Preschool-Kindergarten Math Numbers Song

My School, vocabulary

CLASSROOM OBJECTS

My Classroom

The Hello Song

THE KISSING HAND

The Kissing Hand Lesson    

The Kissing Hand

Materials Required: paper, paint or stamp pad, heart

Book: The Kissing Hand . 
Concepts Taught: Listening, Re-telling a story 

~~First Days of School Activities~~

On the first day of school there are mixed emotions everywhere! Some children are thrilled to be at school while others have much difficulty making the home to school transition. I always read the kissing hand with my students that first day. We talk about our fears and hopes about coming to school. We also discuss how moms and dads might feel when their children are away from them. After our story time we decide together to make a gift for the parents on the first day.

On a large piece of construction paper each child makes a red handprint with paint (handprint goes at the top). As the handprints dry I have the children draw a family portrait on a smaller piece of paper.

 If time allows, I always like to have the kids bring their portraits to the carpet and share at least one thing about their drawing. When the handprints are dry, I staple each child's family portrait to the bottom of their handprint paper. I give each child a small, pre-cut heart to glue in the middle of their handprint.

Near the end of the day we practice re-telling the story. I tell the kids that their homework for the first day of school is to go home, give their family the gift and tell them the story of The Kissing Hand.

They tell their parents not to be sad and to remember that they are thinking of them each day while they are away at school.

The Kissing Hand

First we send this note home:

Dear  Parents,
As part of a class project for
tomorrow, we need you to trace and
cut out the outline of your hand.
Please send in your hand cut-out
tomorrow.
Thanks for your participation,
María Celia Da Rosa

The next day we read and discuss The Kissing Hand.  We do a "book talk," listing our likes and dislikes.  Then the students get out the cut-out of their parent's hand.  We talk about making a "kissing hand" for our parents to hold when they are missing us.  We add a big red  heart sticker/drawing in the center and  brainstorm ways to make each "kissing hand" special.....
color it the parent's favorite color, draw parent's favorite thing to do on it, draw lots of hearts on it, etc.

Then we attach the decorated  hand to the following note and send it home:

Dear Parents,
We read the book The Kissing Hand by
Audrey Penn.  It is a story about a little
raccoon named Chester who was anxious
about leaving home and going to school.
So his mother decided to share a "family
secret" with him- the "kissing hand".  She
gave him a kiss on his paw and told him to
press the kiss to his cheek whenever he
missed her.
We know that you, too, may be anxious
about your new Kindergartener going to
school for the first time.  So your child has
made a "kissing hand" for YOU.

María Celia Da Rosa.

The Kissing Hand

The Kissing Hand~A perfect first day story. This is a story about a little raccoon ready to start school. He talks about his fears to his mother, fears that most children have before beginning school. His mother comes up with a wonderful solution to help her little raccoon remember that she loves him and is thinking about him, even when she isn't with him. A wonderful and heart-warming story to share with little ones.

~~First Day of School Activity~~

On the first day of school there are mixed emotions everywhere!  Some children are thrilled to be at school while others have much difficulty making the home to school transition.   I always read the kissing hand with my students that first day.   We talk about our fears and hopes about coming to school.  We also discuss how moms and dads might feel when their children are away from them.   After our story time we decide together to make a gift for the parents on the first day.

On a large piece of construction paper each child makes a red handprint with paint As the handprints dry I have the children draw a family portrait on a smaller piece of paper.  If time allows, I always like to have the kids bring their portraits to the carpet and share at least one thing about their drawing.  When the handprints are dry, I staple each child's family portrait to the bottom of their handprint paper.  I give each child a small, pre-cut heart to glue in the middle of their handprint.

Near the end of the day we practice re-telling the story.  I tell the kids that their homework for the first day of school is to go home, give their family the gift  and tell them the story of The Kissing Hand. They tell their parents not to be sad and  to remember that they are thinking of them each day while they are away at school.

.  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

~~Kissing Hand Poem~~

A piece of me

I give to you,
This special heart because
"I love you."

The heart is you,

the hand is me,

It shows that we

are
A Family !

Activity:  Paint or stamp both hands of each child.  Make the shape of a heart by overlapping the fingers.  Above each child's heart print, glue a small copy of this poem. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It's my first day of school
And "The Kissing Hand"

is what we read.
It's about a raccoon 
Who did just as his parents said.

Like the raccoon's first day at school
I was scared and a little shy.
But because of what you said
I was brave and I got by.

All through the year
I'll make more things for you.
So as I change and as I learn
You can see my growth, too!

                  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~ 
Could be used for a bulletin board . Raccoon !   

                             

                                       

The Kissing hand Art Project

*Students can draw Chester in their notebooks or they can make a  card for the boards.

*They can also use hand cut-outs and decorate them with hearts as kisses.

*They can also write a short description of Chester the racoon  and of Chester Mother.

*They can add a short poem about the first day of school, too

*Students can also print their hands and add the hearts as kisses,

T too.                                                          

                           

                                                                                                 

                                  

                                                                                                                                                          

                                                    

                              My Kissing Hands

Students can trace-out their hands and draw their family faces.

They can either do it on paper or on their hands to play with,

They can sing along the Family Song

Or Hello.. Mother,  Father, brother, sister, baby, grandma, grandpa….

They can draw a  heart or add a heart cut-out

The Kissing Hand Series is a heart-warming and wonderfully illustrated story in which Mrs. Raccoon shares her wisdom and love with little Chester.

After that they can listen to the story watching the video and describing the characters.

They offer a starting point for a discussion between the child and parent. For the sake of the young audience, they do not offer complicated or multiple solutions for any particular issue.

I hope that every parent would use the opportunity the books presents to talk to their child and help them to find an approach that best fits their particular situation                                                        .                          

                                        

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

I never intended for The Kissing Hand to become a series, but spending time with children continues to give me more to write about. And they are more than good picture books. They offer a starting point for a discussion between the child and parent. For the sake of the young audience, they do not offer complicated or multiple solutions for any particular issue. I hope that every parent would use the opportunity these books present to talk to their child and help them to find an approach that best fits their particular situation.

The Kissing Hand

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary.

