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apple activities

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. 

parts of an apple activities, apple activities, apple worksheets, apple emergent reader, apple crafts, stained glass tissue paper apples, parts of an apple poster, parts of an apple worksheet, parts of an apple pocket chart cardsI 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.

parts of an apple activities, apple activities, apple worksheets, apple emergent reader, apple crafts, stained glass tissue paper apples, parts of an apple poster, parts of an apple worksheet, parts of an apple pocket chart cards* 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. 

parts of an apple activities, apple activities, apple worksheets, apple emergent reader, apple crafts, stained glass tissue paper apples, parts of an apple poster, parts of an apple worksheet, parts of an apple pocket chart cards* 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. 

parts of an apple activities, apple activities, apple worksheets, apple emergent reader, apple crafts, stained glass tissue paper apples, parts of an apple poster, parts of an apple worksheet, parts of an apple pocket chart cardsThe 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.

parts of an apple activities, apple activities, apple worksheets, apple emergent reader, apple crafts, stained glass tissue paper apples, parts of an apple poster, parts of an apple worksheet, parts of an apple pocket chart cardsPK 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. 

parts of an apple activities, apple activities, apple worksheets, apple emergent reader, apple crafts, stained glass tissue paper apples, parts of an apple poster, parts of an apple worksheet, parts of an apple pocket chart cardsThe 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.

parts of an apple activities, apple activities, apple worksheets, apple emergent reader, apple crafts, stained glass tissue paper apples, parts of an apple poster, parts of an apple worksheet, parts of an apple pocket chart cardsWell 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 Apple Craftivities With Me

Yippie Skippie!  I just finished a brand new apple packet.  You will LOVE covering all sorts of standards, in one fell swoop of fun.

apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster parts of an apple activitiesMake writing more interesting, by adding a bit of craftiness to students’ work, with one of 3 options to choose from. They both fit lots of levels & ages. 

One of my teacher friends is going to do 2; another is giving her kiddos a choice of all 3.

When you simply add a crafty aspect to writing, children are excited to get down to business, and give you better effort. Bonus: completed projects make an awesome easy-peasy bulletin board.

You can reinforce a variety of standards with these super-fun “apple sense” craftivities: practice descriptive writing, with the use of adjectives, while teaching the 5 senses, using an apple!

apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster, parts of an apple activitiesFor more apple science, skip labeling an apple on a different worksheet. Instead, kiddos simply label their completed writing prompt!

Now that’s the time-saving I’m talking about; building vocabulary, reinforcing writing skills, & covering the 5 senses & apple science, all at the same time! Woo hoo!

The first "craftivity" features a top & bottom apple, with the core in the middle as the writing prompt.

For that finishing touch, add a school picture. For extra pizzazz, make the leaves 3D.

apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster parts of an apple activitiesI've added a larger teacher template, plus a completed sample, so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share with your students to help explain what you want them to do. 

The other writing prompt craftivity is a "flip the flap" apple.

apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster parts of an apple activitiesThe "skin" is the outside that's slit up the middle, so that the flaps, flip open to reveal the inside "flesh" of the apple, with the finished writing prompt on it. 

I've also included a completed teacher sample for this project too. 

Finally, to simplify things, you can skip the flaps & have students just complete the prompt, then color their apple.

apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster parts of an apple activitiesPersonally, I love the addition of the flaps & I think your kiddos will too.

The packet also includes:

apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster parts of an apple activities* A “parts of an apple” poster.

* A 5 senses poster
apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster parts of an apple activities* A 5 senses worksheet

* An apple cider opinion writing prompt worksheet

apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster parts of an apple activities* A “Definition of an adjective” poster &
* An adjective graphic organizer worksheet

adjective poster, apple activities, september writing prompts, descriptive writing* As always, directions, photographs & completed samples, so you can quickly & easily make an example of your own.

This 30-page, packet of fun, is just $2.95.  Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to take a peek: Apple Sense Science & Writing Craftivities.

While you're there, I'd so appreciate it, if you'd follow me; that way you'll always know when I post new things, Dollar Deals & FREEBIES too.  

apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster parts of an apple activitiesThe featured FREEBIE today, is also an apple activity. I hope you find it useful.

In celebration of 600 TpT followers, here's a set of 7 apple-themed number puzzles. They reinforce numbers 1-10, as well as skip counting by 10s to 100. 

apple activities, apple crafts, apple writing promtps, september writing prompts, fall bulletin boards, apple bulletin boards, 5 senses crafts, 5 senses activities, 5 senses writing prompts, 5 senses poster, parts of an apple poster parts of an apple activitiesWell that's it for today.  Blogging took much longer than expected, so I'm bookin' outta here to get a zillion and one other things accomplished, before the weekend's over!

