1-2-3 Come Do Some 2D Spring Shape Activities With Me
Years ago I drew my first "shapely" animals; and since the penguins were so popular, I continued to design different animals for the various seasons.
Today I'm featuring my newest creation, "Shape Up!" with "Lions & Lambs" packet, along with 3 other popular springtime "shapely critters": chicks, bunnies & frogs.
Whether you're teaching 2D shapes for the first time, or simply looking for a review, these cuties will add some zing to your spring, lion & lamb-themed lessons.
There are 3 crafty options.
Younger students can simply color the lion & lamb-faced worksheet of their choice with no cutting, or draw in their own head on the blank shape, while older kiddos can cut and glue a lion or lamb head to their favorite shape.
There’s a simple “straight-edge” shape pattern for little ones that’s easy to cut, along with a more challenging shape pattern where students cut the lion’s mane and the sheep’s body out for a more realistic look.
Children can glue the lion head to the “shapely” mane, or the lamb head to the “shapely” body of the sheep.
For more pizzazz & to add some 3D pop, students can accordion fold a strip of paper, glue it to the back of the head, so that it ”wiggles”.
The packet also includes posters & games with colorful cards to use as a center activity.
There are black & white patterns so students can make up their own games as well.
There’s also a selection of worksheets, which practice shape words, & attributes, plus a certificate of praise bookmark.
Make a set of your own to use as flashcards, anchor charts, or a “4 Corners” game, (Directions included).
Completed projects make an adorable spring bulletin board or hallway wall display.
I’ve included 2 posters to help enhance your display.
2D shapes included: circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, pentagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, heart & star.
Another springtime animal in this collection is an adorable baby chick.
The "Slick Chick" packet follows a similar format, but also includes 3D shapes, and an emergent reader booket.
Students read, trace and write the shape word, fill in the shapes to look like chicks; trace the shape and then draw that shape.
They also underline the capital letter and add end punctuation.
The bunny rabbit is certainly a symbol of spring as well. I had a lot of fun designing a cute little face for this "shapely" animal friend.
The 2D shapes are easily recognizable, as they are simply topped off with a pair of bunny ears.
To make them especially cute, I've included a pattern for a ladybug & 3D butterfly to add some extra pizzazz.
The spots on their wings match the bunny's various shapes too.
Finally, many of my teacher friends have a springtime, frog theme going on, as they study life cycles; so perhaps the "Funny Frogs" shape packet works for you.
The format is also similar, but also includes a short “giggle” tale about Ferdinand the frog and Princess Penelope, who was turned into a fly!
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 comprehension worksheet.
Today's featured FREEBIE is a whopping 41-page, whimsical"Shapely Mouths" packet, which will help you review, as well as assess 2D shapes and shape words. I hope you find it useful.
Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
It's a dreary day here in Michigan; rainy, cold & windy. Perfect for snuggling in and reading a good book, or putzing wth my "too long" To Do List.
Wishing you a cozy & cuddly kind of day, filled with all the things you enjoy the most.
"A rainy day is a special gift to readers." -Amy Miles
1-2-3 Come Do Some Spring Things With Me
During spring, it’s a good idea to once again assess things like colors, color words, and shapes.
With that in mind, I designed the “Bunny Tails & Tales” packet as a super-fun way to practice, assess, or teach.
Add a bit of “crafty” to writing practice, and your students will be excited to show off their writing skills, with the “Bunny Tale” shape booklet.
The cover flips up to reveal their bunny tale. Add a cotton ball for that finishing touch.
I’ve included my silly story about the “Magic Carrot”, so that you can easily make an example to share with your students.
Review thirteen, 2D shapes with the “Shapely Bunny” game.
Students match the appropriate shaped tail to the matching bunny with that shape word.
I used glue dots to add a mini, white pom pom to each piece.
This not only makes manipulating the tails easier, but the pinching aspect, is a great way to strengthen finger muscles.
If you’re making this center for PK, simply trace the tail shape onto the bunny, so they can practice one-to-one correspondence.
The packet includes patterns for these 2D shapes: circle, oval, triangle, rectangle, square, hexagon, octagon, pentagon, rhombus, trapezoid, star, heart and crescent. Choose those appropriate for your group.
Besides writing and shapes, the packet also practices colors and color words.
I’ve included mini word cards for all of the basic colors, which are placed over the matching rectangle on that color bunny. Children then place the matching colored pom pom “tail” underneath.
There are word cards in matching ink colors for little ones, as well as cards with black ink, so you can use this as an assessment tool as well.