The Kissing Hand, an internationally renowned children's book, addresses separation anxiety and is a great resource at the beginning of the school year, or in any situation where a child must separate from parents. It has been used extensively in elementary schools, hospice, and by the U.S. military when deploying troops overseas.

I stumbled on the idea for The Kissing Hand after an encounter in a local park with an unusually large mother raccoon and her newborn cub. It was after my experience with my own daughter going off to kindergarten that I developed the story as a book.
As a hardcover Big Book

Interior images (click to see larger)
Other language editions (click to see larger)
Spanish (U.S.)	French (Canada)	Japan
Korea	Braille (U.S.)	China

---

A Pocket Full of Kisses

Mrs. Raccoon helps Chester to cope with the changes he experiences, as well as his emotions when his new baby brother is introduced into their family dynamic.

After spending an afternoon with my great-niece and great-nephew, this topic jumped out at me as a possible Kissing Hand book. A Pocket Full of Kisse looks at sibling rivalry, the feelings a child experiences when a new young sibling enters the family.

Reviews

“Teeming with details, Gibson's paintings depict an idyllic woodland populated with friendly beasts, birds, and bugs that seem to pause and take an interest in the raccoons' conversations. The focus of the artwork, as well as the story, is clearly on the loving mother-and-child relationship.”—Booklist

“Penn understands the powerful pull of old-fashioned sentiment.”—Publishers Weekly

Interior images (click to see larger)		Other language editions (click to see larger)
		Korea

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A Kiss Goodbye

Chester Raccoon learns that they must leave their tree den and move to a different part of the forest. Mrs. Raccoon must help Chester through his sadness and reluctance in accepting a new home and school.

I had the opportunity to attend a conference with the Military Child and Family Network during a project where a parent was recorded on video reading The Kissing Hand for their child before being deployed overseas. During our discussions, they mentioned that they could use a book to ease the difficulties encountered with having to move every few years, as is the situation for so many people in the armed services. Shortly after our discussion, I visited a school near a large navy base in Virginia, and I asked the children how many of them had ever had to move. I was stunned in grade after grade when nearly every hand went up. I wrote A Kiss Goodbye to help with this transition - for times when any kind of move is made, i.e., to another house, another city, or even at the end of a school year when children must transition to the next grade.

Interior image (click to see larger)

Korea (click to see larger)

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Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully

Mrs. Raccoon helps Chester and his friends to approach the bully who has just entered his school.

Seemingly an epidemic these days in schools, in the neighborhood, and especially online now, we need to teach children how to handle a bully.Chester Raccoon and the Big Bad Bully addresses this issue in an affective, creative manner that is appropriate for the age group it is written for.

Now available on CD!

Interior image (click to see larger)

France (click to see larger)

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Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories

Mrs. Raccoon must help Chester to understand what it means when his friend, Skiddil Squirrel, does not return to school after having an accident. To ease his sadness at the loss of his friend, she teaches Chester how to keep the time he spent with his friend fresh in his thoughts by creating a memory.

I was asked to write a story for children about losing a loved one several decades ago by a rabbi. He wanted something on a child's level that he could leave with families in this difficult time. It proved to be a difficult book to write, as every religion has a different belief surrounding the death of a community member. The common link is the gathering of the community after the death of a member to remember who this person was to them. I finally chose not to write about death, but to write about remembering a loved one who has passed away. Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories has thus far received rave reviews, and has been the subject of many grateful emails I've received to date. The loss of a loved one is a difficult topic to address, especially with children. I hope this helps.

Interior image (click to see larger)

Interior image (click to see larger)

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A Bedtime Kiss for Chester Raccoon

After many requests, I have written my first board book for small children. Mrs. Raccoon soothes Chester's fears arising from the scary images he creates from the sunspots and shadows in his room.

ACTIVITIES:
Make a game of seeing things in shadows, emphasizing things that are not scary. This activity can also be expanded to include clouds, etc.

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Chester Raccoon's Color Game

Something to occupy busy, active minds while developing our most necessary skill: awareness. This is also a technique to support a child in transitioning from one situation to another.

ACTIVITIES: 
Help your child learn this game by keeping the order of the colors correct and consistent. The game can be played everywhere, anywhere, anytime, and with anyone, continually building awareness skills. The important thing is to begin in a place that is familiar to your child. By doing so, in addition to giving your child something to occupy his time, he will take with him a sense of familiarity even when he is somewhere he has never been before, helping to reduce his anxiety in a new situation. By seeking out objects with colors in their specific order, he will feel just a bit more at home.                    

                                   

      

                                               

                                                                                         MY FAMILY                     

                                                    The Kissing Hand

     

