I know I'm late in posting this, as September has gone by faster than its usual speed of light for me, but I wanted to finish up with apples, before I move on to other fall-themed units.
I figure apples fit well with my harvest theme for October, so I usually throw in a few extra apple activities that I didn't have time to cover earlier. It's also great to compare and contrast apples with pumpkins too.
Any hoo, I had so much fun redesigning two of my all-time favorite life cycle of an apple crafts, and tossing in an emergent reader to round out the activities in my latest fall packet: Life Cycle of an Apple Activities.
I think you’ll love the versatility, as it’s appropriate for a variety of ages and levels, with lots of options.
The Life Cycle of an Apple emergent reader, is great non-fiction practice that reinforces plenty of sight words, as it includes 31 from the Dolch word lists!
Picture prompts help with the other words.
I’ve included a color copy for teachers, as well as a student copy in black & white.
Children trace and write the life cycle words, read the simple sentences, color the pictures, then cut & collate the pages into a “just the right size” booklet.
There’s a template with 6 on a page, as well as one with 12 mini-pages on a one-page template, so that you have the option to make Itty Bitty booklets, that are a real paper-saver.
To assist with reading, review the life cycle of an apple, with the 8 colorful pocket chart cards.
I also made a bookmark-size template for your students.
The 2 apple craftivities also reinforce the life cycle. Nothing like a hands-on artsy activity to get your kiddos excited.
I’ve included a simple 4-section life cycle, as well as a more detailed one, with 7 sections. I feature both options in the photographs.
Completed projects look awesome dangling from the ceiling, as there is a front & back for each project.
Choose either the apple with a sweet fingerprint poem, or the equally adorable apple pie. Here's the poem:
"There's a star inside my apple! It's a miracle indeed, that a sweet and yummy apple was once a little seed. This one is extra special. It's made with TLC. The seeds are from my fingerprints, as you can plainly see."
I made the leaf 3D by folding an extra one in half then gluing it to the flat one. For that finishing touch, have students glue their school photo on the leaf.
The life cycle of an apple, on a small paper plate, covered with aluminum foil, also turned out really cute. I spritzed ours with apple-cinnamon air freshener! Our room smells fabulous!
The back of the "pie" has the life cycle, and the front features the "Life Cycle of an Apple" title circle. Since the apples end up in a pie, I thought I'd dangle a slice "Oh my! Apple pie." to complete the cycle.
I hope your kiddos enjoy doing these activities as much as mine did. An added bonus, is the wonderful compliments you’ll get from appreciative parents, who’ll love this special keepsake!
Click on the link to pop on over to my little TpT shop to take a peek at this 33-pager: Life Cycle of an Apple Activities packet.
While you're there, I'd so appreciate it if you'd click on the "Follow Me" button; then you'll know when I post Diane's Dollar Deals, new stuff, and FREEBIES too.
Speaking of FREEBIES, today's featured free item, is a fall-themed "Shapely Graphing" packet. Reinforce graphing, shapes and colors all in one worksheet! Can I get an Amen!?
The teacher's answer keys are in full color to save you a ton of time, while the student worksheets are in black and white.
It's the newest FREEBIE in my store; I thought it fit the blog today because it has an apple graph, then slides us into the rest of my fall themes: pumpkins, leaves and spiders. Click on the link above to grab it.
Well that's it for today. If March roars out like a lion or lamb, then September is bidding adieu like a beach ball.
It's a beautiful sunny day in the 70's, and time to take my poodle pup, Chloe, for a much-needed trot around the block. Wishing you a blessed week.
"Designers want me to dress like spring, in billowing things. I don't feel like spring. I feel like a warm red autumn." -Marilyn Monroe
1-2-3 Come Teach The Parts Of An Apple With Me
Studying apples was one of my favorite themes for fall. My kiddos really enjoyed our first field trip to an apple orchard, where some of them tasted cider for the first time.
While there, the owner would explain the parts of an apple to us and how to appropriately pick them.
I was always fascinated by the many different kinds they had growing in their orchard. Mrs. Cotant shared that the United States has over 7,500 varieties of apples!
I have many favorite apple stories that I share with my students. It's the perfect time to give them a sampling of non-fiction material and plug in some science.
With that in mind, I designed the Parts of an Apple emergent reader.
* This just the right size booklet, packs a big sight word punch, as I’ve included 58 words from the Dolch lists; picture clues help with the few that are not.
* There’s a full-color copy for teachers, as well as a black & white version for your kiddos.
Make an extra copy of the one in color to keep in your classroom library.
