Materials
Sand and water table or dish tub
Water
Objects to dip in water, such as a rock, piece of wood, pencil, jar lid, sponge,
leaf, crayon, paper, piece of plastic, aluminum foil, toy dishes, and so on
Two cookie sheets labeled "yes" and "no"
Instructions
1. Get the children's attention by walking around with all three hats on your
head. Say, "Hats! Hats! Hats for sale!" When you have their attention, ask
them which hat they like best.
2. Read The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins to the children.
3. Ask them to whom they think each hat would belong. Ask them to recall
how, in the book, the boy carried all the hats. Do they think they can carry
hats that way?
4. Put the hats and the book into the Housekeeping Center.
5. Encourage the children (no more than three at a time) to play with the hats.
Observe how they play with them. Do they try to stack them on their heads,
on each other's head? Do they refer to the book? Do they try to put the hats
on each other? (Likely, the children will experience collaborative and pretend
play.)
6. After center time is over, read the book again. Be sure to wear the hats while
you read.
7. After you finish reading, put the hats on three children. Chant, "One hat, two
hats, three hats go wash your hands (or give other directions)!"
8. Take the hats off the children's heads so they may transition to another area.
More to do
Use coats, sweaters, or shirts instead of hats.
