Tapping our own magic table top tree

Fall is finally in full swing around here and I love it. If I could have the beautiful leaves and insects and acorns on the ground at our disposal all year long, I think my students would think it’s heaven! We spend lots of time outdoors collecting, examining, and enjoying items from fall and we also spend time indoors reading books and playing games that are inspired by the wonderful autumn season…

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

One of our latest books that we have read is the fun and interactive book titled “Tap the Magic Tree” by Christie Mathesen. With each turn of the page, there is a call to action such as tapping on each leaf, knocking on the page or blowing on the page. The results of each action are then shown on the next page of the book such as all the leaves turn a new color or fall off the tree…

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

My students all enjoy participating in these call to actions so sometimes they all reach in and tap or blow or shake the book and other times, I select one child to do the tapping or shaking or knocking.  It’s a good idea to read this book on your own first so that you will know how to invite a large group of children to participate

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

After tapping, knocking, and blowing on our interactive book and discovering how the leaves change throughout all four seasons, we went over to the table to essentially retell our story by exploring our own interactive tree…

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

The children found the shape of tree made from tape on our table and two colors of tissue paper leaves. Everyone was given a set of leaves to spread out in front of them. The children were invited to make a leaf pattern if they wanted while they waited for everyone to have a set of leaves to work with…

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

Once everyone had a set of leaves, the children were invited to fill the tree limbs with their leaves…

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

Once our tree was filled with leaves, we talked about what would happen if we tapped the table. Would the leaves move? And then we tapped the table but our leaves didn’t move very much…

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

We tried a little tapping, knocking, and even shook the table but the children easily guessed what would get our leaves to move the best and that was for everyone to blow on them…

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

One really good blow and the leaves flew up and off the tree (and all over the floor).  So we picked the leaves up and tried it again only I couldn’t get anyone to really cooperate at this point – as fast as a leaf landed on the table, someone blew it right back off! LOL!

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

But we were at the end of our day and as the children finished blowing the leaves, they went off to get their back packs ready and it was time to go home.  A super simple way to expand on all the fun action words mentioned in our book right there on our table top tree…

Tapping our own magic table top tree by Teach Preschool

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Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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