1-2-3 Come Do Some Chick and Bunny Craftivities With Me

I love springtime. There's something magical and invigorating about it; and there are so many themes you can incorporate into your lessons.

The chick and bunny seem to be popular symbols, so with that in mind I used them to design some quick, easy and super-fun craftivities, which practice a variety of standards. 

I'll be featuring 4 of my favorites, along with today's FREEBIE.  First up is a chick-themed -ick word family packet.    

The packet includes:

* An -ick chick word slider craftivity, featuring 20 words, with 2 size options.

* An -ick family poster with 22 words, plus  10 “flip the flap” -ick word booklets, as well as an “ABC Me” worksheet.  I've also included ...

* A cover to make an -ick word family dictionary, along with an Itty Bitty -ick word family booklet, plus a "Fill in the blanks” missing -ick word, sentence worksheet along with ...

* A set of -ick word family picture cards, with matching -ick word cards, so you can play “Memory Match” and “I Have; Who Has?” games, individually, with a partner or as a whole group activity.

* To mix math with literacy, there's an “Isn’t it slick that I can skip count with my chick?” slider craft, with 2 size options.
These number sliders skip count by 2s, 3s, 5s, or 10s. 

You can also practice the -op word family with my bunny packet.

The format is similar. The -op word family poster has an alphabetical list of 49 words, with some new words even to me, llke kop and trop, so I've also included a cover to make an —op word family dictionary.

I chose 18, or those -op words and made "just the right size", mini-cards.  Students can put them in alphabetical order, as an independent center, or partner up to see who can do it the fastest.  

Another idea, is to have children choose 2-3 cards and use the words in a sentence. 

The bunny and chick were also perfect to design some more "shapely critter crafts" which all started years ago with the penguin packet.

It's a wonderful, hands-on way to review 2D and 3D shapes.

Make a large set to use as flashcards, for whole-group games, and anchor charts, then have children pick their favorite and create their own.

Completed projects make an adorable bulletin board. 

I've included several posters for the center of your display. 

The packets include an emergent reader, games, worksheets, and a "certificate of praise" bookmark.  

For the emergent reader, students read, trace and write the shape word, fill in the shapes to look like chicks/bunnies; trace the shape and then draw that shape.

They also underline the capital letter and add end punctuation. 

Both animals are super-cute, but my personal favorite is the bunny.

There are 3 pattern options for the rabbit: A whimsical looking one, a "fluffy" faced one, as well as blank templates so children can draw their own.  

I've also included a paw pattern to make the shapes look even more like a bunny.

I think part of the bunny's charm, is that I also added a set of butterflies and ladybugs, which feature the various shapes. 

For a bit of 3D pizzazz, students choose one and glue the bug to the top of one of the bunny's ears. 

To get the 3D "pop" bend the ladybug's antennae forward. 

For the butterfly, give children 2 different colors.

They trim and fold one of the butterfly's wings, then glue just the thorax to the top of the other butterfly. Easy-peasy and looks fabulous! 

Besides the standard 2D shapes, due to many requests, I've also included the trapezoid and rhombus "pattern block" shapes, along with the hexagon, pentagon and octagon. 

Since many teachers are also teaching 3D shapes, there's also patterns for the cone, cube, cylinder and sphere.

Click on the links for the "Slick Chick Spring Shape Up" packet, and the "Hop To It" Bunny Shape packet.

Finally, while diddling around with pattern blocks, I discovered that you can use other pieces, to make a hexagon. 

Since this is a really new shape for my Y5s, it tends to be a "toughie" for them to remember. 

I think part of the difficulty, is because there are not many "real life" examples for them to see.  With that in mind, I designed the "Don't be vexed by the "hex", hexagon challenge.

I putzed 'til I created a dozen arrangements, and have included a full-color, as well as a black & white template (filled in with lines, plus blank) for them to place pattern pieces on.

Later, after they've created some patterns, turn it into a "Speed" game; set a timer and see who can make the most hexagons before it rings. 

Today's FREEBIE also has a bunny theme, which practices skip counting.

Your students will enjoy hopping to the next number, as they skip count with the bunny, by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's.  I've also included "What's Missing?" worksheets for each skip counted set.  These are great for "early finishers" or homework to send over spring break.  

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for visiting.  Time to switch gears and put my nana hat on, as I'm taking care of my grandchildren today. 

Kaiden (3) and Kaitlyn (1) put the grand in grandma. 

