1-2-3 Come Do Some Spring Things With Me
During spring, it’s a good idea to once again assess things like colors, color words, and shapes.
With that in mind, I designed the “Bunny Tails & Tales” packet as a super-fun way to practice, assess, or teach.
Add a bit of “crafty” to writing practice, and your students will be excited to show off their writing skills, with the “Bunny Tale” shape booklet.
The cover flips up to reveal their bunny tale. Add a cotton ball for that finishing touch.
I’ve included my silly story about the “Magic Carrot”, so that you can easily make an example to share with your students.
Review thirteen, 2D shapes with the “Shapely Bunny” game.
Students match the appropriate shaped tail to the matching bunny with that shape word.
I used glue dots to add a mini, white pom pom to each piece.
This not only makes manipulating the tails easier, but the pinching aspect, is a great way to strengthen finger muscles.
If you’re making this center for PK, simply trace the tail shape onto the bunny, so they can practice one-to-one correspondence.
The packet includes patterns for these 2D shapes: circle, oval, triangle, rectangle, square, hexagon, octagon, pentagon, rhombus, trapezoid, star, heart and crescent. Choose those appropriate for your group.
Besides writing and shapes, the packet also practices colors and color words.
I’ve included mini word cards for all of the basic colors, which are placed over the matching rectangle on that color bunny. Children then place the matching colored pom pom “tail” underneath.
There are word cards in matching ink colors for little ones, as well as cards with black ink, so you can use this as an assessment tool as well.
I wanted to see if you could do the games with a 3-year-old, so I tested them out on my grandson Kaiden, and he absolutely loved playing them.
When he got done matching the color words and pom poms he proudly exclaimed, "I did it!"
He also enjoyed the shape matching game, so you're good to go with a preschool group.
Finally, the packet includes a sweet “just the right size” Itty Bitty Shape booklet.
Children read the shape word, write it on the bunny’s head, then draw that shape for a tail.
There’s a booklet with the standard 2D shapes, as well as optional pages for the rest.
When children have completed their booklet, graph which shaped tail they liked the best.
Continuing with the bunny theme, I designed a packet called "The Shape Of My Bunny's Nose", which is a center activity, game and Itty Bitty booklet, that reinforces thirteen, 2D shapes.
The pattern comes in color on a full-page size, as well as a two-on-a-page size to use as a center activity. I've also included shape word cards, so that older students can practice matching a shape to its shape word.
There's a smaller, 3-on-a-page size to use for games, where children pick a partner and play “Show me the shape.” I’ve also included black & white patterns, so that children can make their own shape games.
* To play the game as a large group, attach a soft Velcro dot to the nose section of the bunny, as well as the word section, then scratchy Velcro dots to the pieces.
* Pass out the pieces and call for a shape.
* The child holding that shape, comes up and attaches it. Everyone says the shape as the child points to the nose, then repeats it by reading the shape word as they point to it.
There’s also a black and white “My Bunny’s Nose” booklet, with options for additional pages which feature other shapes.
Children read the word and draw that shape on the bunny’s face, then color, trim and collate their shape booklet.
I’ve also included a graphing extension to practice another standard.
Finally, since April showers bring May flowers, and Mother's Day is just around the corner, I designed this 3D tulip writing prompt craftivity.
PK kiddos can simply make the craft, while older students can choose from 2 writing prompts. Use the blank pattern to program whatever.
I've also done a "two lips" play-on-words, for a sweet Mother's Day card.
Cutting on a spiral to make the "stem", is wonderful fine motor practice. I've included a pattern for "lefties" as well.
Completed projects look wonderful suspended from the ceiling. There's a "Spiraling Into Spring" poster for the center of your display.
The FREEBIE today, also reinforces colors and color words.
Since the "mustache craze" continues, I thought it would be fun to make an "I 'mustache' you about colors" game, with two versions, one for PK kiddos, plus another for older students.
Well that's it for today. The snow has finally melted here in Michigan, and although the sun is shining, temperatures are still in the 40s, so I'm looking forward to when spring truly arrives.
Wishing you a stress-free, happy day.
"In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours." -Mark Twain
1-2-3 Come Make A Mother's Day Craftivity With Me
My Y5's enjoyed putting puzzles together. Since it was one of our report card standards, I made time for them to work on puzzles for a few minutes at the end of the day. With this in mind, I thought I'd design some "paper love" using puzzle pieces.
While I was diddling around with the puzzle idea, I wondered if there was some sort of easy & inexpensive gift my kiddos could make to give their mom to go along with their card. Since the card was all about pieces, Reese's pieces came to mind.
