Ladybugs Are Black and Red

Materials

books and magazines with pictures of ladybugs

drawing paper

crayons

Instructions

1. Show the children the map of the United States. Explain that this is our country.
2. Explain to the children that people use their hands to help other people, and Americans love to help.
3. Teach the children the following song:
Across the USA by Susan Oldham Hill (Tune: "When Johnny Comes Marching Home") We're helping all across the USA today; Listen! You can hear Americans as they say: We'll lend a hand in our states and towns, Helping our neighbors all around. We all like helping, lending a hand To you!
4. Help the children put on their smocks. Set out the paint and paintbrushes, and paint the children's hands one at a time with the color of their choice. Note: Be sure to tell the children not to touch one another while they have paint on their hands.
5. Help the children carefully print their hands on the large piece of paper without smearing the paint.
6. Repeat until all the children have printed their hands. Sing the song and admire the "map" that they created.

Can the children identify the United States of America? Were the children able to remember the song? Could the children press their handprints onto the map without smearing?