1-2-3 Come Make A Glyph With Me

If you have never made a glyph with your students I highly recommend you give it a go with one of these quick, easy and super-fun fall glyphs.

My latest creations are an apple glyph and scarecrow glyph.

No matter what grade I taught, my students absolutely LOVED making glyphs, which is saying a lot because besides 4th, 6th & 7th grades, I've taught them ALL, beginning with PK all the way up through college freshmen!!

Glyphs are a quick, easy and fun way to practice listening and following directions.

They also provide a "hard copy" to use as proof that a child does or doesn't, which comes in handy during parent-teacher conferences, and selecting the yes or no box on a student's report card. 

Completed projects make an adorable bulletin board, as each one will be different.

I've included a colorful glyph poster in both the apple & scarecrow packets, to use for the center of your display.

Glyphs are also an interesting way to get to know your students and build a classroom community, so the apple glyph is wonderful for a back-to-school icebreaker as well.

Both packets include several posters you can show to explain directions, which is particularly helpful for younger children.

To practice data collection & analysis, as well as process of elimination, have students pick a partner and try to figure out which glyph they made.

I’ve designed the glyph directions in such a way, that you can easily tweak them to fit your needs and levels of your kiddos, making things super-simple, or a bit more challenging for older kiddos in order to test their listening skills as well as comprehension.

Be sure and make a sample of your own, so your students can get to know you as well. 

After everyone is done with theirs, you can share yours and practice inference by asking them questions. 

Last fall I designed a pumpkin glyph you may also want to check out.

All 3 of these glyphs are part of "Diane's Dollar Deals".

Today's featured FREEBIE also has an apple-pumpkin theme.

Just like glyphs, my students really enjoy making Venn diagrams, which are a siimple, quick and fun way to practice comparison and contrast writing.  They too make an awesome bulletin board. 

This Venn diagram compares apples with pumpkins and is an easy way to reinforce all sorts of science facts.

Children can do these individually or with a partner. If you teach younger kiddos, doing one together in a whole-group setting is beneficial.

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

I'm watching 2 of my 9 grandchildren today, so we're going to visit Robinette's Apple Orchard and pumpkin patch.

One of the many reasons why I love fall here in Michigan. 

Wishing you a fun-filled day.

"Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadows of your wing." -Psalm 17:8

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

I never mind putzing a bit to make a math center because once you’re done making your activities things are easy-peasy.

I designed this packet so students are empowered because they set up the center, do the activity independently, check their work via the answer-key posters, make corrections if needed, then put things back where they belong. 

No more prep for you, so you’re freed up while children are happily engaged.

Plus you can reuse this “apple-icious” math center every year. Woo hoo!

I keep my apples with a pipe cleaner stem in a large ZipLock Baggie and have included labels so you can separate the 0-10 apples from the 11-20 ones.

I created the patterns in such a way that you can easily diversify your lessons, while practicing a variety of standards such as:

* Sequencing, patterning, number recognition, counting forwards & backwards, +1 addition, -1 subtraction, groups/sets, subitizing, sorting odd & even, number word recognition, plus greater & less than.

There are so many independent center options that I've included a list of suggestions.

For example, I have one set of apples where I've glued the number leaf and mathcing oval set of seeds to an apple, which is labeled with that number word.

For this math center students count and string that many beads on the pipe cleaner stem, which matches the appropriate numbers on the apple.

They can use all one color, or show me an AB-AB or ABC-ABC color pattern. 

For another activity, the leaves and center options are laminated, then individually cut out. 

Children match the leaves and various centers to the appriate apple.

Even though I'm not teaching reading to my Y5s, I still put the number words on the leaves and apples.

They enjoy these games so much, that the continued repetition of seeing number words associated with a specific number, eventually sinks in by association, so many start reading those words on their own!

You can also use the patterns to make a set of apples without a pipe cleaner stem. I simply glued on a strip of brown paper.

We use this set for sequencing the numbers from 0-20, as well as sorting them on the odd or even number mats. 

To reinforce the fact that apples can be red, yellow and green, I make a set of each color. 

Students can make matches with the apples, (great for "Memory Match" or "I Have; Who Has?" games) as well as showing a row of color patterns. 