Wishing you a stress-free and relaxing afternoon, filled with all that makes you happiest. 

"Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandella

1-2-3 Come Do Some Apple Activities With Me

I've created so many apple activities over the years that it was time to up-date and revamp some of my favorite ideas and toss them into Diane's Dollar Deals in my TpT shop.  I'm featuring two today, plus a FREEBIE. 

apple activities, apple crafts, apple bulletin boards, apple centers, apple poems, apple math, alphabet activities, alphabet centers, alphabet games, apple games, melted crayon crafts, apple bulletin boardsFirst up is the Magic Math Apple. It's a quick, easy & fun way to practice recognizing some of those big numbers that kiddos often trip over when learning how to write and count numbers.

Seeing them in proper sequence helps them wrap their head around a variety of math patterns, and is especially helpful to visual learners.

By doing this as a whole group activity, you can quickly & easily assess students’ knowledge of numbers, colors, & spatial direction words, as well as their ability to listen & follow directions.

This activity also builds vocabulary. I purposely used words like left, right, top, bottom, diagonal etc. to reinforce spatial directions.  To assist kiddos with the new words, I've provided full-page posters that you can refer to.

apple activities, apple crafts, apple bulletin boards, apple centers, apple poems, apple math, alphabet activities, alphabet centers, alphabet games, apple games, melted crayon crafts, apple bulletin boardsOrdinal numbers are also practiced, as well as colors.  I feel even young children can gain number sense by doing this as a "monkey see-monkey do” activity.

On your large teacher copy, you color in the number 14 box brown. Show it to your kiddos & they copy you.

apple activities, apple crafts, apple bulletin boards, apple centers, apple poems, apple math, alphabet activities, alphabet centers, alphabet games, apple games, melted crayon crafts, apple bulletin boardsI've included a full-size teacher's template for this.  There are 2-on-a-page, as well as 4-on-a-page number grid options for students.

Completed projects make a nice bulletin board. “We’re taking a bite out of number sense.” “Apple-icious math work.” or whatever...  Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop to grab this super-fun Dollar Deal: Math Magic Mystery Picture.

apple activities, apple crafts, apple bulletin boards, apple centers, apple poems, apple math, alphabet activities, alphabet centers, alphabet games, apple games, melted crayon crafts, apple bulletin boardsNext up is Willie the Wormy Alphabet Apple game.   He was one of my kiddos' favorite apple centers.

So that I didn't have to reinvent the wheel each year, and my centers were easy-peasy to set up, I try and create independent center/station activites that I can use every year. 

apple activities, apple crafts, apple bulletin boards, apple centers, apple poems, apple math, alphabet activities, alphabet centers, alphabet games, apple games, melted crayon crafts, apple bulletin boardsDesigning them to go along with a theme, keeps them relevant, interesting and fresh. 

Willie took me less than an hour to make, and was so worth the effort, as he's a super-fun way for kiddos to practice matching upper & lowercase letters.  

Finally,the Melted Crayon Apple craft is a personal favorite, and today's featured FREEBIE Even though this craftivity is quick, easy & fun, it definitely has the "Wow!" factor.

apple activities, apple crafts, apple bulletin boards, apple centers, apple poems, apple math, alphabet activities, alphabet centers, alphabet games, apple games, melted crayon crafts, apple bulletin boards"Apples can be red, yellow and green. These are the prettiest apples I've ever seen." is the little poem that's in the middle of the apple

There are several pattern options in the packet (a large, full-page teacher pattern, plus 2-on- a page for students, with and without the poem.

Using a crayon sharpener & broken, peeled crayons, have students "shave" separate piles of red, yellow & green shavings.  

They pinch a bit and then sprinkle the 3 colors on top of their apple cut out. Both of these activities, provide super, fine-motor skill practice, that helps strengthen those finger muscles.

apple activities, apple crafts, apple bulletin boards, apple centers, apple poems, apple math, alphabet activities, alphabet centers, alphabet games, apple games, melted crayon crafts, apple bulletin boardsCover with a sheet of wax paper, press with a warm iron for a few seconds, then gently peel off the paper.

My kiddos often squealed with delight at how awesome their apple turned out.

Each one is different & completed projects make a lovely fall bulletin board

apple activities, apple crafts, apple bulletin boards, apple centers, apple poems, apple math, alphabet activities, alphabet centers, alphabet games, apple games, melted crayon crafts, apple bulletin boardsThat's it for today.  Thanks for visiting.  I hope you can pop back tomorrow for a few more apple activities, then it's time to move on to scarecrows & pumpkins

I love all of the seasons, but I think fall is my favorite.  Wishing you a refreshing day.

