1-2-3 Come Do Some 4 Seasons Activities With Me #3

"4 Seasons PUZZLE Fun"   is the 3rd packet in my "4 Seasons 4-Part Series". 

My Young 5 students really LOVE putting puzzles together.

I especially enjoy this quiet time activity, as they are practicing a variety of standards, while truly enjoying themselves. (On task & focused! Woo Hoo.)

With that in mind, I designed 5, different sets of puzzle activities, all of which can be turned into partner games as well.

Each set is based on the 4 seasons.

As always, I’ve included patterns in black & white for students to color, as well as colorful templates, so you can print on card stock, laminate & trim, then use for a seasonal puzzle center.

The packet includes these puzzle sets:

1. “Complete the Seasonal Scene”
2. “Out the Window: Peek & See”
3. “The BIG 4”
4. “Six-Piece Seasons on a Roll”
5. 10-Piece “Spin to Win”

1. If your students are like mine, they will enjoy the "Complete the Seasonal Scene" puzzles.

There is a 3-part puzzle for each of the 4 seasons.

Students color their worksheet, including the seasonal word, then draw something in each of the 2 scenes.

For example, if you look at my completed "Summer" picture, you'll see I've added a boy jumping into the pool and a beach ball to one of the scenes. I drew a happy sun in the other.

When children are done with their worksheet, they cut on the dashed lines, then glue to a colorful sheet of construction paper.

As you can see by my photo, it's up to children to decide how they want to glue on their pieces. The seasonal word can appear at the top, middle or bottom of their  scenes. 

2. "Out the Window Peek & See" puzzles are also a lot of fun. There is one for each of the 4 seasons.

Students color the view out of their window, then cut on the dashed lines.

I've also included a different set of window scenes in color to use in a center.

To make these into a game, children pick a puzzle & a partner. They take turns rolling a dice.

• If they roll a 1-4 they place the matching numbered picture on the puzzle base.
• If they roll a 5 they lose their turn. If they roll a 6 they have to remove one of the pieces already placed on their puzzle base.
• The 1st one to complete their puzzle is the winner.
  

3."The Big 4" is my personal favorite.

I've included a colorful set of adorable bears dressed for each season.

Simply print on card stock, laminate & trim, to make a cute puzzle center.

Students can also use a dice, as explained above, to make this a game as well.

I used simpler graphics, for a black & white "Big 4" version, so students can easily color & make their own. 

4."6-Piece Seasons On a Roll" is played as a game too. 

After students color the seasonal object & cut on the dashed lines, they pick a partner & take turns rolling the dice; only here, since there are 6 pieces, a roll of #5 or #6 is not a penalty. 

Students simply place that numbered piece on their puzzle grid/base. 

For simple coloring, there is only one, large graphic per picture.

5. The final set of seasonal puzzles is called "Spin to Win".

They will help students practice their counting skills, as children can count by ones to 10, or skip count by 10s to 100, while they assemble these 10-piece puzzles.

As with the "Big 4" puzzles, I have made 2 different sets. The one in color is a more complicated seasonal scene, while the black & white ones depict a nice big graphic for little ones to color.

For added fun, the super-cute, BW version, has students draw a face on the child to depict if they like that season or not.

To make things more personal, I've included graphics featuring girls, and another set with boys.

To play the game, children pick a puzzle, partner & matching seasonal spinner; then take turns spinning, placing that numbered puzzle piece on the base. 

I use a paperclip, which is held in place by a pencil, for my spinner.

Since this article highlights puzzles, I thought  a set of apple-themed, number puzzles would be appropriate for today's featured FREEBIE.

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

Wishing you a wonderful week, filled with giggles galore.

"When educating the minds of our youth, we  must not forget to educate their hearts as well." -Dhlai Lama

1-2-3 Come Do Some 4 Seasons Activities With Me #4

"4 Seasons Writing Prompt Circle Puzzle Craftivities" is the final packet in my "4 Seasons 4-Part Series".

I hope you enjoyed learning about the new things I've been designing, to help my students have fun with the 4 seasons.

This Packet Includes:

• 5 circular PUZZLES
• WRITING prompts, with lined & unlined patterns
• 2 GRAPHING extensions
• “4 Seasons Scoot to a Corner” GAME and …
• “Are You Listening?” Whole group ASSESSMENT activity.

* Puzzles:

To immerse little ones in becoming familiar with the 4 seasons, I’ve included a 4-part circle puzzle. There’s a puzzle piece that represents each season.

Children place the appropriate piece on the labeled base. In no time at all my students are able to actually "read" these words!

As always, I’ve included a black & white version, so that students can make their own 4 seasons puzzle.

Besides this puzzle, there’s also a colorful collection of 4 puzzles depicting each season separately.

For example, in the photo on the right, each of the 4 pieces have items that are seen in the fall.