Lesson Plans from Internet. Raccoon Theme Preschool Lesson Plan Printable Activities
Themes	Instructions and Suggestions		Materials
Alphabet > Letter R > R is for Raccoon or Vowel team  sound (oo) Animals > Mammals > Forest > Raccoon Books > Raccoon theme picture books Character Education >Rusty the Respectful Raccoon  Crafts > Raccoon Online jigsaw puzzles	Age group:  Older toddlers to early elementary The raccoon is a mischievous nocturnal mammal.  It is intelligent, a great swimmer, and can be an urban pest too!  Let's learn some more. Young children will have fun making an easy and fun craft of a raccoon and during the process many skills and educational themes can be addressed.  Other printable support materials and links to related activities are provided. Let's get started. Activity:  Science & Social Studies > Raccoon Science objective: * Define and understand the terms:  - mammal:  a class of warm-blooded animals that have, in the female, milk-secreting organs for feeding the young. The class includes human beings, apes, many four-legged animals, whales, dolphins, and bats. - raccoon (can also be spelled racoon): a small mammal native to the forests of North and Central America that has grayish black fur, black patches around the eyes that looks like a mask, and a long bushy ringed tail.  More information and images to visit below. Social Studies objectives: * Understand that people need to respect animals and plant life, natural resources and their habitats. * Identify ways people help protect these living things so that they are not endangered or become extinct.  Review the external resources and suggested children's picture books below to prepare and expand on the objectives: Where to start?  Ask children what they know about the raccoon, or if they have seen pictures or read stories that have a raccoon character.  Ask children if they know other animals that live in the forest or their local park and backyard.  Keep notes of their responses.  Common raccoon basic facts:  * Raccoons are mammals. * Where does it live?  Lives in woodland forests or urban areas. * What does it eat? The raccoon is not a picky eater.  It can eat just about everything.  It has very agile hands to pick up food and are super climbers.  It eats berries, acorns, honey, eggs, worms, grasshoppers, and other bigger animals like chicken.  In towns and cities they eat garbage. * The raccoon is generally nocturnal - active at night * Raccoons can spread diseases, such as rabies - be careful and never touch a raccoon. * A young raccoon is called a kit.  Kits are born in tree holes way up high where they can be safe and dry. External educational resources for additional information, fun facts, and wonderful images of the raccoon at * BBC Science & Nature - Wild Facts * Hinterland who's who * Wikipedia.org Activity: Printable Raccoon Crafts Select a printable raccoon craft that is age appropriate.  All you need is a printer, paper or construction paper, glue stick, scissors and something to color with. Before craft assembly conduct some of the learning activities suggested for the craft which may include:  1. Math: Identifying shapes, colors, counting, sorting and sizing the craft templates. Skills developed during craft assembly: Scissor cutting and coloring (precursors to handwriting),  problem solving, fine motor skills. Before or after completing the craft conduct your choice of suggested learning activities: Activity: Language Arts:  Alphabet Letter R or Vowel team sound (oo) Activity:  Children's picture books - raccoon theme This is just a sampling of beautifully illustrated books that can help you present the raccoon and other topics -- your librarian can help you select many more! Activity: Character Education > Respect Read the online story Rusty the Respectful Raccoon, and visit the parentand teacher resources.
Raccoon Crafts Preschool Lesson Plan Printable Activities | Heart Shape
Themes		Instructions and Suggestions		Materials
Alphabet > Letter R >  R is for Raccoon  Animals > Mammals >Forest > Urban >Raccoon  Books > Raccoon picture books  Character education >Online story time >Rusty the Respectful Raccoon  Colors > gray, black, white Crafts > Shapes >Heart Shapes Animals > Hearts Raccoon Holidays and Events > *Feb. 14th > Valentine's Day June > Zoo and Aquarium Month  Numbers | Math > Activities:  Counting, Sizing, Sorting		Age group: Older toddlers to early elementary The raccoon is a wild animal that is very curious, and adaptable to many environments.  Let's learn more! Young children will have fun making an easy and fun craft of a raccoon (two versions) almost entirely assembled with heart shapes (except the eyes).  Many basic skills can be addressed during and after the craft assembly process.  Other printable support materials and links to related activities are provided.    The heart raccoon theme crafts are appropriate for St. Valentine's Day, and other related holidays, Forest theme or Urban animals theme. Activity #1:  Hearts Raccoon Crafts  Craft #1: Hearts Raccoon (head only) Ages 2.5+ this version has large pieces and is suitable for older toddlers to under age 6 and large groups(Note: pre-paste small eyes for toddlers)  Craft #2: Hearts Raccoon - Ages 4+ (version with body) - this version has smaller pieces and is suitable for ages 4+ and older(Note: pre-paste small eyes for younger children)  Review your options for printing the craft version of your choice as well assembly options that best meet your needs.  Before assembly conduct some of the learning activities suggested below: Printing and assembly options for the craft: Option 1:   Print craft color templates of your choice and assist with scissor cutting when needed.  Encourage  older children to cut out their own templates as much as possible.  Conduct learning activities below and assemble.  Option 2:  Print black and white templates. Children will only need a black and red crayon.   For craft 1, the template indicates which templates to color black and gray. Option 3:  For large groups or to recycle left over materials, print black & white templates on card stock and use as a master template.  Trace the patterns directly on black and gray construction paper, left-over paper, or fun foam to obtain pieces needed. Other decorations and ideas for the craft option: 1.  Replace eyes template with medium plastic wiggly eyes instead of the eyes template (for children ages 3+ only) 3.  Tape a ribbon, string or a piece of magnet to the back to use as decoration or ornament.  4.  Puppet:  For the head craft tape it to craft stick (Popsicle stick or tongue depressor) for an instant hand puppet or make a paper bag puppet using the assembled panda head craft. Activities #2:  Learning Activities to conduct before craft assembly: Choose those activities you feel are appropriate for the ages of children.  Shapes & Colors Activity: 1.  Ask children to identify the shapes and colors on the template if using the color template.  Ask the children to identify the colors. Numbers/Early-Math Activities: To conduct these activities pieces should be decorated and cut out. 1. Sorting & Sizing:  Have the children sort the hearts by size - smallest to largest. 2. Counting:  Count how many of each size there are and how many in total to assemble the craft. You may want to write numbers on the blank side to acquaint the children with printed numbers.  In this activity you may want to also count the eyes. Proceed with craft assembly.  Show the small image provided in the template to help the children see how the finished craft looks and to aid them in positioning the pieces.  Save this small image to be used later as a sticker in other learning activities. With large groups, assemble a craft by steps in front of the group.  Assembly Craft 1 - face only 1.  Paste small black nose on white heart. 2.  Paste the white heart on inverted large heart > head. 3.  Paste two black hearts horizontally to create (the mask).  Paste eyes over these hearts. 4.  Paste inner black ears inside gray ears. 5.  Paste assembled ears to head. 5.  Optional:  Write letter R and the word raccoon in the body or behind the craft Assembly craft #2 (with body) Assemble head pieces first: 1.  Paste white heart with small black nose on inverted heart head. 2.  Paste two black hearts to create (the mask).  Paste eyes over these hearts. Assemble body pieces next: 4.  Paste heart feet as one piece on inverted heart body. 5.  Paste tail diagonally on the back of body. 6.  Paste assembled head in place. 7.  Optional:  Write letter R and the word raccoon in the body or behind the craft After completing the craft the children can hold their finished craft while conducting some of the activities below. Activity 2:  Science & Social Studies: Raccoon facts and images Activity 3: Language Arts: Alphabet letter R raccoon printable activities and handwriting practice Activity 4:  Present a Raccoon Theme Picture Book Here is a small selection of beautifully illustrated raccoon theme books. Activity 5: Character Education > Respect Read and print the online story Rusty the Respectful Raccoon, and visit theparent and teacher resources.		Hearts Raccoon Craft 1 head only - heart shapes Templates  *Color *Black & White Hearts Raccoon Craft 2 Templates  *Color   *Black & White Alphabet Letter R Raccoon Printable Activities Other materials: Raccoons coloring pages *Glue or glue stick *any paper, card stock, construction paper *materials to color with

