Circle Time
Art
Bears and Birdie Make a No Worries Ball
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 7:02 / Activity Meter: 3
In this video, our friends No Worries Bears share some advice on how to stay calm! They offer to teach Nervous Birdie how to make a "no worries ball" to squeeze during times of too much high energy. Follow along to make one of your own! Extended learning: Try making a few using different ingredients in each one and have your child describe the differences in each sensation they feel. This is a very effective way to help children concentrate, relax, and redirect their energy.
Supplies needed: two balloons, a funnel, a chopstick, a spoon, scissors, a jar, 1 cup of dry ingredients (flour, corn starch, lentils, cous-cous, rice, salt)
Counting Clouds
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 7:28 / Activity Meter: 3
In this video we work together to practice counting and pattern making. You can make your very own counting clouds with some printables (see attachment!) that can be cut out, colored, and put together at home to keep the fun going.
Supplies needed: attached printable, markers/crayons/etc, string, tape.
Finger Puppets
with Teacher Lyvette
Runtime: 16:27 / Activity Meter: 3
Coloring these Scary Harry characters is half the fun. After coloring, make them into finger puppets for hours of creative play.
Gallery of Things We Love
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 5:36 / Activity Meter: 3
Birdie is so excited to fill up her new sketchbook, but quickly realizes that she doesn't know what to draw! With a little help from her friends, she is reminded to stick to drawing what she loves. Watch Observational Drawing with Teacher Stephanie to learn how you can make a gallery of things you love at home!
Help Birdie Make a Vegetable Hat
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 20:14 / Activity Meter: 4
In this video, we meet Governor Hubert Mousom of Apartment Land, and Birdie helps him come up with a solution to a problem! Birdie is going to need to make a lot more vegetable hats for her friends, and she would love it if you could help her make one!
Supplies Needed: orange felt, green felt, embroidery floss, a sewing needle, stuffing, scissors, a marker, and a chopstick.
Note: Pull one string out of the embroidery floss at a time to thread the needle wit. This will make the string last longer and fit through the needle!
Homemade Watercolors
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 9:53 / Activity Meter: 4
Go no farther than your own kitchen to make some beautiful watercolors at home! Experiment with foods and spices such as turmeric powder, chili powder, and blueberries. Put a smock on and get creative with these lovely natural pigments!
How to make a Butterfly Crown
with Teacher Genevieve
Runtime: 14:42 / Activity Meter: 3.5
In this video Teacher Genevieve shows you how to make a beautiful monarch butterfly crown! In the process, we will focus on butterfly anatomy and observation-based drawing.
Supplies needed: Butterfly Crown PDF printout, scissors, coloring utensils, and tape or a stapler! Included is the Butterfly Crown PDF and a Monarch reference image.
Link to Monarch Reference Image
How To Make A Nest Without Leaving Your Nest
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 10:38 / Activity Meter: 4
In this video, Teacher Stephanie shows us the importance of helping others who are less fortunate than we are. She demonstrates this by giving her friend Birdie, who lost her home, a new handmade nest. Follow along and make your own nest for a little friend in need, using materials found from around the house!
Supplies needed: thin cardboard, scraps found around the house (plastic, string, food packaging), scissors, and a needle and thread.
How to Make a Paper Flower
with Teacher Genevieve
Runtime: 12:03 / Activity Meter: 4
Learn how to make a paper flower, includes a How-to Hold your Scissors tutorial at the beginning.
supplies needed: paper, a popsicle stick, tape, markers, and scissors.
Making an Optical Illusion Spin Wheel!
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 18:27 / Activity Meter: 5
In this video, Teacher Michael will take you through how to make your own optical illusion spin toy! We will learn a bit about what an optical illusion is and create our own little science experiment with shapes and colors! Try to encourage your child to create their own hypothesis around what they think will happen once their toy begins spinning!
Supplies needed: Paper plate (or white cardstock paper/cardboard), colored pencils/markers, yarn, children’s scissors, a ruler - encourage your little one to measure the diameter of different objects and see if they can find something with a 4” diameter, a pencil, coins, a template to create the 4” circle (The bottom of a candle was used in the video)
Microphone Project
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 4:26 / Activity Meter: 3
Get ready for some arts and crafts! These videos can be used to get ready for RHS Newsroom and Weather station-Next week's DPR. These are fun projects to work on with your little one, but don't forget to set some newspaper down as it can get a little messy.
Supplies needed: a toilet paper roll, a piece of paper, a piece of aluminum foil, paints, paint brushes, markers.