For another set of apples, I glue a blank white oval to the center. 

Children pick a number leaf, place it at the top then use black or brown pony beads to make a group of that many "seeds", which practices counting, making groups/sets, number recognition, plus one-to-one correspondence!

Besides using the variety of pattern choices for activities in your math center, you can laminate a class set of blank apples, as a quick, easy and super-fun way to whole group assess.

Call out a number. Using a dry erase marker,  students write that number on their leaf, and make that many "seed" dots on the center oval, then place that many "seed beads" on the pipe cleaner stem. 

When they are done, they hold their apple in the air.  You can see at a glance who is having difficulty.

This is an inexpensive and easy enough craft, that students could also make their own apple, then take it home for continued practice there.

Today's featured, apple-themed  FREEBIE, is another fun way to help your students practice number recognition, counting  and sequencing. 

As with my other math centers, I keep each one of the puzzles in their own ZipLock Baggie.  I hope your kiddos enjoy these apple strip puzzles as much as mine do. 

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

I'm heading out to the farmer's market.  Mmmm mmmm I can just taste that apple cider.

Wishing you an awesome autumn.

"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why!" -Bernard Baruch

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

Although I’ve seen a variety of 3D apple and pumpkin crafts using paper strips to form the sphere, I could not find a pattern anywhere on the web.

After a few hours of diddling around, I came up with this simple “print & go” apple craftivity, complete with several pattern options and step-by-step directions using photographs of the various stages.

Few teachers have the luxury of simply making a craft just for fun; so to incorporate some science standards, one of the options is to make a “label the apple” craft.

I’ve included labeled templates for little ones, as well as blank ones, so that older students can label their own pieces.

You can also opt to simply make an unlabeled apple, with the “skin strips” going all the way around the "core", which is a toilet paper tube. (Love recycling!)

Completed apples are free standing and make adorable centerpieces.

I’ve also designed the stem as a “looped handle”, so that the red, yellow & green apples look amazing swirling & twirling in the air, suspended from the ceiling on various lengths of yarn.

This craft goes perfect with my "Parts of an Apple Emergent Reader" packet. Click the link to have a look.

There’s a full-color copy for teachers, as well as a black & white version for your kiddos.
Choose the 6-on-a-page size, or the 12-on-a-page pattern to make Itty Bitty booklets.

* I’ve also included a set of 8 pocket chart cards, plus a colorful poster that labels the parts of an apple.

* There are 3, black line worksheet options, for students to color and label the parts of their apple too.

Today's featured FREEBIE is one of my personal favorite apple crafts. Even though this craftivity is quick, easy & fun, it definitely has the "Wow!" factor.

"Apples can be red, yellow and green. These are the prettiest apples you've ever seen."  is the little poem that's in the middle of the apple.

I've included a large, full-size teacher's apple, that you can use as a sample to explain things to your kiddos, then later, place it in the middle of your apple display or bulletin board.

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.

Cover with a sheet of wax paper, press with a warm iron for a few seconds, then gently peel off the paper.

My kiddos often squeal with delight at how awesome their apple turns out.

Take that teachable moment to explain secondary colors, as the red crayon melting into the yellow will create a nice orange color.

Each apple is different; which makes for an amazing bulletin board that never fails to get lots of ooohs and ahhhs, from students and staff who pass by.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for popping in.  It's a beautiful autumn day in the 70s, so time to go crunch some leaves.

Chloe, my poodle pup is wagging her whole body in anticipation.  Wishing you a delightful day.

"If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour." - Victoria Erickson

1-2-3 Come Do Some Fruity Fun With The  5 Senses Activities With Me  

Apples are a big deal here in Michigan, so it's one of my first fall themes. As part of our science standards, students need to learn about the 5 senses as well, so  I thought it would be fun to teach the 5 senses using an apple theme. 

I had so much fun designing these activities, that I made 3 different packets for you to choose from, and am featuring them on the blog today.

First up is the 5 Senses With An Apple Head packet. Completed projects turn out absolutely adorable; and are rather hilarious, so if your kiddos are like mine, you'll hear: "Can I please make another one?!"