Wishing you a love-filled day filled with lots of hugs and giggles.

"I love music of all kinds, but there's no greater music than the sound of my children and grandchildren laughing." -Sylvia Earle

1-2-3 Come Do Some Spring Things With Me

Spring has officially sprung, and even though we've still got it in the 40s here in Michigan, I'm full gear into springtime fun. 

Today's blog features 3 of my favorite spring activities, which when completed, make adorable springy bulletin boards or hallway displays, sure to put a smile on your face. 

First up is a sweet little bunny glyph.  They really do turn out absolutely "awwww-dorable".   

No matter what grade I taught, my students LOVED making glyphs. 
They are a quick, easy & interesting way to practice and assess listening and following directions.

Since this is one of my report card standards, glyphs also provide a "hard copy" to use as proof that a child does or doesn't listen & follow directions.

Glyphs are also an interesting way to get to know your students.

Be sure and make your own sample. I think children really enjoy learning about their teacher too.

The packet also includes 4, sweet photo-posters of real bunnies, as well as a links page for a few bunny songs & the story of Peter Rabbit & Benjamin Bunny. 

I also designed an Easter egg glyph as well.  I've included 2 egg glyphs in the packet.  One is pretty easy, the other a bit more complicated.

Choose which one is best suited for your students.
The glyphs are also easily adapted by simply tweaking the directions to fit your needs.

Because each one is different they make a super-interesting bulletin board. Every year we get tons of compliments! 

Most passers-by are unaware that these are glyphs, so I made a springy "Glyphs" poster for each packet, to use for the center of your display. 

Since my Venn Friends have been super-popular, I wanted to design one for spring as well.  This one features  rabbits.

Venn diagrams are a quick, easy & fun way to introduce the concept of comparison - contrast writing, and an interesting way for students to get to know each other better.

My kiddos absolutely love making them, so we do a seasonal one each month; they’ve come to really look forward to picking a new partner to learn more about.  

To help students do a thorough job completing their Venn diagram and jump start the writing process, I've included a list of 40 questions that they can choose from to discuss with their partner.

For added fun, and to practice another standard that mixes math with literacy, I’ve also included a graphing extension. 

Finally, today's FREEBIE also features bunnies.   This bunny craftivity, is a quick, easy and super-fun center, assessment, or game, with  4 sizes of bunny patterns to accommodate the various sizes and kinds of craft sticks.

Program the "ears" with whatever you'd like to reinforce, then keep each set in a Ziploc Baggie.

The beauty of this bunny pattern, is that you only have to make a few bunnies, yet you're able to use them to practice a variety of Common Core Standards, or whatever else you can think up.

Here are some ideas:
* uppercase-lowercase letters
* number-number word
* number-group/set
* contraction-words that make up the contraction
* synonyms-antonyms
* rhyming words
* homonyms
* opposites
* equation-answer
* color-color words
* shape-shape words
* 2 words-compound word
* singular-plural

 Well that's it for today, I hope spring has sprung in your classroom. 

Wishing you a joyous holiday break whenever that happens.

The earth teaches me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. The earth teaches me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall.  The earth teaches me courage as the tree which stands all alone. The earth teaches me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. -William Alexander

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

I LOVE using Venn diagrams with kids.  They are so easy to make and are the perfect way to introduce compare and contrast writing.

A Venn diagram is so simple that even my Y5’s easily understood them, plus they really enjoyed making them. 

My college comp students also like the concept.  One of their personal favorites was comparing two soft drinks. 

As they share which is their favorite, we narrow it down to two and then I bring the drinks in for the next class. Almost every semester Coke and Mountain Dew wins out.

They worked in small groups and made a Venn diagram comparing the soda, sipping as they worked.  Using their laptops they also found out differences via the Internet.  It’s my fun way to introduce them to writing a compare and contrast essay.

For little ones, I introduced the concept of a Venn diagram using 2 Hula-Hoops and index cards.  We brainstormed the differences and similarities of whatever we were working on.

Write these things on the board and give each student an index card to write one of the similarities or differences on.  Using clip art, you can also have two pictures to put inside the appropriate hoops along with header cards: similar and different.

Lay the Hula-Hoops on the floor and intersect them to look like a Venn diagram. Put your picture and header cards in the appropriate sections, and then have students lay their index cards where they belong.