Nature Mandala
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 9:04 / Activity Meter: 3
Follow along with this video to see how a nature mandala is made, and then make your own with objects found on a nature walk, or even in your back yard! Practice pattern making, counting, and creativity while appreciating nature along the way!
Supplies needed: Any small natural objects (flowers, rocks, grass, etc.)
Numbers Project
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 8:24 / Activity Meter: 3
Supplies Needed: recycling cardboard, glue, pencil, cookie cutters or shapes around the house for tracing and your creative imagination.
Observational Drawing
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 11:57 / Activity Meter: 3
Join Teacher Stephanie as she demonstrates how to draw from life. In a time where our activities are limited, it is so important to take the time to appreciate what we have! Children should find a few objects from around the house that give them comfort. This could be a stuffie, a favorite pair of shoes, or even a favorite snack! Observe the shape of the object and try to focus on it while drawing, rather than looking at the paper! Can you make a gallery of things you love, just like Birdie and her friends?
Supplies Needed: 1 piece of paper, drawing tools, and a few things you love from around the house
Painting Without Your Hands
with Teacher Lyvette
Runtime: 13:39 / Activity Meter: 4
For today’s circle the RHS kids will need to wear comfortable clothes they do not mind getting messy in (swimwear is recommended) to participate in today’s challenge. Please check out this link, it showcases mouth and foot artists from all over the world!
Supplies needed: Butcher paper, tape (masking or duct tape), scissors, paint, paper towels or old towels.
Paper Bear Doll Essential Workers Animation
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 1:20 / Activity Meter: 3
Essential workers are helpers in the community who make sure everyone's basic needs are met. Their jobs are extremely important and we all must show these community helpers a lot of appreciation! This video honors our essential workers,
Extended Learning: Create your own Paper Bear Dolls from the print out to play with and act out the different essential jobs they might have!
Rainbow Fish Scene
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 3:39 / Activity Meter: 2
Supplies Needed: Recycling, paints, crayons, markers, glue and imagination.
Snake Puppets
with Teacher Lyvette
Runtime: 6:01 / Activity Meter: 3
Let’s have some fun and practice some fine motor skills. In part two we will be making Ghee Butter Snap finger puppets. Please print out the pdf file attached.
Supplies needed: tape, scissors, colored pens or markers
Texture Rubbings
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 12:17 / Activity Meter: 3.5
In this video, Teacher Michael talks a bit about what textures are and conducts a few science experiments on different textured surfaces to see them come alive on the paper! In this video, Teacher Michael uses newsprint paper (if you are able to get some, it’s the best as it is quite thin though computer paper will work as well) and stripped crayons to make the rubbings on two found leaves from his neighborhood, a pint glass, mason jar, wood, and straw hat. Michael encourages the kids to find objects from around the house and from outside that they think would make interesting images from their rubbings. Part of the fun is to see what happens when we start moving the crayon around!
Video Camera Project
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 7:07 / Activity Meter: 3
Get ready for some arts and crafts! These videos can be used to get ready for RHS Newsroom and Weather station-Next week's DPR. These are fun projects to work on with your little one, but don't forget to set some newspaper down as it can get a little messy.
Supplies needed: a small box (shoe box, puzzle box, etc), a paper towel roll, some paper cups and plate, a coffee filter, tape, paints, paint brushes.
Games
Bowling for Shapes
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 13:12 / Activity Meter: 4
This video will help children practice their shapes and hand eye coordination with a fun game of bowling! Watch the video to identify shapes, count up the tallies, and then make your own bowling alley at home with a bowling pin printable!
Hidden Ball and Cup Game
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 6:18 / Activity Meter: 3
This is a fun, short video to continue your child’s observation powers! Teacher Michael will show your child how the hidden ball and cup game works and, after some practice, will challenge your child to try the game out with their friends and family!
Home Scavenger Hunt
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 8:56 / Activity Meter: 3
A fun game about hunting for materials in your home.
Supplies Needed: Printout sheet, plain paper, (coloring pencils, crayons or markers)
Leprechaun Says
with Teacher Genevieve
Runtime: 17:53 / Activity Meter: 4
Teacher Genevieve reads Leprechaun commands via a magical shamrock tray. Commands include imagination-based activities such as pretend to be your favorite animal, do 5 "I'm a star" jumps, and act like a statue. There are 21 commands total.
Magic Carpet Ride
with Teacher Genevieve
Runtime: 6:45 / Activity Meter: 2
Teacher Genevieve leads guided imaginative journey taking off from San Francisco and exploring among the clouds.
