1-2-3 Come Do Some 2D Shape Activities With Me

Since the “Silly Shaped Lorax” and “Slick Shapely Chick” activities were such a huge hit, I decided to make “Funny Frogs”.

These cuties are a quick, easy and super-fun “print & go” craftivity, that will help review 2D shapes.

The packet includes playing cards with frog and lily pad graphics, which are shaped in the various 2D shapes: circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, pentagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, heart, star & crescent.

I’ve also included cards with speckled lime green shapes, plus matching word cards, as well as shape cards with a fly on them.

Use the cards for one-to-one correspondence with little ones, or Memory Match & “I Have; Who Has?” games with older students.

As a math center activity, students can also use the cards to “feed” the appropriate-shaped frog head, by finding all of the matching cards, then placing them inside the frog's open "mouth".

I’ve also included a short “giggle” tale about Ferdinand the frog, and Princess Penelope who was turned into a fly!

I had so much fun writing it! Read it as an interesting way to introduce the shape craft, then have older students "flip up the mouth" and write their own "fractured fairy tale" on the frog's "tongue".

There’s a set of discussion questions for the story, as well as a "test for comprehension" worksheet.

There are also 2D "tongue" patterns which feature a fly and the name of the shape.

Older students can also write their shape’s attributes here. 

For further reinforcement, I’ve included a few worksheets, plus a certificate of praise bookmark.

After sharing their frog, scatter completed projects on a blue (pond) background bulletin board.

You could also make some brown cattails to use for your border.

I’ve included 2 posters for the center of your display.

Since these silly shaped frogs have a big mouth, a cute story to read after making this craftivity, is “The Wide Mouth Frog” by Keith Faulkner. It’s one of my kiddos’ favorites.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, so today's FREEBIE is a writing prompt craftivity entitled: A Rainbow of Love dangler.

Students write something on each colorful strip, of why their "mom colors their world with love."

Well that’s it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

Wishing you a happy and blessed day.

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” -Sydney J. Harris

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

Since the butterfly life cycle craftivities were such a hit, I decided to make some for the frog's life cycle as well. 

I do our butterfly theme in April with my Y5s, then follow it up with frogs in May. Studying two life cycles really helps reinforce those science concepts and vocabulary. 

To make this quick and easy for you, plus super-fun for your kiddos, I designed six,  simple "print & go" craft activities with lots of options. 

First up is the frog's life cycle featured on a paper plate.  I've included a simple 4-section cycle for little ones, where you count the big frog as the start, as well as a 6-piece cycle for older students.

There are full color patterns, so you can easily make an example to share to help explain things, as well as black & white templates so children can color their own.

There are templates that are labeled, as well as blank ones so students can practice the science vocabulary by writing it in.  

Punch a hole at the top; tie a yarn loop and suspend from the ceiling.

Next up are the "Turn to Learn"  Life Cycle of A Frog "Science Story Wheels". I went a bit crazy buying “Life Cycle Of A Frog” clip art, so there are 5 different life cycle wheels.

This will provide a nice variety from cutesy to realistic, so that you can diversify your center.

As a whole-group activity, you can give students a choice of which one they’d like to color, cut and make.

To test comprehension and use the science vocabulary, have children write out the life cycle on the “Here’s What Happened” worksheet.  I’ve included a detailed, completed sample, so that you can share whatever information is appropriate for your kiddos.      

Since a cycle is like a circle, I thought it would be appropriate to design the life cycle of a frog on 5 different, circular-puzzle patterns, as a super-fun way to teach and practice this science standard.

The puzzles come in black & white, plus color to use for an independent center, or whole group “What comes next?” activity, where you pass the pieces out to your students to help explain, then review the frog’s life cycle.

Students can keep theirs as a puzzle, pick a partner and play “Speed” against them, to see who can be the first to put their puzzle together in the correct order, or you can use it as a comprehension worksheet, and have children glue the pieces together on the matching puzzle base.