For spring, I wanted to make this into a “craftivity” so I chose bunnies.  Their bellies are the Venn diagram.  I call them Venn Friends because half the students choose a friend’s name out of the Easter basket who they then team up with. 

To make it a special keepsake, include their school photo.  There's a checklist of 40 ideas that students can find out about each other.  Through discussion, they discover similarities and differences and then choose which ones they want to put on their Venn diagram.

These make an adorable spring or April bulletin board.   Later, each student can take their own bunny head home and the teacher can keep the Venn portions as examples. 

I've also included a whole-group graphing extension, which will show if students were more alike, or more different than their partner. 

Click on the link to view/download Bunny Venn Friends

Besides the bunny Venn Friend, I also made a tulip one, so you could give your students a choice.  That one also includes a graphing activity. 

Thanks for visiting.  It's "supposed" to get into the 60's today, so my feet have hit the floor running.  I want to open all the windows and bring springtime inside.  Wishing you a sweet day.

"Spring: rebirth,renewal, and regrowth." -Unknown 

 1-2-3 Come Do Some Shapely Bunny Activities With Me

Since the other Shapely Animal packets have been such popular downloads, I decided to add another one for spring.  If you missed the Shapely Slick Chick packet  that I published earlier this month, click on the link to grab it.  Here are the links for the other shapely animal packets as well: Penguins and Owls

The Honey Bunny packet follows a similar format. I've included large shapes that students can add details and ears to, to make their shapely bunny, as well as a set with bunny features drawn in.  Make a set, laminate and then use as a sweet spring bulletin board or to use as giant flashcards.

Have children pick out their favorite shape and make one of their own. However, If you want to turn their work into a bulletin board as well, toss the shape cards into a container and have them choose one. 

Whatever shape they pick is the Shapely Bunny that they'll create, otherwise, you might end up with everyone doing the same shape.

I've included a big bunny poster that you can personalize with your name and the caption: "Mr(s) ____________'s class is really shaping up... or "Somebunny" knows their shapes.  Hang this in the center of your bulletin board. 

Use the other poster to make a "What's the secret shape?" game.  Draw a question mark on an index card and tape it to the laminated poster so that it's a "hinged" "flap" door. 

Using a dry erase marker, draw a shape underneath or tape up one of the shape cards.  Call on children to guess what shape is hiding?

There's also an emergent reader booklet that covers quite a few standards.  Students read the simple sentences, underline the capital letters and add end punctuation. 

Children trace and write the shape words, as well as trace and draw the shapes and then draw details on the first shape to make it look like a bunny. 

The last page asks them which Honey Bunny was their favorite.  A graph is provided to record this data.

I've included bunny shape cards in color, along with their matching shape word cards. These are perfect for Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" games. 

Add the bunny Kaboom cards to your game to make things even more fun.  

There's also a set in black and white, which includes a cover, so that students can make an Itty Bitty Shape Booklet. 

Students can also play a funny bunny spinner game.  Children pick a partner and take turns spinning. 

Whatever shape they land on, they color the matching shape on their funny bunny.  The child who completes their worksheet first is the winner.  

Finally, I've also included a worksheet with spatial directions, one for listing a shape's attributes, plus a "match the shape to the shape word" worksheet. 

When everyone has completed whatever projects you want them to do, pass out the certificate of praise.  Click on the link to view/download the Shapely Bunnies Packet.  

That's it for today.  Thanks for visiting! My poodle pup Chloe, is demanding some attention, so I guess it's time to quit for awhile and take her for a trot around the block.  Wishing you an amazing day.

"In winter, I plot and plan.  In spring, I move!" -Henry Rollins

Tweet! Tweet! Life Is Sweet!

It’s now all the rage to “tweet” news, so why not make tweeting a fun writing prompt.

I’ve designed 2 “craftivity” headers for your students to pick from, that will make writing even more fun.

The results will make a lovely springtime bulletin board as well.

Make a robin template by tracing, then cutting the birds out of old file folders.

Students trace them onto recycled newspapers and cut out their robin.

They can leave the bird as is, or add a bit of color to the orange breast, yellow beak and add a black dot for an eye.

Run off the nest master on brown construction paper and have students cut around it.

The robin’s blue eggs can be pre-cut.  Review and discus what a main idea is.

Students’ write the main idea of their “newsflash” on the whole egg.

Print off their school photo and cut the headshots into ovals.  Students glue their photo to the back of the “hatched” egg.