Suspended from the ceiling, or use as a border for the top of a hallway wall. I’ve included a “Fun With The Five Senses” apple head poster for your display.

There's a huge assortment of facial feature options. Simply pick a few of your favorites.

Children select a nose, mouth, and some ears & eyes, then glue them to their apple head. (There’s also a pattern for a stem and leaf).

Besides the facial features, I’ve also included patterns for a hair bow/bow tie, glasses, a mask, and a selection of mustaches.

I give the option of adding dangling legs with cute sneakers. (Accordion-folding paper, is a great fine motor skill, which will help strengthen finger muscles.)

To reinforce the 5 senses, there’s a set of labels students cut and glue to their apple head as well; or they can simply label their creation.

Besides the craftivity, laminate a set of apples, along with 3 or 4 facial feature options, plus a set of labels, to be used as a “design an apple head” independent center activity.

Allow children to take a photo of their completed creation, then make small thumbnails of each child’s apple head and put them in a class-made, picture booklet. I’ve provided a cover and album page for this as well.

Because there’s such a huge variety of facial feature options, laminate some and have little ones sort them according to which sense they go with.  I’ve included a colorful sorting mat for this.

Children can also use the pieces to create patterns: AB-AB, ABC-ABC etc.

For more practice, there's a BW worksheet, where children cut & glue the facial feature to one of the matching 5 senses, which makes a quick assessment tool.

One of the nice things about these activities, is that even if you don't have time to plug them into your apple unit, they easily fit in during October and November with a harvest theme as well. 

Next up is an Itty Bitty Booklet: "The 5 Senses With An Apple."   There are 4 pages, on a one-page template, for an easy-peasy, "print & go" activity.

I started out with a simple little apple graphic, but then started diddling around with the idea of making the apple look sort of like a “Mr. Potato Head”.

The result made me laugh.  I thought your students would find this silliness fun too; thus there are 2 options for the booklet.

For one use the realistic apple or go a bit wild and crazy with the "apple head" option. You could also give your kiddos a choice.

I’ve included a full color sample of both booklets, so that you can easily make an example to share with your students, to help explain what you want them to do.

Remind them, to not only complete the sentence by thinking up an adjective, but remember to add the end punctuation as well. (Woo hoo for extra teachable moments!)

For more reinforcement, I’ve included a set of Memory Match cards, which you can also use to play the whole-group game “I Have; Who Has?”

There’s also a set of “label me” worksheets, which come in full-color, for you to use as a sample to help explain what you want children to do, then later, hang up for a poster that students can refer to.

There are 2 options for the BW student worksheet. For one, students cut and glue the labels to the matching section of their apple head. For the other worksheet they write in the words.

If you’d like to whole-group assess the 5 senses, have students do the cut and glue one first, then later, as an assessment tool, use the worksheet where they write in the words.

To heighten the experience of using all 5 senses, give each student an apple, or at least a slice of one. They examine it as they complete each page.

Finally, I thought maybe there are some teachers out there who'd like more of a variety than just apples, thus the Fruity-Faced Friend Five Senses  packet was born, which is my personal favorite.

Designing one is really quite addicting, so be prepared when your kiddos ask to make another one!

Besides apples, there are 15 black & white fruit head options, plus a huge assortment of fruit-themed facial features to depict the 5 senses.

Completed projects look adorable suspended from the ceiling, or used as a border for the top of a hallway wall. There are 9 posters for your display.

Children look over the options, then snip one from the pattern page.
This way, all you have to do is run off the templates, while children get practice cutting, coloring and gluing together a 5-senses “fruity-faced friend”.

I’ve included “gloved hands” (like Mickey Mouse) for the “touch/feel” sense, but children could also trace one of their hands on a sheet of folded paper, then cut once to make two hands, which they glue (thumbs up) to the sides of their fruit head.

To reinforce the 5 senses, there’s a set of labels students cut and glue to their fruity face as well; or you can simply have them label each sense with a marker.

Besides the craftivity, there are templates for a “Design A Fruity-Faced Friend” independent center.

Choose from 20, colorful fruit head posters, along with 5 sheets of facial feature-fruit options, and colorful hands.

