Digging Into Dinosaurs

Greetings Summer Friends,

We hope you have had a nice little break and are ready to get back to some fun learning activities.  You will receive a Blog every two weeks to guide you through the play and learning.  You decide the order and time frames that will work with your schedule and lifestyle.  Activities vary by ability. Your child may work independently or need assistance.  Some games included will require a partner.  This blog will be a tool to guide you with directions, suggestions and photos of examples.  It will be broken into the different domains of Math, Literacy, Fine Motor as well as some Literature Links.  Always feel free to email Ms. Danielle or Ms. Marybeth with questions.  Remember to email us at our personal email:  mbdunn4@gmail.com   or  dvirtel@att.net

Our goal is to help your child by offering fun learning experiences while maintaining some needed summer routine.

Please try to save non-disposable items: dry wipe pen, clear sleeve, counters, dice, play dough... maybe just keep all supplies organized and together.  Being organized early on is a skill that will benefit your child during their school years.

You will be expected to have you own small scissors, glue, tape, markers, crayons (just the essentials).

You will find a laminated name practice page in the bag.  Maybe before each activity, have them practice their name using the dry wipe marker. The page is presented so that they can see their names in title case (capital with lower case) and then it is in the yellow highlighted for them to trace and the bottom line is blank for them to practice on their own. They will then be able to wipe it off.  Remember Handwriting Without Tears teaches the children to begin letter formation at the top.  Use the HWT page in the bag as a reference if needed when guiding your child.  We have also included a laminated upper and lower case letter practice page.  Begin with the upper case until your child masters the formation of the letters.  This will also be a great resource during their kindergarten years; so hang on to it : )

Digging into Dinosaurs

Math 

1. Subitizing Dino Land

(You may ask yourself, "what in the world is Subitizing?'  Subitizing is the ability to instantly recognize the number of objects in a small group without needing to count them.  This is why dominos, dice, collections, and Concentration is so important. ) 

Directions:

 A.Use the dice and counters sent in your bag.  Hang onto these items;  they may be used again this summer.  You will only need one die for this game.  Take turns rolling the die.  Count the dots if needed or ask your child if they can look at the die and tell what number it is without counting the dots.  Each player will have a set of colored counters.  After the die is rolled, cover up the matching number in Dino Land.  If there are not any numbers left to cover, the turn goes to the other player.  When all numbers are covered, remove your counters and see who had the most in Dino Land.  Remind you child, it is easier to count their counters when they are lined up (teaching organization skills at an early age will pay off). 

  B. Enrichment: (Addition with Dice) If your child has mastered the 1-6 with the one die, time to create a challenge.  Use the second page with the higher numbers, the same rules will apply. Your child will need to add the two dice to find their answer. 

2. Dino Puzzle 

(Sequencing is the ability to comprehend how a series of events occur in order and the duration of those events.  We are always asking children open ended questions prompting for a sequence of events.  "What did you do this weekend?"; "What do you do in the morning after you get up?"  Sequencing is a skill that translates across all domains of learning.  It helps children recognize patterns and make sense of the world around them.)

Directions:

A. Have your child cut on the dotted lines.  Use a piece of the purple construction paper provided to arrange the numbers in order.  You will see a Dinosaur picture when finished.  Again, we have created to levels: 1-7 and 8-14.  Try one; try both.  You can do it!  Use the cheat sheet number line provided if you need to or have your child count out loud to find what comes next.

(There is also a benefit of understanding spacial relationships; knowing that the pieces must touch each other and line up correctly to see the formation of the Dinosaur puzzle. Remind your child to line up the first piece on the left side of the paper. They may need a little help with the first piece.

3. Dino Pasta Spinner

(Tens frames are important tools and useful devices for developing number sense within the context of ten. Tens frames teach children to subitize and is a precursor to addition and subtraction.)

Directions:

(*We took the spinner out because it did not spin as great as the clear little one in the bag.  Lay the clear little spinner on top of the number wheel on the tens frame page and spin away)

There are 2 ways to use this activity.  Part A will be for beginners.When mastered, give Part B a try.

 A: Spin the spinner, identify the numeral on the wheel, place the dinosaur pasta counters from left to right.  Explain when the top chart is filled out that they have made 10.  

(Example:  the spinner lands on 7; place the dinosaur pasta in 7 boxes going from left to right; ask your child, "how many more do you need to get to 10?")

 B: (Enrichment): Instead of the spinner, you will use the 2 dice provided. Your child will roll a die, ask them to count the dots on the die.  They will then place the dinosaur pasta counters on the top tens frame from left to right.  Then you roll a die and put your counters in the bottom tens frame from left to right. Then ask your child to add the two together. You can say, "You rolled a 4, and I rolled a 2; how many do we have altogether?"  When your child counts and says "Six", you say, "that is right, 4 + 2 = 6. You are adding!"  You could also say, "Who has more; who has less?" If you both roll the same, ask again, Who has more; who has less?" See if they use the word "equal"  We use that term in Pre-K.   It is so great to begin using mathematical language with your child.