I wanted to see if you could do the games with a 3-year-old, so I tested them out on my grandson Kaiden, and he absolutely loved playing them.
When he got done matching the color words and pom poms he proudly exclaimed, "I did it!"
He also enjoyed the shape matching game, so you're good to go with a preschool group.
Finally, the packet includes a sweet “just the right size” Itty Bitty Shape booklet.
Children read the shape word, write it on the bunny’s head, then draw that shape for a tail.
There’s a booklet with the standard 2D shapes, as well as optional pages for the rest.
When children have completed their booklet, graph which shaped tail they liked the best.
Continuing with the bunny theme, I designed a packet called "The Shape Of My Bunny's Nose", which is a center activity, game and Itty Bitty booklet, that reinforces thirteen, 2D shapes.
The pattern comes in color on a full-page size, as well as a two-on-a-page size to use as a center activity. I've also included shape word cards, so that older students can practice matching a shape to its shape word.
There's a smaller, 3-on-a-page size to use for games, where children pick a partner and play “Show me the shape.” I’ve also included black & white patterns, so that children can make their own shape games.
* To play the game as a large group, attach a soft Velcro dot to the nose section of the bunny, as well as the word section, then scratchy Velcro dots to the pieces.
* Pass out the pieces and call for a shape.
* The child holding that shape, comes up and attaches it. Everyone says the shape as the child points to the nose, then repeats it by reading the shape word as they point to it.
There’s also a black and white “My Bunny’s Nose” booklet, with options for additional pages which feature other shapes.
Children read the word and draw that shape on the bunny’s face, then color, trim and collate their shape booklet.
I’ve also included a graphing extension to practice another standard.
Finally, since April showers bring May flowers, and Mother's Day is just around the corner, I designed this 3D tulip writing prompt craftivity.
PK kiddos can simply make the craft, while older students can choose from 2 writing prompts. Use the blank pattern to program whatever.
I've also done a "two lips" play-on-words, for a sweet Mother's Day card.
Cutting on a spiral to make the "stem", is wonderful fine motor practice. I've included a pattern for "lefties" as well.
Completed projects look wonderful suspended from the ceiling. There's a "Spiraling Into Spring" poster for the center of your display.
The FREEBIE today, also reinforces colors and color words.
Since the "mustache craze" continues, I thought it would be fun to make an "I 'mustache' you about colors" game, with two versions, one for PK kiddos, plus another for older students.
Well that's it for today. The snow has finally melted here in Michigan, and although the sun is shining, temperatures are still in the 40s, so I'm looking forward to when spring truly arrives.
Wishing you a stress-free, happy day.
"In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours." -Mark Twain
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 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 Practice, Review and Assess With a Bunny and Me
Spring has sprung and it's time to review some of those Common Core Standards you've been teaching all year.
Sigh.... as we all know, just because our little ones passed an assessment months ago, if we didn't continue to practice it throughout the year, sadly, a few of them did not retain that information.
With that in mind, I designed the very versatile "I'm All Ears" game packet that will make reviewing a variety of standards quick, easy and fun.
I don't know about your kiddos, but I've found that if I make a game for anything, I've grabbed my Y5's attention and can easily have them focused for a nice chunk of time.
Use the large and small bunny for a center activity, assessment, or game. Run off the large and small bunny heads on ivory construction paper; laminate and trim.
Program large and small craft sticks with whatever you'd like to reinforce. Keep each set in their own Baggie.
I've included a list of synonyms/antonyms and a list of contractions so you can easily program the bunny ears with words that fit your age group.
Here are some ideas:
As you can see the possibilities are endless! I hope this makes those end of the year reviews a bit more fun and less tedious. Click on the link for the "I'm All Ears" For Common Core Bunny Game Packet
Thanks for visiting. It's hard to believe that the school year is almost at an end. Aprill and May months always seemed to simply fly, as there was so much to cram into the limited time I had left.
My timer's ringing, so I'd better check the "No Peek Chicken". It's one of my favorite recipes and smells delicious. Wishing you a carefree day.
"Sweet April showers do spring May flowers!" -Thomas Tusser
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
1-2-3 Come Make Some Bunny Shapes With Me
As with many of my other activities, the Shapely Bunny packet took many more hours than I thought it would. It's two days later, and I'm finally done! Woo hoo.
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 I published earlier this month, click on the link to grab it.
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.
Have children pick out their favorite shape and make one of their own.
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.
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. Call on children to guess what shape is hiding?
There's also an easy 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.
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. Thanks for visiting today. Feel free to PIN away.
"I've never been a social bunny. I thrive on work." -Michelle Ryan
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."