The Hare and the Tortoise

Fables and Folktales is a fabulous theme for preschool! The kids and I are enjoying tons of art projects, math games, and beginning literacy activities. Several of our favorites are inspired by The Hare and the Tortoise.

Mother Goose Time  provides wonderful thematic ideas for community challenges, creative art, literacy, and math.

The Hare and the Tortoise inspires learning focused on understanding speed, determination, maps, and time.

Here are four simple, but fun preschool ideas focused on The Hare and the Tortoise.

 

Community Challenge – The Hare and the Tortoise

Do Together

• Read aloud “The Hare and the Tortoise.”
• Sing “If You’re a Hare” to the tune of “Happy and You Know It.”
• Invite children to move their feet quickly or slowly according to each verse.

“If You’re A Hare”

If you’re a hare and you know it,

Quickly run.

If you’re a hare and you know it,

Quickly run.

If you’re a hare and you know it,

Then your speed will surely show it.

If you’re a hare and you know it,

Quickly run.

 

If you’re a tortoise and you know it,

Slowly walk.

If you’re a tortoise and you know it,

Slowly walk.

If you’re a tortoise and you know it,

Then your speed will surely show it.

If you’re a tortoise and you know it,

Slowly walk.

 

Our Experience

A minute into this activity and we had a collision. I had switched from being a tortoise and walking slowly to being a hare and quickly running. My oldest and my  youngest ran right into each other and there were tears. Neither wanted to stop the game. So, we decided to jump slowly and quickly as opposed to running. They enjoyed jumping and singing along for quite some time.

 

Creative Art – Race Map

Discuss

• When might you need a map?

Make

• Invite children to cut out their racing pieces and color as desired.
• Lightly draw the race path with pencil, then trace over the path with crayon.
• Arrange the race pieces on the map.

Play

• Encourage children to set up a race track for the tortoise and the hare.
• Create more objects to place on the map.

Observe

• Did the child explain what the symbols or landmarks on his map represent?
• Did he follow the path that he drew?
• Did he use the materials to help pretend the animals were racing?

**The race map and pieces are provided by Mother Goose Time.

Our Experience

My four year old is maze crazy. He thought this activity was brilliant. He took his sister’s materials and did her maze as well. He presented his finished project to Daddy at dinner. He was so proud of himself for creating his very own maze! Now, he does them all on his own and without prompting. He was never very interested in drawing or writing before, but we seem to have found something that sparks his desire to learn: mazes!

 

Literacy – Coloring Slowly

Discuss and Explore

• Do you like to color quickly or slowly? Why?
• Set out crayons and paper.
• Play a slow song and invite children to draw or color as slowly as they can. Play a fast song and color quickly.

Play Together

• Invite children to write their names on their journals, then slowly color the cover.
• Encourage each child to trace the dotted paths on the back cover to discover where each animal finishes.
• Simplify: Draw or scribble on the journal cover.
• Challenge: Write first and last name on the journal cover.

Observe

• Did the child form the letters of her name?
• Did she hold a writing utensil to color and trace over dotted lines with control?

**”My Little Journals” are provided by Mother Goose Time.

Our Experience

I was surprised how much my kids enjoyed coloring to the beat/tempo of different musical selections. All three of them enjoyed the mazes provided on the back. It was also very interesting to see what the kids drew. My son who typically does more abstract art, drew a tree and flowers when drawing according to tempo, whereas my daughter who often draws more realistic artwork focused more on color and filling the space. The kids loved the mazes provided on the back of the My Little Journal.

 

Table Top Math – Finish Line

Set Up

Cut out the pieces and place them on the Board.

Set out the die on the table.

Independent Play

Encourage children to take turns rolling the die and moving their pieces along the paths.

Continue playing until everyone crosses the finish line.

Clear the board and play again.

Observe

Did the child count up to 6 and move his game piece the same amount of spaces?

Did he have to count the dots on the die each time or did he recognize the amount without counting?

**The die and board game and pieces are provided by Mother Goose Time.

Our Experience

My kids continue to love the games provided by Mother Goose Time. This one like many others is simple enough for them to play on their own. I have left it set up in the back room on the game table and have “caught” them playing several times. I love how effortless games like this one make it to “teach” math and counting.

 

More Math and More Literacy

Since we officially have a kindergartner this year, we are starting to work more on math and literacy.

Mother Goose Time makes this easy by offering optional kindergarten level literacy and math booklets that complement each monthly theme!

 

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Happy Learning!