You certainly don't have to include them with this craft, but it's a simple way to add a little something to their creations, so you don't have to make something else. Thus, there are several options for putting this activity together.
Take a photo of each of your students and then have them cut it into puzzle pieces. You can make them look more like a puzzle by placing my puzzle template over the photo and then cutting on the lines, or you can use carbon paper and trace the template onto the photo for easier cutting.
If you think this is too difficult for your students, they can simply cut their photo into several pieces. Remind them to cut their photo into only 3-6 pieces, or you can bet that they’ll snip away, with no chance of gluing things back together.
For preschool kiddos, have a room helper do this for you and then put each photo in a snack Baggie for students to put together. They'll be surprised to find that it's a photo of them.
Students can glue their photo puzzle together onto a sheet of construction paper, so that all of the pieces fit snuggly together, or you can have them trim a bit from the edges so there is a gap between the pieces.
I like the effect of this better, but I made sure that I cut my puzzle, so that it did not slice up the facial portion of my photo. If you're going to have your kiddos glue their puzzle this way, make sure you show them a sample, and explain the importance of not cutting through the center of their face.
Have students sign their picture puzzle and then glue it to the “I love you to pieces” paper and trim.
I’ve included a template for mom, as well as a blank one for students who don’t have a mom, or if you wish to use this card for Grandparent’s or Father’s Day.
It's nice to give children color options, but I chose orange and yellow construction paper, because I wanted to include some Reese’s Pieces as a gift, with a double play on words.
To keep the cost down, you can buy small packages of the candy and staple the little bag to the bottom of the photo puzzle, or you can buy it in bulk and fill mini snack bags.
Brainstorm with your students why they love their moms, and make a list on the board, so that students can refer to it as they complete their writing prompt.
Run off the large puzzle template and have students write six reasons why they love their mom (special person) to pieces (one reason in each of the six puzzle pieces).
Have them glue their photo puzzle to the side of their writing prompt.
I mounted the writing prompt to a sheet of construction paper as well. You could also attach it to the back of the picture puzzle and not trim that down.
I’ve also included an “I love you to pieces” header in two sizes. Have students color the word with a yellow marker.
You can add the larger one to your Snack Baggie, or use the smaller one and glue it to the corner of the writing prompt for that finishing touch. (This is what I did for my sample.)
I forgot to do it in my photo, but have students outline their puzzle pieces with crayons or markers. As I was working on my sample, I thought this would also make a sweet end-of-the-year gift for your students. Have a helper take a photo of you with each of your kiddos.
You cut up the puzzles and put them into a Snack Baggie that you attach to a box or bag of Reese’s Pieces, then complete a puzzle note for each child.
Tuck them into their backpacks the last week of school, or they can put them together at the end of the day, while they eat a few pieces of candy. Make sure none of your kiddos has a peanut allergy.
Click on the link to view/download the "I love you to pieces" packet. Thanks for visiting today. Feel free to PIN away.
"A mother's hug lasts long after she lets go." -Unknown
1-2-3 Come Do Some Activities For Mother's Day With Me
The "Something to Tweet About" Mother's Day "craftivity" Friday, was such a hit that I decided to dream up a few more writing prompts that double as a great gift-card for moms.
Since students are learning about time, I thought it would be fun to design something around a clock.
Children draw a self-portrait on the poem-circle page and then "hinge" the clock to the front of their card.
Have them add their school photo to the center for that finishing touch.
Here's the poem: "Mom I love you for all the times you picked me up when I was down. For all the times you traded your sweet smile for my frown.
For all the times you brushed my hair and tucked me into bed...or needed something for yourself and put me first instead.
For all the times that we have shared, the tears and laughter too. I love you Mom with all my heart. There's no one quite like you!"
Older students can write about some of their favorite times that they've shared with their mom on the back of their card. I've included a template for them to write on .
Click on the link to view/download the Special Times With Mom Mother's Day activity.
Another Mother's Day writing prompt craftivity has a bee theme. "My mom is 'bee-utiful' because..." is the writing prompt.
Students can either choose to make an adorable bumble bee and write why their mom is beautiful on the yellow stripes of the bug, or they can choose the beehive and write on each section of the hive.
For that extra bit of pizzazz, I used wax paper for the bee's wings and then attached some pipe cleaner antennae.
Make the beehive even more of a keepsake by having students dip their finger in yellow paint to make the bees. When the paint dries they can add details with a black marker.
Click on the link to view/download the My Mom Is "Bee-utiful" Mother's Day writing prompt craftivity.