Children arrange the various fruits ’til they come up with a “fruity-faced friend” that they really like. (This activity is also quite addicting, as it’s so much fun mixing & matching to create hilarious fruity little friends!)

Even if children use the same "feature" cards, just by tweaking how you "arrange" them, changes the character entirely.  I diddled around to create 6 different fruity-faced friends, then took a photograph to show you what I mean.

Allow students to take a photo of their completed creation, then make small thumbnails of each child’s fruity friend and put them in a class-made, photo album.

I’ve provided a cover and album page for this. Students color the picture, write their name in the blank, as well as the name of their “fruity friend”.

Laminate the pages, collate & put in your center. Keep your collection of photo albums (as you collect them each year) in a basket in this center to give students ideas.

For another center activity, there’s a set of “label me” fruity-faced friend posters.  Children place the word labels for the five senses, on the posters.

For further reinforcement, I’ve also included 5 worksheets.  Do a “cut & glue” version first, then later, to whole-group assess, do one of the “fill-in-the-blank” worksheets. 

As always, there's a FREEBIE in each blog.  Today's featured FREEBIE is an apple math mat game.

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

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. Our son is getting married this Saturday so my feet have hit the floor running this morning. 

Still some fun little things to accomplish, as we have family staying with us from out-of-state.  Wishing you a love-filled day.

"The best thing in life that you can hold on to, is each other." -Unknown

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

Studying apples is a great way to plug in some science and interesting math activities into your day.

Today's blog features 3 of my newest apple packets that are a quick, easy and fun way to do that.

First up is Apple Fraction Action. 

I had a request for some easy fraction activities for kinders, so I thought I'd use apples because you can easily cut them in half and then quarters to show children. An apple pie is also a perfect example of this math concept.   

The packet includes:
* games

* worksheets, which can also double as whole-group assessments

* 4 craftivities
* lots of posters plus . . .

* puzzles
* graphing activities

* pocket chart cards
* 2 emergent reader flip booklets and...

* 2 “Itty Bitty Fraction Action” booklets, all with an apple or apple pie theme.

Use the numerous sets of (12-on-a-page) apple & apple pie cards, for explaining, sorting, sequencing and playing games like Memory Match and “I Have; Who Has?”

The bulk of the packet reinforces whole, half and quarter fractions; however, there are a few items which also include higher fraction options (up to 8ths & 12ths) to challenge students and add diversity.

Next up apple-themed "Fix the Sentence" cards.

These 39, pocket chart-sized cards, are a quick, easy and fun way to review a variety of apple related facts, while practicing capitalization and end punctuation.

Read the cards together as a whole group to practice a lot of sight words. This activity not only helps improve students writing (proofing & editing) skills, but recognizing those Dolch sight words as well.

Choose a student to come up and using a dry erase marker, circle letters that should be capitalized and then add end punctuation. (period, question mark & exclamation point).  You can do this on a whiteboard, with a pocket chart, or pass a card out to each child to correct.

For more practice, as an individual activity, have students choose X number of mini cards and rewrite the sentences correctly on the worksheet provided.  I've included 2 sizes of mini "fix the sentence" cards for this, which makes a nice Daily 5 word work activity too. 

Finally, my simple and fun Apple Investigation packet covers a variety of math standards (particularly measurement), with a splash of science, as children use all 5 senses to learn about apples and record their findings.

To make this easy-peasy, I’ve purposely set up the 9, “print & go” pages of the booklet, so that they act as a single worksheet for that particular skill/standard/vocabulary, which students can do independently, with a partner, in small groups, or as a whole group.

For beginning or non-readers, complete each page as a whole group as a “monkey see-monkey do” activity.

Teacher reads the sentence of a numbered activity, demonstrates it, then pauses for students to complete the task with their apple, and record that information in their workbook.

To use with preschoolers, have one investigation booklet, which you work on together using one or two apples, then call on children to participate, as you investigate and do the activities on each page.

I’ve included a KWL to introduce the lesson.  There’s a template in black & white for students to fill out, as well as one in color to use as a whole group to list your findings.

The booklet is a great way to teach a variety of measurement vocabulary and how to find out height, weight, width, circumference, as well as the tools used to do that. (ruler, scale, measuring tape), along with non-standard units of measurement (blocks & apples).