To add variety, as well as have the ability to diversify, I’ve included 4, 5 and 6—piece puzzles.  Some have realistic graphics of the frog’s life cycle, while others are semi-realistic, as well as cutesy.

So you can also test comprehension, reinforce the life cycle’s order, as well as practice writing and the science vocabulary, I’ve also included a sequencing “What Comes Next?” writing-prompt worksheet.

My kiddos absolutely love wearing a crown, so with that motivation in mind, I designed life cycle science crowns.The packet includes 5 different life cycle of a frog crowns to choose from.

As with the other packets, patterns come in full color as well as black and white.

Choose one, or run off the assortment on white construction paper, then give your students a choice.

I use green bulletin board border as the base. Kiddos glue their crown to the strip and I wrap it around their head, snip and staple. 

My students also enjoy making "flip the flap" booklets, so I whipped together another life cycle of a frog option.    

PK kiddos simply color and glue the long life cycle piece, which shows 5-sections under the flaps.

So you can assess comprehension, give older students the "mixed up pattern", where they cut out each individual rectangle, then glue the 5 stages in the appropriate order.

 Older students can also label or write "what's happening" in each section.  Take a teachable moment to reinforce the ordinal number words on the front. 

Another flip the flap activity is a cute, frog face flip up booklet.

Simply run the head and body patterns off on light green construction paper.

Choose either the realistic graphics, or the cutesy ones, or give your students a choice.

They color, cut, fold on the dashed line putting the pages in correct order, then glue them to the base of the frog and add the head afterwards.

I’ve included picture pages without text, should you want your students to label and write out a description of their own, as well as completely blank “tongue pages” if you also want them to draw their own graphics.  

Today's FREEBIE also features a frog-theme, and is a set of 10 frame cards.  I hope you find them useful.  

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

I got spoiled with a few days of lovely 70 degree weather, now it's back in the 40s. Yuk.

Mother Nature is having a spring identity crisis again, at least here in Michigan.   Wishing you a zippidy-doo-dah day! 

"We could all take a lesson from the weather.  It pays no attention to criticism." - Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some Frog-Themed Craftivities With Me

Woo hoo for some of you lucky duckies who are now basking in the sunshine, enjoying the start of your vacation.  For those of you who are still in school for a few more days, or even weeks, boy have I got a super-fun, frog-themed packet for you! 

Even the vacationers can enjoy it, as this whopping packet not only features end-of-the-year stuff, but matching back-to-school activities as well! 

The versatility continues because it includes templates for Pre K4 through 3rd grade, so you can make things specific to your grade level! 

Getting students to WANT to write and really enjoy it, is one of my hot buttons.  With that in mind, I stuffed the packet with lots of creative writing prompt choices with an adorable frog theme that encompasses "leaping" into summer, a new grade, and a new year in school. 

There are 18 writing prompt craftivities in all, with lots of options for both the end of the year, as well as for back-to-school.   I enjoy drawing frogs; and had a fun time creating some real cuties.  "Ferdinand" is a fat and sassy frog that's a "peek-over". 

Run him off on lime green construction paper.  Students trim and add colorful details with crayons, then glue him to the top of their "I'm leaping" writing prompt for the end of the year, or choose another topic and use the blank frog pattern, for back-to-school.  I've included a "Look Who's Leaping" poster to use in the center of your bulletin board when you display your students' finished projects.

"Fred" is another fun-frog craft.  Here the writing prompt is written on his "tongue".  You can display Fred with a "flat tongue" or include some great fine-motor practice, and have students curl it, by rolling the paper strip on a crayon. 

For that finishing touch, I've included some "flies".  There's a "This stuff stuck. Look what I learned!" end-of-the-year pattern, as well as one that says: "I had a delicious summer.This is what I did..." for back-to-school. 

"Jose'" is a "belly flipping" writing prompt frog.  There are 8 cover options.  Four for the end-of-the-year, and 4 for back-to-school. 

