Activities

Alphacaper Starter Preschool activities contained in this handbook correspond with the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework. Activities identify the domain, the domain element and indicator to which the activities apply. Stars are visible on activities that correspond with legislatively mandated early learning outcomes.

Starter activities are identified by title and the grade level to which they are developmentally appropriate. The activity type identifies the lesson as either an individual, small or large group activity. Starter activities identify learning objectives and in some cases the vocabulary specific to the learning objectives.

The Activity page lists the number of capes and specific patches needed for a particular activity. When additional materials are needed to implement the activity or props are recommended to enhance children’s learning experience, the information will be located under Additional props or materials.

The Activity Preparation section provides teachers with readiness suggestions or shortcuts to use under time constraints. Group activities include a Choreograph; a visual overview of the floor plan and movement patterns in an activity. In the Choreographs, the circle denotes the rug or place where the group meets.

Next to the Choreograph is a Choreographic Description of the activity. Once the stage has been set, the viewing audience seated and the Capers in position, the activity in action is described under Orchestration.

The last 2 components in the Alphacapers activity plan include recommendations for Closing the activity and Variations on the Activity Theme; suggesting ways in which a new activity can spring from the existing activity format.

Notes:

Music and Alphacapers: Many teachers have effectively used music while conducting Alphacaper activities. For instance one teacher plays a letter song while the children look for a lower case letter to match the upper case letter they are wearing.

In the next few weeks we will develop web page that covers this topic and provides links to sources and products that are available on the internet. Until then I will list musical web site that we have linked with.

www.kimboed.com Kimbo Educational is the #1 children's music company publishing music and movement CDs and DVDs for children