Supplies needed: a makeshift magic carpet (towel, blanket, sheet, pillow, etc),
Table Hockey Game
with Teacher Lyvette
Runtime: 2:58 / Activity Meter: 4
Have fun with a simplified version of table hockey you can create at home!
Supplies needed: Scissors, markers, tape, paper or plastic cups (or any non fragile object that will stand up by itself), and a ball!
What is Teacher Lyvette Drawing?
with Teacher Lyvette
Runtime: 8:56 / Activity Meter: 1
Using skills of observation, try to see if you can guess what is being drawn.
What's Missing Game
with Teacher Lyvette
Runtime: 12:02 / Activity Meter: 1
Be the first one to guess what missing in this age old game of memory.
Learning
54321 SENSES
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 13:35 / Activity Meter: 2
In this video children will practice identifying their senses while using their imaginations to be transported out into the wild and moving their bodies!
Extended learning: This activity can be altered as a calming grounding technique. Have children practice identifying 5 things they see, 4 things they hear, 3 things they smell, 2 things they can touch, and 1 thing they can taste. When children become overwhelmed, focusing on their surroundings can help bring them back to the present moment by bringing attention to their senses.
Alphabet Animals
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 18:25 / Activity Meter: 2
Let's practice our letters with the help of some animal friends! Children can follow along with this video to practice letter recognition. Keep the fun going at home by printing out the included coloring pages and having your child color in the letters and animals! Follow along to part two of this video for some added animal movement!
Circle Time Games
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 9:49 / Activity Meter: 4
Join in on these classic RHS movements and songs.
Classroom rituals, songs and games
with Teacher Lyvette
Runtime: 21:49 / Activity Meter: 2
Join Teacher Lyvette as we sing and play classic RHS songs and games in anticipation of meeting face to face soon in the Russian Hill School classroom and trails!
Flower Talkshow
with Teacher Genevieve
Part 1: Runtime: 5:10 / Activity Meter: 1 / Link to Video
Pink Bunny introduces the flowers in Teacher Genevieve's backyard. The flowers teach us about climate, pollination and other potential uses first the plant. Also starring the special guest, the Honey Bee!
Part 2: Runtime: 8:52 / Activity Meter: 1 / Link to Video
In this next episode of the Flower Talk Show our host Pink Bunny interviews four new plants (Jade Plant, Cineraria, White Ramping Fumitory, and Three Corner Leek) in Teacher Genevieve's backyard! In this episode, we learn about native plants, weeds, foraging, and more.
Four Stories
with Teacher Lyvette
Runtime: 13:50 / Activity Meter: 3
Story #1: The Hairy Toe retold and illustrated by Daniel Postgate The Hairy Toe is a traditional American tale that will keep your children in suspense right up to the surprise twist at the end.
Brain it On! - Questions to ask your kids after the story: What would you do with a hairy toe? A hairy toe is a strange thing to find in a field of beans and it is especially odd to take it home! You can talk about why the woman wanted to keep it: I could wear it on my hair, maybe I should take it to the museum.
How did something lose it’s toe? We don’t know how something was separated from it’s toe. How do you think it happened? Children might imagine all kinds of different things: Maybe a dog thought it was a bone and grabbed it, a bird tried to take it to its nest but it was too heavy.
Tell a story: Children can use the pictures to retell the story. They can make it as scary as possible using howling and loud noises. You can also encourage children to make it silly using silly movement and funny sounds. What made it scary? You can listen to the story again and catch all the things that made it scary or suspenseful.
Story #2: I Know and Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly retold and illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westport A children's rhyme and silly song that tells the nonsensical story of an old woman who swallows increasingly large animals to catch the one previously swallowed. The humour of the song stems from the absurdity that the woman is able to inexplicably and impossibly swallow animals of preposterous sizes.
Brain it On! - Questions to ask your kids after the story. Why did the lady swallow the fly? It’s silly to think a person would swallow a fly willingly. It’s even sillier to think a person would swallow everything else after that: Maybe the old lady swallowed the fly by accident, a real person would not do this.
Try this: Sing the story. Try using different voices for each animal. Play a timing game with the story. Try to remember the animals in order as you sing. Did you get all the animals in order? How long did it take for you to sing the story?
Story #3: If you Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff A sequel to the beloved If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, the young host is again run ragged by a surprise guest. Young readers will delight in the comic complications that follow when a little boy entertains a gregarious moose.
Brain it On! - Questions to ask your kids after the story. -If you were the boy, would you give the mouse each of the things he asks for? -Do you think the mouse was polite or used good manners?
Teaching our children cause and effect, or that every action causes a reaction, is essential in parenting, and one that we often speak of incidentally as we go about our everyday lives: “If you finish your snack then we can leave for the park,” or “If you tidy up your train set then we can get out some play dough.”
