Drawing Bats

There are several different ways to draw a bat. Here is one:

Draw a circle with an opening at the bottom.

Draw two swooping curve lines for the top of the wings.

Draw "bumps" for area under the wings.

Draw dots and curve lines for eyes, a u shape for the mouth and triangles for the fangs and ears.

Connect the two sides of the wings and add legs.

Invasion of the Bats

Black construction paper, a lesson on bat making and well, the rest is history. . .

BEFORE:

 

 AFTER:

Bat Habitats

Making habitats is one of my favorite projects for the children.  They love it too!   What you will need: brown bags, cheap paper plates, black construction paper, scissors, glue stick, crayons.

 Step One:  Cut down the brown lunch bag.  Cut "tabs" in the corners.  Fold back and glue down on paper plate.

 Step Two:  Provide children with black construction paper cut into small squares that have been folded.  You can provide tracers or let the children draw their own bat shape on the fold.

 Here is a cut out bat!

 Step Three:  Put your bat into the bat cave!

 Fold down bat wings for flying around room. . .

 Step Four:  Add details with crayons to your bat.

 Step Five: Make a family of bats.  Decorate your bat cave!

 Draw on insects so your bats have some tasty treats.

 So cool!

Come Ride the Shoe Tying Train!

I am so excited about this idea! It is working wonders to get children motivated to learn how to tie their shoes.  I found a pair of shoes at the thrift store that I put wheels from a toy truck on. 

When a child learns how to tie shoes, they can demonstrate on my shoe.  

If they succeed - they get to write their name in gold on the shoe!  (I use sharpie paint pen!)

Children are practicing all over the place.  Today, two boys spent the entire center time practicing. 

First day the shoe train came out - excitement in River City!

The shoe tying children writing their names onto the shoe.

Two students holding their own shoe tying "workshop."

Clothes Pin Animals

This is an adorable idea from Martha Stewart Living.  The kids loved it!  I used white cardstock and crayons.  I let the children draw whatever animal (we focused on farm animals) they wanted.   I discussed the importance of making the images big.  Kindergartners tend to draw small.  I demonstrated making one first and then let them loose.  The drawings were cut out and clothes pins attached as the legs.  So dag cute!

A Simple Gift

When my latest intern's last day was near, I wanted to do something special.  Stephanie is one of those people who really adores the children.   For real.   I just knew she would be like me and want something that had the touch of the children.   I also wanted it to endure - so it couldn't be white!  I decided on a black apron and had the children sign it with a Sharpie gold paint pen.  It was so simple and yet elegant.  Loved it! 

Them Bones!

 I saw this project at my friend, Terri's classroom several years back.  It is such a great way to introduce the bones.  I had two parents come in and help the children paint their bones.  We will be learning the major bones over the next two weeks.

 The first step is to trace the child's outline with a white crayon on black bulletin paper.

 Next, the children paint the major bones in white tempera paint.

 I found a great fold out book on a clearance table at Borders a few years ago that the children can look at.  It is about their size!! So cool!

Here's the mastermind behind this super idea!  Love you Terri Girl!