January Centers

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Snowball Estimation—Prior to the students visiting the center, purchase some "glittery" white pom-poms of varying sizes. Place them into three separate baggies, and label the baggies A, B, and C. When a child visits the center, he/she will estimate the number of “snowballs” that they believe are in each of the baggies. They will record their guesses onto their recording sheet. They will then count the number of “snowballs” found in each of the baggies, and record that number onto their recording sheet.

South Pole Numbers—This center was fun to create! Take pieces of Styrofoam and break them into chunks to resemble icebergs. Next, write a different number on each of several address labels, and wrap it around a craft stick to create a flag. Place the icebergs into a shallow tray of water (or sensory table), along with a supply of penguins (I made penguins using pom-poms, felt, and wiggle eyes; however, you can paint Lima Beans and use those instead). When a child visits the center, he/she will identify the number found on each of the flags. They will then place that number of penguins onto the iceberg. A colleague of mine did the reverse: she glued the penguins on the iceberg and had the students count them and stick in the appropriate flag.

“Paws”-itively Fun—Prior to the students visiting the center, copy the paw print pattern onto white cardstock; then laminate it for durability. Next, place it in a container with baggies of the following items: unifix cubes, paperclips, pennies, blank index cards (icebergs), and cotton balls. Have the students measure the polar bear paw using the non-standard measurement tools. They can record the results of their findings onto their recording sheet.

Penguin Numbers—For this activity, I bought penguin cut-outs from the teacher store, laminated them, and then put the number (we are working on 0-15) on the belly with a Sharpie marker. When the students visit the center, they identified the number found on the penguin belly, and then placed that number of goldfish onto its belly (like they were gobbled up!). If you wanted to get more elaborate, you could make penguins out of small tissue boxes, and they could actually "feed" the penguin by putting the goldfish into the penguins mouth (the opening in the tissue box).

Number Word Snowmen/Snowball Count and Toss—Gather 10 small, round baskets. Use packing tape to place a snowman cut out on each. Then write a number word onto each of the snowmen. Place all of the items at a center. When a child visits the center, he/she will read the number word on each of snowman, and toss that number of snowballs (small Styrofoam balls, cotton balls, etc.) into the basket.

Snowball Scoops—Prior to the start of this activity, choose several different items to use as "scoops" (measuring cups, large spoons, large drinking cups, mugs, etc.). Label each of the scoops with a color coding label. Place the "scoops" at a center, along with a container filled with cotton balls (snow), and a recording sheet. Then allow the students to experiment with capacity. First, they will record the scoop used on their recording sheet by coloring the space the same color as the color coding label. Next, they will predict the number of snowballs that their scoop will hold. Then, they will fill their scoop with snowballs. Finally, they will count the number of snowballs in their scoop and record it onto their recording sheet.

Mitten Measurement—Prior to the beginning of this activity, collect several different wintry objects: hat, coat, boots, shovel, sled, scarf, etc. Place the items at a center along with a collect on mittens (real mittens or cut outs). When a child visits the center, he/she will measure use the mittens to measure each of the items. They will record how many mittens long each of the objects is onto their recording sheet.

Snowball Addition—the students will mini-marshmallows (snowballs) to solve the addition problems on their paper. Once they have completed them all correctly they may eat their marshmallows.

Shapely Snowflakes—The students will use the pattern blocks to fill in the snowflake patterns. They will then color the snowflakes to show which color pattern block was used.

Snowman Buttons—Prior to beginning this activity, gather a supply of snowman cut outs or create your own from cardstock. Then, label each of the snowman's hats with a number. Place the snowmen along with a supply of buttons at a center. The students will get out each of the snowmen from the tub. They will work together to place the number of buttons, indicated by the number word on the broom, onto each of the snowmen. When they have completed that part of the activity, the students will clean up the buttons, and complete the follow up paper.

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Insulation Mitts—Prior to the students visiting this center, you will have to create several different insulation mitts. To create an insulation mitt, fill a gallon size zip-lock baggie with one of the following: rice, shortening, newspaper, feathers, aluminum foil, packing peanuts, cotton balls, or sand. Then place a quart size bag inside out inside of the gallon one and seal them together. Reinforce the connected areas with duct tape, and also close off the openings on the end. Place the insulation mitts, along with a cooler filled with ice at your science center. When a student visits the center, he/she will decide which type of insulation keeps their hand the warmest. They will test the mitt out by placing their hand inside of it, and then placing it into the cooler. If their hand stays warm they will draw a happy face on their recording sheet; if their hand gets cold, they will draw a sad face on their recording sheet.

Sink or Float?—The students will test a variety of objects to see whether they sink or float. They will sort they objects onto a graph according to these properties.

Waterproof Feathers—The students will see the recording sheet at the center for directions on how to complete this activity. They will follow the directions, and record their findings on their sheet. The students are to place their feathers onto a cookie sheet for the experiment.

Weighty Water—The students will complete a science experiment. The student will see which weighs more: water or ice. To complete this experiment the students will pour a cup of water into the balance. They will then put in unifix cubes until the balance is even. They will count the number of cubes that it took, and record it on their recording sheet. The students will then fill the cup with ice and put the ice into the balance. They will then put unifix cubes into the balance until it is even. They will count the cubes, and record. They will then circle which weighed more: water or ice.

Melt An Ice Cube Game—The students will each get an ice cube. They will place it on a paper plate. Each child rolls a die in turn and follows the directions to try to be the first one to melt his cube (you will have to add on the numbers for the dice--in between the picture and the action).

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Snowman Measure Stick—The students will paint a paint stick with white paint. They will then allow a short time for it to dry. Next, they will cut a hat from felt and glue it onto the head of their snowman. Finally, they will glue on the eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons. The students will put their name on the back of their stick, and the teacher will label them, with inches, when they have finished drying.