Jose' can be done as a whole-group, class-made book, where everyone contributes a "belly page"  or as an independent writing prompt, where each child makes their own booklet.  The "Before We Go We'd Like You To Know" booklet gives advice to next year's kiddos. 

The "Frogtastic Memories" can be turned into a quick, easy and fun end-of-the-year Memory Book, by simply having students write pages about the favorite things that they did in school or during the summer.  

"Frankie" and "Fern" are the cute Frog Face Flip book twins.  Frankie sports a bowtie, while Fern wears a bow on top of her head.  Their "face" flips up to reveal a writing prompt. 

There are 5 to choose from, plus a blank one to program with whatever, and a sample for you to share to help explain to your students what you want them to do. 

As with "Fred" this too can be done independently, or as a whole-group, class-made booklet.  The back-to-school "I'm 'hoppy' to be me" writing prompt is a personal favorite.

I've also included a "We're flipping over leaping into a new grade!" poster that you can use for the center of your bulletin board display. 

There's a poster for pre k4 through 3rd grade, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever. 

If you've followed me, you know that I like to incorporate things with a play-on-words.  It's a fun way to expand horizons and build vocabulary. 

Since a frog says "Ribbit!" I decided to make a "Ribbit, Write It, Read It" writing prompt using the word "riveting" as the twist.

Students write about their "ribbiting" summer or "ribbiting" things that they enjoyed during the school year, inside "Rodney's" circular-frog belly. 

I've included a definition-poster for introducing the word riviting, along with a "Ribbit; Write It; Read It" poster for the center of your display. 

If you're not into "craftivities" I've also included lots of quick, easy and fun coloring-page, writing prompt worksheets. Simply print and go.

There's a sampling of some of them in the photo.  The "So long school, hello summer" or "So long summer, hello school" worksheets, where the froggy is opening a 3D school door to reveal the writing prompt are especially cute. 

There's a similar writing prompt with a different frog, that may be more appealing for older students. 

I've included samples for both, and each one has prompts for both seasons. Completed projects make darling bulletin boards too.

One bulletin board display that's especially adorable, is the frog on a lily pad.  I made the water lily flower out of a coffee filter.  In the top photo I simply scrunched the filter. 

In the bottom picture I folded it into 1/8ths, then folded it one more time, snipping the end to create scallops. When you open it, it looks just like a large flat water lily. 

I edged it with a pink watercolor marker, then spritzed it with water so it smudged into the paper.  Easy-peasy with awesome results. 

You have a nice teachable moment to discuss fractions, while children are following your step-by-step directions and folding their filter.   The final writing prompt craftivity features "Fritz".  This frog sits on a pail of sand. 

I cut an oval out of sandpaper and glued it to the bucket, so that it looks filled!  Children write things they'd like to do over the summer.  The back-to-school writing prompt option tells what they've done during the summer and what they'd like to do in school. 

I realize this "bucket list" idea is all over Pinterest, but I've been doing it way before TpT or Pinterest came into being.  Click on the link for my original "Summer Bucket List" FREEBIE. It's in a FREE summer writing prompt packet with 6 other fun "craftivities".

Besides writing prompts, there are lots of end-of-the-year AND back-to-school themed "goodies" stuffed into the packet, with templates for Pre K4 through 3rd grade.

One group features another play-on-words using "toad-ally" for totally, which fits in perfect with my frog/toad theme. 

I had fun designing a few writing prompts, as well as goodies using this fun word.   There are color, as well as black & white covers for the mini-flip booklets and notes, as well as 2 posters and some labels.  

"Brag Bracelets" are another "goodie". They are super-fun to make and wear.  I designed one that says: "I'm Leaping!" and another with "Welcome!" on it. 

Simply run off the pattern and trim using a paper cutter.  Slit a toilet paper roll up the side and cut it into sections, the width of the pattern. Children glue to their "slap bracelet" folding the edges under.  It's the perfect size for little ones, and the bent shape keeps it on their arm!  When other kiddos ask them about their bracelet, they can "brag" that they made it and are "leaping" into a new grade. Nice little self-esteem builder! 

