Materials
small bell
xylophone and other simple musical instruments
light switch
picture cards of different tasks (snack, outdoors, and so on)
Instructions
1. Talk about how fireflies flash their lights at night.
2. Read The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle.
3. Play this subtraction rhyme to transition the children to the next activity.
Have each child (or five children at a time) dance with a flashlight.
4. As you say the following rhyme, turn off the lights and invite each child to
turn on her flashlight and dance around. When the rhyme is done, touch one
dancing firefly. That child stops dancing, turns off the flashlight, and moves
on to the next activity.
5. As you finish the rhyme, all children should have transitioned.
Five little fireflies
Dancing in the night.
One went to bed and
Out went the light.
More to do Art: Make fireflies out of construction paper. Use wax paper for the wings and
gold glitter for the firefly light, or glow in the dark paint. Do not use glow sticks
because they can be dangerous.
Math: After each firefly leaves, count how many are left.
Story Time: Use this rhyme with flannel board fireflies or stick puppets instead.