How do you think the boy is feeling at the end of the story? Why do you think he feels this way? Understanding cause and effect helps children recognize relationships between two events, and that each of our behaviors and actions has an effect, not only on ourselves, but also on the people in our lives and our environment. What we do (or don’t do) matters! It's an important lesson in personal responsibility.
Can you think of another example of cause and effect? You might prompt your child with a thought starter such as, “If I don’t try to go to the bathroom before a long car ride, then…,” if they are having a hard time thinking of another example.
Story #4: Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne
Brain it On! - Questions to ask your kids after the story. Which animal took what?
Activity: Words and pictures game Together you can draw pictures of fruits and animals on one set of cards and then write the names of each one on separate cards. Then match the words to the pictures.
Fruits v. Vegetables
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 16:50 / Activity Meter: 2
What is the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?? Find out in this video and help Teacher Stephanie sort her produce!
Extended Learning:
-Print either the Fruit and Vegetable coloring sheets or the pre-colored sheets and cut them out to play along at home
-Draw your own fruits and vegetables that are missing from the coloring sheets
-Practice writing and spelling the words fruit and vegetable
-Identify the fruits and vegetables in your next meal or snack!
Germs Experiment
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 1:42 / Activity Meter: 2
A demonstration of how germs are removed from hands with soap.
Supplies Needed: 2 bowls, soap, water, black pepper
Homemade Bread
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 11:56 / Activity Meter: 4
A step by step guide to making bread in a bag.
- Supplies Needed: check attached recipe printout *
Homemade Ice Cream
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 9:13 / Activity Meter: 3
A step by step guide to making ice cream in a bag. It is helpful to watch it first before trying.
Life skills: Sorting and Organizing Socks
with Teacher Alex
Runtime: 13:30 / Activity Meter: 4
Let's turn laundry days into a fun activity for the kids! Sorting and organizing socks is a great way to teach children responsibility and chores around your home.
In this video, children will learn strategies on how to organize their own socks. We will learn how to categorize them by color and size, and then match them up together. Their fine motor skills will also get challenged by creating a "cinnamon roll" with a matching pair of socks.
Life Skills: Folding Clothes
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 18:44 / Activity Meter: 2
In this video, we will be learning how to fold Pillow Cases, Shorts, Pants, and T-Shirts! The video will progress in that order, so do your best to have the items easily accessible as we go through each item. Teacher Michael will give prompts to pause the video in order to prepare for the next item of clothing.
Measurement Experiment
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 12:32 / Activity Meter: 2
Welcome to the laboratory! Put on your lab coat and get ready for an experiment where we explore volume through observation and comparison of various liquids! How similar or different are they? Lets investigate!
Off to Peru!
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 19:39 / Activity Meter: 4
Circle Time is in the RHS Classroom today! We jump into this week's DPR, "Off To Peru," by learning about weaving which remains an important part of Peruvian culture. Next we play a game identifying which animals live in Peru's three regions; Is it the ocean, rainforest, or the mountains? Lastly, we create a movement for all our animals.
Reptiles v Amphibians
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 11:25 / Activity Meter: 2
In this video we will learn about reptiles and amphibians and how we can tell them apart! After we learn about the differences between them, we will play a game where we try to guess which animal fits into which category! Follow along with Teacher Stephanie's printable Reptile and Amphibian coloring sheets and color and cut them out to play on your own!
Extended learning:
-Play with the cutouts and have them tell a story
-Choose one reptile and one amphibian to meet and teach one another about their different lifestyles
-Sort the animals into different categories (legs/ no legs, color, etc)
-Draw a picture of an amphibian's journey from water to land
Supplies needed: printout, colored pencils / crayons / markers
RHS Calendar
with Teacher Hend
Part 1: Runtime: 3:52 / Activity Meter: 1 / Link to Video
Part 2: Runtime: 12:16 / Activity Meter: 1 / Link to Video
Part 3: Runtime: 3:24 / Activity Meter: 1 / Link to Video
Part 4: Runtime: 9:41 / Activity Meter: 1 / Link to Video
Part 5: Runtime: 3:37 / Activity Meter: 1 / Link to Video
Going over the dates, days of the week and months, as well as singing songs about the days of the week and months.
Snake Fun
with Teacher Lyvette
Runtime: 7:47 / Activity Meter: 2
A special guest will be joining teacher Lyvette for today’s circle. Do you think you can guess who it is before the guest comes out?
