Sand Box Volcanoes and The Little Red Hen

This week we are going to talk about the letter V, and build a volcano. We are going to read the story “The Little Red Hen” and make stick puppets to act out the story. We are going to have some fun with cornstarch and learn how colors are mixed together to make other colors.

Make a sheet with the letter V. Let the children color it and talk about things that start with V. Vanilla, vacuum, vase, and violin are a few. Ask them if they know what a volcano is. Talk about how a volcano erupts and hot lava spills out of the top. If you can, find some books about volcanoes and show them real pictures.

Take them outside to the sand box or just a nice spot with some dirt that you can build up to make a volcano. Have them make a volcano out of the dirt or sand and be sure to leave a hole in the top to put your “lava” in. Measure a half-cup of vinegar and add a few drops of red food coloring. Put two tablespoons of baking soda in the volcano’s hole. Slowly add the vinegar. The children will be thrilled with the reaction.

For “The Little Red Hen” draw a picture of a hen, a duck, a cat, and a dog. Make a copy of each one for each child. Let the kids color their pictures of the animals and cut them out and glue them onto Popsicle sticks or tongue depressors. As you read the story have them hold up the animal that is speaking. The story is repetitive, so they will catch on quickly. I make a short copy of the story for each child to bring home since they learn the story and can “read” it to parents.

Cornstarch is very interesting when you add water. And it is not too messy for them to play with, and it provides lots of entertainment for quite awhile! Add just enough water to be able to mix it. If you add less water, it breaks apart easier and you can see the water resurface on the broken part. If you add more water, it runs easily between fingers yet stays together. Cornstarch acts dry even when it is wet.

This is a simple (and not messy!) way to show how different colors are blended to make a new color. You will need a paper plate for each child, and enough paint for each child to have about a tablespoonful of each of the primary colors. (Red, blue, and yellow) On each plate put a spoonful of each color making a triangle, with the paint about a half an inch apart. Place enough plastic wrap to cover the plate over the paint. Let them smoosh the colors around and name the beginning colors and the new colors as they mix together. If you use the really cheap paper plates that really are paper, the paint will dry after you take the plastic wrap off and they can take home their masterpieces.