 "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

1-2-3 Make A Keepsake Name Booklet With Me

My Y5s were simply too young to keep track of a portfolio, and I didn't need more work collecting and filing "stuff" for it, so instead, to show my students' awesome progress, I designed what I call "monthly keepsake booklets". 

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameToday's blog features two name writing activity packets.  First up, is a very simple "color me" booklet.

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameBecause coloring is great for strengthening those weak finger muscles, I drew pictures for each month, and for quick printing, put 2-on-a-page to make a "just the right size" booklet.

At the end of each month, students wrote their name on the appropriate page and gave their best effort coloring the seasonal picture.

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameThe booklet provided a wonderful look at the progress children were making writing their name, as well as coloring.

It was perfect to share during conferences, and then at the end of the year, my students had a wonderful keepsake to take home.

In celebration, the last page of the booklet is a certificate of praise.

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameThe other name writing packet, has  3 keepsake options for you to choose from, along with a variety of other name writing activities to make practicing especially fun.

cThe 1st option, is simply a 2-pager in both color as well as black and white.

Simply staple them together & have your kiddos write their name at the end of each month & then color the small picture. 

Keep these in their writing folder or journal.

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameThe 2nd option, is also a two-pager, but has 6 page strips on one page that children cut apart to make an Itty Bitty pencil keepsake name booklet.

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameFinally, the 3rd option is a bit like the "color me" name booklet I first discussed, as this one has monthly-themed pages to color as well. 

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameHowever, I’ve also added quite a few extra pages to work on later in the year, that involve a variety of math & language arts skills appropriate for kindergarten.

Such as vowels, syllables, counting, comparing, word work, greater & less than, as well as simple addition.

Besides the keepsake booklets, there are also a variety of name-related worksheets.

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameSuch as the three "find your name" worksheets, where teachers write everyone's name on a heart, gum ball, and star

For another activity students "rainbow write", "stamp" & "cut and glue" their name. I've included a set of letter tiles to make this easy. 

To get in a bit of ABC order practice, there's also an "alphabetize your classmates' names" worksheet. 

name writing activities, name writing crafts, name writing fun, name writing keepsake bookletMy personal favorite worksheet, is the "I can write my name with a ...." (crayon, pencil, marker, pen, and piece of chalk).

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameSince apples are a big theme in September, I've also included several apple craftivities.

In the first activity, students find their name then give the apple 3 layers of "skin" to reinforce the fact that apples can be red, yellow & green. 

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameI also made matching apple cards.  Glue a student photo on one, and write their name on another to make Memory Match & "I Have; Who Has?" games, as a fun way for students to learn their classmates' names as well. 

I do the other apple craftivity after we read Dr. Seuss's story "10 Apples Up On Top".

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameStudents count how many letters they have in their name, then place that many apples on top of their head, which is either a photograph or self portrait. 

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameThe apples spell their name, and show either an AB-AB or ABC-ABC pattern.  Older students can cut out the larger apple pattern, while younger kiddos cut squares & color them.

Children share their creations with the class, then color in the appropriate number box on the "How many letters in your name?" apple graph.

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameCompleted projects make a sweet fall bulletin board.

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameThe "Build your name" activity, where students color the construction bear and glue the letters in their name to the worksheet,  as well as the "puzzle name" also make cute bulletin boards too.

spill and spell your name game, name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameFinally, another fun way for your kiddos to learn how to recognize & write their names, is my Spill & Spell game.

I write the letters of each students' name on colored Popsicle sticks & put them in a Snack Baggie.  They spill them out & put their name puzzle together. 

This simple game reinforces colors & counting too.  Children can also pick a partner and compare their names.

I also pass out extra sticks so that everyone has 6; then I call out a shape and students arrange the Popsicle sticks to create whatever shape I ask for.  It's a quick, easy & fun way to whole group assess.

Students can also practice making a variety of capital letters with their sticks as well. 

This 50-page packet is just $2.95 in my TpT shop.  Click on the link to pop on over: Name Activities & Keepsake Monthly Name Booklets.

While you're there, I'd so appreciate it if you'd follow me.  I only need 30 more followers to hit 600 then I'll post a celebration FREEBIE. I know it seems silly to get all excited about reaching this goal, but that's just me.  Thanks in advance.

I have two featured FREEBIES today.  Both of them come from this packet.  They are the "Apples Up On Top" craft, as well as the "Find Your Name" apple worksheet.  Click on the links to grab them.  

name writing activities, name games, keepsake booklets, name writing practice, learning to write your nameWell that's it for today. Mother Nature has decided to pitch a fit, delivering 40 degree temps today. 

Brrrrr! I'm so not ready to give up the warmth of summer.   Wishing you a snuggly day. 