  

Alphabet Letter R Raccoon Theme | Preschool Lesson Plan Printable Activities and Worksheets Vowel team OO
Themes	Instructions and Suggestions	Materials
Alphabet > Letter R > R is for Raccoon Vowel team oo - Raccoon Animals > Mammal >Forest > Raccoon theme Online jigsaw puzzles >Alphabet	Here are printable materials and some suggestions to present letter R or the vowel team "oo".  The presentation ideally should be part of raccoon themed activities and/or crafts.  Present some information, images, a picture book and a craft activity to acquaint children with the raccoon before the alphabet activity. Alphabet Activity: Letter R is for Raccoon Present the letter R raccoon six-piece online jigsaw puzzle to practice problem solving and view letter R in upper and lower case.  Adjust number or pieces using the Change Cut button on the left.  Present and display your option of letter R alphabet printable materials listed in the materials column. Children Age 3 and under: * Print a letter R coloring page D'Nealian or Standard Block font and a raccoon coloring image behind it or on a separate page if using paints to decorate later.  Discuss other letter R words found on the worksheet. * Finger Tracing: Trace letter R's in upper and lower case with your finger as you also sound out the letter.  Invite the children to do the same on their coloring page. * Children can color and trace the letter R's with gray and black as the raccoon.  Paste the small image sticker found on the raccoon craft template you intend to assemble with the children. After completing the letter coloring, encourage children to color the raccoon image.  Write the word raccoon on the finished coloring page. Letter R words (initial consonant sound):  Letter R Activity Worksheet and Mini Book This worksheet and matching mini-book can be used as part of Letter R program of activities to reinforce letter practice and to identify related R words.  Read suggested instructions for using the worksheet and mini-book.  *Find the letter R's:  Have the children find all the letter R's in upper and lower case on the worksheet words and encourage them to circle  these first.  Visit each child to make sure they have identified the letter R's and then discuss the locations with the worksheet.  Discuss other letter R words and images:  First 'brainstorm' and ask the children about other words that have that beginning sound and write them on a board (dry erase board) as the children come up with example.  You can print letter R in a different bright color to make it stand out.  If you have illustrated alphabet books you can also use images in them. You can also display other R posters and coloring pages or even make a letter R classroom book using coloring images or color posters.  Visit Letter R Printable Materials to make your choice.  Coloring and Sticker Activity:  Encourage the children to decorate the large letter R images incorporating the stickers on the bottom of the page and the raccoon sticker on the craft template.   Older children can use the stickers to complete the mini-book.  Letter R Word Search & Handwriting Practice The six word search game features a raccoon and letter R words with pictures and handwriting practice.  Handwriting & Drawing (Kindergarten | Grade 1): 1. Print your choice of handwriting paper and print a raccoon coloring pageimage on the blank side of the paper to have fun coloring after writing practice. 2, Print drawing and writing paper to engage children in making an original drawing of a raccoon and practice letter R in upper and lower case independently.   Vowel team (oo) sound Children 6+ (Advanced K and Grade 1) Use the drawing and writing paper to engage children in drawing vowel team oo words listed below and practice writing a selection.  Vowel team oo sound:  book, cook, broom, moon, spoon Other words:  hook, look, loom	R Raccoon Online Jigsaw Puzzle Alphabet Letter R Printable Materials  Letter R coloring page D'Nealian Standard Block  Letter R Activity Worksheet and Mini-Book Available in D'Nealian and Standard block format Word Search & writing   Handwriting paper (versions for preschool and primary grades) Drawing | Writing paper Raccoon coloring pages (print on blank side of writing paper) External links dltk-teach.com   Letter R Raccoon Color poster Coloring page *coloring and writing materials

Teaching Respect in the Early Childhood Setting

For young children, being respectful means:

o    Being kind to friends and family.

o    Using good manners.

o    Not hitting or hurting others.

o    Talking about your problems.

Teachers are an important influence on young children. The children in your classroom will learn by the example you set for them. This means that the ways that you are respectful of others will influence the ways the children are respectful of others. The most important respect you can model for your child is respect within the classroom. Showing the children you respect them and treating the children with respect will have long-lasting influence on the way the children respect others.
Infants and respect
The foundations of respect begin in infancy. When you talk to the infants in your care in response to their cries and coos, you are showing them that their situation is important. Perhaps a baby is crying You might say, "I know that you are crying. You must be hungry. I am fixing you a bottle right now. It is almost ready." This probably will not stop the baby from crying, but it will reassure her. It is also the first step in teaching the baby to talk about her problems.
Be kind to parents, staff and children in front of the babies. They may not understand all that is going on, but they will sense the stress of a fight or confrontation. Even in infancy, babies will benefit from experiencing kind words and actions.
Toddlers and respect
During the toddler years, you may find you spend a lot of time talking about not hitting or hurting others. Sometimes toddlers find that the easiest way to solve a problem is with a hit or a grab because they are not as skilled at using language to solve problems. Continue to let the toddler know what behavior you like to see, and the toddlers will eventually exhibit this behavior.
Preschoolers and respect
Aspects of respect, such as using good manners and not hitting others, can be very difficult for preschool children to practice. Positive reinforcement is a good way to encourage the children to use good manners. When a child says please or thank you at the appropriate time, say “I like the way you said please” or “thank you for saying please.” These messages make it clear to children what behavior you like and let them know you are paying attention.
Teaching young children not to hit takes time. Young children hit to solve problems because they are frustrated and don't have the language skills to stop the problem another way. Encourage the children to use words and to tell others what they are feeling. Helping young children develop problem-solving skills now will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Being respectful of others may also mean respecting differences in the wayothers look or act. Children can begin to learn about respecting differences among people by learning about differences among children in the classroom. Talking about differences among classroom members is a good way for children to learn how they are unique and special. Children who know how they are unique and special will bebetter prepared to handle an encounter with someone who is not respectful of individual differences.