Children glue the eggs and newspaper bird to the nest and the nest to the top of their “Tweet” paper, writing one to two “tweets”.

The other option is a word art robin.  I made this on the awesome website Tagxedo.

You can use my template, (run it off and have students cut it out and glue it to a sheet of brown construction paper & trim.) or you can have students go to the site and type in their own word list, using adjectives that describe their news, or have them type in their entire tweet!

The site is easy to navigate.

Since they did not have a bird shape, I imported one and have provided the clip art for you.  Simply use my pdf, save it as a jpeg to your desktop.

When you click on shapes on the left, you’ll get a window with all the blue shape options,  on the bottom is a box that says “add image” click on that.

Make sure “desktop” is in the top file window.  Scroll down ‘til you find the "robin" file.  Click on it to import, then click "accept" in the bottom right box.

The robin is a state bird for several, so make it a teachable moment with a few facts about your state and the bird if you like.

There’s also writing prompt about those “tweet” friends your students have and a mini certificate of praise to tweet the good news to family.

If you have an I Pad or e-mail account at school, with a real Twitter account, (easy to set one up for pupil praise purposes) why not let students who have done an especially fine job with this activity, really Tweet about it! 

Let them know about this bonus ahead of time, for added incentive!

Click on the link to view/download the Tweet Stuff packet.

I hope you can fly on back tomorrow for more fun tips! It's OK to PIN anything you think might be helpful or interesting to others too.

Happy Tweeting!

Scroll down for article #2 today...More preschool kindergarten graduation ideas.

We Are “Some-bunny” Special

I LOVE using Venn diagrams with kids.  They are so easy to make and are the perfect way to introduce the compare and contrast concept.

A Venn diagram is so simple that even my Y5’s easily understood them, plus they really enjoyed making them. 

Even my college students like the concept.  One of their personal favorites: Comparing the classes' two favorite soft drinks. 

As they share which is their favorite, we narrow it down to two and then I bring the drinks in for the next class. Almost every semester Coke and Mountain Dew wins out.

They worked in small groups and made a Venn diagram comparing the soda, sipping as they worked.  Using their laptops they also found out differences via the Internet.  It’s my fun way to introduce them to writing a compare and contrast essay.

For little ones, I introduced the concept of a Venn diagram using 2 Hula-Hoops and index cards.  We brainstormed the differences and similarities of whatever we were working on.

Write these things on the board and give each student an index card to write one of the similarities or differences on.  Using clip art, you can also have two pictures to put inside the appropriate hoops along with header cards: similar and different.

Lay the Hula-Hoops on the floor and intersect them to look like a Venn diagram. Put your picture and header cards in the appropriate sections, and then have students lay their index cards where they belong.

For spring, I wanted to make this into a “craftivity” so I chose bunnies.  Their bellies are the Venn diagram.  I call them Venn Friends because half the students choose a friend’s name out of the Easter basket who they then team up with. 

To make it a special keepsake, include their school photo.  There's a checklist of 40 ideas that students can find out about each other, discuss which are similarities and which are differences and then choose which ones they want to put on their Venn diagram.

These make an adorable spring or April bulletin board.   Later, each student can take their own bunny head home and the teacher can keep the Venn portions as examples.   Click on the link to view/download Bunny Venn Friends

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN anything on my site.  I'm all about sharing!  If you'd like to see another spring Venn friend, scroll down for a tulip one. 

"Happy Spring!  Happy everything."

Up Up & Away With This Springtime Review "Craftivity"!

The windy days are here to stay for a while, so making a kite seems to continue to be an appropriate and fun way to review report card standards.

Review the basic shapes by using them as “tail ties” and have students glue them to a piece of yarn that’s attached to their kite.

Reinforce colors and a pattern as well, by making them in bright rainbow colors and have students glue them in that order.

To add a bit more pizzazz, I typed my students’ names in the WordArt program on my computer. This is super easy, so it would also make a nice computer activity for your kiddo's to do themselves.

They cut their name in a cloud shape while we reviewed some wind facts as they snipped away.

You could have students journal a writing prompt on the back or list some springtime - weather word-wall words,

This kite “craftivity” can be found in the 133-page Spring Art & Activity Book.  Click on the link to view/download it for lots more fun ideas.

Be sure and pop back tomorrow for more teaching tips.  Do you have one you'd like to share?  I'd enjoy hearing from you diane@teachwithme.com or feel free to comment here especially if you use one of my ideas.

