Super FunColor, Do & ReadWith PBS 45 & 49

Arthur Color, Do & ReadTheme: Storytelling

What’s Going on in the Picture?Materials:

• A storybook that’s mostly pictures

1. Choose a book that’s not very familiar to the children.2. Show the children the pictures in the book without reading the words to them.3. The second time you show them the pictures, have them tell you their version of the story.4. You can emphasize that there are many ways to tell a story.

From the Mister Rogers’ Plan & Play Book, Family Communications, Inc., used with permission.

Our Daycare NewspaperMaterials:

• Large sheets of paper (plain shelf paper will do)• Markers• A newspaper

1. Show the children a newspaper and see if they can tell you about it. Ask them what newspapers tell us.2. Cut the large paper into smaller sheets. Fold them over to make the newspaper pages.3. Ask the children what they think should be included in the newspaper. You might want to include the day’s menu,

activities, and weather.4. Have the children draw pictures for the newspaper as you write down what they say about the pictures.5. Help them to stack and fold the pages to resemble a newspaper.6. Have it available for parents to look at when they come to pick up their children.

From the Mister Rogers’ Plan & Play Book, Family Communications, Inc., used with permission.

Read a related book• The Snowman By Raymond Briggs• Amazing Grace By Mary Hoffman• Baby Bop Pretends By Mary Ann Dudko• It Looked Like Split Milk By Charles Shaw• Abuela By Arthur Dorros• Look! Look! Look! By Tana Hoban• Frances Facemaker: A Going to Bed Book By William Cole• Where the Wild Things Are By Maurice Sendak• Three Billy Goats Gruff By Ellen Appleby• The Fisherman and His Wife By Margot Zemach

Barney Color, Do & ReadTheme: Friendship

Body TracingMaterials:

• Butcher paper• Crayons, markers or pencils

1. Have one child lie face up on paper, while the other child traces the child lying down.2. Encourage the children to trade places.3. After both children have been traced, have the children color the tracings, adding facial features, hair, clothing,

and so on.

From the Mister Rogers’ Plan & Play Book, 1998, Family Communication, Inc., used with permission.

Friendship PictureMaterials:

• Pictures of the children with their friend• Construction paper• Various art materials

1. Take a picture of each child with a friend.2. Make two copies.3. Give one to each child.4. Have the children make a special frame out of construction paper and art supplies.5. Display the pictures in a special place.

From the Mister Rogers’ Plan & Play Book, 1998, Family Communication, Inc., used with permission.

Read a related book• The Faithful Friend By Robert D. San Souci• Big Sister, Little Brother By Terry Berger• Little Blue and Little Yellow By Leo Lionni• Barney’s Friends By Margie Larsen• Do You Want to Be My Friend? By Eric Carle• Corduroy By Don Freeman

Between the LionsColor, Do & Read

Theme: Families

Family FlagMaterials:

• Magazines• Large piece of paper• Felt• Fabric squares• Crayons, markers, glitter, etc.• Scissors• Stick or ruler

1. Have the children cut out pictures that remind them of special times they have had with their families.2. Glue the pictures to a large piece of paper.3. Encourage the children to decorate their family flags.4. Attach the stick or ruler to the flag.5. Let the flags fly high for everyone to see.

From Barney’s Watch, Play & Learn, 1998, Lyrick Studios, used with permission.

Family QuiltMaterials:

• Wallpaper scraps• Large sheet of paper• Glue• Non-toxic paint

1. Have the children cut squares from the wallpaper scraps.2. They can glue the squares to the large piece of paper to make their quilt.3. Allow children to add names or pictures to their quilts.4. Display the quilts and talk about family heirlooms.

Adapted from Barney’s Watch, Play & Learn, 1998, Lyrick Studios, used with permission.