Penguin Prints—The students will use the sponges to make penguin prints.

Skiing Penguins —The students will trace the penguin parts onto construction paper. They will then cut them apart, and glue them together. They will use markers to give the penguin added features. Finally, they will add tongue depressors for skis.

Frosty Friends—The students will cut out two or three paper circles from construction paper, and glue them onto a sheet of blue construction paper. They will use permanent markers to add facial features, and clothing. When they are finished they will brush over it with a heavily saturated mix of salt and water. Allow time for it to dry.

Surprising Snowman—The students will use a balloon to create a snowman. The students will press down with more pressure for the bottom, less pressure for the middle, and gently for the head. The students will then use a q-tip to add facial features, and twig arms. They will glue on pieces of cereal for the buttons, and cut a hat and scarf from felt or gift-wrap.

Clorox Painting—The students will use Clorox and Q-Tips to make a drawing of a snowy scene.

Wintry Chalk Pictures—The students will use Chalk on dark colored paper to create a wintry scene.

Mobiles in a Jiffy—The students will choose three different sizes of paper plates. They will then attach the plates using a hole punch and twist ties. The students will then add features to their snowman (eyes, nose, mouth, buttons, arms, hat). They will make a different snowman on each side of the paper plates.

Snowman Sculptures—The students will use the snowy mix to build their own snowman on a small paper plate. Once they have the body for the snowman, they will add the other features (i.e. toothpick arms, button eyes, etc.).

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“Cold Things” List—The students will use the snowman paper to make a list of things that are cold. They may look through the magazines to get ideas, and they may illustrate a picture to go with each of the items that they find.

Water on Chalkboard Writing—The students will take turns drawing word cards from the pile. The student who draws will read the word on the card, and “paint” it onto their chalkboard using water. The students will then write the word as many times as they can before the word disappears. They will repeat this activity multiple times.

–At Family Word Book—The students will use the cubes to roll out different “at” words. They will determine if the word they rolled is a real word; then they will record into their book. They will then illustrate a picture to go with each of their words.

A Penguin Adventure Book—the students will complete the sentence to show what penguin sees on each page of the story. They will then illustrate a picture to go with each of their words.

Snow Writing—The students will place a sheet of dark construction paper onto a cookie sheet. They will spray snow onto the paper. They will then practice writing their sight words into the snow.

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Shoveling Sounds—The students will choose a shovel. They will use their shovel to scoop up the snowflakes whose picture begins or ends with the letter on their shovel. They will put their snowflakes into their matching bucket. When they have finished, they will sort the snowflakes by beginning/ending sounds.

Snowball Spelling— The students will spell the word for each of the picture cards. They will draw a card from the deck, and identify the picture. The students will then spell the words using their snowballs.

Mitten Match-ups—The students will match up the mitten puzzles to make “at” and “an” words.

Snowball Fight—The students will have a snowball fight (they will take turns tossing crumpled up pieces of paper at one another). After all of the balls have been thrown, they will sort them into two piles: hits (the ones that hit them), and misses (the ones that missed them). They will record the words onto their recording sheet. They must then read the words from their sheet; if they can read it they can highlight it, if they cannot read it then they do not highlight it. The child with the most words highlighted is the winner.

Snowman Syllabication/Phoneme Segmentation—The students will first clap out the number of syllables found in each of the words on the chart. They will then place that number of snowballs next to the word. When they have finished, they will clear their board, and they will “bop” out the number of phonemes found in each of the pictures. They will place a snowball on the sheet for each of the phonemes.

Snowman Spelling—We used snowman parts: snowballs (marshmallows) and sticks (pretzel sticks) to build the color words. Then we ate them! You could use this activity to build any words that you are working on!

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Read the Room—Choose item (wand, flyswatter, etc.) and walk around the room touching and reading words.

Looking for Letters—The students will make a list of all the words they find that begin with P, G, F, A, V, and L. They will write them in the column that is under the appropriate letter.

Snowman Hunt—the students will get a clipboard, and a recording sheet. They will walk around the room, and find the snowmen. They will identify the number of snowmen found on each object, and print the number word on their recording sheet.

January Word Hunt—Go on a word hunt. The students will find the words that are listed on the January Word Hunt, and they will highlight them once they have been found.

Find It! Frame It!—the students will get a clipboard, a snowflake frame, and a recording sheet. They will walk around the room and look for the words on their recording sheet. Each time they find one of the words, they will “frame” it, and place a tally mark next to it on their sheet. At the end of center time, they will see which word was “framed” the most.

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Here is our , and how we made it:

Here are our milk jugs. They were stacked up about 6' high at one time behind our cabinet. I started collecting them at the beginning of December, and sent a note home with all of the kindergarten students in the building (around 125 children). I also had donations from several staff members.

This is the frame that my dad built for me using PVC pipe. It was a little short. Next year, it will be taller!

My dad and I worked together to attach the milk jugs. He covered them with hot glue, and I attached them securely in place.

We ran out of milk jugs at this point! I will have to add more now as I get them. Who knew it would take so many milk jugs to build an igloo?

Here is what the finished igloo looked like. It took 212 milk jugs, around 72 large glue sticks, and about 4-6 hours to build this igloo. I wanted to put the tunnel on the front; however, I did not have the room to so. Maybe next year!

The last Friday in January, the kids had igloo demolition day. They LOVED breaking it apart! It took them around two minutes to tear it down. We counted the milk jugs as we bagged them into garbage bags for disposal. They were surprised that to find that there were 212 milk jugs in our igloo! They thought they were going to get to 1,000!