* Just For FUN!

My kiddos actually beg to play the “4 Seasons Scoot to a Corner” game. It’s a perfect “calm down” activity for the end of the day. Super-easy, a ton of fun & takes only a few minutes. Bonus: Students are really quiet! Woo Hoo.

* Are You Listening?

I designed this because “Listening & Following Directions” is one of our report card standards. This is a quick, easy & fun way to leave a “paper trail” proving if your students do or don’t.

This whole group activity also acts as an assessment, checking students' understanding of the 4 seasons.

* Let’s WRITE!

“Winter? Spring? Summer? Fall? Which is your favorite season of them all?”

My kiddos absolutely love sharing their opinions, so when I turn those into a writing prompt, they are excited to get right down to business.

Students have a choice of writing about their favorite or least favorite season (you could also do both & use one as a homework assignment).

I’ve included a “seasonal circle” to use as a “topper” where students can draw a picture, which represents some part of their writing.

There’s also a graphing extension you can do afterwards.

* More Options:

Instead of, or in addition to, students can complete the “I like to…” writing prompt, which involves all 4 seasons.

As you can see by the photo on the right, I’ve included “toppers” as well as “banner bottoms” to add extra pizzazz to their work.

The photograph also shows the various levels of writing. Younger students can write or dictate simple sentence answers, while older kiddos can add more descriptive words.

Students can also choose to use the circular puzzle pattern for their "topper" or a square version, pictured on the left. Note that I've topped the square off with a semi circle, which can be seen in the middle picture to the right.

Completed projects make a cute bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included a “Sensational Seasonal Writing!” poster to highlight children’s work.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a 100 Day "Rip & Tear" craftivity.

Completed projects turn out quite amazing. My Y5s really enjoy creating this colorful 100.

We do it as one of our many 100 Day centers.   

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

We have about a foot of snow here in Michigan, which puts me in the mood to design some wintry stuff. 

Wishing you a creative & cozy day.

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin

1-2-3 Come Do Some 4 Seasons Activities With Me #1

 Sometimes when I sit at my desk with a simple idea, my mind morphs it into a bajillion others.

These ideas often come so fast, that if I don't quickly jot them down, my senior brain loses them a moment later.

After working over a week on my newest "4 Seasons" packet, which involves glancing out a window, I realized that this could easily be divided into two packets.

One with the writing prompts, the other with extra games & activities.

Concentrating on just the writing aspect, would be less overwhelming; so Woo Hoo here's packet #1: "4 Seasons Window Craft Writing Prompt".

No matter what the age, the 4 seasons are a super-fun topic.

We all have glanced out of a window, often succumbing to daydreaming a bit, especially if the view before us, is a summer beach scene, or one filled with gently falling snow.

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to design a seasonal window, where students could write about what they saw, and then illustrate their thoughts.

This activity is very versatile and easy to diversify your lessons. 

Option #1. A booklet: Depending on your students'writing ability, your seasonal booklet can be 5-9 pages long. 

For younger kiddos, I simply staple the 4, seasonal window pages to the cover to make a 5-page booklet.

They write one sentence under the window, then illustrate & color their windowpane.

I've included my sample on the left, which you can use to explain what you want your students to do. 

During the beginning of a season, we complete that page.  I start with fall and end with summer.

This makes a nice keepsake at the end of the year, which should show improvement in coloring, penmanship & writing ability.

For older students, include the additional writing prompt page, which features seasonal graphics.

Students begin writing under the window worksheet, then continue on the additional graphic-themed page.

There are blank, as well as lined templates to choose from.

Students can either illustrate their window FIRST, then write sentences about what they drew; or they can think about various fall things, then write their sentences on the separate seasonal paper.

Then, afterwards, they go back and illustrate their window, referring to their writing.

You can include these extra writing pages, to make a 9-page booklet, or simply use each of the 4 seasonal windows as a separate activity, then hang up the completed projects on a bulletin board or hallway display. 

To display, students glue their illustrated window, to the top of their completed writing paper.

I’ve included a cover if you want to make a booklet, plus several posters to enhance your display, if you choose to do 4, separate writing prompt craftivities.

So that teachers can quickly & easily make examples to share, I've included colorful scenes for each seasonal window, along with a completed writing prompt for each one.

Also included, are checklists for students to jot down ideas, as well as 4-part graphic organizers, which will help students organize their thoughts.

There's also a rubric.

A 3-on-a page, BW one for students (boy & girl options to make it more personal) as well as a colorful poster to introduce the lesson, then hang so students can refer to it.

I use these all the time, as they truly help jump start and improve writing.

Today's featured FREEBIE is also about the 4 seasons. 

It's a sweet set of seasonal posters, one of which combines all of the seasons in one silly picture, which students can label.

I hope you find them useful.