Teaching Responsibility in the Early Childhood Setting

For young children, being responsible means:

o    Doing what you are supposed to do.

o    Keeping on trying.

o    Always doing your best.

o    Helping your friends and family.

Teachers are an important influence on young children. The children in your class will learn by the example you set for them. If your children see you being responsible, they will want to act responsibly, too.
Infants and responsibility
Help infants in your care gain the tools they will need in a few years to be responsible preschoolers. Once infants start on table food, give them the opportunity to feed themselves. They will learn the satisfaction of "keeping on trying" by picking up every piece of banana in their bowls. They can also learn to use a spoon at an early age (9-12 months) if you provide a plastic baby spoon with a big easy grip.
Quick responses to the child's calls and cries will teach him that he is important and that it is important to help friends and family.
Toddlers and responsibility
Toddlers like being responsible. They enjoy completing small tasks you set up for them. For instance, picking up the toys, finding their shoes, choosing between two stories to read for circle time. Activities such as these help toddlers feel confident and capable of completing tasks.
Getting dressed is another way to help children feel capable. You can start by giving toddlers opportunities to choose clothes and dress up in the home center. If young children learn that their opinions are important, then when they become preschoolers they will want to help others. They will also learn the feeling of accomplishment from completing tasks.
Also, before nap, allowing the children to take off their own shoes (because it's easier than putting the shoes on) will help them learn that they can keep on trying to complete tasks.
Preschoolers and responsibility
There are many ways you can help preschool children learn to be responsible. Preschool children enjoy having jobs at which they can succeed. Helping at school makes children feel important and know they are contributing to the classroom.
Simple chores children can do at school include: 

- setting the table 
- clearing their plates after a meal 
- reporting the weather
- being the leader or caboose 
- holding the flag 
- helping with calendar 
- taking a message to the office 
- picking up after completing a task 
- watering plants or feeding pets
Making a simple chart for your classroom may be an easy way to keep track of your class jobs. Your children will enjoy keeping track of changing turns on the job chart.

Teaching Fairness in the Early Childhood Setting

For young children, fairness means:

o    Know and follow the rules.

o    Share with friends and family.

o    Listen to friends and family.

o    Don't blame family and friends.

Young children are very impressionable, and teachers are an important influence on young children. One way you can help children learn to be fair is by example. If the children see you following rules, sharing, listening to others and not placing blame, they will be likely to follow your example.
Infants and fairness
One important way to establish a foundation for teaching fairness to a child is by listening. When the baby is awake and alert, listen to her different sounds and respond to them. When the baby starts babbling, she will love to hear you copy her sounds and she will probably babble some more. If the baby sees you respond to her babbling, she will continue to babble. You will be encouraging language development. Remember that listening is character development. Babies who are listened to will learn they are important and valuable, and they will be likely to listen to others when they are older.
Toddlers and fairness
Concepts of fairness are not easy for toddlers to understand. During this time, think of building a foundation of fairness. Many things you do for the children in your class will help in their later understanding of fairness. Listening to the toddlers is a good example. When a child wants your attention, let her know you care by getting down on her level and listening to her. She will learn from this that she is important and listening to others is important. 

Toddlers love to hand toys and objects to adults. This is an early form of sharing. Pay attention to these moments and to the toddler's sharing behavior, and the toddler will learn the value of sharing (take note that this probably will take all year to develop). Remember that part of being fair is following the rules. The first rules toddlers usually learn involve safety; for example, don't touch hot pots on the stove, or stay away from the street. The rules may not be easy to enforce, but toddlers need boundaries. Enforcing rules is a good way to do this.
Preschool
Preschool classrooms generally have rules, such as no running inside, pick up your toys when you are through with them, or be kind to your friends. Sharing these rules with the parents will be helpful to the children because they will become accustomed to following the same standard of behavior at home and at school. If you are unsure of what rules to establish at school, you may want to involve your children. Their ideas may surprise you.
Provide opportunities for children to play simple games during the day. Playing card or board games with the children will encourage the children to take turns and share. Look for games designed for the ages of the children in your care. They will not be frustrating, but will still provide a challenge.

Teaching Caring in the Early Childhood Setting

For young children, caring means:

o    Being kind to people.

o    Showing friends and family that you care.

o    Saying please and thank you.

o    Helping people.

Teachers are an important influence on young children. The children in your class will learn by the example you set for them. If your children see you acting in a caring way, they will want to act in a caring way, too.
Infants and caring
When infants cry and you respond, you are teaching infants about caring for others. When a child coos or smiles and you coo or smile back, you are teaching the infant about caring. Holding a baby and playing with a baby are ways to be kind to her and demonstrate that you care.
If you are frustrated by a situation - perhaps a baby is crying a lot because she is getting sick - then talk to an adult rather than taking your frustration out on the child. The crying is a signal that she needs your help, and it is your job to help her. This is part of being a caring individual.
Toddlers and caring
Toddlers are very interested in their ever-expanding repertoire of movements. Toddlers are also sometimes frustrated because they want something and have trouble expressing themselves. These two characteristics may lead to two common activities: hitting and biting. Such events are perfect opportunities to teach toddlers about caring. Explain to the toddler in simple language that soft touches are better than bites or hits. Explain that we are kind to our friends and family. You may find that you are repeating yourself often, but one day, you will be surprised to notice that the toddler has become a preschooler and really was listening and knows how to act kindly toward others.
Preschoolers and caring
There are many things you can do every day to encourage preschool children to develop into caring individuals.
You can... 

o    Spend a little time with each child individually every day.

o    Softly touch a child on the shoulder.

o    Get down on the child's level to talk or listen.

o    Listen to the children in your classroom.

o    Tell the children you like what they are doing.

o    Read a story to a small group of children.

o    Talk to the children in your class about all the people they care about.

o    Teach the children in your class to care about each other.

o    Talk to your children about the people they come in contact with such as the mail carrier or the grocery clerk.

Read books about kindness and caring to the children.

Teaching Trustworthiness in the Early Childhood Setting

For young children, being trustworthy means:

o    Telling the truth.

o    Following the rules.

o    Not taking things that don't belong to you.

o    Doing what you say you'll do.

