Wacky Wednesday
Read the story Wacky Wednesday by Theo LeSieg to the children on Tuesday. This book is a "What's Wrong Here?" type of story where everything is different from the way it should be. Tell the children that when they come to school tomorrow it's going to be "Wacky Wednesday." If they want to participate, they may do so by dressing in a way that is unusual, such as wearing a shirt inside out. On Wednesday, do several things to the classroom that are obviously unusual. For example, a table may be turned upside down or bulletin board characters could be reversed. Items could be moved from one center to another area of the room. The teacher could dress in an unusual way, such as wearing a pair of skates. Use your imagination, the wackier, the better. Let the children find all the things that are "wacky."
Is This Cup Full?
Fill a glass with pebbles. Ask the children if the glass is full. If they don't think so, have them add pebbles until everyone agrees that the glass is full. Then ask if they think anything else will fit into the glass. The children will say no. Pour either salt or sand into the same glass. The children will be surprised to see the glass hold more. Call their attention to how the salt or sand fills in the spaces left between the pebbles. Now ask again if the glass is full. The children will say yes. Pour water into the same glass. The children will again be surprised. Ask if anybody knows why the glass could hold water.
Ask the children if the process could work in reverse, starting with a full glass of water and adding salt and rocks. Try their suggestions.
"Wacky Wednesday" and "Is This Cup Full?" activities taken from The Instant Curriculum, 500 Developmentally Appropriate Learning Activities for Busy Teachers of Young Children by Pam Schiller and Joan Rossano.