Materials
none
Instructions
1. Sing the following song with the children:
Five Little Butterflies by Cookie Zingarelli
(Tune: "Five Little Chickadees")
Five little butterflies flying by the door;
One flew away, and then there were
four.
Chorus:
Butterfly, butterfly, happy as can be.
Butterfly, butterfly, fly, fly away.
Four little butterflies sitting in a tree;
One flew away and then there were
three.
(Chorus)
Three little butterflies looking at you;
One flew away, and then there were
two.
(Chorus)
Two little butterflies sitting in the sun;
One flew away, and then there was one.
(Chorus)
One little butterfly left all alone;
It flew away, and then there were none.
2. Challenge the children to reverse the song:
One little butterfly sitting all alone;
Along came another and then there
were two.
Butterflies, butterflies, happy and gay;
Butterflies, butterflies, playing all day.
Two little butterflies sitting in the sun;
Along came another and then there
were three.
(Chorus)
Three little butterflies looking at you;
Soon came another and then there
were four.
(Chorus)
Four little butterflies sitting by the door;
Soon came another and then there
were five.
(Chorus)
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Are the children able to sing the song together?
* Do the children have any difficulty reversing the song?
Instructions
1. Encourage the children to tell you what a particular can was used for (coffee,
soup, vegetables, and so on).
2. Have the children think of something else they can use the can for. There is of
course the usual pencil, marker, or crayon holder, but then every so often a
child has an entirely different idea, like a "bad dream catcher" to put on the
night stand.
3. After the children have brainstormed a few ideas, set out the various
decorating items and encourage the children to decorate their cans any way
they like.
4. After the children finish decorating their cans, help them turn the cans into
seed planters.
5. At the bottom of the can use the nail to make a hole so water may drain
(adult-only step).
6. Help the children fill the cans with soil, and then plant either wild flower
seeds or herb seeds in them.
7. Over time, remind the children to water their cans lightly and keep the soil
moist.
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip
* Parsley and chives work quite well for planting. Coffee can planters make
great Mother's Day gifts.
Assessment
Consider the following:
* Do the children understand the idea that objects can have many uses?
* Do the children understand the importance of not being wasteful?