When you think about teaching your children to be trustworthy, you must remember that it does not happen overnight. Instead, it is something you should model for your children every day because teachers are an important influence on young children.
Infants 

Consistent interactions with your infant over time will help your child to understand trustworthiness and to act trustworthy. Infants do not have the capacity to exhibit or not exhibit trustworthy behaviors, but infants do have the capacity to learn from others. The first years of life are trust-building years. Every time you respond quickly and appropriately to your infant's cries, coos and smiles, you build trust with your infant. In other words, your infant is learning to trust. Children who learn to trust others will be able to build characteristics in themselves that are trustworthy.
Toddlers 

During the toddler years, you can begin to teach your children trustworthy characteristics. Toddlers need to learn simple rules (don't touch: that's hot) ; they are very interested in property rights (mine!); and they need to see you being consistent (read a story every night before bed). Patience and persistence on your part will help your toddler develop characteristics of trustworthiness.
Preschool 

Preschool children need to learn about rules and need to follow rules. Preschool children can learn about telling the truth, respecting property of others and following through. When you pay attention to and model these behaviors every day, your child will develop into a trustworthy individual.
Here are some ideas to help you model trustworthiness to your preschool child.
Make promises only of rewards that you plan to keep. 
Make promises only of punishments that you plan to keep. 
Be consistent. 
Tell the truth to your children. 
Tell the truth in front of your children.

TitleIII Technology Literacy Challenge Grant

Learning Unit

Overview | Content Knowledge | Essential Questions | Connection To Standards | Initiating Activity | Learning Experiences | Culminating Performance | Pre-Requisite Skills | Modifications | Schedule/Time Plan | Technology Use

OVERVIEW

This unit is to help in making the transition from home to school as easy and comfortable as possible.  The child will become familiar with the teachers in the classroom and the routine and setting of the room.  This will begin with the first home visit, using a book called “A Day in Pre-K.”  A do-at-home project will be mailed to each child to pull family and school together.  The first day of Pre-K will bring together the home visit and the project – with a story called The Kissing Hand.  This is a beginning September unit.  It will take two days initially and then 3 weeks to complete.

CONTENT KNOWLEDGE

Declarative	Procedural
1.  Making the adjustment between leaving home and going to school.	1.  Students will demonstrate the “arrival procedure.”
2.  Recognize the routine of the Pre-Kindergarten classroom.	2.  Students will demonstrate the “group time procedure.”
3.  Identifies the staff associated with the Pre-Kindergarten class.	3.  Students will demonstrate the “mealtime procedure.”
	4.  Students will demonstrate the “choice time procedure.”
	5.  Students will demonstrate the “closure procedure.”
	6.  Students will demonstrate the “dismissal procedure.”

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

1.      What do you know about Pre-Kindergarten?

2.      What will you do in Pre-Kindergarten?

3.      What adults do you know in school and what do they do?

OBJECTIVES

1.     – LANGUAGE FOR INFORMATION AND UNDERSTANDING

Students will read, write, listen and speak for

information and understanding.

Students will:

·       Gather and interpret information from the booK The Kissing Hand.

·       Ask specific questions to clarify and extend meaning to learn about.

2 – LANGUAGE FOR LITERACY RESPONSE AND EXPRESSION

Students will read, write, listen and speak

for literacy response and expression.

Students will:

·       Listen to the story The Kissing Hand.

·       Present personal responses to the story.

3 – LANGUAGE FOR CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION

Students will read, write, listen and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.

Students will:

·       Discuss what school is like and their role at school.

4 – LANGUAGE FOR SOCIAL INTERACTION

Students will read, write, listen and speak for social interaction. 

Students will:

·       Listen attentively and recognize when it is appropriate for them to speak.

·       Take turns speaking and respond to other’s

              ideas in conversation on familiar topics.

·       Recognize the kind of interaction appropriate for different circumstances, such as group discussions and one-on-one conversations

_ A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Students will acquire the knowledge and ability

necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.      

     Students will:

·       Listen and discuss safety rules of the classroom and the playground

·       Discuss and maintain personal health ( washing hands, blowing nose).

– CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Students will be knowledgeable about the world of work, explore career options and related personal skills, aptitudes, and abilities to future career decisions.

Students will:

·       Look at and discuss an learn about staff within the school and their jobs.

                     INITIATING ACTIVITY

Hook! – A parent and child project is taken to the child’s

home when classes starts.

  The project will consist of a piece of paper decorated

 with a Handprint design that will be carried over

into the classroom decorations.

  The main project deals with the child’s handprint.

  The parents will be asked to trace their child’s hand

 on the colored paper.

  The child will then cut it out and attach it

to the printed sheet. 

They will then attach a picture of the parent and/or family.

 They will be asked to bring this project to school.

                          

           

LEARNING EXPERIENCES
In chronological order including acquisition experiences and extending/refining
experiences for all stated declarative and procedural knowledge.

Lesson 2 Declarative     We will use the KWL strategy to introduce school to the child at the home visit held before school begins.  The child will visit with the teacher and will be asked about their concept of school.

The book will then be introduced and discussed between

the teacher and the child.

Lesson 3   Declarative  On the first day of school, the children will be brought to the room and they will be asked to sit on the rug.

The parent project the children bring to school will be hung in the room, tying in with the story being read.

We will “launch” our activity with the story,

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.

The story will be read to the children with a discussion throughout the story about going to school, missing home, doing new things, etc.

The children will be able to see a picture of their parents and/or family in the project they brought from home throughout the day, if they want to.

We will then proceed with their first day of school.

We will end the first day reviewing the story with the children.

We will then send home a note for the parents giving them a summary of the story read in class.  A heart sticker will be sent with the note.

We will ask the parents to put/draw/stick the heart on their child’s palm and give them a “kiss” on the heart before their child goes to school  as in the story The Kissing Hand.

Lesson 4   Declarative:

   At the beginning of the second week of school, the children will look at and discuss the “My Helpers at School” booklet.

  They will then be introduced to the staff over the period of a week.

 We will discuss each staff member’s job and the children will have an opportunity to ask questions and talk with each staff member.

  We will also visit each staff member’s location at school so

the children will be able to find their way there.

Lesson 5   Procedural:   

The procedures of the classroom

 – these procedures of the daily routine of the classroom will be demonstrated and explained until the child can

 perform them successfully on their own.