Children use guess-timation while analyzing their apple, then investigate to find the result, then compare their guess with the correct answer, using more math vocabulary (equals, less than & greater than).

They also use observation & comparison techniques as they study the outside as well as the inside of their apple.
Students trace and write vocabulary-building words, predict, answer questions, + collect & analyze data.

Grab that teachable science moment, to discuss the 5 senses, as students use all of them while completing their apple investigations.

The “pick a partner” and find out "how many apples tall" you are, as well as the “Does my apple sink or float?” are 2 of my students’ favorite activities.

Finally, there are 5 whole-group graphing extensions for more math practice, which you can do after children finish their booklet.
I've also included a mini-certificate of praise children glue to the back of their cover. 

"I Spy a . . ."   is today's featured FREEBIE, which also has an apple theme. 

Teach, review, practice and whole-group assess with these game sheets. 

The packet includes worksheet-games for uppercase letters, lowercase letters, shapes, numbers 0-10, numbers 0-20, plus a blank template to fill in with higher numbers. 

Students enjoy playing the game and you can see at a glance who is having difficulty. 

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

Fall is in the air here in Michigan, and I've really been enjoying the cooler, sweater weather.  Wishing you a fun-filled day. 

 "Use your imagination to not scare yourself to death, but to  inspire yourself to life." - Adele Brookman

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

Learning about apples is one of my students' favorite units.  It's a great way to plug in all sorts of science too. Today's blog features 3 of my newest apple packets. 

First up is "Life Cycle Of An Apple Activities". This packet includes a variety of quick, easy & fun, “Print & Go” activities that will help your students learn about the apple's life cycle.

Choose which one is appropriate for your kiddos, or give them a choice.
They are different enough so that you can do several: one to introduce your lesson, another to reinforce it, then later to assess.

You could also do one in class, then tuck another in backpacks for homework. They are great for early finishers and a sub tub too.

The packet includes:

* A Life Cycle of an Apple Wheel, which comes in full color so you can explain the science, then use as an independent center.
There’s also one in black and white, so that students can make their own.

* For a center, there’s a Life Cycle of an Apple “puzzle pie”, as well as…

* A Life Cycle of an Apple worksheet-poster, with a variety of options, plus 2 completed teacher samples you can use to explain what you want your students to do, or leave in your center so students can self-check their work.

Completed projects make a sweet bulletin board.  I’ve included a poster for the center of your display.

* There's also a set of sequencing cards for the apple’s life cycle. These can also be used for a Memory Match or “I Have; Who Has?” game.

* Create more games by using the life cycle word cards, ordinal number cards and the ”Kaboom!" cards, plus you can add the cover to make an "Itty Bitty" Life Cycle of an Apple Booklet.

* Finally, use the colorful life cycle of an apple bookmarks, as a mini- certificate of praise, which students can refer to as they share what they've learned with their families.

Next up is an apple-shaped “flip” booklet, which is a quick, easy and fun way to teach the life cycle of an apple as well.

I’ve included full-color patterns so you can quickly & easily make a sample to share, as well as a BW version for students.

Simply run off the whole apple “cover” on red, yellow & lime green construction paper.  (There are 2 options: One with graphics, the other with just words.)

The inside life cycle “pages” are 2-on-a-page to conserve paper.

There are adorable boy & girl graphic options to make the booklet more personal.

I purposely made the booklet just 2 pages long, so this would be a simple activity that can be done in a short amount of time.

Children color, trim, and glue their pages to the right hand side of the apple base, then add the cover.

When everyone is done, read the picture booklet as a whole group to review the science vocabulary, and solidify the life cycle's sequence. 

Finally, I think you will really enjoy the versatility of The "Itty Bitty" Apple Booklet packet.

My kiddos absolutely love “Itty Bitty” booklets.

I call them that because my pattern has 4 small pages on a one-page template, making the completed booklet “just the right size” for my students.

Because the booklet is little, children are not overwhelmed with a lot of worksheets, but instead, enjoy working on the mini pages.  It's a super-fun alternative to the "same old-same old worksheet".