 "There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!" -Percy Bysshe Shelley.

1-2-3 Come Tell Time With Me

apple activities, telling time activities, digital time, analog time, time assessments, time flashcards, 1MD.3 time gamesDo you have an apple theme going on in the fall? Is studying time to the hour or half hour one of your standards? If your answer is "Yes!" then I think you'll find these apple-themed time cards useful.

apple activities, telling time activities, digital time, analog time, time assessments, time flashcards, 1MD.3 time gamesapple activities, telling time activities, digital time, analog time, time assessments, time flashcards, 1MD.3 time gamesUse them to teach/review digital and analog time to the hour and half hour.

This FREE packet includes 2 assessments, plus a black and white template and cover, so children can make their own "Itty Bitty" booklet.

apple activities, telling time activities, digital time, analog time, time assessments, time flashcards, 1MD.3 time gamesThis is a special FREEBIE in my TpT shop.  Click on the link to grab yours today and let the telling time fun begin.  

apple activities, telling time activities, digital time, analog time, time assessments, time flashcards, 1MD.3 time gamesThanks for stopping by.  Like yesterday, today is a hot "dog-day" in July. My grandchildren are coming, so it's time to get ready for the pool. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, filled with lots of giggles, snuggles and love-filled moments.

 1-2-3 Come Make Two Apple Games With Me

Do your students do centers or stations?  Are you looking for some easy-peasy ones to whip off? LaVonne from New York, and Kathy from Wisconsin, were. 

They e-mailed me and asked if I had any independent centers with an apple theme.  LaVonne was looking for an alphabet one, and Kathy needed one for number words.  It was fun designing their requests.  I hope you enjoy them too.

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, alphabet games, alphabet assessment, alphabet activities, alphabet crafts, CCSS for K, CCSS for 1stHere's a quick, easy and fun ABC game that you can make for an independent alphabet center, which will help reinforce upper and lowercase letter recognition.

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, alphabet games, alphabet assessment, alphabet activities, alphabet crafts, CCSS for K, CCSS for 1stSimply run off the uppercase letter apple templates on red, yellow and light green construction paper; add a bit of color, laminate and trim. 

I used these three colors, because my Y5's are learning that apples come in 3 colors.  Students can also sequence the apple cards and see the ABC color pattern.

So that students can insert the matching lowercase worms, use an Exacto knife to cut a slit to the right of each letter.

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, alphabet games, alphabet assessment, alphabet activities, alphabet crafts, CCSS for K, CCSS for 1stAs with the apples, run the lowercase letter worms off on (green) construction paper; add a bit of color, laminate and trim.

Students insert the lowercase worm into its matching uppercase apple. 

Keep the apples and worms separate, in small Ziplock Baggies, and then put both Baggies in one larger one.  Place in your alphabet center. 

To make this self-correcting, write the lowercase letter on the back of the apple, or the uppercase letter on the back of the worm. 

apple activities, number word matching, number games, apple games, apple crafts, alphabet games, alphabet assessment, alphabet activities, alphabet crafts, CCSS for K, CCSS for 1stI've included a certificate of praise that you can give to students when they have successfully completed the center.  They can color and take it home to share with their family.

Make a few extra copies of the game to send home with struggling children, to be returned when they have mastered the standard. 

alphabet activities, alphabet games, alphabet centersIf you have the time, you can also use this activity as an interesting option when assessing a child. 

This Wormy Apple Alphabet Matching Game will be FREE for an entire year, after which time it will be up-dated and put in Diane's Dollar Deals in my TpT shop. 

apple activities, number word matching, number games, apple games, apple crafts, alphabet games, alphabet assessment, alphabet activities, alphabet crafts, CCSS for K, CCSS for 1stFinally, the other center game I made reinforces numbers 0-10 and their matching number words. 

There are several ways to play the game, as well as some worksheets to further reinforce number to word recognition. Click on the link to view/download the Apple Number Word Fun packet.

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, alphabet games, alphabet assessment, alphabet activities, alphabet crafts, CCSS for K, CCSS for 1stThanks for visiting today.  It's rather hot and muggy outside so I'm enjoying the air conditioning.  Time to work up a sweat doing a bit of housework and laundry, or not...

I'm wishing you a refreshing day.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams." -Unknown

 1-2-3 Come Make A Venn Friend With Me

Venn diagrams are a quick, easy and fun way to help students understand the concepts of comparison and contrast

venn diagrams, name activities, back to school activities, icebreakers, fall bulletin boards, apple activities, apple bulletin boards, getting to know your students, venn diagrams, comparison and contrast writingI thought making an apple Venn Friend would be a fun way to introduce this type of writing, as well as an interesting way for your students to get to know their new classmates. 

