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 More Mother's Day Activities With Me

During the week of Mother's Day, for our writing block, we do a variety of keepsake activities.  I give children a choice, with the option if they finish one, they may work on another.  This keeps kiddos focused and on task.  Win-win!

I think they are highly motivated because they love their moms and want to make some super-fun "paper love" for them to show their appreciation.

The  "Hoppy' Mother's Day" frog  is quick, easy and fun, and turns out super-cute. Younger children can simply make the card, while older students can glue their frog card to the writing prompt lily pad.

The flip up “tongue” pattern featuring a cute little fly, has 2 verse options:

                                            “Just little old me flying by with a Happy Mother’s Day Hi.” and
                                        “Just little me flying by with a loving special “Hi.”

Likewise, there are a variety of options for the greeting on the frog’s belly, that’s revealed when the “tongue” is flipped up:

“I’m jumping for joy and so “hoppy” you’re my (mom, mama, mommy, mum, grandma)!” plus a fill-in-the-blank template as well.

I've included a bow pattern for that finishing touch.

Next up, is a ladybug-themed Mother’s Day card, that's sure to become a keepsake.

The packet includes 2 card options. Choose one, or give your students a choice.
The first ladybug’s wings open to reveal the greeting: “Love and a hug from your little bug.”

Wiggle eyes attached with glue dots, black pipe cleaner antennae and a photograph add those special finishing touches.

The circle poem on the back says: “The spots on my ladybug are made with TLC. They were made with my thumbprint with love to you from me.”

The other option is a 3D leaf. The top leaf features a mommy ladybug and says: “Happy Mother’s Day to A Super-Fine Lady”.
The leaf flips up to reveal the same “Love and a hug from your little bug” greeting. 

Children draw a picture of their mom on the back of the leaf. I’ve also included blank wings and leaves, so students can write their own words.

Today's featured FREEBIE is also a cute craftivity for Mother's Day.  The "My mom is really sweet!" writing prompt is quick, easy & fun.

One teacher told me she was so excited to make this craft, as each year she holds a tea called "Muffins in May with Mom" where moms or a significant other come to school. What a cute idea.

 Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you found something useful.

Time to take a break and call my mom.  She's 90 and moments on the phone are precious to me.

Here she is enjoying the flowers I sent.  Wishing you a stress-free and joy-filled day. 

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." -Abraham Lincoln

1-2-3 Come Do Some More Mother's Day Activities With Me

Tuesday's blog featured Mother's Day craftivities that could also be used for the end of the year, as well as back to school.  Here are two more that offer that same versatility:

The "souper" soup can craftivity, can be a "flip up" card, or a windsock, where the writing prompt is completed on the paper "ribbons".

Besides those "crafty" options, you have a choice of 7 writing prompts:

* "I had a 'souper' year!" is a fun way to reflect about what students have accomplished.

* "You're going to have a 'souper' year in _________" is written by this year's students for next year's kiddos.

* "___________ is a 'souper' student." Is a terrific "bucket filler" which will help build self-esteem.

* "I'm looking forward to a 'souper' summer." Is a fun end of the year option.  You could also change it to "I had a 'souper' summer." and use at the beginning of the school year.

* There are also patterns for Mom, Dad & grandparents to help celebrate their special days, as well as a blank soup can for anything else.

The "Bee-utiful Bee-cause..." bee-themed craftivity can also be used for Mother's Day, BTS (Back To School) or the end of the year.

There are 2 craftivities in the packet. Children can make a bee and choose the prompt “My mom is bee-utiful because . . .” or make fingerprint bees around a hive. Another writing prompt is: “My mom is terrific ‘bee-cause” . . .

So that students can write something different, I’ve included blank bee and hive patterns. There’s also a generic “You are ‘bee-utiful’ because …” or “You are terrific ‘bee-cause’” options.

At the end of the year, students can make a bee or hive that says: “I had a ________________ year in ________________ ‘bee-cause’..." or “I’m looking forward to a super summer ‘bee-cause’..."

Another interesting option is to have this year’s students make a bee or hive for next year’s students. “You’re going to have a _______________ year in _______________ ‘bee-cause’”.

What a fun thing to have tucked in your students’ desks or displayed on their lockers at the beginning of the year.

As with the other bee craftivities, children can write their note of “why” on the bee’s stripes, or if you want students to write more, they can complete the little apple booklet and glue it to the front.

I wanted the Mother’s Day beehive card to be a keepsake, so my students dipped their thumb in yellow paint to make the bees, and used their pinkies and white paint for the wings.

When their cards dried, they drew on details with a black marker, and glued their school photo in the “door”.

If you like the hive card, but don’t want to mess with paint, I’ve also included bee “stickers”. Students get a strip of 4, trim and glue to their card.

Today's FREEBIE is another Mother's Day activity, which you can also use for Father's or Grandparent's Day, or anyone else that you "love to pieces".

Teacher's and parents could also make a little gift for their students/children.  I made small "Love you to pieces" cards that you can print off and attach to a Snack Baggie, or package of Reeses Pieces candy.

There's also a completed puzzle writing prompt pattern, so you can easily make a sample to share, to explain what you want your kiddos to do.

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

It's cold, rainy and windy out; the perfect weather for shortening my ever-growing "to do" list.  Wishing you a snuggly relaxing day. 

"A good criterion for measuring success in life is the number of people you have made happy." -Robert Lumsden

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wishing you a happy and blessed day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1-2-3 Come Make A Frog's Life Cycle Craft With Me

Since many of us are winding down, and counting the days 'til summer vacation, I posted yesterday that if you were looking for something to fill up the last few weeks of school, to dash me off an e-mail or leave a comment.  I heard from several teachers that they do a mini unit on frogs to fulfill a science requirement, and wanted to know if I had a quick craft explaining the frog's life cycle. 

I do; not just one, but three options to choose from.  Since "Throw Back Thursday" has become popular, especially on Face Book, I decided to zip off a blog article including them, incase there are other teachers out there who do a frog theme in the spring. 

These are "oldies" but I think still "goodies" that I designed several years ago, before I had all the clip art, fonts, and design software that I use now.  Hopefully you'll still find them helpful.  Choose one for your students, or give them an option.

The first life cycle of a frog craftivity is in the shape of a frog.  The mouth section flips up to reveal pages, with the various life cycle phases on them.  Click on the link to view/download it.

The second one is also a flip up craft, but this one is a rectangular booklet.  Students cut on the lines to make "flaps" that flip up to reveal the different stages of the frog's life cycle.  Older students can write one fact at the top of the inside flap.  Click on the link to grab this FREEBIE.

Finally, my personal favorite, is the frog's life cycle "dangler" which is made using a paper plate. 

Completed projects look really cute suspended from the ceiling.  Click on the link to view/download it. 

Thanks for visiting today.  As always feel free to PIN away.  I think sharing is so important, and one of the reasons Pinterest is so popular. 

"We don't stop going to school when we graduate." -Carol Burnett