Colors
-
Rain Cloud Science Experiment
How much do your kiddos love science experiments? When the learning can be hands on in preschool, it just kicks it up a notch, doesn’t it? We are into the first week of our Nature unit and we will be talking about weather next week. This cool science experiment, free directions courtesy of Toby & Roo, shows how rain clouds hold onto, then disperse rain.
The experiment requires minimal prep, but packs maximum fun and fascination. You’ll need water, shaving cream, liquid food coloring or liquid water color and (optional) pipettes, plus tall, clear containers. We didn’t use the pipettes because we used liquid water color that we could pour directly onto our shaving cream clouds. We found our inexpensive clear plastic containers at the dollar store.
And, as we did above, if you use primary colors to drop onto your shaving cream “cloud,” you can work in a color mixing lesson to go along with your rain cloud demonstration. Two for one? We love it!
- Blog, Book Lesson Plans, Books About Animals, Books About Colors, Books About Emotions, Circle, Colors, Literacy, Reading
Book Review & Lesson Plan: Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes
(This post contains affiliate links. A purchase through these links supports Preschooligans at no additional cost to you and helps us continue to provide free educational resources. Thank you!) Oh Pete the Cat, don’t we all just love him to bits? In this first installment of the Pete saga, Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, (find at your local library or purchase from Amazon) written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean, our favorite cool cat is walking along in his fancy white shoes, singing a groovy song, and feeling all good.
But then, oh no, Pete steps in a pile of strawberries! Now what color are those white shoes? Does Pete cry? Goodness, no! Pete doesn’t cry over the fact his once-white shoes are now red, he embraces the change — and alters his song to match. “I love my red shoes, I love my red shoes.”
Pete’s adventure leads him to step in a number of colorful items, until he washes clean his shoes at the end.
We love this story for 3s and older 2s
Watch Litwin and Dean read the story and sing Pete’s groovy song in this Youtube video.
*Downloadable/printable copy of lesson plan below
(Below please find a list of reading comprehension questions and vocabulary words. This list is not exhaustive, and it may spark additional questions from your kiddos. As always, we recommend that you scaffold based on your age group and the wigglies of your kiddos.)
Reading comprehension questions:
Before reading: Show the cover. What do you think this story is about? Pete the Cat is the main character of our story. What is a “character” in a story? How about a “main character”? What is Pete the Cat wearing? Do cats usually wear shoes? What color are his shoes?
After reading title: Have you ever had white shoes? Do white shoes usually stay nice and white? What usually happens to white shoes? How do you think Pete feels about his white shoes?
As you read: Allow time for the children to answer the questions that are posed as part of the story. Soon they will be answering and singing along with Pete.
After reading: Why don’t you think Pete cried about his shoes changing colors? What do you think Pete is trying to tell us with this story?
Vocabulary:
- character
- main character
- brand new
- cool
- puddle
- moral
Enrichment Activities:
Small Group/Large Group: Prekinders offers this free Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes color and matching activity.
Art: Books And Giggles features a tutorial of how to make Pete the Cat button slime.
-
Uh Oh! What Did Pete the Cat Step In?
Like most preschool teachers, we love us some Pete the Cat. Pete with his white shoes, Pete with a new friend, Pete losing his buttons … you name it. We love Pete. So, naturally, we also love this adorable printable color and matching activity from Prekinders. This printable is a fun way to extend learning after reading Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes.
In the story, Pete’s white shoes turn different colors as he steps in assorted items. This free activity, great for large or small group learning with 3s and older 2s, works on color identification and matching. In addition to the printable, Prekinders offers directions on multiple ways to play the game.
For preschool vocabulary and reading comprehension questions, visit our Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes book review.