4. Dinosaur Count and Cover

(Matching numeral to quantity is the idea that numbers correspond to specific quantities and accurate counting begins when children assign one number to each object that they count.  This task requires coordinating motor movement and speech in unison.  So, the next time you set the dinner table, give your child the napkins to place and have them count as they go.)

Directions:

A. You and your child may work together to cut out the tens frame squares. Keep them in a neat little pile. See if your child can match the correct dots to the correct numeral. Another variation would be to take out any small snack (goldfish, mini marshmallows, cereal) and have your child count out the correct amount to place on the numeral. Example:  8 receives 8 goldfish. You could also incorporate both, letting your child see that the Goldfish Snack (or whatever snack item) can represent the same amount of dots that matches the number.

It is nice to have your child familiar with the tens frames.  They will be seeing more of this in the Fall.

 B: (Enrichment)There are two levels in your packet.  If your child is more comfortable with 1-10, stick with that.  For the child that is ready for something more challenging, try 11-20

Literacy

1. Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt

Letter Identification

(The ability to name letters and identify letter formation is important for children to learn how to read. Research has shown that letter recognition is enhanced by writing letters.  This Scavenger Hunt will help exercise the mind by problem solving skills while getting some exercise at the same time.  Feel free to incorporate clues that will get your child thinking and moving.)

Directions:

A. This will take a little set up,  yet well worth the fun.  Children are always drawn to a hide and seek type of activity.  While you child is out of sight, hide the alphabet letters around your house, maybe confining it to 2 rooms.  Twenty six letters may be a bit much at one time, so feel free to break it up into 2 different time frames.  When your child finds a letter, have them trace the letter on their dinosaur alphabet page.  Remind your child to begin at the top when writing their letters and refer to the Handwriting Without Tears Alphabet Page for letter formation guidance. 

(If this is an activity that you may want to repeat, place the letter practice page in the clear sleeve and practice writing with a dry wipe marker so that you will be able to wipe off to re-practice at another time.) Happy Dino Hunting!

   B: (Enrichment) For those friends who are ready for beginning sounds, upon finding a letter and writing it, have your child tell you a word that begins with that letter. Ex. A (apple, axe, ant)

2. Baby Dinosaur Egg Match:

(A game of matching beginning sounds)

(Phonemic awareness is the a set of crucial pre-reading skills that is essential for beginning readers. At the pre-school level, it is all about isolating and identifying sounds.  These beginning sounds are the basic stepping stones to learning to read.) 

Directions:

A: This fun activity helps by giving visual representation of both the letter "A" and its counterpart graphic picture "Ant".  We thought it would be fun to make this a memory match game.  Perhaps break it down with only half of the alphabet or if your child is just beginning with initial sounds, chose just nine matches (A-I) and so on. Place the dinosaur picture cards face down in neat rows; in an adjacent area turn the egg tops over.  Have your child turn over an egg top (say, "you chose the letter A. What does the A sound make?")Once that is established have your child chose from the baby dinosaur section. Your child may need assistance identifying some of the pictures.  If they pick the ant, then you can say, "you picked ant; does ant begin with the /A/ sound?"  Your child then gets to keep that match.  The more this is practiced the more they will begin to match those beginning sounds. The most commonly used phonemes used in the beginning are: /s/, /a/, /t/, /i/, /p/, /n/.  It might be beneficial to begin there if need be.

3.  Letter Match/Sound Match Game

(Once again, letter recognition along with phonemic awareness is crucial for our beginning readers.)

Directions:

You will be using the 2 little, plastic dinosaurs as movable tokens for the game.

A: The clear spinner may be used again, so hang onto it.  If your child is still working on lower case letter identification, begin with the letter sheet along with the orange spinner card.  Place the clear spinner on top of the orange letter card.  Show your child how to hold the spinner on top of the orange card.  The first player spins the spinner and announces the letter;  see if your child can also make the sound of that letter. They move their dinosaur to the first lower case letter that matches the upper case letter they landed on.  example:(Spinner lands on G; your dinosaur moves to the g).  First one to get to the end...wins.

B: Some of the children may not be ready for this game, yet hang onto it.  They may be ready as phonemic awareness begins to present itself.

This game will be played the same way, only using the blue card this time, example: (spin the spinner, land on the "M"; see if your child can make the /m/ sound.  They will then move their dinosaur to the mermaid.  They may need some help identifying the little pictures so maybe go over the pictures before you begin this game.

Mermaid, Sun, Wagon, Ball, Kite, Car, Tent, Dog, Watch, Sandwich, Bear, Money, Soup, Dolphin, King, Bee, Watermelon, Monkey, Wand, Key, Door, Cow, Turtle, Donut, Butterfly, Cupcake, Socks

4. Dinosaur Rhyming Match

(Rhyming helps young children understand word sounds, patterns and language formation.  Hearing and using rhyme and rhyme repetition help children develop early literacy skills and brain development.  Not to mention, what children does not like word play.  Rhyme away.)

