Colors, patterns, music, books, a craft, and games all focused on airplanes and helicopters make this preschool lesson plan one your home will remember!
1. Freeplay
2. Circle/Whole Group: Begin by playing "Guess What I Am?" Give the kids clues to guess what you are--you are an Airplane. (for example, "Guess what I am...I can fly very high, I can carry people when I fly, etc.) Also, be a helicopter. Let the kids each "be" something. Then play "Airplane Freeze" -- the kids all fly around the room while you play music. When the music stops, they must freeze.
3. Song: If You're Flying On An Airplane. (tune: If You're Happy and You Know It)
If you're flying on an airplane clap your hands (clap, clap).
If you're flying on an airplane clap your hands (clap, clap).
If you're flying on an airplane, then a lot of altitude you'll gain,
If you're flying on an airplane, clap your hands (clap, clap).
If you're flying on a helicopter, stomp your feet (stomp, stomp),
If you're flying on a helicopter, stomp your feet (stomp, stomp).
If you're flying on a helicopter, your propellers never falter.
If you're flying on a helicopter, stomp your feet (stomp, stomp)!
If you're flying on a rocket, jump real high (jump, jump).
If you're flying on a rocket, jump real high (jump, jump).
If you're flying on a rocket, do not hide in your pocket,
If you're flying on a rocket, jump real high (jump, jump)!
4. Story: Airplane by Caroline Bingham, The Airplane Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta and Fred Stillwell, DK Big Book of Airplanes by Caroline Bingham, Budgie at Bendick's Point by Duchess of York.
Read Budgie and act the story out. If the kiddos have the attention span, read one or more of the airplane books as well.
5. Craft: Styrofoam Airplanes. Use styrofoam (from egg cartons, packing material, or cleaned meat trays) to make an airplane! DLTK has a pattern and step-by-step instructions.
6. Learning Activity. Helicopter, Helicopter. Tie one end of a jump rope down, stretch it out, and hold the other side. Have all the kiddos stand on one side of the rope. Shake the rope so it vibrates like a snake (or helicopter propellers).
Chant:
Helicopter, helicopter over my head,
I choose a color and the color is (red).
All children wearing red must jump over the vibrating rope. Repeat with different colors. Let the kiddos take turns choosing the color.
7. Snack: Graham Cracker Airplanes. Give the kiddos a graham cracker to form the airplane and a triangular piece of cheese for the front propeller. Review the shapes and eat up!
8. Learning Activity. Airplane Light Patterns. Explain to the kiddos that airports have many lights that the airplanes follow to help them land. The lights are arranged in patterns. We are going to make some light patterns. Prepare construction paper circles (lights) in at least three different colors. Make several different patterns on a run-way with the kiddos--only use 2 colors in each pattern. Let them make patterns. Each time you complete a pattern runway, let them fly their styrofoam airplanes down them and safely land.
9. Freeplay outside.
10. Circle to review and summarize day.
Supplies for the day:
music (ex. CD and player)
Airplane by Caroline Bingham, The Airplane Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta and Fred Stillwell, DK Big Book of Airplanes by Caroline Bingham, Budgie at Bendick's Point by Duchess of York.
styrofoam, scissors, pattern, paint/markers (DLTK has pattern)
jump rope
graham crackers and cheese
construction paper circles in at least 3 different colors