Thanks for visiting today. Feel free to PIN away.
"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." -Abraham Lincoln
A Pocket Full Of Paper Love...
A Pocket Full Of Paper Love is an inexpensive and fun way to make an assortment of wonderful keepsakes for Mother’s Day.
Your students will enjoy stuffing the different items that they make during their independent center time throughout the week, into this container.
By the time they take them home on Friday, they’ll have a pocket that’s over flowing with love.
One of the items not pictured, is a wooden broach made from the same old-fashioned woodcuts. I bought wooden circles for only 10 cents each at Hobby Lobby.
My students cut and glued the “love knot” to the top and then drizzled on 10,000 Coats. After the discs dried (48 hours) they glued a pin to the back, to make an old-fashioned pin.
I taught my Y5's how to sing "I'm a Little Teapot" so they could serenade their mommy with a song, they made the teapot note and attached a teabag to the back.
Their bouncing renditions were heartwarming and adorable!
The final item we tucked into the pocket was their handprint. It added color and provided a backing to the plate so that the items didn’t spill out.
We wrapped the entire thing in hot pink tissue paper.
These ideas are part of the May Art Mini Book: Frogs, Flowers & Mother’s Day Packet.
Click on the link to view/download it. There are several other Mother’s Day gift ideas included in that packet as well.
Thanks for visiting today. Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.
"Don't compromise yourself; you're all you've got." -Janis Joplin
Bookmark It! You Hold A Spot In My Heart...
I don’t post more than 2 articles in one day, but with Mother’s Day just around the corner, I wanted you to be able to look at all of these ideas at once, and decide which ones, if any, you’d like to do with your students.
They were all huge hits with my Y5’s as well as the mommies. I set them up as independent centers and they did quite well.
Since they only take a brief amount of time you could actually do all of them and tuck them in the "Pocket Full of Love" or if you don't do that, simply put them in a lunch bag or their folder to tote home.
I find that “paper love” is just as much appreciated as anything else a child puts together.
After all, the above activities were made with TLC, used their skills, which included reading a story, (no small accomplishment!) used sign language to express their affection, serenaded them with a song, and now make a bookmark their mom will certainly find useful!
How cute is that?
Click on the link to view/download the MOM bookmark.
Finally, Where Are The Flowers, is an easy reader that reinforces spatial directions.
The last page deals with the word "behind". Behind the door is the message "Happy Mother's Day!" Making it a perfect "read-to-me" booklet for Mother's Day, truly a special gift for any mommy.
Click on the link to view/download Where Are The Flowers?
Do you have a Mother's Day idea you'd like to share? I'd enjoy hearing from you. diane@teachwithme.com OR...feel free to post a comment here, especially if you use one of my ideas.
Thanks in advance for taking the time. Feel free to PIN anything you think a parent or fellow teacher might find helpful as well.
I hope you can visit tomorrow for more teaching tips, 'til then take time for the 3 R's: Refresh, Relax, and Rejuvenate.
Mother's Day Gift Ideas:
If you're like me, you're probably wondering where on earth April flew off to, and thinking what should I do for Mother's Day that will soon be here!
I wanted to help children realize all the things busy mommies do for them, so that they could truly understand and appreciate their mom and why Mother’s Day is such a special Day; so I designed an easy reader with that idea in mind and followed it up with a blue ribbon-"craftivity" that students can make for their moms as a special card.
Start by having a discussion. Ask your students what things their moms do for them and what are their favorites. Make a list of them on the board and see if they can think of a symbol or picture that would represent that task.
From a 5-year-old's point of view, here are some of the things my Y5's thought of: cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry (washing & ironing), helping with school work, taking me places, taking care of me when I’m sick or hurt, buying me things, doing things with me (listening to me), reading stories to me and my mom loves me (hugs me and kisses me goodnight!)
After the discussion, pass out the booklets.
Students TRACE the words. They find the matching pictures and CUT and GLUE them to the correct numbered boxes in their booklet.
When everyone is done, read the booklet as a whole group a few times, ‘til everyone is able to read it independently, so they can take it home and share it with their moms. What a wonderful gift that will be!
You can make the booklet even more of a keepsake by including their school photo; have students glue it over the clipart boy or girl.
When you’re done with the reading activity have students make the blue ribbon card for their mom. Remember to have them sign their name under the “I love you."
Click on the link to view/download the Mother’s Day: Thanks For All You Do booklet and blue ribbon activity.
Scroll down for another Mother's Day idea: Teaching your students how to sign "I love you!"