Read a related book• The Big Big Sea By Martin Waddell• On Mother’s Lap By Ann Herbert Scott• Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti By Anna Hines• Abuela’s Weave By Omar Castaneda• Mama Zooms By J. Cowen-Fletcher• All Kinds of Families By Norma Simon• The Patchwork Quilt By Valerie Flournoy• Big Sister, Little Brother By Terry Berger• Families Are Different By Nina Pelligrini

Caillou Color, Do & ReadTheme: The Five Senses

Mystery ScentMaterials:

• Empty baby food jars• Scented items (garlic, cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa, coffee, lemon juice, baby lotion, etc.)

1. Blindfold a child.2. Offer an open jar for him/her to sniff.3. Have the child guess what is in each jar.4. Repeat for each child.5. If the child likes the smell, ask him/her to relate it to foods or experiences.

Letter BagMaterials:

• A pillow case or bag• Small objects that begin with the same letter

1. Fill a bag with small objects. The objects should all begin with the same letter.2. Have each child reach in the bag and describe each object.3. Challenge the children to find more objects that begin with the same letter.

From Barney’s Watch, Play & Learn, 1998, Lyrick Studios, used with permission.

Read a related book• Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? By Bill Martin, Jr.• The Listening Walk By Paul Showers• I Hear By Rachel Isadora• I See By Rachel Isadora• Good-Night, Owl! By Pat Hutchins• See, Hear, Touch, Taste, Smell It Newbridge Books• My Five Senses By Aliki• Smelling By Richard L. Allington• A Tasting Party By Jane Moncure• Touch and Read By Tiziano Sclavi

Clifford Color, Do & ReadTheme: Pets

Guess the PetMaterials:

• None

1. Give clues that describe different kinds of pets.2. Act out simple movements and actions.3. Repeat with many kinds of pets.4. Have the children think of a pet and act out some clues for the other children.

From Barney’s Watch, Play & Learn, 1998, Lyrick Studios, used with permission.

If I Had a PetMaterials:

• Paper• Crayons or markers

1. Ask the children if they have pets, and ask them to describe their pets. If they do not have a pet, ask what kind of petthey would like to have. Ask: How many legs does it have? Does it have fur? Is it big or little? Where would itsleep? What does it eat?

2. Have the children draw their pets. See if they can come up with names for their pets.3. Write the name of the pet on the bottom of the picture.

From the Mister Rogers’ Plan & Play Book, 1998, Family Communication, Inc., used with permission.

Read a related book• B.J. and Scooter By Mary Ann Dudko• Can I Keep Him? By Steven Kellogg• Guinea Pigs Don’t Read Books By Colleen Stanley Bare• Let’s Get a Pet By Harriet Ziefert• Millions of Cats By Wanda Gag• Pet Show By Ezra Jack Keats• I Love Guinea Pigs By Dick King Smith• Tight Times By Barbara Hazen• Best Friends By Steven Kellogg

CliffordTHE BIG RED DOG

Dragon TalesColor, Do & Read

Theme: New Experiences

Food TastingMaterials:

• Kiwi• Mango• Pineapple• Sugar Cane• Coconut• Plantain

1. Explain that different countries are known for different foods.2. Discuss that kiwi is from Australia, mango comes from the Caribbean, pineapple is grown in Hawaii, coconut comes

from Hawaii and the Caribbean, and Africa grows sugar cane and plantain.3. Encourage the children to try these exotic fruits.4. Have the children describe how they taste.

From Barney’s Watch, Play & Learn, 1998, Lyrick Studios, used with permission.

An Airplane RideMaterials:

• Boxes or chairs• Tote bag or small suitcases

1. Ask the children if they have ever been on an airplane. What was it like? Where did they go?2. Encourage the children to play as if they were going on an airplane ride. Discuss where they should put their luggage

and how they should sit.3. Allow them to create their own trip.

From the Mister Rogers’ Plan & Play Book, 1998, Family Communications, Inc., used with permission.

Read a related book• Bread, Bread, Bread By Ann Morris• The Fire Station By Michael Martchenko• Flying By Donald Crews• Arthur Babysits By Marc Brown• The Leaving Morning By Angela Johnson• A Tasting Party By Jane Moncure

Mister RogersColor, Do & Read

Theme: Feelings

If Anger Were A…Materials:

• Paper• Crayons• Markers

1. Ask the children each of these questions one at a time and give them plenty of time to respond:• If anger were a sound, what would it sound like?• If anger were a color, what color would it be?• If anger were an animal, what animal would it be?• If anger were the weather, what would it be like?• If anger were a size, what size would it be?