Even though I just assign a few pages, many of my students ask if they can do more! The booklet keeps everything nice, neat and organized too, plus printing’s a breeze conserving paper and ink.

Another advantage of this packet is that you get to design your own booklet to suit your students’ levels and reinforce the skills you want them to practice.

It’s also super-simple to diversify which helps slower learners feel comfortable, while choosing other pages to challenge your brighter kiddos.

I’ve included 80 different options ( ! ) so your kiddos can practice a variety of math & language arts standards.
Assemble a “big” Itty Bitty booklet, with a variety of pages, or make several for the different subjects.  

They can be used for morning work, Daily 5 word work, a math center, for homework, early finishers or tucked in a sub tub.

Today's featured FREEBIE also has an apple theme, which will help you explain the 4 seasons by using a seasonal apple tree poster and worksheet. 

It's a great activity to transition to after reading the story, "The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree" by Gail Gibbons.  I hope you find it useful. 

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

Gotta dash, getting my haircut in an attempt to beautify myself for an upcoming wedding. Wishing you a stress free and relaxing day.

"Just because you find one bad apple, doesn't mean you should give up on the whole tree." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do An Apple Puzzle With Me

Do you study apples? If so, I think your kiddos will enjoy this quick, easy and super-fun apple game.

Play as an independent center, or as a whole group activity where children plck a partner.

The game will reinforce numbers 1-6 for PK kiddos, while older students can use the 1-12 number puzzle to practice addition.

There are several ways to play:

* Run off the 6-on-a-page pattern and trim.
* There are 3 different apple puzzles for #s 1-6, as well as 3 for #s 1-12.
* Students pick a partner or play in groups of 3, taking turns rolling the dice.

* Whatever number they roll they color in the matching section on their puzzle.
* Older students will play with one dice for numbers 1-6, then use two dice, adding them together, for numbers 7-12.

* To reinforce the fact that apples are 3 different colors, I have my students color with a red, yellow, and green crayon.
* You can give children a choice of how they want to color, or to practice “color by number” following directions, hang up the poster(s) for them to refer to.

* The first child to color in all of the numbers, or the one with the most filled in when the timer rings, is the winner.

To play this as a Center Game:
* Run off the larger apple puzzles on red, yellow and lime green construction paper, laminate and trim.
* Run off the same number of patterns on white card stock, so younger children have a base to place the puzzle pieces on.

* Challenge older students to try and figure out the puzzle without using the base template.

* Children play the same as above, only instead of coloring a section, they find, and place that puzzle piece over the correct number.
* To assist children who are not using a base, print & laminate the “Challenge!” sample posters for them to refer to.

Another Idea:

* I’ve also included “header” cards, if you’d like to make these as an inexpensive gift for a back-to-school treat bag.
* They come in color as well as BW

It’s a super-simple, 1st day activity that children can do independently, which allows you to be freed up. Woo hoo!

Children are happily engaged putting their own personal puzzle together.
When they’re done, they pick a new friend to play the dice game with; using the base that they built their puzzle on, which they’ll now color for the “Roll & Color” dice game.

I’ve included a different “Welcome!” apple pattern for this, where the sections are a bit larger, so that you have room to write the letters of each child’s name if you want.

You can have these pre-cut, or to make the activity last longer have children cut out their own pieces. 

Today's featured FREEBIE is an icebreaker activity perfect for the first day or week of school. 

The M&M or Skittle Game has been around for a while, and goes by as many names as there are colors.  There's also a variety of ways to play. 

These are my versions. I hope you find them useful and an intersting and easy way to get to know your new students, as you build community and cameraderie.

Well that's it for today.  The grand babes are coming, so it's time to put my beloved "Nana" hat on. 

Nothing like grandchildren to make you feel young and old at the same time. 

Wishing you a day filled with happy hugs and giggles galore!

"Grandchildren fill a place in your heart that you didn't know was empty."

1-2-3 come do Some Apple Activities With Me

Because apples are a big deal here in Michigan, I've spent a lot of time designing quick, easy and fun apple activities that teach a variety of standards. 

I'm featuring 3 of my newest creations on the blog today, along with a special FREEBIE. 