Spanish Colors
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 7:23 / Activity Meter: 2
Ready to keep practicing your Spanish? In this video we talk about colors and learn a song that uses words in Spanish and English! You'll be fluent in no time!
Extended Learning: Print out the attached pages and have your child fill in and cut out the color splashes for some extra fine motor practice! Please find supporting materials attached.
Spanish Numbers
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 16:15 / Activity Meter: 2
Time to practice our numbers! In this video we focus on the numbers 1-10 first in English, and then in Spanish with a song we sing together! Get your hands and fingers ready for some clapping, waving, and wiggling!
Spelling and Counting in the Kitchen
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 3:25 / Activity Meter: 2
this video is a stop motion, made to excite your child about counting and spelling using fruits and vegetables! Bananas, cucumbers, clementines, lemons, and chickpeas are the stars of the show, but you can play at home with whatever is being served up!
Springtime Northern Californian Bird Calls
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 9:28 / Activity Meter: 2
In this video, Teacher Stephanie will teach us about some of the most prevalent bird calls heard during springtime in the Bay Area! Test your ears and your memory and try to name that bird call!
Extended Learning: Create your own pair of binoculars out of a paper towel roll and do some bird watching outside!
Static Electricity
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 8:07 / Activity Meter: 3
It's time for another science experiment! Join me as we explore the effects of static electricity, it’ll have your hair standing up! You don’t even need a laboratory--you can try these experiments right at home!
Materials needed: Balloon, blanket or cloth, small cut up pieces of paper, empty aluminum can
Syllables
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 14:08 / Activity Meter: 2
In this video, the children will begin to learn how to understand and use syllables in words. Teacher Michael will mostly use clapping, stomping, etc to help show how syllables work, with one exception when he uses two sticks. Please have two sticks ready (Teacher Michael used two wooden spatulas) for making syllable sounds. You can all use any variety of materials to play along with Teacher Michael throughout the video! After watching the video, encourage your child to practice learning and understanding their syllables using any variety of instruments or materials you may find in the house to promote more active and fun learning. Ask them if they can think of a word with 1, 2, 3, or more syllables! Give them an occasional pop quiz and ask how many syllables, for example, "Mom" or "Grandpa" has!
Tying Shoes
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 6:37 / Activity Meter: 2
This video will help children learn how to tie their shoes! Follow along for the first half of the video, then pull your own shoes out and practice for the second half!
Supplies needed: Shoes!
Movement
Animal Movements
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 11:17 / Activity Meter: 4
Want some more alphabet fun? Follow along with this video and get ready to move your body as we do some animal movements! But the fun doesn't stop there- with each animal movement we count higher and higher until we get all the way to 100!
Cardi-O B: Hip-hop inspired cardio
with Teacher Alex
Runtime: 17:34 / Activity Meter: 5
Move your body and learn fun and simple hip-hop inspired choreography with Teacher Alex. The children will learn the importance of physical fitness and eating a balanced diet in relation to their academic journey. You are guaranteed to laugh with silly dance instructions and learn the confidence you need to be a dancer.
The activity is set to instrumental music of Cardi B's hit song "I Like It". Don't forget to drink plenty of water and wear a fun dancing outfit that will enhance your dancing performance.
Creative Movement: Ghostbusters
with Teacher Alex
Runtime: 26:34 / Activity Meter: 5
Bring out your homemade "Proton Pack" to catch ghosts while we dance to Ray Parker Jr.'s 80's classic, "Ghostbusters".
Children will learn how to make a homemade "Proton Pack" using any empty backpack and other unconventional items, in the comfort of their pajamas or onesies.
We will also explore our gross motor skills by then doing a step by step instruction on how to do simple moves to dance to the tune of the "Ghostbusters" song. This activity is also fun to do as a family, and a great form of exercise at home.
Make sure to drink lots of water and eat a healthy breakfast!
Children's Polka
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 11:15 / Activity Meter: 5
Learn how to do the Children’s Polka with Teacher Michael. In this video, he will break down each step in the dance in a way that will have your kids pros in no time! Grab a friend and get ready for some happy movement!! If you are interested in exploring the dance outside of the video, Teacher Michael suggests dancing to the song “Muziky Muziky Polka” by Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen, as it is a little slower than a typical polka.
Dinosaur Yoga
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 14:27 / Activity Meter: 4
Instead of being sad, mad, or frustrated when things aren’t going their way, these dinosaurs practice yoga to feel better! Your little one will be spreading their wings wide and taking deep breaths through their snouts as they follow along with this video for some dinosaur inspired yoga poses.