If you're looking for a quick, easy and inexpensive little end-of-the-year, or back-to-school treat to give your students, take a look at my "tiny tags". 

These are sweet little notes from the teacher, that you can attach to a "Flavor Ice" Popsicle (They sell them 50 to a pack for only $2.95!).

Putting them on a  Fruit Roll Up (sticky frog tongue!) or attaching to a Snack Baggie is also fun.  The Dollar Store sells a package of 12 gummi rainbow frogs that would also work.

I've also created a cute, keepsake-photo magnet.   Laminate them for durability.  The Dollar Store also sells magnet strip.  (I'm a frequent shopper there; can ya tell?) 

I've also included a variety of bookmarks suitable for the beginning, as well as the end of they year.  They come in color, as well as black and white. 

One is a writing prompt that students complete (nice bucket-filler activity), while another they color for one of your in-coming students.  

My personal favorite is the keepsake photo bookmark, but the foreign language (Hello-Goodbye) ones are also really cute. 

Another "goodie" in the packet are the "color-me" certificates for pre K4 through 3rd grade, (there are 4 styles to choose from, or give your kiddos a choice), plus there are 2 word-art frog-shaped posters that I created using Tagxedo.com.  I've included my silhouettes, so that your kiddos can also make their own.  

Well that about covers this frog-themed packet, which is a whopping 201 pages (!) and on sale now for just $6.95 (regularly $8.95).  It took me a zillion hours to finish, but I think it was well worth the time. Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop and let the fun begin. 

As always, I try to include a few FREEBIES from the packet as well.   You can get the frog-word art posters, the word-art certificates (for pre-K4 through 3rd grade) stars and labels, plus the brag bracelets by clicking on the link: frog-themed end-of-the year mini packet.

To grab the FREE frog back-to-school banners, click on this link. The end pennants come in color as well as black line, and have templates for Pre K4 through 3rd grade.  The frog-face pennants spell out "Welcome" and are in black and white, so that your kiddos can color them, taking ownership of helping to decorate their new home-away-from-home classroom.

This year's kiddos can make the banner to welcome your new students in the fall, or the new kids on the block can do it.  Either way, it's kid-made and will look awww-dorable. Well that's it!  Whew! That's a lot of frog stuff! 

I apologize for such a long post.  Thanks for hanging in there if you've read to the end.  I'm just so excited to share my latest "mess-terpiece".  You should see my office; it's a pile of craft supplies and samples...everywhere! 

Thanks for visiting today.  It's clean up time.  Maybe I'll hum the "clean-up song" that my Y5's used to love singing.  On second thought, the sun is shining and a warm breeze is beckoning to me to come play.  I think I will. Wishing you a delightful day, crammed with creativity.

"For life to get easier, you have to get better." -Billy Cox

123 Come Count With Me!

Since the 123 Count With Me Booklets have been so popular, I wanted to design some with May themes in mind.

I just finished 123 Count Flowers With Me,  123 Count Frogs With Me and 123 Count Insects With Me!

Click on the links to view/download any or all of the booklets.

These are easy readers that are perfect for an independent math center or Daily 5 activity.

Students really enjoy doing them, and feel empowered.  Their independence, frees the teacher up to work one-on-one with other students, or do assessing.

The booklets review a variety of math concepts and are a great plug-in for when students complete other work, super for a sub folder or to send home with a struggling student.

Children trace then write the number and number word and circle it in the sequence.

Using a bingo dauber they make dots in a ten-frame to equal the number.

Have students use 2 colors and make an ABAB pattern to reinforce yet another standard!

Finally, students cut and glue the matching numbered group/set of objects to the numbered box in their book.

The last page ties everything up and repeats the number 10.

123 Count With Me booklets include traceable word and number cards, with matching covers, so that students can make Itty Bitty booklets, as well as a +1 more worksheet, a graphing extension and a certificate of praise.

Click on the link to view all of the 123 Count With Me books that are available.

