Spring Circle Time with Ms. CeCe’s “I’ll Be Taking Off My Hat and Mittens!”
Begin the spring lesson with children wearing their hats and mittens—or with magical pretending! Sing Ms. CeCe’s “I’ll Be Taking Off My Hat and Mittens!” (Sing to “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain”) I’m wearing my hat and mittens, yes I am! I’m wearing my hat and mittens, yes I am! I’m wearing my hat and mittens. I’m wearing my hat and mittens. I’m wearing my hat and mittens, yes I am! Spring will be here very soon. Yes, spring will be here very soon. Yes, spring will be here, spring will be here. Yes, spring will be here very soon. I’m taking off my hat, yes I am! (children remove hats) I’m taking off my hat, yes I am! I’m taking off my hat, yes I’m taking off my hat. I’m taking off my hat, yes I am! I’m taking off my mittens, yes I am! I’m taking off my mittens, yes I am! I’m taking off my mittens, I’m taking off my mittens, I’m taking off my mittens, yes I am! Spring will be here very soon. Yes, spring will be here very soon. Spring will be here, spring will be here. Yes, spring will be here very soon. (Repeat)
Spring Story Time
Next, preview spring by sharing When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek. “Spring Comes with sun and it comes with rain. And more rain and more rain. Do you like mud? Do you like puddles? I hope you like umbrellas.”
How Do You See Spring?
After that, How do you see spring? Let’s create spring with our friends! (Roll out paper on tables in the classroom.) Add crayons or markers.
Spring Salad and Healthy Vinaigrette (serves 8)
Next, rotate the classroom—While one group of children creates a salad and dressing, the other children are in centers or free play. Finally, all the children gather for a snack to taste their spring salad!
CeCe’s Spring Salad
- 9 cups lettuce
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (thawed)
- 9 clementines (one for each child to peel)
Healthy Citrus Vinaigrette
http://www.theharvestkitchen.com/healthy-citrus-vinaigrette/
- 3-1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest (you may decide to pre-zest!)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or honey)
- 2/3 cup light olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
- Place all ingredients in an air-tight container and shake, or whisk ingredients in a bowl with a wire wisk.
Gathering Time
Close the lesson with an invitation to gather together and move. Read Rachel’s Day in the Garden: A Kids Yoga Spring Colors Book by Giselle Shardlow. More inspiration? http://www.kidsyogastories.com