Supplies needed: Yoga mat or soft surface
Going on a Bear Hunt
with Teacher Lesly
Runtime: 3:53 / Activity Meter: 4
We’re going on a bear hunt! Sing and dance along as we swish past tall grass, swim through a river, and eventually tip toe into a deep dark cave! We’re not afraid! Will we find the bear we’re looking for?
Hokey Pokey
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 4:36 / Activity Meter: 4
Teacher Michael plays the classic Hokey Pokey song with his acoustic guitar. Get your wiggles out by dancing and singing along to this happy song!
Hula!
with Teacher Alex
Runtime: 16:21 / Activity Meter: 5
This Hula activity come in four parts
Part 1: Learning the meaning of the song, a brief history of hula in Hawaii, and introducing a few Hawaiian words.
Part 2: Learn the lyrics and sing "The Hukilau Song" by Ray Conniff
Part 3: Dance The Hukilau Song with simple Hula movements.
Part 4: Sing and dance The Hukilau Song simultaneously.
The Hustle
with Teacher Genevieve
Runtime: 13:24 / Activity Meter: 5
This is the first episode in an active dance video series. With the step by step instructions, the students will learn to do a simplified version of the 1970's dance, The Hustle! Here is a youtube video for the song: The Hustle
Macarena
with Teacher Genevieve
Runtime: 17:09 / Activity Meter: 4
In this video, we learn how to do the popular 90s dance, the Macarena. We begin with an invigorating warmup to get our blood flowing and then hop right into learning the dance! We are using this version of the dance, Macarena by Party Cats, at .75 speed. One can change the speed of the YouTube video by going to settings on the play bar and clicking playback speed.
Movement Board Game
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 9:50 / Activity Meter: 5
Play along with Teacher Stephanie as she rolls the dice to see which movement we will do! We will stretch, jump, tip-toe, and fly as we practice counting together in this interactive board game!
Extended Learning:
-Print the board out and play at home (You will just need a die and a small object or two to use as game pieces)
-Print out the blank board game and fill it in with your own movements!
Please find supporting materials attached.
Movement Stories
with Teacher Alex
Part 1 and 2: Runtime: 20:56 / Activity Meter: 4 / Link to Video
Part 3 and 4: Runtime: 16:22 / Activity Meter: 5 / Link to Video
Movement Stories are tales told for the purpose of introducing and exploring movement concepts. The stories in this series are written with a thorough understanding of movement education for children and are designed to elicit specific movements that will enhance child development. At the same time, these stories are calculated to appeal to a child's sense of fun and imagination so that children will be fully interested and engaged in the activity.
Part 1: The Pickle Who Took a Trip
This story is excellent for helping children develop spatial awareness because it requires them to move in relation to imaginary objects ( the cave, the marshmallows, the bubbles). It helps them develop physical understanding of prepositions which will become important as they begin to read.
Part 2: The Mice Go to The Zoo
This story is a good one to do when you want to calm and center the energy of a child. The story is all done in "self-space" and does not include any vigorous activity or movement in a general space. The stretches and postures included in this story are basic for any physical warm-up and can be practiced daily.
Part 3: Life in the “Bass Lane", an Undersea Adventure.
This story uses poetry to establish a rhythmic sense of life under the sea. The music of poetry is well suited to movement activity, as well as being a valuable tool for teaching new vocabulary and other language skills. Children are naturally attracted to rhythm and rhyme and they respond readily to it.
The children are also asked to imagine a bubble around themselves in order to visualize the space that their own body takes up. This space is also called the kinesphere. It’s important for young children to develop a sense of kinesphere in order to maintain control over their bodies as they move in space. Having control over one’s body and movement gives children a sense of both safety and excitement.
Part 4: The Monkey and the Dots
This story emphasizes focus, a useful concept to introduce and practice through movement. Single focus, putting all of one’s visual attention on one thing, is strongly related to concentration, and putting all of one’s mental attention on one thing.
The movements required of children in this story are helpful in developing eye tracking, a prerequisite for reading. Sustaining focus on an imaginary object (a dot) and following that object as it lives through the space is just as beneficial in strengthening tracking ability as following the movement of a real object.
Reaching cross-laterally, as the monkey does when it swings from tree to tree at the beginning of the story, is another movement helpful in developing reading readiness. Reaching across the midline of the body helps integrate the right and left halves of the brain and encourages the eyes to scan from side to side.
Razzamatazz
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 9:22 / Activity Meter: 4
A tour of RHS and fun song and dance that we do at school.
Speaking without Words
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 18:12 / Activity Meter: 4
In this video, we learn that all animals and insect communicate! We will be spending our time practicing different ways to communicate using our facial expressions and bodies, as well as a couple examples of sign language! Once we have learned there are ways of communicating with each other without using words, we spend some time learning how bees communicate with one another to find good sources of food. At the end of the video, we sing and dance to a fun song called “The Waggle Dance."
