Circle Time – “Sail, Sail, Sail Away”
Begin circle time with Ms. CeCe’s “Sail, Sail, Sail Away” (sing to the children to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”). Sail, sail, sail away, sail away with me. So, let’s begin our sailing voyage. Let’s sail away today.” Next, share The Magic Boat by Kit Pearson, Katherine Farris, and Gabrielle Grimard. New friendships and an old boat set the stage for magical play. “Ellie clutched the side of the boat and closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were on the water. The old boat had turned into a sleek dingy with orange sails.”
Next, rotate the children between—the dramatic play block area and sail-making.
Sail-Boat-Making
Preschoolers cut out their triangles for the sail. (teachers may trace first, and then the children cut out). Sails may be pre-cut for the younger preschooler. Next, the children may use crayons or markers to decorate the sail. Then, the teacher cuts two slits for the sail (to weave in and out of a craft stick or straw).
Dramatic Play | Build-A-Boat
(You will need several egg cartons for the sailboats, lego people, and other loose parts in the block area.) Boat building inspiration? Sail Away, Little Boat by Janet Buell and Jui Ishida. “Join little boat on its search for new friends – a fun, daring trip from beginning to end.” Toy Boat (A 20th Anniversary Encore!) by Randall de Sève and Loren Long. “A little boy had a toy boat. He made it from a can, a cork, a yellow pencil, and some white cloth. The boy loved the boat and they were never apart.” My Blue Boat, by Chris Demarest. “I dance with whales and play tag with dolphins.” Sail Away, written and illustrated by Donald Crews. “A perfect day for sailing…..Sails up…..Whoosh! Winds up…..Sail Away. Sail away through the day.” The ABC’s of Sailing by Allison Hynes. Sailing terms from A to Z. Maisy’s Sailboat (Part of the Maisy Series) by Lucy Cousins. “What a great day! Three Cheers for Captain Maisy!” Little Sailboat, written and illustrated by Lois Lenski, and first published in 1937, is full of fun boating facts.
(Boating books are displayed on a block shelf readily in reach of curious preschoolers.)
Build-A-Boat-Bite
After this, children spoon fresh fruit from a large bowl into eco-friendly bowls. Children may place their sail in their fruit bowl, creating a— sail-away-snack! A photo of each child with their build-a-boat sail-away-snack would be a fun memory of a sail-away-day.
Music and Movement – Ms. CeCe’s “We Sailed Away Today”
Then, sing “We Sailed Away Today” (to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”). Lead the children around the circle, stopping and naming the first child. Sailed away, sailed away, we sailed away today. What was your favorite part of the day, my friend (Child’s first name)? Continue around the circle, stopping and naming each child.
To conclude, share boating books from the block corner as time allows.