Stringing popcorn may conjure up images of sitting around a Christmas tree making garland, but your students can string popcorn garland anytime of the year. Provide each child with a large, plastic and blunt stringing needle with the string of your choice already threaded on to the needle. Set a bowl of popcorn in the middle of their table or floor, and allow them to string as many pieces as they can. Once the bowl is empty, tie each child's completed garland together to form one large garland. Hang the garlands in the classroom for the duration of your popcorn theme. To offer a more challenging activity for advanced students, add beads for stringing in an AB pattern. Instruct your children to string one popcorn and one bead. This option also incorporates an introduction into grade school patterning curriculum objectives.
According to teacher Mike Salas, the use of a water or sand table offers students a "hands-on experience that is open-ended." If you already have a sand or water table in your classroom, simply replace what is in it with popcorn kernels to go along with your popcorn theme. Your students can pour the kernels into cups and bowls the same way they can with water or sand. They will learn pre-mathematical skills, strengthen their fine-motor skills and gain practice in sharing with their classmates. To create a kernel table, if you do not already have one, bring in a large plastic tub or box. Place it on a table or on the floor over a sheet or tarp. Add cups, funnels, bowls and other toys so students can explore.
There are many ways to dye popped popcorn. One of the quickest ways is to put popcorn into plastic storage bags with a few spoons full of tempera paint powder. Shake the bag to coat the popcorn with the powdered paint, and allow the pieces to dry overnight. Give each student a piece of paper and glue so they can create a picture with the different colors of popcorn. Offer your students to create their own picture, or copy a large image of your choice for them to fill in with the popcorn.
Preschoolers are naturally drawn to music, and studies show music is beneficial for children. According to D'Arcy Lyness, Behavioral Health Editor of Kids Health, "musical experiences are an important way to help create neural connections," or pathways between cells of the brain. Give your students an opportunity to build these cell connections by creating instruments with popcorn kernels. Give each student two plates, and offer them crayons, markers and glitter to decorate the bottoms of each plate. Then place a couple handfuls of kernels on to one plate, and staple or tape the two plates together to create their tambourines. Turn on the music, and let your classroom play to the beat of their favorite songs.