It's a nice icebreaker for back to school, or can easily be plugged in during your apple activities. This "craftivity" also works well for Daily 5

There are 3 different types of apple Venn friends that you can make with this packet.   If you teach preschool or young kinders (Y5's) who are just learning to recognize and write their names, you may want to do the letter Venn friend.  

venn diagrams, name activities, back to school activities, icebreakers, fall bulletin boards, apple activities, apple bulletin boards, getting to know your students, venn diagrams, comparison and contrast writingI've included upper and lowercase letter tiles in both color and black and white.  (There are 2 black letter options.) LOVE the graphics and fonts by kpmdoodles (color) and djinkers (black and white).

Run the letter tiles off on white paper.  Students can easily add a bit of color to the black striped letters if they want to. 

Students choose a partner to make a name Venn Friend with. Each pair of students needs only one upper and lowercase letter sheet.

To make this "craftivity" really pop, I used yellow and red 8" paper plates.  You can get a pack of 20 at The Dollar Store.  To expedite things, pre cut the plates, as well as the brown stems and leaves.  I also trimmed off the tab on the file folders

venn diagrams, name activities, back to school activities, icebreakers, fall bulletin boards, apple activities, apple bulletin boards, getting to know your students, venn diagrams, comparison and contrast writingRun off the file folder labels. Each pair of students needs only one sheet.  They trim and glue to their file folder, writing their names in the spaces provided. (See photo.) I outlined the labels to add a bit more pizzazz and added school photos for that finishing touch. 

Children add a bit of detail with markers to their stem and leaves.  They can glue these to the front of their apple "plate" or you can come around with a stapler.  They glue the white "same" section in the middle of their file folder, and then glue their apple plates on either side.

I always made samples to share with my students.  A picture is really worth a 1,000 words, in helping to explain things.  You could use your husband/wife or a friend for the 2nd Venn diagram.  I'm sure your students will get a kick out of learning your first name.  Mine were amazed that I even had one! 

Children cut out only the letters that they need for their Venn diagram.  So that students can use these letter tiles for other things, like Daily 5 word work, have them toss the extra letters in an alphabet box.

Looking at their names on the labels, children sort what letters are the same, and which ones are different from their partner.  They glue them in the appropriate places on their Venn friend file folder diagram

venn diagrams, name activities, back to school activities, icebreakers, fall bulletin boards, apple activities, apple bulletin boards, getting to know your students, venn diagrams, comparison and contrast writingTo add a bit of math to this activity, students count up how many letters they each have in their name.  After adding a bit of color to their apple label, they write in the number of letters in each of their names and put a  < = > symbol in the center of the green apple.  

You can also have students add the total of letters in both of their names, as well as the total number of similar letters.   Later, you can graph who had the highest Venn friend total of letters, as well as the greatest and least amount of similar letters.  Did any team have zero letters for their "same" section?

Have students share their Venn friend with the rest of the class.  Completed projects make an awesome fall bulletin board.  This craft is also a wonderful extension after reading the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.  If you don't want to do an apple-theme, use tan or brown paper plates as coconuts.

venn diagrams, name activities, back to school activities, icebreakers, fall bulletin boards, apple activities, apple bulletin boards, getting to know your students, venn diagrams, comparison and contrast writingAnother option for the paper plate, apple-Venn friends craftivity, is to have students compare and contrast their new friend. 

This is an easy and fun way for them to get to know each other better.  The whole class will become more knowledgeable as well, when students share their completed projects.  

I found that the better my students knew each other, the more apt they were to become friends.  This generated a caring community in the classroom, where students truly enjoyed being part of our team.

I've followed pretty much the same format in this file folder Venn friend, except that instead of letters, students each jot down similarities and differences. 

venn diagrams, name activities, back to school activities, icebreakers, fall bulletin boards, apple activities, apple bulletin boards, getting to know your students, venn diagrams, comparison and contrast writingI've provided a checklist with 41 ideas that they can chat about with their partner.  This will hopefully jumpstart their writing and help students be more in-depth when finding out about their classmate, as well as ensure a nice variety of Venn friends. 

venn diagrams, name activities, back to school activities, icebreakers, fall bulletin boards, apple activities, apple bulletin boards, getting to know your students, venn diagrams, comparison and contrast writingI've also included a whole-group graphing activity:  Did students find that they were more similar or more different than their Venn friend?

venn diagrams, name activities, back to school activities, icebreakers, fall bulletin boards, apple activities, apple bulletin boards, getting to know your students, venn diagrams, comparison and contrast writingFinally, if you don't want to fiddle with paper plates, I've created flat apple templates that work in the same way. 

To jazz things up, I've included Willie the worm.  Run the pattern off on lime green construction paper. 