“Real Stuck, Way Up”, by Benette W. Tiffault, is  my Y5s’ favorite apple stories.

      A boy wants to eat an apple “way up” in the tree, so he tosses his baseball to knock it down and it gets stuck; so he tosses his shoe, a baseball glove and a variety of other items ‘til all of them are “real stuck, way up”, including himself when he decides to climb the tree.

It’s a perfect “sequencing” story and super-fun way to practice retelling a tale.

With that in mind, I designed a story “slider” craftivity, along with 4 worksheets to test comprehension, plus 4 interesting writing prompts, that I think your students will really enjoy.

The slider patterns come in BW as well as color, so that you can quickly & easily make a pattern to share. There are also 2 size options: full-page or 2-on-a-page.

For an independent center activity, there’s a set of colorful sequencing cards. Make a double set to use for a Memory Match game.

I’ve also included a set in BW, so that children can color, cut and make their own sequencing game.

You could use these as a whole-group assessment to check comprehension.

Later, have students pick a partner to see who can be the first to sequence the story correctly.

Afterwards, have them add the cover to make an “Itty Bitty” booklet.

To make reading the story especially fun, pass out the picture cards to your students.

When you get to that item in the story, the child holding that card places it on the apple tree poster.

After the story, pass the cards out to different children; challenge the class to put them in the correct order.

You can also use these patterns as an independent math center.

Children roll 1 dice to place picture cards 1-6 on the tree, then roll 2 dice. add them together to place picture cards 7-12 on.

Make a double set and have children play against a partner, to see who can be the first to get all of their items “real stuck”.

Next up is a set of "Life Cycle Of An Apple Number Puzzles", which are a simple way to not only learn the life cycle, but some of that science vocabulary as well.

Students also practice sequencing numbers from 1-10, counting backwards from 10-1, as well as skip count by 2s, 3s, 5s & 10s.

There are 14 different kinds with 65 puzzles in all. Some are vertical, while others are horizontal.

Print, laminate & trim the full color options and use as an independent math or science center.

Use the black & white ones, so that students can color & cut up their own puzzle.

Doing a bit of singing at the end of our day, is something my students really enjoy and look forward to.

One of their favorite songs is B-I-N-G-O.  The song is an easy-peasy & great way to practice letter recognition, spelling and subtraction! Woo Hoo!

With that in mind, I made up a little “B-I-N-G-O” song for each month.  These apple & cider ones are for September.

My Y5s were recognizing lots of letters and understanding “taking 1 away”, before we even got to specifically studying those letters or the concept of subtraction, all because of the simple BINGO songs!

The A-P-P-L-E  one is now there personal favorite. You know you've got a "winner" when your kiddos break out in song while working on their apple-themed morning work!

Today's featured FREEBIE is a super-fun Name Map.  It's a nice icebreaker for the first week of school and a great way to get to know your new students.

The completed activity makes a wonderful back to school bulletin board too! 

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

We've had quite a few record-breaking, hot and humid 90-degree days, so it's time for a dip in the pool.

So in need of that energizing refreshment.  Wishing you a fun-filled day.

 "It's never to late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot

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

The 3 main characters in Dr. Seuss’s story “Ten Apples Up On Top” are a dog, lion & tiger, so I thought it would be fun for children to practice number recognition and counting to 10 with an animal "slider".

After reading the story, have students transition to this whole-group craftivity.

There are 6 BW pattern choices.

Two of each animal, plus I’ve included full-color templates so you can quickly & easily make a sample to share, helping explain what you want your students to do.

Simply run the patterns off on white construction paper or card stock and give children a choice.

They color their animal, then trim around the edges.

There are 4 apple slider strip options.
Two are in BW the others in color.

The apples are numbered as well as blank, so that students can write them in.

So that the "slider" is not pulled out, have children fold and glue the end. Wahla! Instant stop guard.

To play this whole-group game, call out a number.
“I see 6 apples up on top!”

Children gently pull on their slider, counting out 6 apples, then hold their animal pet in the air.

You can see at a glance who is having difficulty.

* Save the number 10 for last, then count all of the apples together one more time.

* Children lay their animal down, and point to each number as you count the apples to ten.

* Students exclaim: “Hooray! Ten apples up on top!”

