Talk about planets and what makes a galaxy. Show them pictures and read books about what makes each planet in our solar system unique. Discuss stars and moons. After they have learned about space, make a solar system out of styrofoam balls. These can be hung from the ceiling to enjoy throughout the year. If appropriate, take a field trip to a planetarium.
Ancient Egypt has many interesting variables that can be incorporated into lessons for advanced students. Provide students with an overview of the history of Ancient Egypt. Show them pictures and read books on the topic. Discuss hieroglyphics and incorporate them into an activity. Students can either write sentences given a few examples of hieroglyphics, or make up their own. Make a pyramid out of sugar cubes for a fun team or individual activity.
Volcanoes are beautiful and exciting for young learners. Read books and show pictures of volcanoes. If possible, find videos of volcanoes erupting to get a more complete picture of how volcanoes work. Discuss dormant versus active volcanoes. Make a classroom volcano as a team project and make it erupt using vinegar and baking soda. Students can also make smaller, individual volcanoes by forming craft dough around a small paper cup.
Puzzles are a simple, inexpensive way of keeping an advanced kindergartner's mind active. Children enjoy standard tabletop puzzles, but also three-dimensional puzzles. There are different puzzles available designed to bend and shape into specific forms or pieces that are put together to make specific items. Pencil and paper puzzles also are entertaining and educational.
Learning activities and storybooks associate naturally together. After reading a story, create an activity that relates to a concept in the book. For example, after reading "Diary of a Worm," students can make their own worm farm. Check with local pet stores for purchasing and maintaining the farm. Children can get actively involved by gathering the dirt and worms themselves. Once created, the children can learn by watching the worms dig tunnels in the dirt and discussing the worm life cycle and habitat. Another example is to read any book related to snowmen or snow and let the children make their own snowmen out of ice cream and edible accessories. The teacher can facilitate a discussion about freezing and melting.
Building activities are generally inexpensive and apply to a variety of topics. Craft sticks, sugar cubes, wooden or plastic blocks, or cardboard boxes can be used to make many pint-size structures. Use craft sticks to make a castle or house. Stack and glue sugar cubes to make an igloo. Building blocks can make almost any building or structure. Decorate several cardboard boxes to make a town. Be creative and allow children use their own imaginations to create their own masterpieces.