Instead of labels that say "different" I used worms.  Simply make a slit in each side of their apple, and have students color, trim, insert and glue.  

Click on the link to view/download the Apple Venn Friends packet.  These "craftivities" are different enough that you could actually do both.  The letter Venn diagram is a simple icebreaker for the first week of school, and the flat apple Venn can be done during your apple activities, later in September. 

I like to revisit certain activities, but with a new theme or twist, as my students feel empowered and can get right down to business, because they are familiar with the directions. 

Keeping that in mind, you may want to do a few other seasonal Venn friends when those months roll around.  I have a heart one for February, a Leprechaun Venn friend for March, a Bunny Venn for April and a Tulip Venn Friend for May.  I'm currently working on a pumpkin one for October, an acorn for November, a gingerbread one for December and a snowman Venn friend for January.  

venn diagrams, name activities, back to school activities, icebreakers, fall bulletin boards, apple activities, apple bulletin boards, getting to know your students, venn diagrams, comparison and contrast writingThanks for visiting.  I can't believe it took me most of the day to get this done and blogged about.  Time for some fresh air.  Wishing you a wonderful school year filled with lots of Venn friends.

"Good teaching is more a giving of right questions than a giving of right answers." - Josef Albers

1-2-3 Come Do A Few More Apple Activities With Me...

I know that I said I was done designing apples for awhile, but I found a few more notes while cleaning off my desk, and one thing led to another, 'til 4 mini apple packets were knocked off.  I hope you enjoy them.  The desk is cleared and just waiting to be filled with all sorts of other fall fun . . . where to begin?

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, I always get a few requests for some worksheets that connect-the-dots for a variety of things.  Raesha, from Arizona, wondered if I had any connect the dots with skip counted numbers. 

She's reviewing skip counting by 5's and 10's with her firsties and thought these would be fun. 

I chose an apple theme for my template and included numbers from 0-10, as well as numbers from 0-30, plus apples for skip counting by 5's and then 10's. 

Since I had the template designed, I also made a connect the dots for uppercase letters and another for the lowercase letters.  Click on the link to view/download the Apple Connect The Dots packet.

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, Another request came from Rachel, over in Wisconsin.  She wanted a quick and easy way to whole-group assess a variety of standards, to see where her kinders are at. 

My favorite way to whole-group assess is with an "I Spy!" game.  I designed these with an apple theme.  Students spy uppercase letters, lowercase letters, shapes, and numbers. 

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, They trace the letter/shape/number called, and then raise their hand.  You can see at a glance who is having difficulty. 

Students enjoy this form of assessment, and you know where the majority of your students are, without a whole lot of time invested testing. 

Another plus for these worksheet-games, is that students can take them home and use them several more times, as they play with their parents, continuing to reinforce standards in a fun way.  

Click on the link to view/download the Apple-Themed "I Spy" packet.

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, I continued to reinforce name recognition with my Y5's through October, and tried to think of a variety of ways for them to practice finding and writing their names.  With a big apple unit in September, it seemed only fitting to do something with apples.

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, Print a copy of the apple name game template and then write your students' names on the inside. 

I also include my own name, so that I had a sample to share and show, as I explained what I wanted my kiddos to do. 

Every year some of my little ones were amazed that I had a first name (Diane). They simply thought of me as their teacher Mrs. Henderson. 

I guess it was sort of like asking the question: "What's your mom's name?"  To which most of them would reply: "Mommy." :-)

Students find and circle their name, write it on the bottom and then, because I was teaching them that apples came in three colors, I'd have them trace their apples with those 3 color markers or crayons.  Completed projects make a cute bulletin board. ("The Apples Of Mrs. Henderson's Eyes!" )

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, I've also included an apple card template for you to use as name tags and/or games. Print a few copies of the apple card master; write your students's names on one set and then run off on yellow construction paper. 

Print another set on white card stock and trim.  Each child colors their own apple and then glues their photo in the middle.  Collect, laminate and trim.  Use the photo apple cards with the name apple cards, to play Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" games. 

You could also put both sets of apple cards on a split ring and use them as flashcards, to help your students learn the names of their classmates, as well as how to read their names.   Click on the link to view/download the Apple Name Game packet.

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, Finally, I made some apple puzzles, that make an easy and inexpensive little gift for the 1st week of school, or whenever. 

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, I've included 3 different header cards for your treat Baggies, as well as a black and white template, so that your students can color their own puzzle. 