Directions

A:  We left the pairs together for your review.  After reviewing the matching dinosaur cards, separate the matches by cutting on the black line.  There are a lot of cards so if you want to break things down, use half or a smaller group.  You can lay out all of the red dinosaurs on one side of the table, and place the blue dinosaurs on the other side of the table.  See if your child can make the rhyming matches.  Once they make the match, see if they can tell you another word that would rhyme with the set.

B: Just for a little added fun, turn the activity into a memory game.  Begin with a small amount, perhaps a dozen matches.  Again, keep the red dinosaur cards lined up in little rows and keep the blue dinosaur cards lined up.  Have the cards face down.  The first player turns over a red card, they then turn over a blue card to see if it is a match.  If not, turn them both back over and the next person takes a turn.  This will continue like any other Memory Game.  See who can collect the most matches.

FINE MOTOR

1.We Don't Eat Our Classmates

(Watch Video)

Literacy Extension

Directions:

A: After watching the video above, have your child color Penelope Rex. Then, have your child cut out the top part (the head) and maybe Mom or Dad can help cut out the body (a little trickier).  Use real glue to glue the head onto one side of the clothespin  and then glue the body onto the bottom part of the clothespin. When dry,  have your child use their pincher fingers to pinch the clothespin and pick up different objects. They could also act out the story.  Nice literacy and fine motor extension.  They will love their little Penelope Rex. We added a little Dinosaur Fruit Snack to eat while they listen to the story.

See the example below.

2. What if the Dinosaurs Came Back

(Watch Video)

(Tearing paper is not always that easy for young child, yet there is importance in this skill.  It helps develop hand strength and endurance in the small muscles in the hand.  Strengthening of these muscles helps improve grip on writing tools, cutting and managing everyday tasks such as buttoning, zipping, opening lunch containers, closing up that backpack,  (you get the idea). Children enjoy the challenge of tearing paper, so tear away.)

(EXAMPLE)

Directions:

After watching the video, use the light blue construction paper in your bag. This will be the backdrop of your city scene. Use the scrap pieces of construction paper to tear into tall or long pieces to make different sized buildings.  The idea here is tearing paper so just know the buildings will be representations. You may even need to help your child begin with the tearing.  If your child becomes frustrated, pull out those little scissors.  Cutting is a nice fine motor activity as well. Next, the children can use markers to color windows and doors on their buildings.  They can add roads, cars, sidewalks.... let them be the artist.

Lastly,  add the dinosaur cut-outs where ever you desire. 

Ask them: What was your favorite part of the story?

Do you think dinosaurs could really come back?

Would a dinosaur make a good pet? 

3. Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs

(Watch Video)

 

(Fine Motor Work:  This activity is fun and involves sensory exploration and fine motor work. The concepts of liquid or solid and freezing or melting are all words little friends may hear in kindergarten. The hammering incorporates both fine and gross motor work.  The planning and problem solving practice will come in handy as your child ventures off and becomes more independent.)

Directions:

After listening to the story, use the little cup that came in the bag.  Fill it with water and place your dinosaurs in the water. You can always use a plastic bowl as well, if you would like a larger ice block.  Place the cup in the freezer until it is frozen. Mom and Dad may need to pop the frozen dinosaur ice out of the cup onto a cookie sheet or tray.  If you don't have a little mallet or hammer, give your child a metal spoon or kitchen tool that is safe.  They will then use the golf tee in the supply bag.  The golf tee will serve as a pick.  They will use pincher fingers to place the tee on the ice and tap away, chipping the ice. Have them chip away at the ice with the goal of freeing their dinosaurs.  Ask them what will happen if they take the frozen dinosaurs outside on a sunny, warm day?  Will they get the dinosaurs out faster? Why? 

Will the dinosaurs come out faster if they simply leave it to melt or does it help to chip away at the ice?

(Great activity of Science, Motor Work, Problem Solving, Sensory Input)

4.Dinosaur Bones

(Watch Video)

Literacy Extension

Directions:

A: Time to make your own dinosaur skeleton prints.  Use the provided homemade play-dough and colorful pasta noodles to piece together what you think a dinosaur skeleton would look like.  Then pull the noodles away and you will see your very own dinosaur skeleton print.  This activity can be reworked many times.  Have a fossil contest.  Try to make a dinosaur favorite.  See if a friend can guess the dinosaur you made. Make a pattern with the noodles.  How many noodles did it take to make the skeleton? The ideas are endless.

B: Extension:  Use the play-dough to create a dinosaur

 while using the noodles as body parts.  Use them however you like; just remember, the play-dough will dry out if not sealed tightly.  You may want to transfer the play-dough baggie to an air tight container.  Have fun!

BONUS PAGE

If you would like to reuse this page, put it in the clear sleeve.  Have your child trace over the lines with the Dry Erase Marker. This is great fine motor work and it teaches them to slow down with their work.  Challenge them to not go off the line.

We hope you enjoyed Digging Into Dinosaurs.  See you in two weeks for 

"Fun with Fairytales"

Please reach out to us if you have any questions - Marybeth Dunn mbdunn4@gmail.com or Danielle Virtel dvirtel@att.net.

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