The basket that was filled with our student-made emergent reader booklets, was always popular. My beginning readers enjoyed the feeling of success they had in reading the pages.
It really helped build their confidence & self-esteem. I found that they were better "reading risk takers" later on, when they were sounding out and guessing new words in other books.
* There are 2 size options to choose from. There's the 4-on-a-page size, or the 8-on-a-page pattern, so you can conserve paper by making Itty Bitty booklets.
* I’ve also included a set of 8 pocket chart cards. Use these to introduce the activity and remind students to use the picture clues while reading. Make an extra set, cut them in half to make an independent puzzle center.
The colorful anchor chart poster, that labels the parts of an apple is also helpful.
* To reinforce the parts of an apple further, I've included 3, black line worksheet options, for students to color and label.
PK kiddos can simply color theirs, older students can cut and glue the word labels to the appropriate sections, or write in the parts.
In celebration of fall, I've put the Parts of an Apple Emergent Reader Packet on sale for a limited time. It's just $2.95. Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop to have a look.
The featured FREEBIE today is one of my favorite apple crafts. It's quick, easy, super-fun and the results are truly lovely. Great fine motor practice too. Click on the link for the "Stained Glass" Tissue Paper Apple Craft.
Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. All this talk of apples has made me hungry. Time for a snack. Wishing you a delicious day.
"Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed." -Robert H. Schuller
1-2-3 Come Do Some Color Activities With Me
Are you studying colors or color words with your kiddos? Do you read Brown Bear Brown Bear, by Bill Martin & Eric Carle? If so, I think you'll enjoy Brown Bear's Colors.
I designed this color packet to go along with the story because it's one of my all-time favorites; my students really enjoy Brown Bear too, and it's perfect for sequencing as well as reinforcing colors.
You’ll LOVE the versatility of this packet, as it’s suitable for PK through 1st, and particularly helpful for ESL students.
Practice a variety of skills & standards, by simply taking the teachable moment to point out & explain, or skip that skill if it doesn’t apply to your age group/level.
The packet includes:
An emergent reader (2 options) One booklet is entitled "A Rainbow of Colors" and reinforces 6 colors of the rainbow.
The other, "Lots of Colors" includes 11 basic colors.
Students read the simple sentences, which are packed with plenty of Dolch words, trace and write the color word, then color the crayon and bear's sweater the matching color.
So that you can have a "teachable moment" to review end punctuation, I've purposely included sentences with a period, question mark & exclamation point.
To ensure that students are really reading their booklets, instead of repeating "I see a ________(color) crayon." I switch up the pronouns, so that you can practice pronouns, which are also on the Dolch lists.
An anchor chart pronoun poster is also included.
I figure as long as my kiddos are learning to read these words, I might as well briefly explain pronouns, adding yet another word to their growing grammar vocabularies.
The packet includes games galore! There are 4 separate games, plus 10 more you can play with just the colorful crayon poster!
I've made full-color sets to use as independent centers, as well as black & white games so that students can make their own to practice at home.
Add the Kaboom cards for even more fun. The packet also has . . .
* A whole group assessment
* Worksheets
* An assortment of anchor chart posters
* A Rainbow Color song
* Favorite color graphing activity and
* A bookmark and certificate of praise
Since I have a lot of visitors from Australia, Great Brittain and Canada, I've also included templates with the "Colours" and "Grey" spellings.
* As always, directions, photographs and completed samples. Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop to have a look at this 80-page packet of color fun: "Brown Bear's Colors.
Today's featured FREEBIE, comes from the packet. There are two; woo hoo! The first one is the "Favorite Colors" graph. Click on the link or picture to get your copy.
The graph comes in color, to use as a whole-group activity, as well as black and white, so that students can collect data on their own.
The other FREEBIE is a set of posters. "We know our colors!" and "We know our color words."
Pick the one that's right for your kiddos. When they have mastered the standard, they get to sign the blank poster that's displayed underneath.
This provides a nice incentive that promotes self-esteem. There's also a "colours" set for my non USA teacher friends.
Well that's it for today. Art Prize has started here in Grand Rapids, so I'm off to go meander around downtown with my hubbie and grandson. Wishing you an ed-venturous weekend as well.
"The purpose of art is to wash the dust of life off our souls." - Pablo Picasso
1-2-3 Come Do a Brown Bear Activity With Me
Do you read the story Brown Bear What Do You See, by Bill Martin & Eric Carle? It’s one of my all-time favorite stories about colors.
With that book in mind, I designed this sweet “just the right size” Brown Bear booklet, as a fun way to reinforce the 5 senses.
