Engage and Introduce

What You Will Need: Rules chart, Journal

• Introduce children to what it means to be ready to learn.  
• Shining Stars: 5 points of readiness (wiggles out, ears on, sitting straight, legs crossed, eyes on me). 
• Shining Star Jingle: "Are your wiggles out?" (“Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle!"), "Are your ears on?" (“Yes, they’re on!"), "Are your legs crossed?" (“Tap, tap, tap!”). Invite children to cross their legs like a pretzel and sit flat on the floor. " Are your eyes on me?" — softly (“Blink, blink, blink” — silently).
• Bible Verse: "Let your light so shine..." – Matthew 5:16

Shining Star Jingle (Are Your Wiggles Out?)

Apply

Teacher: Today we will take a tour of the writing center. Let's talk about all the ways we can be successful in the writing center.

Have a blank journal prepared for each child. They will work in their journal throughout the year. Provide stickers, markers, and crayons and give children time to work to decorate the front cover of their journals at the writing center. Encourage them to draw a picture of themselves, their family, pets, etc. Point out all the ways they are following the rules of the center. "You remembered to ask nicely for the crayon! Great job!" "I liked how you said something nice about your friend's picture! You're remembering to use kind words!"

Assessment

Teacher: Are we supposed to walk in centers? What type of voices should we use while in centers? 

Notice if the children understand the rules that were introduced. 

Closure and Celebrate

It was fun to learn about rules, today. Rules help us have a safe and fun learning environment (remember that environment is another way to say a place where you are). School is your environment for part of the day, and then you go to your home environment. CREATION Kids follow the rules.

CREATION Kids Connections

Focus on only 1 rule at a time. Help children practice that rule until they know it and then add the next rule.

WHAT TO PREPARE FOR NEXT TIME

• 3-year-olds- Ball Balance
• 3-year-olds- Materials Needed: Various sized balls that are around the size of a tennis ball. Some could be a bit smaller or larger but will need to be able to sit on the top of the tube. Paper towel and toilet paper tubes, Baskets or bowls to place balls in, Trays to place the activity on
• 4-year-olds - Give it a Squeeze
• 4-year olds- Materials Needed: Cotton balls, Child-safe tweezers or tongs, Ice cube tray or egg carton