Preschool Theme: Ice and Igloos; People live in differing climates/Geography
Bible Theme: Jesus Sends the Holy Spirit, Our Provider and Helper
Morning Circle: Today's letter is "I." Introduce today's topic by discussing where
the children live. Help them to understand that they live in a town, which is in their
state or territory, which is in their country, which is in their world. A graphic can
be very useful here to help the children visualize their place in the world. Tell them
there are lots of countries in our world. Ask them what the name of THEIR
country is. Say the name of your country out loud. See whether the children can
name the first letter of their country.
Explain that today's letter is "I." Show and say "I." Demonstrate the long and short
sounds of the letter "I." Can the children think of things that begin with the "I"
sound? (Ice, igloo, ice cream, insect, in, inside, iron, island, and itch are some
examples.)
Tell the children that there are lots of states and countries that begin with the
letter "I." Prepare some photos ahead of time to show the children state or
country names with a picture of something from that region. For example, show
the name "Iowa" with a photo of a field of corn. Some other places you might
include could be Idaho, Illinois, Ireland, India, Israel, Italy, Indiana, and Iceland. You
may want to include peoples as well: Irish, Iranian, Indonesian, Inuit, Inca, and
Iroquois. Show the children (using a globe) where these places are, and talk about
what the weather, animals, trees, and people might be like. Have fun and take
your time discussing all the interesting variety of cultures, plants, animals on our
planet.
Read: Igloos and Inuit Life, by Louise Spilsbury. Introduce this story by explaining
that you are going to be talking about one of the cultures that begin with the
letter "I." Show some pictures of igloos and Inuit people. Let the children point
out some obvious characteristics about the pictures and briefly talk about them
(ice, cold, furry coats, snow, etc.) Then read the story. Take your time looking
through this book on how Inuit people live today and how they lived before
modern times. Discuss any questions that the children come up with. Be sure to
emphasize that although igloos are interesting and neat, they are not really used
as dwellings today, except for hunting journeys, etc. (Inuit people live in modern
houses.)
Music & Movement: Action rhyme: "My Igloo" (author unknown)
“My igloo is round with a tiny door. (Make a small circle with your hands.)
It's made of cold ice and snow. (Pretend to shiver.)
The inside is covered with blankets & fur. (Make a wide sweeping motion.)
So it's warm when the winter winds blow." (Make a blowing wind noise and hug
yourself to pretend to keep warm.)
You could also have some dramatic play by pretending to be arctic animals like
polar bears and seals.
Snack: Ice Blocks: Fill up ice cube trays with fruit juices. Cut straws into thirds,
and place into the cubes for handles. (You may wish to wait until the cubes are
partially frozen to put in the straws, as they'll stand up better.) Prepare these
ahead of time so that the children can help make them.
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Centers:
1. Ice Exploration. One of the cultures discussed today was the Inuit, who live in
the arctic regions in harshly cold conditions. Prepare a discovery center full of
books and objects related to "Eskimos." You could include faux furs on the table,
white blocks to create igloos, and some mittens, furry hats, coats, and "skins" to
play dress-up. Include cold items for tactile exploration, such as two bowls of ice
water full of ice cubes, with tongs for the children to transfer their "icebergs" from
one bowl to another. Discuss how the ice can float in the water.
2. Ice-fishing. Explain that ice-fishing is an important part of life for people who
live in very cold parts of the world. Briefly explain how ice-fishing works, then let
the children pretend to do their own ice-fishing by using a magnetic fishing game.
You can easily create your own magnetic fishing game by purchasing small flat
magnets and some wooden dowel rods at your local craft or hardware store. Tie
and then hot-glue a length of string to the end of a wooden dowel, then tie a
paper clip (for a hook) to the other end of the string to create the "fishing rod."
Create "fish" by gluing the magnets to cut-out paper fish.
3. Sled Race. This is a great way to teach the children to follow directions. Divide
the children up into two teams of 2 to 4 children each. Use a large sheet for
each team. Have a pile of objects at one end of the room, and a large box at
the other end which will be the "igloo." Tell the children that in the arctic, families
used to have to move their belongings on sleds, and that it's very hard work. See
how fast the teams can get their belongings from one end of the "ice" to their
"igloo." Each team should spread out their sheet (their "sled") near the pile of
belongings. They need to listen for instructions about what objects to "pack" onto
their sled. You might call out "take one red item," "take a big heavy item," "grab
something with wheels," or "take something to wear." The children will try to put the
items you call out onto their sleds as quickly as possible. Then have them wait until
you call out "Mush!" to race as quickly as they can (without losing their belongings)
to their igloo. Be mindful to not allow this to become too competitive.
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Art Activity: Make an Igloo: You
can choose whether to create
individual artistic igloos, or perform a
large-scale class project. For
individual art projects, simply create
an igloo template and let each child
"build" their igloo by gluing either
miniature marshmallows or small
cotton balls to the template. If you're really ambitious, consider collecting clean
empty milk jug containers in anticipation of this lesson unit. Hot glue the
containers together, building your classroom igloo from the ground up, the old
fashioned way! It might take some tenacity, but many classes have done it! For
fantastic information on how to build a milk jug igloo, including a video, look here.
If you're not able to collect and construct your igloo from milk containers, consider
using a small dome-shaped tent, covered with butcher paper sketched with block
shapes.
Bible Storytime:
Read, Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Tale, by Lydia Dabcovich.
After reading the story, talk a little about the life of Jesus. Discuss how his
mother Mary raised him, how he was killed, and how he had to go to his Father,
but that he will return. Discuss how we can call on him through prayer and he will
"come" to us, and how he provides for us. Explain that Jesus promised to send us
a helper, the Holy Spirit. Draw parallels from the story to these truths.
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Bible Verse Bracelets:
"But I am telling you the truth: it is better for you that I go away, because if I do
not go, the Helper will not come to you. But if I do go away, then I will send him
to you." John 16:7 GNT
Talk with the children about how Jesus rose from the dead and then ascended to
Heaven. Discuss why this was so, and his promises to us. Explain the concept of the
Holy Spirit, and how this is the way Jesus is with us, helping us, guiding us, and
providing for us.
Bible Song: "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever," from the Veggie Tales Worship
Songs CD.
Additional Activity:
Make a classroom igloo following the instructions in the "Art Activity" section
above.
Watch a video about Inuit life.
Optional Resources:
I is for Igloo Handwriting Worksheet
I is for Iceland Handwriting Worksheet
I is for Inspired Bible Handwriting Worksheet
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Helpful Links:
Eskimo Crafts & Activities on The Crafty Classroom
Eskimo Lapbook from Lapbook Lessons
Children Just Like Me
Notes:
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