                                         CULMINATING PERFORMANCE

This rubric is used for a culminating activity using pictures from the “A Day at School” booklet to classify and sequence.  These pictures will be scanned, enlarged and laminated to use as a manipulative activity for the children.  They will sequence the pictures into the routine order of the day. 

They will also classify the pictures into the procedures of the day.

	Able to do all of the task	Able to do some of the task	Unable to do task
Sequence a day
Classify a day
Routine in the classroom

PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS

None

MODIFICATIONS

One-on-one assistance for the students will be provided by the teachers as needed.
Parents will be contacted to provide the parent and child home project, if it is not sent in on the first day.

UNIT SCHEDULE/TIME PLAN

Total unit – 4 weeks

TECHNOLOGY USE

Two of the books for this unit, A Day in Pre-K and My Helpers at School, were developed on the computer.  Pictures were either scanned and transferred to the computer or taken with the digital camera to make the picture books to be used to introduce the children to Pre-K and the staff.
A letter for the parents was designed and printed on the computer.
Pictures from the story read for the third lesson, The Kissing Hand, were scanned and used in the picture books and the letter, to coordinate the activities.
The internet was also used for ideas and information, while developing this unit.

LINKS

www.audreypenn.com

www.thekissinghand.com

www.amc.edu/pre-k.htm

www.amazon.com

www.title3.org

www.perceptualpreschool.com

www.earlychildhood.com

www.theideabox.com

www.funschool.com

RESOURCES

Book:  The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Cassette for listening center: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

Materials for the classroom: Name tags, note paper – ½  page and whole page, bulletin board trim, stickers – Handprint design obtained from School Daze, Watertown, NY and Instructional Fair Group.

Small red heart stickers

Raccoon Puppet to accompany the story – Constructive Playthings

The Kissing Hand

 Shapes & Colors Activity:

1.  Ask children to identify the shapes and colors on the template if using the color template.  Ask the children to identify the colors.

Numbers/Early-Math Activities:
To conduct these activities pieces should be decorated and cut out.

1. Sorting & Sizing:  Have the children sort the hearts by size - smallest to largest.

2. Counting:  Count how many of each size there are and how many in total to assemble the craft. You may want to write numbers on the blank side to acquaint the children with printed numbers.  In this activity you may want to also count the eyes.

Proceed with craft assembly. 
Show the small image provided in the template to help the children see how the finished craft looks and to aid them in positioning the pieces.  Save this small image to be used later as a sticker in other learning activities. With large groups, assemble a craft by steps in front of the group. 

Assembly Craft 1 - face only
1.  Paste small black nose on white heart.
2.  Paste the white heart on inverted large heart > head.
3.  Paste two black hearts horizontally to create (the mask).  Paste eyes over these hearts.
4.  Paste inner black ears inside gray ears.
5.  Paste assembled ears to head.
5.  Optional:  Write letter R and the word raccoon in the body or behind the craft

Assembly craft #2 (with body)
Assemble head pieces first:
1.  Paste white heart with small black nose on inverted heart head.
2.  Paste two black hearts to create (the mask).  Paste eyes over these hearts.
Assemble body pieces next:
4.  Paste heart feet as one piece on inverted heart body.
5.  Paste tail diagonally on the back of body.
6.  Paste assembled head in place.
7.  Optional:  Write letter R and the word raccoon in the body or behind the craft

After completing the craft the children can hold their finished craft while conducting some of the activities below.

This is a wonderful story for the first day of school. It is about a little racoon named Chester who was very scared about going to school, but learned that his mother could be with him, wherever he may be, with the help of a kissing hand. I am including several poems and activities that we participate in, in our classroom the first 3 days of school. The first day of school we.... Read the story and discuss how we felt coming to our first day of first grade. I also introduce the students to a stuffed racoon, that I tell them is Chester. He leaves a letter and a clue that leads to a scavenger hunt around the school. We go from place to place finding new clues from Chester. We also discuss how to behave in each place. The hunt eventually leads back to our classroom, where hand and heart cookies are waiting for the kids. The following link will give you a great poem to start your scavenger hunt.http://www.littlegiraffes.com/kissinghand.html We also create a poem for their parents. I take the large construction paper and fold in both ends until they meet. This makes a perfect spot to glue the poem in the middle and have 2 flaps, one for each hand. I have the kids put a handprint on each end. I am attaching this poem, I found at www.kindergartentreehouse.com. I changed the poem to fit first grade. The First Day (Kissing Hand Poem) On Day 2: We re-read the story. Then I have students trace and cut our their own hand. Have precut hearts on 8 x 12 red paper available. On the heart, write the child's name kissing hand. Do not gule down the middle and ring finger--tuck them under so it's the sign for "I love you". Glue the hand onto the heart and fill in the child's name. Display on a bulletin board entitled "The Kissing Hand". Next, on a pocket chart, do a counting activity--put the number card for the numbers 1-10, then have the children put up that many hearts for each number. Extension would be to add 11-20. You may also want to Read and Match Names: Make cut out hands and put each child's name on one hand. Display the hands on the bottom lines of the pocket chart. Then Write each child's name on a card. The teacher will hold onto these cards. Write the sentence "This is _____________'s hand." on a sentence strip and place the sentence strip at the top of the pocket chart. Put a name card in the blank space of the sentence strip. Have each child read the sentence when his/her name is seen. Then have someone else in the class find the hand at the bottom of the pocket chart that has that child's name on it. We also make kissing hand puzzles. See this site for a better description: http://www.littlegiraffes.com/kissinghand.html On Day 3: We reread the story. Then we do a graphing question in the pocket chart. The question we ask is, "Who is your favorite character in THE KISSING HAND?" Chester or Mom. Then we discuss the results. We also list words ont eh pocket chart such as Chester, mom, school, raccoon, kissing, hand and heart. Students will use these words to write something about the story. For example: The Kissing Hand was a good story because______________. You may also want the kids to create patterns with hand and hearts. HERE ARE SOME AMAZING SITES FOR KISSING HAND ACTIVITIES: http://www.littlegiraffes.com/kissinghand.html http://www.kindergartentreehouse.com/kissinghand.html http://www.mrsnelsonsclass.com/teacherresources/storylessons/kissinghand.aspx http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/The_Kissing_Hand/index.shtml http://www.vickiblackwell.com/kissinghand/index.htm

First Day Of School Activity:  The Kissing Hand School Tour

This activity turns a school tour into an exciting event that is sure to be remembered by your students forever.  On the morning of the first day of school give all the people in your school building who you plan to introduce to your class a small red heart sticker to wear on the back of their hands, explain the activity, distribute the notes below and place raccoon paw prints leading from the Principal’s office back to your classroom.  You will need a little help from some colleagues to put out the paw prints, the note and the treats while you’re in the Principal’s office.

