Why This Theme?

Amy Vaselenko
CHDV 150













We have chosen transportation as the theme because it is a subject that is of interest to
many preschool children. We want children to be able to reflect back on what they already know
about transportation and also gain more knowledge about this subject. We will use a variety of
activities to introduce the many forms of transportation, and how we use transportation to get
from one place to another.
This theme is developmentally appropriate for all children because it is a topic all
children can relate to because we use and see forms of transportation every time we travel
somewhere. We are going to include a variety of activities on this topic that can be modified to
varying difficulty levels to meet the needs of all the childrens abilities. An example, this is the
language and literacy activity we are going to do. Children will match the letter on the car they
have to the parking space with the corresponding letter. To add another level of difficulty we will
provide cars with no letters so they will park the car in the spot of the letter that we say. Then to
further challenge some children we will add some cars with lower case letters to match to the
upper case letter parking spot.
We will also integrate the different curriculum areas in the activities. For example, our
social studies activity is a charting and sorting activity where children will use literacy to talk
about their experiences using forms of transportation. They will see the similarities and
differences between their own experiences and those of the other children. They will use math
skills as well to sort the different kinds of transportation and when counting the number of
children that has used each type of transportation and charting it on a graph.
We are going to add hands-on and sensory activities to the classroom as well. Our science
activity is one of the hands on activities the children will experience. The children will use ramps
and cars to determine what will make the car go faster or slower. Sensory tables will be included
as well. A sand table in the classroom will be created with vehicles for the children to use and
build with. In addition, a water table will be provided outside with boats and other objects for the
children to experiment with.
A variety of activities have been planned to address each of the multiple intelligences so
each child can learn in a way that is best for them. Visual and spatial activities will be provided
such as puzzles and books about transportation. Bodily-kinesthetic activities that will be
provided are music and movement, the art activity, where the children will paint with the wheels
of toy cars, sensory tables, and other activities will be made for children to get a hands-on
experience as well. Many transportation themed songs are planned throughout the week for those
children who learn best through music. Children will be encouraged to work together in most of
the activities planned to work on interpersonal skills, but activities that include things like books,
pictures, and manipulatives will be provided for those children who prefer to use their
intrapersonal skills to complete or work on an activity. Teachers will be available to the children
during all activities to scaffold each child, and listen to each childs thoughts and ideas to help
improve the childs linguistic skills. Logical and mathematical activities will be available as
well. Examples of these activities are the science activity we have planned, where children are
going to predict which car will win the race down varying ramps, and our math activity where
children will use patterning to determine what will come next in a sequence.
Many activities for this theme have been planned that will meet the needs of all children
in our class. This is a theme all children can relate to and enjoy.