Trains: Day Two

Shapes Train

Review different types of shapes.
Use shapes to build a train.
Identify which shapes train cars resemble.

This week, we're learning about trains.
Let's pretend to be a Train with this Fingerplay:
Choo- Choo Train...This is a choo-choo train,
(Bend arms at elbows)Puffing down the track.
(Rotate forearms in rhythm)
Now it's going forward,(Push arms forward, continue motion)Now is going back.
(Pull arms back using same motion)
Now the bell is ringing.(Pull cord with closed fist)
Now the whistle blows.(Hold fist near mouth and blow Toot, Toot)
What alot of noise it makes.
(Cover ears with hands)Everywhere it goes.
(Stretch out arms)

Read some books about trains:
Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo--Kevin Lewis
Trains Board Book--Byron Barton
The Train Ride--Linda Crebbin

Show pictures of trains in the books (or other pictures.) Talk about the different cars and the types of shapes we can see in each part of the cars: circles for wheels, rectangles/squares on cars, triangles on the front of the engines, etc.


Sing a Train Song:

CHUG, CHUG, CHUG
Tune: “Jingle Bells”

Chug, chug, chug; chug, chug, chug,
Chugging down the track.
See our little choo-choo train
Chugging down and back.
We are cars – all lined up,
Chugging just like so.
Hear our whistle toot-toot-toot
As down and back we go.
Elizabeth Scofield

Activities:

Build an Engine out of Basic Shapes:
Train Engine Cut and Paste



Creative Shapes Trains:
Set out building materials, such as small boxes, short cardboard tubes, margarine tubs, thread spools, egg cartons, yarn, glue, tape and child-safe scissors.
Let your children work together to create a train, using the materials any way they wish.
Extension: Make tracks on the floor with masking tape for the finished train to travel on.

My Shape Train
Give each child a piece of white construction paper. Give the children different colors of construction paper (precut) rectangles and circles. Assist the children in laying the shapes out in a train pattern on their papers. Glue in place.


Snacks:
Enjoy these snacks which use crackers of different shapes.
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