2007-2008 Activity Schedule Themes

September
Letters: A, B, C ~ Numbers: 1 - 3  ~ Shapes:  Introduce ~ Color: Red

• Animals Of The Forest - Fox, deer, wolves, porcupines, skunks, and bears are just some of the animals that call the forest home! Learn about what these animals eat and where in the forest they hide and live.
• Fabulous Friends - Celebrate friends and friendship throughout this theme. The children will learn what a friend is, how to be a good friend, and talk about what friends do together.
• Oh, Nuts! - Welcome fall! Information about squirrels, nuts, fall weather, harvest, and changes in the trees will fill the days of this nutty theme.

October
Letters: D, E, F ~ Number: 4 - 6 ~ Shape:  Triangle ~ Color: Orange, Black

• Community Helpers - The people who work and live in our community are important! Children will learn about community helpers, explore their own neighborhoods, and learn what it means to belong to a community.*
• Fire Prevention Week - Celebrate Fire Prevention Week and learn about fire drills, firefighters, dalmatians, and general fire safety information.
• Night Creatures - Some animals are busy at night while the rest of the world sleeps. Bats, owls, raccoons, and cats are just a few of the nocturnal creatures featured in this fun fall theme!

November
Letters: G, H, I ~ Number: 7 - 8 ~ Shape:  Rectangle ~ Color: Brown

• Medieval Make-Believe - Enter a fairy tale land of castles, dragons, kings, and princesses. The children will read classic fairy tale stories and be encouraged to use their imaginations for some creative make-believe play!*
• Thanksgiving Time - This theme provides a simple explanation of the First Thanksgiving and explores some of the familiar symbols of the holiday.
• Music And Song - Music is all around us. The children will learn about musical instruments, rhythm, and sound. They will explore how to make music with their bodies by clapping and snapping and how to make instruments out of everyday, household items.

December
Letters: J, K, L ~ Number: 9 - 10 ~ Shape:  Star ~ Color: White

• Choo, Choo! - Learn all about trains, engines, whistles, tracks, and conductor in this fun-filled railroad theme.
  All Aboard!
• Sock Hop! - Long socks, striped socks, blue socks, and white socks - socks help keep our toes toasty warm during the cold winter months. The children will talk about shoes, socks, and feet during the week long theme.
• Jolly Holidays - Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas activities fill this holiday theme. The children will be invited to explore familiar holiday traditions and share them with their friends!

January
Letters: M, N, O ~ Number: 11 - 12 ~ Shape:  Circle ~ Color: Blue

• Mitten Magic - Keeping little fingers snug and warm is the focus of this wintery theme. “The Three Little Kittens” join in the fun as the children learn about mittens, gloves, and other cold weather gear.
• Penguin Party - The children will journey to the land of ice and snow as they visit Antarctica and learn about these hearty birds that thrive in the cold weather!
• How Things Work - This new theme invites children to become scientists as they explore their world through simple experiments and cooking activities. They will be encouraged to tinker with gizmos and gadgets and perhaps invent something of their own!*

February
Letters: P, Q, R ~ Number: 13 - 14 ~ Shape:  Heart ~ Color: Pink

• Hearts And Hugs - Happy Valentine’s Day! Information about hearts and symbols of the holiday will be shared. The children will be encouraged to find special ways to show their loved ones they care!
• Inside My Mouth - February is Dental Health Month. This theme is full of activities to reinforce healthy dental and hygiene habits.
• Opposites Attract - Learn all about opposites with some fun activities that examine how two things can be very different! Large and small, on and off, hot and cold, and fast and slow are just a few concepts that are introduced during the week.

March
Letters: S, T, U ~ Number: 15 - 16 ~ Shape:  Square ~ Color: Green

• Lions And Lambs - The first month of spring begins with learning activities related to rain, clouds, flowers, and the ever-changing springtime weather.
• Shamrocks And Rainbows - This theme offers plenty of opportunity for Irish fun! Rainbows, leprechauns, shamrocks, and the color green are just some of the topics covered during the week.
• Bunny Parade - Bounce through this busy theme that includes information and activities about bunnies, the first day of Spring, and the Easter holiday

April
Letters: V, W, X ~ Number: 17 - 18 ~ Shape:  Oval ~ Color: Yellow

• Springtime Sparkles - April showers bring rainy days, but all that rain helps to make the world sparkle with the colors of spring! Flowers, baby birds, and gardening will be explored as the children welcome spring.
• Hats Off To You - This new theme includes fun activities and information about all kinds of head coverings, from cowboy hats to baseball caps!*
• Wiggle Worms - Worms do important underground work that helps plants grow. Join the fun as the children wiggle and squiggle their way through this theme. Information about both Earth Day and Arbor Day are also included.

May
Letters: Y, Z ~ Number: 19 - 20 ~ Review: Shapes ~ Color: Purple

• Pet Friends - Cats, dogs, turtles, fish, hamsters, and birds fill this theme with pet related fun. The children will talk about caring for pets, learn about a veterinarian’s job, and have an opportunity to share pictures or information about their own pets.
• Ocean Adventure - Dive into the deep blue sea and explore the creatures that call it home. Information about whales, dolphins, starfish, sharks, and crabs make this theme a big splash!*
• Gardening And Growing - Seeds, soil, parts of a plant, and gardening provide plenty of hands-on work and fun! The children will learn about different types of flowers and vegetables that grow in gardens. 

June
Review Letters:   A - H ~ Review Numbers: 1 - 8 ~ Review Shapes:  Triangle, Heart ~ Review Colors:  Red, Orange, Brown,  Black

• Tutti Fruitti - Some fruits grows on vines and shrubs while others grow on trees. Learn about different kinds of fresh, frozen, and canned fruit. Several tasty fruit recipes are included!
• Construction Zone - Put on your hard hats for this busy theme! Everything from tools to protective gear to heavy machinery will be discussed as the children learn about the important jobs of construction workers.
• Dairy Days - Ice cream, milk, yogurt, and cheese - learn where all these yummy dairy treats come from. Information about dairy products and the animals that produce them will be shared to celebrate Dairy Month!

July
Review Letters:   I - Q ~ Review Numbers: 9 - 14 ~ Review Shapes:  Star, Square, Oval ~ Review Colors:  Blue, Pink, White

• America The Beautiful - This new theme begins with a patriotic salute to America and continues with information about the country’s capitol and National Parks.*
• Vacation Bound - Summer is the perfect time to get away for a relaxing vacation. Travel by car, plane, boat, or train and explore some of the fun things to do and places to visit on a vacation.
• Colors And Shapes - Colors and shapes are everywhere! This theme focuses on how colors and shapes work together to make up the world around us.*

August
Review Letters:   R - Z ~ Review Numbers: 15 - 20 ~ Review Shapes:  Rectangle, Circle ~ Review Colors:  Purple, Green, Yellow

• In The Green Grass - Grass does more than just cover the ground. It can be used to make everything from clothing to buildings! Learn about the many plants that belong to the grass family and the creatures that live there.
• Beautiful Bugs - Ants, ladybugs, crickets, and bumblebees are just a few of the beautiful bugs covered in this theme. The children will learn about the characteristics of insects, where they live, and what they eat.
• Everything Alphabet - Gear up for back-to-school with an alphabet review! Letters, sounds, and plenty of early literacy fun will fill the children’s days.*

* The themes marked with an * indicate new or reworked themes for the 2007-2008 curriculum year.