Will I Have a Friend?

Circle Time Presentation

At the beginning of the year or whenever a new child enters the group, discuss how new children worry about whether or not they will have any friends at school. Tell the children that Jim is theboy on the cover of the book who is building with blocks. Ask them to predict whether or not Jim will find a friend in this story. Read the story. After reading the book, have the children tell allthe things they saw in the illustrations that are like what happens in their classroom.

ANOTHER STORY STRETCHER

For Art: Class Mural

What the children will learn-
To create a class mural

Materials you will need-

• Butcher paper
• crayons or markers
• long table
• tape

What to do-

1. Tape a long piece of butcher paper onto a table.
2. Discuss again all the things that the children at Jim's school did.
3. Have each child make a picture, using an idea from the book-blocks, snack, naptime, a book, painting, puzzles, dolls, clay, a workbench, a little red car or an idea of her own.
4. Hang the mural on the wall.

Something to think about-
After each child has drawn a picture, let the child dictate a sentence to you about her part of the mural. If the child wants to write, let her write and then you can write below the writinginterpreting what is said.

ANOTHER STORY STRETCHER

For Art: Shape That Clay

What the children will learn-
To explore ways to shape clay

Materials you will need-

• Clay or playdough
• storage containers

What to do-

1. Simply supply the clay or the playdough and let the children work with it on their own.
2. Give each child two "oranges" of clay (about two handfuls).
3. Avoid emphasizing finished products. Manipulating the clay or playdough is the object of this activity.

Something to think about-
Often teachers choose playdough and do not have children work with clay. Potters' clay is available from school and art supply stores. It is messier, but it also has other properties childrenenjoy. Children enjoy molding the clay, having it dry out a bit, feeling the clay dust on their hands and the sensation of the cool, wet surface of the clay. Natural clay can be fired when childrenmake things for special occasions. (Avoid the modeling clay which has an oil base and is not easily malleable with young fingers.) A large plastic jar is a good storage container. When the childrenfinish with the clay, have them shape it back into large oranges and place them into the plastic jar. Then, place a wet paper towel over the clay and put the lid on tightly. Clay washes off thetables easily because it is just dirt and water.

STORY STRETCHER

For Block Building:Building In Progress

What the children will learn-
To manipulate and build with blocks

Materials you will need-

• Large hollow blocks like those found in many preschools and kindergartens
• paper
• markers or crayons
• yarn

What to do-

1. After reading the book, point out that there are several pictures of Jim with the blocks in WILL I HAVE A FRIEND?
2. Encourage the children who are block enthusiasts to tell why they like to build with the blocks.
3. At free play time, when the block builders are making their creations, visit the block corner and listen to what is being built. Just before clean-up time have the builders tell you about theirconstruction. Have them think of a name for their design and then make a sign for the block construction. Print, "Do Not Disturb, Building in Progress." Add their name for the structure.Stretch a piece of yarn across the area, roping it off so others will not disturb the building, then the children can return the next day to add to or reconstruct their building.
4. At circle time at the end of the day, have the children recall that Jim liked block building and that we have friends in our class who especially like block building. Then have all the childrengo over and look at the block builders' creation, and have the builders tell about their construction.

Something to think about-
Early childhood educators often wonder about the children who spend so much time in the block building area. Sometimes, other children cannot negotiate their way into the block building group, and,perhaps, the block builders are missing out on some other important activities. If a child or a group of children shows no other interests, the teacher should interest them in other activities. Forexample, have the block builders begin with another activity and finish it before going on to the blocks. When a small group begins to monopolize the block area, the teacher may need to intervene.Suppose there are four children who always choose blocks at free play time, the teacher can have two of the four begin a different activity for their first part of free play time. This allows newchildren to enter the group.

STORY STRETCHER

For Cooking and Snack Time: Squeezing Orange Juice

What the children will learn-
To prepare orange juice from the whole orange

Materials you will need-

• Juice oranges
• cutting board
• knife
• juicers
• spoon or strainer for removing the seeds
• pitchers and glasses

What to do-

1. With a small group of children, demonstrate how to roll the oranges by pressing them with your hands against the table to make them softer. This helps to release the juice.
2. Slice the oranges in half.
3. Demonstrate for the children how to place the orange over the top of the juicer and turn it round and round to make the juice come out. Remove the seeds with a spoon or strain them.Straining alsoremoves the pulp. The younger children may need help squeezing all the juice out of the oranges.
4. Show the children how to pour their juice into the pitcher and then into their cups or glasses.
5. Let each child squeeze at least one orange and drink the juice he has prepared.

Something to think about-
Encourage independence. Let the children pour their own juice. If you use small pitchers and allow the child to stand while pouring, it will be easier. Also, have a clean-up sponge nearby forspills.

STORY STRETCHER

For Music And Movement: Friendship Song

What the children will learn-
To sing a short song about friendship

Materials you will need-

• None

What to do-

1. Sing this friendship song to the tune of "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush."
   
   Today, I'm going to meet a friend,
   meet a friend, meet a friend.
   Today, I'm going to meet a friend and
   we'll be friends together.
   Today, I'm going to play with my
   friend, play with my friend, play with
   my friend,
   Today, I'm going to play with my friend
   and we'll be friends forever."
   (Raines)
   
   
2. Arrange the children into pairs of friends for the motions of the song.
3. When the song says, "Today," turn hands over with the palms up, then the child points to herself for "I," waves "hi" back and forth for the "meet a friend"phrase and ends with two fingers held up for the "together" phrase. Repeat the "Today" and "I" motions for the second verse, then wave arms as if calling someone overfor the "play with my friend" phrase. End by hugging oneself for the "friends forever."
4. Sing the song (with or without hand motions) at several transition times throughout the day, including while cleaning up the room.

Something to think about-
Teachers often feel inhibited about singing. To get over those inhibitions, learn a few songs to sing with a record or cassette tape, then simply burst into song whenever you feel like singing. Orhum the tune and let the children guess what it is. It is amazing how a few good songs can brighten a rainy day or can calm the most rambunctious child.