YMCA
with Teacher Genevieve
Runtime: 8:33 / Activity Meter: 5
This is the second episode in an active dance video series. With the step by step instructions, the students will learn to do the YMCA! As some of you may know, this dance is fast-paced and lyric oriented working with both listening and response skills. Here is a youtube video for the song: YMCA
Yoga Flow
with Teacher Katia
Runtime: 24:50 / Activity Meter: 5
Join Teacher Katia (and Henry!) in a complete kids yoga flow. It will start with a few seated poses, warming up into standing poses and culminate with a dancing/running game. After which it will slow down onto the floor again and finish up with shavasana in "cloud pose." Be flexible, playful and have some fun!
World Music and Creative Movement: Brazil (Borboletinha)
with Teacher Alex
Runtime: 22:15 / Activity Meter: 5
Part 1: Time duration: 0:00 - 10:18 / Activity meter: 4 The video begins with a quick background on how Portuguese is spoken in Brazil. We will also learn some simple Portuguese words/ phrases in relation to the classics children’s song “Borboletinha”, which means “little butterfly” in English. Note: Bring out the instruments your child used from Kitchen Band to accompany the song. The translation from Portuguese to English could get silly and funny.
Part 2: Time duration: 10:19 - 15:15 / Activity meter: 3 Setting up the Creative Movement “markers”. We will be learning simple math, directionality (horizontal/ vertical), and creative ways to set up the space for the creative movement portion in Part 3. Note: This part is optional, especially if you don’t have the materials to create it. Please watch for future reference and age appropriate math skills lessons. (Even though this portion is optional, I highly encourage doing it to get the maximum learning outcome.)
Part 3: Time duration: 15:16 - 22:15 / Activity meter: 5 Creative Movement while singing Borboletinha and playing one chosen instrument. The children will be taught coordination, as well as a fun way to incorporate physical movement/ exercise into your child’s day. Note: There will be a reminder in the end for your child to eat their vegetables and drink more water. Also, encouragement for them to keep on practicing.
Lyrics
Borboletinha tá na cozina
Fazendo chocolate para a madrina
Poti-poti
Perna de pau
Olho de vidro
E nariz de picapau
Pau-pau
You Are My Sunshine Dance
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 18:37 / Activity Meter: 5
In this video, Teacher Michael will start by playing a quick rendition of You Are My Sunshine. He will then slowly break down each individual move for the dance that will accompany the music. The video culminates with a final acoustic song and dance at the end of the video.
Music
Che Che Cha
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 6:02 / Activity Meter: 5
Singing and dancing with Teacher Hend.
Circle Time Songs
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 14:37 / Activity Meter: 3
Today’s circle is a collection of our familiar silly songs. Just relax and sing along!
Supplies needed: Metal bowl, wooden spoon, a smile, your singing voice, and fingers.
Dinosaur
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 4:18 / Activity Meter: 5
Travel back to 100 million years ago, and pretend to be dinosaurs as we sing along and dance around to this fun song!
Frog Songs
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 7:11 / Activity Meter: 4
Join Teacher Stephanie in singing 3 fun frog songs! Together we will sing Down By the Banks, Five Green and Speckled Frogs, and Jump Around with Me! Use the printout to create your own frog friend props to sing and dance along with!
Supplies needed: You will need popsicle sticks or strips of cardboard/card stock.
Happy and You Know It
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 2:25 / Activity Meter: 5
Are you happy? Do you know it?! Get ready to show it by clapping, stomping, jumping, etc!
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 5:27 / Activity Meter: 4
This video is a great way to get your day started! Get your wiggles out to the kids classic - Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. Stand up, get loose, and get ready to smile and have some fun!
Jump Around with Me
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 1:37 / Activity Meter: 4
This song is meant to get kids jumping! Kids can jump like the animals they see in the video, or make up their own dance!
Kitchen Band
with Teacher Alex
Part 1: Runtime: 10:18 / Activity Meter: 5 / Link to Video
Part 2: Runtime: 6:45 / Activity Meter: 5 / Link to Video
Bring out the pots and pans and everything else we can turn into an instrument from your kitchen. Children will also learn how to create their own musical instruments using unconventional items. Did you know you can also create music using a piece of paper?
Once we have our instruments ready, we will be jamming out to Music Together's "Playin' in the Kitchen". This activity will inspire children to be the rock stars that they truly are.