2. Ask the children to draw their answer to this last question: If anger were a face, what would it look like?

From Learn Along With Lamb Chop Activity Guide, 1994, Shari Lewis Enterprises, Inc.

“I Feel Good” BookMaterials:

• Paper• Stapler• Markers• Crayons• Magazines• Glue

1. Have the children draw or glue a picture of something on a piece of paper that makes them happy.2. The children should be encouraged to think of as many things as they can.3. Have the children create one page per item.4. Write why the thing makes them happy at the bottom of every page.5. Turn the pages into a “happy” book.

Provided with permission from Reading Rainbow: A Guide for Teachers.

Read a related book• I Love You as Much… By Laura Krauss Melmed• The Kissing Hand By Audrey Penn• Mean Soup By B. Everitt• I Was So Mad! By Norma Simon• Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very

Bad Day By Judith Viorst• Ira Sleeps Over By Bernard Waber• Feelings By Aliki

• Sometimes I Feel Likea Mouse: A BookAbout Feelings ByJean Modesitt

• The Old Dog ByCharlotte Zolotow

• Chrysanthemum ByKevin Henkes

Sagwa Color, Do & ReadTheme: Diversity

Different and the Same FansMaterials:

• Strips of colored construction paper• Hole punch• Brass fasteners (one per student)• List of questions

1. Prepare a list of at least 10 questions to ask the class. Here are some examples: Who speaks a different language athome? Who is learning how to play an instrument? Who likes peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Who has a dog?Who likes to go fishing?

2. Have each colored strip of construction paper represent each question. You may need several strips of the samecolor.

3. Ask the first question. If the child answers yes to the question, give him/her a colored strip of paper.4. Continue asking the questions and have the children collect their colored strips.5. After all of the questions have been answered, have each child stack his/her strips. Punch a hole in one end and

fasten the stack together with a brass fastener. Spread the strips out to make a fan.6. Discuss how many students have the same colors in their fans. The fans show how sometimes we are different and

sometimes we are the same.

From Different and the Same Teacher’s Guide, Family Communications, Inc., used with permission.

Looks Can Be DeceivingMaterials:

• A variety of bags (pretty gift bags, lunch sacks, grocery bags, trash bags, etc.)• A variety of familiar items (a popular toy, a well-liked snack, a spoon, an unappealing vegetable, a sock, etc.)

1. Place one item per bag, making sure there is no relationship between the appearance of the bag and its contents.2. Have the children select a bag they think they’d like to open.3. When the bags are opened and the contents revealed, lead a discussion about how they might have been fooled when

they “jumped to conclusions” about the appearance of the bag. Talk about how we sometimes do that with people.4. Remind the children of this activity the next time someone “jumps to conclusions.”

From Different and the Same Teacher’s Guide, Family Communications, Inc., used with permission.

Read a related book• Red Dancing Shoes By Denise Lewis Patrick• Mama Do You Love Me? By Barbara M. Joosse• On the Go By Ann Morris• Bread, Bread, Bread By Ann Morris• Hats, Hats, Hats By Ann Morris• Shoes, Shoes, Shoes By Ann Morris• Potluck By Anne Shelby• Faces By Shelley Rotner and Ken Kreisler• People By Peter Spier

Sesame StreetColor, Do & Read

Theme: ABCs

Letter RubbingMaterials:

• Scissors• Large pieces of newsprint or large plain paper• Broken crayons with the wrappers removed• Pre-cut letters of the alphabet made from poster board or cardboard

1. Select a letter, put it on a flat surface and place a piece of newsprint or paper over the letter.2. Using the side of the crayon, rub over the paper, pressing hard until an image of the letter appears.3. Try this with several letters, or write a word by placing letters next to one another and rubbing an entire word.