Begin by reading aloud the story The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.  In the story, Chester Raccoon doesn't want to go to school. His mother explains that we all must do things we don't want to do and tells him about the Kissing Hand. She places a kiss in the palm of his hand and explains that whenever he is lonely he should press the palm to his cheek. Chester also gives one to his mother.

Have this note fall out of the story as you turn the last page.

Dear Girls and Boys, You’ve just read my story The Kissing Hand.  Now I think we can have some fun.  Read the clues that I leave for you.  Try and follow each one.  Now let’s play a game and look for me.  Here is the first clue to start! Go visit Mrs. ____________ in the library and look on her hand for a heart. Love, Chester The Raccoon

Line your class up and head to the library and introduce the librarian.  As you do the introductions your students will quickly spot the heart on his/her hand.  Ask the librarian if she has seen a raccoon named Chester and she will say that she has not but she heard a noise earlier and found a note on her desk.

Dear Girls and Boys, I put a heart on (Librarians Name) hand.  But there’s someone else to see.  Go to the gym and look for a heart and maybe you’ll even find me! Love, Chester The Raccoon

 Hand this note out to all the people in the building your children will be meeting and as you are completing the tour keep the kids excited by talking about how you keep missing Chester.  Save the Principal of the school for the last stop on the tour.

Dear Girls and Boys, I gave (Principal’s Name) a heart for her hand.  Then I left on my own little feet.  Follow my paw prints through the hall.  They’ll lead you to a treat. Love, Chester The Raccoon

Follow the paw prints back to the classroom.  At the door of the classroom a bag of Heart Candies (Check Bulk Barn) and this note is waiting for the students.

Dear Girls and Boys, You had a good time looking for me, but back to the book I went.  Read my story again on another day and enjoy the treats that I sent. Love, Chester The Raccoon

Follow Up Activity:

After the children enjoy their treats use a paint brush to paint each child’s hand and make a hand print on a small square of heavy paper.  Once the paint is dry (blow drying may be necessary for ½ day programs) place a small red heart sticker on the palm of the print and cut the prints into puzzles and place into individual Ziploc bags.  Include the following poem inside the Ziploc bag with the puzzle.

I made a puzzle just for you, At school on my very first day. It’s made with love and my handprint, In a very special way. Now you can sit down on the floor, With your favourite Kindergarten kid. We’ll put it together while I tell you about, All the fun things we did!

Staple the Ziploc bag to the following letter (you may be able to find Raccoon Paper for the letter or you can use the internet to locate images to make your own).

It’s my very first day of school and the Kissing Hand is what we read.  It’s about a raccoon that did just as his parents said. Like the raccoon’s first day at school, I was scared and a little shy. But because of what you said, I was brave and I got by. All through the year, I’ll make more things for you. So as I change and as I learn, you can see my growth too.

Hands On Learning Activities Related To The Kissing Hand

The students will love to hear The Kissing Hand over and over during the first few days of school. Here are some hands on activities to place at your centres.

Math Centre

Cut out 10 hands on heavy paper.  Print one number on each hand 1-10.  Children use heart shaped erasers or other heart shaped items to count out the number represented on each hand.  Check Dollar Stores around Valentines Day for heart shaped items for counting, sorting and patterning.

Collect all different sized hearts and children put in order from smallest to biggest.

ABC Centre

Cut out 26 large hearts and 26 small hearts out of heavy paper.  Print the Upper Case Letters of the alphabet on the large hearts and the lowercase letters on the smaller hearts.  Children match the uppercase letters to the lowercase letters on a pocket chart.  At this time of the year, depending on the make up of the class, you might have the students just matching letters that are the same.

Science Centre

Collect a bucket of plastic animals. Children can sort the animals into 2 categories, those animals that sleep at night and those animals that sleep during the day like Chester the Raccoon.

Playdough Centre

Put heart shaped cutters and hand shaped cutters out for the children to explore and create their own Kissing Hand.

Put out different sized heart shaped cutters and children make playdough hearts and put in order from biggest to smallest.

Listening Centre

Purchase or record yourself reading The Kissing Hand or the sequel Pocket Full Of Kisses.

Retelling Centre

In the summer section of Dollarama you can purchase a few different kinds of plastic raccoons.  Place the raccoons and the book at the retelling centre for the students to make the story themselves.

Writing Centre

Supply name cards and encourage the students to use alphabet stamps to stamp their names on heart shaped paper or heart note pads.  You might consider putting Chester’s name on a card and the children can draw a picture of Chester and stamp his name underneath.

Class Book

Each child traces his or her hand and glues it on to a page that the teacher has created.  The page reads:  (Mommy/Daddy/Grandma) brought child’s name to school today and he/she  felt excited/scared/happy/sad.   Or: Name started JK/SK today.

Predictable Chart

Put each child’s handprint on a sentence strip or chart paper strip and create a predictable chart that reads:  This is name’s hand.  Have each child print their name as best as he/she can and then practice touch reading the chart as a class.  This can be turned into a class book as well.

Finger Poem:  Raccoon, Raccoon (By:  Pam Miller)

Raccoon, raccoon, (make a mask around your eyes with your fingers)
Up in a tree, (both arms raised)

Raccoon, Raccoon,

You can't see me. (Cover eyes)
Raccoon, raccoon,

I can see you (one hand on your eyes, one pointing out to imaginary raccoon)

Eating fish and corn and birds’ eggs too. (imitate eating motions)
Raccoon, raccoon,

Hunting at night, (hands shade eyes as if squinting in the dark)

Raccoon, raccoon,

Sleeps in daylight. (the usual sleeping motion we all do)

http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/literature_guides/kissinghand.html