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

"One of the most beautiful things about learning, is that no one can ever take it away from you." -B.B. King

1-2-3 Come Do Some "Sense-sational" Writing Activities With Me

I'm so excited about my latest creative writing packet (Seasons & Senses) that I just finished. Part of the "yippie yahoo" is that it's so versatile!

PK kiddos on up through middle school will enjoy “Savoring the Seasons” by using their 5 Senses. 

Younger kiddos can simply jot down single words and draw a picture.

Older students, can practice using adjectives to really make their writing stand out & come "alive".

There's a "flip-flap" booklet for the 4 seasons, plus one for the 5 senses.

At the start of school, choose the autumn one, then later, repeat this activity throughout the various seasons, to show improvement!

Great for portfolios, and you’ve empowered your students because they know what to do & can get right down to business; and you can share these with parents at conferences!

These craftivities are quick, easy & fun; plus, you're incorporating literacy AND science, getting more bang for your "time buck." (Another yippie yahoo!) AND ...

Completed projects make an awesome, easy-peasy bulletin board or hallway writing display entitled: "Sense-sational" Writing! 

Use the "Savor the Seasons" poster (pictured at the top) for the center of your board. (May I yell yippie for a 3rd time?)

I've included completed samples, so that you can quickly and easily make an example of your own to share with your kiddos, to help explain things.

Besides the flip-flap booklets, I’ve also included full-page writing prompt worksheets perfect for older students.

So if you teach older grades and stumbled here, you too can use this concept because...

To reinforce the use of adjectives, I had my college comp students choose a season and sense.

They did a great job and seemed to really enjoy it!

Younger students can also practice adjectives by filling in the 4-seasons graphic organizers. This is a great activity to do before they make their flip-flap booklet.

Another option, is to have sudents get into groups of 3-5 and complete the worksheets together. 

You could also collect and collate them to make a class-made 4-seasons booklet.

Sooo, can I get a "Woo hoo" for an activity that’s appropriate for multiple levels & ages?!

The packet also includes pocket chart cards for the 4 seasons, as well as 5 senses. I also use these as "header cards" on my whiteboard. 

To introduce the activity, discuss the 5 senses. Choose a season, and have students brainstorm a list of things that they "see, hear, feel, taste" etc. at this time of year; jot them down in the appropriate column. 

Children can refer to the board while they're writing.  You'll find the anchor chart posters helpful too. 

There's a full-color set to hang up, as well as black & white, so students can reinforce the information, by making their own. 

This 44-pager is just $3.50.  Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to check it out: Seasons & Senses

Today's FREEBIE comes from the packet, and is the wise owl adjective anchor chart poster. Use it as a reminder for students to use plenty of descriptive words in their writing.  

Well that's it for today.  My head has that "over-stuffed, too much computer" feeling; so it's time to get some fresh air. 

It's beautiful out; the sun is shining, but there's a definite chill in the air. A reminder that winter is not far off, so enjoy these awesome autumn days while you can.  Wishing you an energizing one!

"Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt." - William Allingham

1-2-3 Come Learn About Seasons and Months With Me

Since the alphabet emergent readers have been so popular, I decided to do a seasonal one, as my kiddos have to learn the seasons, as well as the months of the year, plus other aspects of the calendar.

At the beginning of the year, when my Y5s are just learning about the calendar, they always make me laugh with the names that they come up with for the months.

"What month is it?"  I ask. "It's pumpkin month!"  or... "It's snow month." They exclaim excitedly. They also confused the seasons with the months, often thinking they were the same thing.

With that in mind, I incorporated both in this sweet emergent reader, which will help reinforce a variety of skills in a fun way; helping your kiddos learn the 4 seasons, as well as the months of the year, plus information about those months.

Students read the repetitive sentence, trace & write the season, month & the number of that month.

(January is the 1st month so it's number one.)
They also jot down the number of days that are in that month.

Students color the picture, as well as the monthly word, then fill the blank in, to complete the sentence writing prompt.

To reinforce end punctuation, I have left it out of the sentences, so that students can practice writing in the period.

The packet includes 2 mnemonic poster poems to help students remember the seasons and how many days are in each month.

There are 2 size choices for the booklet: A 2-on-a-page template, as well as 4-on-a-page pattern, so that you can make Itty Bitty booklets & save paper.

When everyone has completed their booklet, read it together as a whole group to reinforce concepts of print.

Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop to check it out. 

This 20-page packet is just $1.95.

There are 2 FREEBIES today.  Both come from the packet.

One is the seasons mnemonic poster poem, the other is the "How Many Days?" poster poem, which I tweaked a bit. 

Click on each link or the pictures to grab your copy.  

Thanks for visiting. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and it's a sweatshirt and bonfire kind of Friday. 

Wishing you a whimsical and wonderful weekend.

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." - Albert Camus