* If you’re also learning how to count backwards from 10, do that next, by having children pull the apple slider back down, pausing at each number, looking at it and saying it.

* When you get to the end, have children crouch down with their critter and repeat the backwards sequence exclaiming:

“No apples up on top. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0. Blast off!”

* As they yell “Blast Off!” they jump in the air, and can quietly file out to their backpacks to put their animal slider away.

Have older students glue two apple strips together to count to 20 and work on those tricky teen numbers.

This is also a great activity and story to read for a substitute teacher. (Instant lesson. Just tuck in your sub tub). 

Today's featured FREEBIE also has an apple theme.

It's an inexpensive little gift you can give your kiddos on that first day of school, or during your apple unit. 

Click on the link to pick up your free packet today: Back To School Apple Puzzle Gift Baggies.

Well that's it for today. Hope you are enjoying your summer. Mine is going way too fast.

My mom's coming for a visit next week, so It's time to get some marathon cleaning and shopping done.

Wishing you a carefree day.

"Summer: Rest, Relax, Repeat!"

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

Venn diagrams are a quick, easy & fun way to introduce the concept of comparison-contrast writing.

Years ago, I came up with the concept of students choosing a partner to make a "Venn Friend" with, as an interesting way for students to get to know each other.

I designed the fall "Venn Friends" packet, which feature apples, pumpkins, leaves, turkeys, Pilgrims & Native Americans.

Introduce the lesson with the "What's a Venn diagram?" poster.

To help them 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.

Each student does their own "different" portion of the "circle", and then, once they glue their "circles" together, they take turns recording the similarities that they have with their Venn Friend, using the middle "same" section.

I used a "pumpkin seed" for the middle of the Pumpkin Venn Friends, and an acorn for the leaf ones. 

You can see little boy & girl "toppers" in the pumpkin photo. 

These are black & white so kiddos can color them.  Use them on the pumpkins, leaves or apples. 

I encourage students to do a boy/girl Venn friend, not only so they have an extra "difference" but so they can see how much they truly have in common with eachother.

Doing a Name Venn with a classmate, is another option, and practices upper & lowercase letters, along with name recognition & counting. 

I also incorporate the concept of “greater & less than” with this activity, as students decide who has the most or least number of letters in their name.

I’ve made a sample using an apple, as I do this in September, for a “Getting to Know You” activity for “Back to School”.   There are 3 sets of letter tiles for your kiddos to choose from.

My Y5s enjoy this activity so much, I repeat it in October with pumpkins, and see quite a bit of improvement.

As you can see by the photograph, colorful paper plates (smaller 8” size) provide a nice 3D effect.

I pre-cut these to expedite the activity. Besides yellow & red, I also buy lime green plates, giving my students an option. 

Besides using paper plates, I've also included a wormy apple pattern.

There’s also more than one option for November. Students have 3 choices for their Venn friend topper: a turkey, a Pilgrim boy or girl, or a Native American boy or girl.

You can have a turkey find a turkey partner, a boy Pilgrim find a girl Pilgrim, or a boy Native American find a boy Pilgrim, mixing and matching however you or your students wish.

I designed the Venn friends, specifically so students could get to know a classmate better, but you could certainly have students pretend to be "real" Pilgrims and Native American children, and then compare and contrast historical information as well.

Each seasonal Venn, comes with a graphing extension, so you can get some math practice in as well.

For that finishing touch, add a school photograph. Students could also make a green hand print "leaf" for their pumpkin.

Completed projects make awesome fall bulletin boards. Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to check out the super-fun, 51 page, Fall Venn Friend packet. 

Since Halloween is just a week away, I thought a "Halloween Boo Boos" worksheet would be a fun FREEBIE. Students make corrections to the sentences that have mistakes in them.

Click on the link to grab a copy.  It's certainly a little something fun, yet educational for party day.

That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

The winds have knocked a lot of leaves off the trees, so this afternoon the hubby, pup & I are going for a relaxing drive to see what's left of the gorgeous fall colors, before they become  a distant memory, as barren trees dot the landscape.

I am so not ready for winter. Wishing you a pretty and peaceful day.

"How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days." - John Burroughs