Part 2 is an extension of Kitchen Band Part 1, but with the introduction of using a small towel of fabric to use for interpretive dance. The same kitchen instruments from Part 1 will be used for this activity. Children will be jamming out to Music Together's "Singin' Every Day".
Let's Rhyme Together!
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 12:23 / Activity Meter: 2
In this video we will be rhyming together with some of the words from the Jump Around with Me Song!
Extended Learning: What rhymes can you come up with on your own? Can you turn these rhymes into a song?
Love Me Do!
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 6:27 / Activity Meter: 4
The first half of the video is describing the parts of an acoustic guitar by comparing it to our bodies. The second half is a fun sing and dance-a-long to “Love Me Do” by the Beatles.
Pearly Shells and She Sells Seashells by the Seashore
with Teacher Alex
Runtime: 13:03 / Activity Meter: 3
A relaxing music session doing a simple hula and two songs about shells. The first song is Ray Conniff’s classic song “Pearly Shells”. The children will learn simple step by step hula by only using their hands, to accompany the song. The second song is the classic tongue twister song, She Sells Seashells by the Seashore, by Music Together. A calming lullaby that teaches pronunciation, colors, and different names of shells. This video is short and simple, but can be a bit challenging. This is meant for children to watch a few times to learn the creative movements, lyrics, and tunes that are age appropriate.
John The Rabbit / Juan El Conejo
with Teacher Alex
Runtime: 6:44 / Activity Meter: 3
Get your instruments out and your singing voices ready and sing outdoors with Teacher Alex. We will learn and practice singing this classic song in both English and Spanish. The beautiful bluegrass inspired arrangement by Elizabeth Mitchell compliments the beauty of the outdoors.
Springtime Senses
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 5:25 / Activity Meter: 3
This song is a fun way to learn about how we can experience springtime with our 5 senses.
Wash Your Hands
with Teacher Michael
Runtime: 4:04 / Activity Meter: 3
A sweet sing-a-long to help your child remember the importance of washing their hands.
Social and Emotional
Animal Breath Meditation
with Teacher Stephanie
Part 1: Runtime: 8:47 / Activity Meter: 1 / Link to Video
In this video, Teacher Stephanie guides you through an animal breath meditation using butterfly, whale, and fox breath. Turn on your imagination and tune into your breath for some deep relaxation time!
Extended Learning: Choose your favorite animal breath or make up your own and practice it 5 times.
Part 2: Runtime: 7:16 / Activity Meter: 2 Link to Video
In this video, Teacher Stephanie guides you through an animal breath meditation using alligator, iguana, and inch worm breath. Take some time to check in with yourself and observe the weather you feel inside you as you connect with your breath!
Extended Learning: Observe what kind of weather you feel inside of you after you've completed your breathing exercises. Can you describe this weather with a few words? Practice spelling and writing these words. Draw a picture of these feelings!
Birdie and the Bears
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 2:10 / Activity Meter: 2
In this video, Teacher Stephanie talks to Birdie about how to deal with her unsettled nerves. She recommends that birdie reframe her thinking and look at her fears as a challenge.
Deep Breaths
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 4:50 / Activity Meter: 1
Relax and take some deep breaths with Teacher Stephanie. Flower breath, snake breath, and snail breath are a few classroom favorites that will get children excited about calming down and focusing their energy.
Magic Door Guided Meditation
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 8:15 / Activity Meter: 1
This video will help remind children that they can escape into their own world whenever they want or need to! In the mediation, they will paint a door in the air and create a special world inside of it. The world can be whatever they dream it to be! They will keep the key to this special place and can go there whenever they need to.
Extended Learning: Draw a picture of your door, what is inside it, or what creature you played with.
Pink Tulip and Blue Daisy: A Conversation
with Teacher Genevieve
Runtime: 1:46 / Activity Meter: 1
A short conversation between two paper flowers. Meet Pink Tulip and Blue Daisy as they discuss where they come from.
Ringing the Bowl
with Teacher Hend
Runtime: 1:29 / Activity Meter: 1
RHS morning and afternoon greetings is a ritual and an opportunity for friends to share their day and a way to establish a connection between them and RHS.
Seed to Fruiting Tree Guided Meditation
with Teacher Stephanie
Runtime: 5:41 / Activity Meter: 2
In this guided meditation, children will listen, breathe, visualize, and move their way from a seed on the floor to a tall fruiting tree. At the end, they can share what kind of fruit blossomed from their tree.
Sharing Distance Love
with Teacher michael
Runtime: 8:28 / Activity Meter: 3
Teacher Michael shows the children how to practice and use the signs from our Sharing Distance Love hand out.