Feel free to PIN too.  I truly believe in sharing.  Thanks for visiting.

Show Me A Pattern

A quick way to whole-group assess patterns is with these “High Flying” kites.

Run them off on a variety of brightly colored construction paper.

Students cut them out, punch a hole in the bottom and tape on a yarn tail.

Pre-cut a variety of brightly colored “tail” strips so that students can show you ABAB, ABCABC, AABBAABB, ABBA, AABAAB etc patterns.

Students raise their hand when they have completed placing a pattern on their kite string.

Afterwards children can choose a particular pattern that they like, write it on their kite and glue the strips to the string.

Mount them on a bulletin board, or hang them back-to-back from the ceiling for a super spring decoration in the hallway.

They look great hung in a row at the top of the wall as a pretty border as well.

Make it a special keepsake by having students glue their school photo to the kite.

You can also turn this into a partner game by using the pattern cards.

Students choose a partner, flip over a pattern card and see who can make that pattern the fastest. 

The one who does so, gets to keep that pattern card. When all of the cards are gone, or when the timer rings, the one with the most cards is the winner.

Click on the link to view/download Pattterning With Kites

Be sure and pop back tomorrow for another teacher tip.

Do you have one you can share?  I’d enjoy hearing from you! diane@teachwithme.com Or…feel free to leave a comment here, especially if you use one of my ideas!  Thanks in advance for your time.

Spring Spirals

I love decorating for the various seasons and holidays.  It energizes me.

Children’s creations make the best decorations and displaying them is extremely important in building self-esteem and helping students take pride in their accomplishments.

Other teachers and students enjoyed going through my hallway “art museum” filled with “mess-terpieces”.

Their comments to my students were also very encouraging. I find that schools look more interesting, fun and inviting to visitors, when they are festooned with student "craftivities".

An announcement by our principal + warnings by teachers to “Keep your hands off the dangling decorations!” did a pretty good job of helping to keep things from getting slapped down.

Spring Spiral Shamrocks are one of those awesome tempting danglers.  A spiral offers great fine motor cutting skill practice.

If you are dealing with Y5’s and younger cut the spiral out so that they have a circle to hang on to when they cut. Remind them to stay on the “road” and continue to cut on the line as they go along.

Demonstrate this and show how you turn your circle as you cut showing  how the “road” will then spiral and dangle down.

Because I made lines across so that children know when to stop coloring, a few little ones might be tempted to cut across, so explain these lines as “stop” features for coloring and that they are NOT to be cut.

Because I teach about rainbows and rainbow color order in March, I like to combine those concepts with shamrocks to get more “bang for my time.”

You can make your ceiling display colorful by giving your students an assortment of rainbow-colored spirals to choose from, or you can have them color their spirals with crayons or markers.

Just and FYI that this is a lot of coloring for a little one as in order for the colors to be dramatic, you need to color both sides.

It is easier to color the spiral before it is cut out, but then in order to color the back, it needs to be cut out in order to see where to color.  This is definitely a task for older students.

You can add more colors of the rainbow with the center shamrock as I included a smaller shamrock template for the middle.

Simplify things and make it white or another shade of green or a variety of rainbow colors.

I wanted to show all of the rainbow colors so to create the cool effect pictured, I peeled broken crayons, sharpened them over my shamrock, put a piece of wax paper over the shavings and then pressed an iron on low heat on top of them, you’ll get an instant melted rainbow and lots of oooh’s and ahhh’s from your students.

I teach my students a short rainbow song to help them remember the color order of the rainbow.

Every year when we are working on a rainbow activity they burst into song.  This “craftivity” includes the song.

You can also add 3-D pizzazz to the back of your shamrock by cutting out 2 additional shamrocks, folding them in half gluing them together and then gluing the 3-D shamrock to the back of your flat one.

This additional step is also recommended for older students.  Punch a hole in the top of the shamrock, add a yarn loop and dangle from the ceiling.

If you want to put up a caption: ________________________’s class is spiraling into spring!  You can also skip the spiral and just do the melted crayon shamrock.  It makes a lovely March bulletin board.  Caption: __________________'s class is melting into spring! OR... Wishing you a colorful spring!

Click on the link to view/download Spring Spiral Shamrocks
Be sure and pop back tomorrow for What's In The Hat? A quick and easy shamrock review game.