Thanks for visiting today. I hope you can click on over tomorrow for more ideas.

Feel free to PIN anything from TeachWithMe.com that you think others might enjoy.

Scroll down for article #2 today: A helpful Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

Mother’s Day Bookmark:

• This is a fun center activity that students can put together quickly.  It makes a nice tuck-in for the cards you may be making.   To make it extra special have students glue their student photograph to the back message.  Laminate them and then tie a ribbon or yarn bow and staple it to the top for an extra-special touch.
• Simply print off the bookmarks. Using a paper cutter, trim them and have students glue them to strips of yellow, blue, green or red construction paper.  Run off the message memo and have them glue it to the back of the bookmark and then trace the words, sign it and add their photo.   Click on the link to view/print the Mother’s Day bookmark masters.

What’s the tallest flower in the garden?

• Demonstrate the comparative adjectives tall, taller and tallest by having students make 3 flowers using green-colored straws for stems.  You can pre-cut the two shorter straws to expedite things, or add a math extension by passing out rulers and telling students how long you want these two straw-stems to be and then have them measure and snip.
• If you have a Big Lots store in your community, they have huge pastel colored straws that make the “tallest” flower even more fun to make. 
  
• Use a flower punch to make fancy centers for your flowers or simply run off my flower pattern on a variety of colored construction paper and have students cut them out. 
  
• Punch holes in the centers with a hole punch and then carefully insert the blossom.
• Run off leaves on green construction paper.  Each student needs 2 leaves for the short flower, 4 for the medium, and the tallest one, unless you are using the giant straws and then 6 leaves look nicer.  This can be a lot of cutting for little ones, so you may want these pre-cut and simply make a template and cut 5 at a time. 
  
• Stick the leaves to the straws using glue dots.  I’ve also made labels if you want to have students affix those as well.  Click on the link to view/print the tall-taller-tallest flower activity sheets. 

Flower Power Math:

Students look at the number inside the flower and then color that many petals, and match the uppercase flower to the leafy lowercase stems on the bottom in these springy-skill sheets.  I’ve made a blank tulip page for you to make more letter combinations if you want.  Click on the link to view/print the flower skill sheets.

Small, medium and large frogs on a log:

• Students glue pre-cut brown construction paper to a toilet paper roll and then add log-like details with a brown or black marker.  The frogs will be poked into the log so they can be used as a subtraction manipulative.  Poking holes with a protractor can be time consuming so you may want this done ahead of time.
• To expedite things you can send t.p. rolls, construction paper, directions and a sample home with a child whose parent has volunteered to help assemble projects at home.  The parent can simply staple on the construction paper and then poke holes for you.
• All children have to do then, is add the details and cut out their frogs.  You can add wiggle eyes to one of the frogs for a bit more pizzazz.  If you don’t want to make this an interactive art project you don’t have to poke the holes.  Simply add tabs to the frogs and have them glue their frogs to the log, or for younger children have them cut out the frogs as ONE unit and use only one toothpick, to simplify things.
• I’ve made two styles for you to choose from.  Run them off on construction paper so they do not flop over.  I use scotch tape to stick a toothpick to the backs of the frogs so that students can poke them into their log.
• This manipulative is great to use with frog stories and songs that have frogs jumping into ponds.  As you read the story, or sing a song, a group of students can stand in front with their logs and take a frog away (subtract) as he jumps into the pond.  Count the remaining frogs left on the logs and then continue.  Many stories/songs involve 10 frogs so you could make your own teacher manipulative using a paper towel tube, so that you have room for 10 frogs.  Click on the link to view/print the frogs on a log masters.

Etc.

For more fun spring art and activities check my 98-page May Art book.  I also have a 78-page Frog Unit as well as an 83-page Flower Unit chock full of wonderful lessons to keep your students actively learning!

Why not become a gold subscriber and get all of these things at no additional charge and enjoy an entire year of fun with new things added each month.

 Whatever you’re up to, I hope you have a marvelous May doing it!