or some other mark to find the next ice cream picture.  Keep changing colors if this helps your chid with discriminating between the pictures when eliminating those already found. If needed, use the number line provided from the Dinosaur theme to write the number.  See if they can write from memory before using the number line.

We have added an additional seek and find Ice Cream page this year. 

3. Ice Cream Sprinkle Addition

(This will begin or reinforce basic addition.  Using manipulatives will make addition concrete and easier to understand for your child.)

Directions:
Using the clear plastic sleeve, number line, one die, a dry erase marker and the straw "sprinkles", have your child roll the die.  The number rolled is the first number written in the first square.  Count out that many sprinkles "straws" and place on the LEFT side of the ice cream scoop.  Next, roll the die or dice again to count and write in the second number in the second square.  Count out that many sprinkles and place on the RIGHT side of the ice cream scoop.  Count the left and the right side together to find the total.  Repeat as often as your child has the attention for it.  Point out how the numbers match up with the sprinkles. 

Enrichment:  Use a set of dice to make the addition problems more challenging. 

 

4. Marshmallow Measuring

Directions:

Remember, all food items are new and fresh and have been handled with gloves.  It is time to measure and then eat a yummy treat.  Use the bag of different colored marshmallows as a unit of measurement.  Your child will line up the marshmallows in a tower form to measure the height of each ice cream cone.  Have them write that number next to the ice cream.  Get that number line out if they need to see the number formation.  The marshmallows are small so the numbers will be higher than 10.  Feel free to use different food items from home:  pretzel sticks, Cheez Its, pirate bootie, grapes... (you get the idea).

Enrichment:  As your child measures, see if they can make a pattern with the different colored marshmallows.

*It may be helpful to cut around the dotted lines to make each cone

independent thus allowing your child to see the visual differences when lined up.

5. Ice Cream Pom Pom Patterns

Directions:

  Use the clothespin provided to pick up and place the pom-poms in the correct pattern.  This will add a nice fine motor experience while patterning, an added BONUS.  Some of the colors are similar, so naming the shades will help and be a good distinguishing skill. (Ex. pink vs. peach)

Extension: A.  Put the Ice Cream paper away and simply use the pom poms to create you own pattern

B. Mix all of the pom poms up in a big pile and have your child sort them and count, which group has the most, which group has the least and are any equal.

LITERACY

1. Ice Cream Missing Alphabet

Directions:

Have your child use a pencil with this activity.  It is good practice to get your child use to pencils; they will use this tool daily in kindergarten.  This activity is pretty self explanatory.  Your child will be sequencing the alphabet by filling in the missing letters.  Remind them that we form our letters by beginning at the top.  Refer to the Handwriting Without Tears sheet that came home with the Dino Bag.  If you child becomes stuck, have them sing the song to indicate the next letter.

Enrichment:  Have your child try to practice the lower case letter next to the cone of the corresponding upper case letter.  This is not to frustrate your child; only for those who need an extra challenge.

2. Gorilla Loves Vanilla Match

(watch video)

Directions:

After watching Gorilla Loves Vanilla, have your child see if they can match the animal with the correct ice cream order.  They will need to cut out the 6 different orders (the small white strip).  They will then need to glue the food item with the correct animal.  If they forgot, let them go back and rewatch the story.  It is okay and really good practice for them to know they can reference material to retrieve information, although  we both agree that they will remember without having to go back. 

4. Literacy with Sequence

(Watch Video) 

Directions:

After watching and listening to the story Splat the Cat I Scream for Ice Cream, read the questions to your child to see if they can correctly answer the comprehension questions.  If you read the question, see if your child can figure out the answers by either looking at the pictures or reading the words. 

Extension:  Where would you like to go on a field trip?  Why did the cats say they didn't want any more ice cream at the end of the story? (They had already eaten and cleaned up so much ice cream searching for Seymour.)

5.  Sprinkle Names

Directions:

You will need the rainbow sprinkles and your name written on poster-board; have your child take your liquid glue and trace their name.  Remind your child to move their hands as they are writing it, or they will end up with a big puddle of glue. Next, using the rainbow sprinkles in the bag, using a pincher grasp (your thumb and pointer) to sprinkle the sprinkles along each letter.  Focus on one letter at a time or the glue may dry before they get to the last letter.

(You will need Elmer's Liquid Glue for this.) 

Tip:  If the glue bottle is too difficult to squeeze as sometimes they are, you can always pour some glue into a small plastic container and let your child use a Q-Tip dipped in glue to trace one letter at a time.  They will still benefit the fine motor experience.

The Sprinkles are new and clean (just in case a couple end up disappearing ; ) 

FINE MOTOR

1.  Lace that Ice Cream

Directions:

Lacing can look different for each child.  There are several skills being practiced.  Besides fine motor,  your child is using visual discrimination (recognizing a repeated pattern taking shape) along with matching 1:1.  There is no need to correct your child when they are lacing.  We often see little friends correct their own mistakes or the pattern may not take shape until midway through.  It's all good!

2. A Day At the Beach

Fine motor with literacy extension

(watch video)

Directions:

Now it's your child's time to tell a story.  Using the fun beach stickers, think of a story that you can tell using them on the sandy ocean scene.  Apply stickers as you see fit; you may not be able to fit them all so you can always draw a picture on a piece of paper and then add your leftover stickers.  Now, have your child tell you what is going on.  (Ex. There was a boy at the beach with his friends and they were building a sand castle when all of the sudden a giant whale jumped out of the water... .)  

Perhaps, write down what your child says word for word and then read it back to them.  This is different than having your child draw something and tell you what they drew.  This is having them think of a story and creating it.

 

3. Build a Play-dough Ice Cream Sundae

Directions:

Time to make an ice cream sundae.  Use the 3 ice cream balls (play dough) and baggie of pretend sprinkles and toppings to create an ice cream sundae.  We have added some pretend toppings yet feel free to use other materials from previous themed bags or items from your house.  Don't forget to sneak a pom pom from a previous activity for a cherry topping.    

Enrichment:  Have you child name their flavors of ice cream.

Ask them how many play-doh scoops they plan to add; have them count them.

Have a contest with Mom, Dad, Sibling:  who can come up with the most creative Ice Cream Flavor? (ex. Pink Lemonade Ladybug Ice Cream, Lemon Stinky Sunflower Ice Cream)

4. Pom pom in a cup game.

(This game works on fine motor, hand-eye coordination and patience.)

Directions:

The object of the game is to see if you can get the pom-pom into the cup (cone). Hold on to the cone, swing it forward and then back to you in a swinging motion to see if you can swing the pom-pom into the cone.  How many in a row can you get?  Challenge other family members.  Good Luck!

We have really enjoyed creating fun activities for all of you.  These fun games, projects and practice will benefit all of you come August as you begin your kindergarten year.  Feel free to pass our names along to others for next summer.  We look forward to any feed back (favorites or needed improvements) or any suggestions you think would benefit our little program.  Again, thank you and enjoy the rest of your summer.

Ms. Dani and Ms. Marybeth