Brown Bear not only sees things, but he hears, feels, smells, & tastes them too!
Children color their cover, complete the prompt by writing one or two words of what their bear saw, heard, tasted etc. then draw a picture.
Encourage older students to write short, but descriptive sentences and turn this activity into an emergent reader.
When students have completed their worksheet, they cut out the pages, put them in any order they want, then staple them to the “pencil” on the cover of their booklet.
There are pages with word prompts for K-1, as well as pages with picture prompts for PK kiddos. (See photo).
Besides the Itty Bitty booklet, the packet includes a Brown Bear 5 senses poster for reviewing the 5 senses.
I’ve also included a “Label the bear’s senses” worksheet, with a write-in, or cut & glue option. There are 2 size choices as well.
In addition to the booklet, students can also think of one more thing their bear could see, hear, smell etc. and write those answers on the bookmark-size worksheet.
As with all of my products, I include a completed sample, so that you can quickly & easily make an example of your own, to help explain what you want your students to do.
This activity packet is just $2.95. Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to check it out. Brown Bear's 5 Senses.
The featured FREEBIE today also has a bear theme. It's a set of 12 pocket chart cards that practice beginning capitalization & end punctuation.
Besides the cards, the packet also includes a worksheet and certificate of praise. I designed these around another favorite bear story: Goin' On A Bear Hunt. Click on the link for an awesome telling of the tale by Michael Rosen, the author.
Well that's it for today. I'm anxious to finish the matching "Color Bear" emergent reader that will reinforce these word wall words.
I'll hopefully have it completed by the end of the day, so do pop back tomorrow for a look see. Wishing you a wonderful week.
"You can always tell about somebody by the way they put their hands on an animal." - Betty White
1-2-3 Come Do Some "Sense-sational" Writing Activities With Me
I'm so excited about my latest creative writing packet (Seasons & Senses) that I just finished. Part of the "yippie yahoo" is that it's so versatile!
PK kiddos on up through middle school will enjoy “Savoring the Seasons” by using their 5 Senses.
Younger kiddos can simply jot down single words and draw a picture.
Older students, can practice using adjectives to really make their writing stand out & come "alive".
There's a "flip-flap" booklet for the 4 seasons, plus one for the 5 senses.
At the start of school, choose the autumn one, then later, repeat this activity throughout the various seasons, to show improvement!
Great for portfolios, and you’ve empowered your students because they know what to do & can get right down to business; and you can share these with parents at conferences!
These craftivities are quick, easy & fun; plus, you're incorporating literacy AND science, getting more bang for your "time buck." (Another yippie yahoo!) AND ...
Completed projects make an awesome, easy-peasy bulletin board or hallway writing display entitled: "Sense-sational" Writing!
Use the "Savor the Seasons" poster (pictured at the top) for the center of your board. (May I yell yippie for a 3rd time?)
I've included completed samples, so that you can quickly and easily make an example of your own to share with your kiddos, to help explain things.
Besides the flip-flap booklets, I’ve also included full-page writing prompt worksheets perfect for older students.
So if you teach older grades and stumbled here, you too can use this concept because...
To reinforce the use of adjectives, I had my college comp students choose a season and sense.
They did a great job and seemed to really enjoy it!
Younger students can also practice adjectives by filling in the 4-seasons graphic organizers. This is a great activity to do before they make their flip-flap booklet.
Another option, is to have sudents get into groups of 3-5 and complete the worksheets together.
You could also collect and collate them to make a class-made 4-seasons booklet.
Sooo, can I get a "Woo hoo" for an activity that’s appropriate for multiple levels & ages?!
The packet also includes pocket chart cards for the 4 seasons, as well as 5 senses. I also use these as "header cards" on my whiteboard.
To introduce the activity, discuss the 5 senses. Choose a season, and have students brainstorm a list of things that they "see, hear, feel, taste" etc. at this time of year; jot them down in the appropriate column.
Children can refer to the board while they're writing. You'll find the anchor chart posters helpful too.
There's a full-color set to hang up, as well as black & white, so students can reinforce the information, by making their own.
This 44-pager is just $3.50. Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to check it out: Seasons & Senses
Today's FREEBIE comes from the packet, and is the wise owl adjective anchor chart poster. Use it as a reminder for students to use plenty of descriptive words in their writing.
Well that's it for today. My head has that "over-stuffed, too much computer" feeling; so it's time to get some fresh air.
It's beautiful out; the sun is shining, but there's a definite chill in the air. A reminder that winter is not far off, so enjoy these awesome autumn days while you can. Wishing you an energizing one!
"Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt." - William Allingham