From the Mister Rogers’ Plan and Play Book, 1991, Family Communications Inc., used with permission.

Alphabet CollageMaterials:

• 26 index cards with one letter of the alphabet printed on each• Magazines• Scissors• Glue• A roll of cash register receipt paper

1. Let each child choose an index card with a favorite letter.2. Using the cards as references, ask the child to cut or tear out that same letter from a magazine.3. Glue the letter to the receipt paper.4. Choose another index card to use for reference in finding another letter.5. Hang the tape with the collage of letters around the room and invite the children to name as many of the letters as

they can.

Read a related book• The Guinea Pig ABC By Kate Duke• A My Name is Alice By Jane Bayer• Farm Alphabet Book By Jane Miller• We Read: A to Z By Donald Crews• My First ABC of Animals By Fiammetta Dogi• Black and White Rabbit’s ABC By Alan Baker• A to Z Picture Book By Gyo Fujikawa• 26 Letter and 99 Cents By Tana Hoban• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom By Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault• The Folks in the Valley: A Pennsylvania Dutch ABC By Jim Aylesworth

TeletubbiesColor, Do & Read

Theme: Colors

Sun CatchersMaterials:

• Colored glue• Wax paper• String• Scissors

1. Give each child a piece of wax paper to fold in half.2. Invite the children to use their fingers to draw designs with colored glue on the wax paper. Apply the glue heavily.3. Set the papers aside to dry.4. When the paper is dry, the colored design can be peeled off the wax paper.5. Tie strings through the designs and hang them in a window.

From Using PTV Pointers With Early Learners, WGTE Public Broadcasting, used with permission.

Color TelescopeMaterials:

• Toilet paper tubes or paper towel tubes• Colored cellophane• Rubber band

1. Have colored shapes of cellophane spread out on a table.2. Have the children choose one color to put on the end of a paper tube.3. The children can secure the cellophane by using the rubber band.4. Have the children look at different objects through the different colors.5. Encourage the children to add different colors to their telescopes.6. Discuss primary and secondary colors.

From Barney’s Watch, Play & Learn, 1998, Lyrick Studios, used with permission.

Read a related book• All the Colors of the Earth By Sheila Hamanaka• Freight Train By Donald Crews• Little Blue and Little Yellow By Leo Lionni• Who Said Red? By Mary Serfoza• Brown Cow, Green Grass, Yellow, Mellow Sun By Ellen Jackson• Mouse Paint By Ellen Stoll Walsh• Colors of the Day By Ruth Gembicki Bragg• My Many Colored Days By Dr. Seuss• Red Day, Green Day By Edith Kunhardt• Elmer By David McKee

Elmo Color, Do & ReadTheme: Music and Movement

Musical JarsMaterials:

• Five or six glass jars• Pitcher of water• Spoons or pencils

1. Have the children pour water into the jars, pouring different amount in each jar.2. Ask the children to tap the jars with a pencil or spoon. What happens?3. Let the children take turns tapping the jars to make different sounds.4. Ask the children about the different sounds they hear.5. Encourage the children to match the sounds they hear with their voices or to make up a song.

From the Mister Rogers’ Plan & Play Book, 1998, Family Communications, Inc., used with permission.

Painting to MusicMaterials:

• Paper• Non-toxic paint• Items for painting (paintbrushes, noodles, fingers, sponges, feathers, etc.)

1. Encourage the children to listen to the music and think about how it makes them feel.2. Have them paint to the music and the feeling it gives them.3. Remind them that everyone’s painting will be different because each person will have different feelings

about the music.4. Display the paintings for everyone to see.

From the Mister Rogers’ Plan & Play Book, 1998, Family Communications, Inc., used with permission.

Read a related book• Ben’s Trumpet By Rachel Isadora• Max the Music Maker By Miriam Stecher• Music, Music for Everyone By Vera B. Williams• The Philharmonic Gets Dressed By Karla Kuskin• Clap Your Hands By Lorinda Bryan Cauley• Charlie Parker played be bop By Chris Raschka• Noisy Nora By Rosemary Wells• Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin By Lloyd Moss