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, When they are done, have them cut out their puzzle, mix up the pieces and challenge them to be the first one to complete their apple puzzle

I've also included a blank template to help young students easily put their puzzle together.  Click on the link to view/download the apple puzzle packet.

connect the dots worksheets, alphabet connect the dots, apple connect the dots, apple crafts, I spy games, I spy letters, I spy numbers, I spy shapes, shape activities, shape games, alphabet activities, alphabet games, apple games, apple puzzles, name activities, Thanks for visiting today.  The sunshine is calling and I'm happily answering.  See you later apple-gator.

"We can teach from experience, but we cannot teach experience."  -Sasha Azevedo

 

1-2-3 Come Play Some Math Games With Me

Just when I think I'm ready to move on to another theme, my brain shifts into overdrive and I come up with yet another apple idea that I just have to putz with.  Thus the apple math mats came about. 

Who'd have thought they'd take 2 days to complete.  My husband always tells me that I have no concept of how much time will be involved when it comes to one of my projects.  I think it's the driven perfectionist in me that always has to have things "just so".  

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, math games, addition activities, subtraction activities, greater and less than gamesAny hoo, I hope you and your kiddos enjoy this apple math game as much as I did making it.  You can make a class set of apple math mats to use each year, or have your students make their own.

This apple "craftivity" is a super-fun way to reinforce addition and/or subtraction, and if you teach older students, I've also included a template to make a multiplication apple game. 

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, math games, addition activities, subtraction activities, greater and less than gamesTo play, students roll a dice to see if they will work on their addition or subtraction skills.  If they roll an even number they will add and use that side of the apple mat.  (I made this side red.) 

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, math games, addition activities, subtraction activities, greater and less than gamesIf they roll an odd number, they'll flip the mat over and use the subtraction side, which is yellow. (Note how the leaves and center ovals have to do with addition or subtraction.)

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, math games, addition activities, subtraction activities, greater and less than gamesFor their 2nd roll, they toss two dice to determine their equation, which they jot down on their recording sheet. 

Students can either use the paper seed tiles, some sunflower seeds, or pom poms as manipulatives to show "how many" on their mat. 

If students are making their own apple mats, I'd suggest having them color and cut out the seed tiles. This way they can continue to reinforce lessons by playing at home.  The paper "seeds" are pictured in the photographs.

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, math games, addition activities, subtraction activities, greater and less than gamesIf you want to have students do this activity as a whole-group and use your laminated mats, I'd use sunflower birdseed.  (As you can see by the picture, the sunflower seeds are just the right size!) 

Make sure you explain to your kiddos that these are sunflower seeds and not apple seeds, as sunflower seeds are sold by the bag. Give each child their own Dixie cup full, or sprinkle them on a paper plate in the center of their table.

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, math games, addition activities, subtraction activities, greater and less than gamesFor more practice, make an extra set of apples and put the game in your independent math center, along with 14 black or brown pom poms in a Ziplock Baggie.  (I always add 2 extra pieces to my games incase a few get lost.  Saves a ton of time searching for materials to make more.)

Students place the correct amount of seeds on their mat according to the numbers that they roll with the dice. (See photographs.)

After they have written the equation down on their recording sheet, they count up the total number of seeds to solve the addition problem, and take away the appropriate amount, to solve the subtraction one. 

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, math games, addition activities, subtraction activities, greater and less than gamesOnce they have jotted down their answer, they clear off their mat, and begin the game again by rolling one dice.

To help reinforce greater and less than, have students use the math symbol ovals, and place the < or > oval in the middle of their apple mat, which will now cover the plus or minus oval. 

Have students write these equations down on their recording sheet as well.  apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, math games, addition activities, subtraction activities, greater and less than gamesClick on the link to view/download the Apple Math Mats packet.

apple activities, apple games, apple crafts, math games, addition activities, subtraction activities, greater and less than gamesThanks for visiting today.  My grandson's up from his nap and it's time for a snack and stroller ride.  Have a blessed day!

"Learn as much as you can while you're young, since life becomes too busy later." -Dana Stewart Scott

1-2-3 Come Do Some SHAPELY Apple Activities With Me

Apple week wouldn't be complete without doing some shape activities.  I found that the most successful way to get my students to be able to recognize, as well as name the various 2D and 3D shapes, was to immerse them in all sorts of hands-on activities, where they could work with all of the shapes.  I had a variety of different activities to keep interest high, but it was that consistent repetition that helped turn the light bulbs on.

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, Since I've had a few requests for some more activities involving Johnny Appleseed, I thought I'd design some shape games using Phillip Martin's cute Johnny Appleseed character.  The first one is entitled: Where Is Johnny Appleseed?  It reviews the 2D shapes: circle, oval, triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, trapezoid, rhombus, star and heart. 

Choose the shapes you want to work on.  Print, laminate and trim those apple cards and put them on your white board using a magnet, or on your flannel board using the scratchy side of a square of Velcro. 

