Materials
construction paper squares in red, yellow, orange,
green, blue, and purple
masking tape
stereo
CD or tape of upbeat music
Instructions
1. Sit in a circle with the children and ask them if anyone has cats at home.
If they do not, their grandparents or friends may have cats.
2. Encourage the children to talk about the cats they know. Ask about the colors
of cats. What colors have they seen? Do they know the meaning of "calico"
and "tabby?"
3. Teach them the following fingerplay:
Five Tabby Kittens by Shirley Anne Ramaley
Five tabby kittens, sitting by my door. (hold up five fingers)
One fell asleep and then there were four. (hold up four fingers)
Four tabby kittens playing by a tree,
One chased a mouse, and then there were three. (hold up three fingers)
Three tabby kittens, wondering what to do.
One went to eat and then there were two. (hold up two fingers)
Two tabby kittens sleeping in the sun.
One woke up and ran. Then there was one. (hold up just one finger)
One tabby kitten, sitting all alone.
He quickly got up and ran right home.
And then there were none! (close hand, then clap)
Assessment
To assess the children's learning, consider the following:
l Show the children pictures of cats and ask them to name their colors. Discuss
what calico and tabby mean. Ask the children to describe other colors that
cats might be.