Johnny Appleseed shape game token 2There are two Johnny Appleseed Card options.  Choose one, print, laminate and trim.  Before your students get to school, put Johnny behind one of the apples. 

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, When students are gathered on the carpet, call on a quiet child to guess which apple shape they think Johnny Appleseed is hiding behind.  "I think he's behind the hexagon."  Lift up the card to take a peek and see if he's there. 

If not, that child calls on another to take a guess.  Play continues 'til someone has found Johnny Appleseed.  The simplistic beauty of this game, is that it only takes a few moments of time, and reviews shapes and the shape word in an interesting and fun way. 

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, I've also included a set of mini cards, so children can play Memory Match and "I Have; Who Has?" games.  Click on the link to view/download the Where's Johnny Appleseed Shape Game. 

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, The other Johnny Appleseed game involves spactial directions. As you know, part of the Common Core State Standards for shapes involves placement of the shapes

This "Where's Johnny's Apple?" game is a quick, easy and fun way to help reinforce that vocabulary, as well as whole-group assess students' understanding of the directional words

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, To play the game, run off the black line master of Johnny Appleseed.   (There are 2 on a page for easy printing.)  Children color their Johnny. (I've included a large one that's in color for teachers to use.) Print and trim the apple manipulatives and give each student one. 

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, Choose a child to pick a direction card, (there are 21 + a blank one to fill in with whatever). Show it to the class and then read it together. 

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, Children place their apple in the appropriate position (over, under, on, between, beside ...) on their Johnny Appleseed mat.  You can see at a glance who's having difficulty and jot a note to yourself. 

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, After you have quickly assessed your students, place the teacher apple on your Johnny Appleseed poster in the correct position.  (I put my poster on the white board.) 

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, Children look at their Johnny mat to see if they have the correct answer and adjust if necessary.

After the game, pass out a certificate of praise to help build self-esteem.  Click on the link to view/download the Where's Johnny's Apple?  Spatial Direction Game.

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, The Apple Shape Matching game provides a wonderful independent center for early finishers, or more practice for struggling kiddos.  Picking up and placing the various shapes also provides great fine motor practice.  

jonny appleseed activities, johnny appleseed, apples, apple activities, shape activities, apple games, shape games, For a sweet "oldie but goodie" apple shape easy reader, click on the link for The Shape of Apple Annie.  It was one of my first apple stories and serves up a nice lesson about being content and happy with who you are. 

Annie, however, is not happy with her apple-shape 'til she turns into all sorts of other shapes.  Children trace the various apple shapes and then write the shape words in the spaces provided. 

can be used as anchor chart posters, large flashcards, a bulletin board, and assessment tools. Make extra sets and use them for independent centers and games.  Children can also choose their favorite shape and make a shapely apple of their own.  A shape attributes worksheet is also included.  1a smile star buttonFinally, since all of the silly shaped animals (penguins, owls, chicks rabbits)  have been so popular, I decided to make some silly-shaped apples

They can be used as anchor chart posters, large flashcards, a bulletin board, and assessment tools.

can be used as anchor chart posters, large flashcards, a bulletin board, and assessment tools. Make extra sets and use them for independent centers and games.  Children can also choose their favorite shape and make a shapely apple of their own.  A shape attributes worksheet is also included.  1a smile star buttonMake extra sets and use them for independent centers and games. 

Children can also choose their favorite shape and make a shapely apple of their own.  A shape attributes worksheet is also included.

can be used as anchor chart posters, large flashcards, a bulletin board, and assessment tools. Make extra sets and use them for independent centers and games.  Children can also choose their favorite shape and make a shapely apple of their own.  A shape attributes worksheet is also included.  1a smile star buttonAs you can see by the photo, some of the apples have the various shapes as their "core" (I think they turned out really cute, if I do say so for myself.)

Others are big and the entire apple takes on that shape. The shape word is a little hard to see in the photos, but they appear on all of the apple shapes.

I've included all of the 2D shapes, as well as four 3D shapes.  There's also directions for a fun "Four Corners" apple game that my students just LOVE.  Click on the link to view/download the 41-page Shapely Apples packet.

Thanks for visiting today.  I'm about appled out.  If you'd like to see all of the other apple FREEBIES to help celebrate your apple week, simply scroll down.

can be used as anchor chart posters, large flashcards, a bulletin board, and assessment tools. Make extra sets and use them for independent centers and games.  Children can also choose their favorite shape and make a shapely apple of their own.  A shape attributes worksheet is also included.  1a smile star buttonIt's time for a much-needed break.  I'm off to get some clothes on. (Don't you just love relaxing jammie days?) It's date night with my hubby, and that requires some makeup.  Wishing you a wonderful weekend. 

"If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get everything done!"

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