wind activities

Activities For Aesop's Fables: "The Sun and the Wind"

1-2-3 Come Do More Aesop's Fables Activities With Me

 Last week I blogged about Aesop's "The Tortoise & the Hare" fable. This week I just finished a storytelling slider and wheel craftivities for "The Wind & the Sun". 

aesops fables, aesops fables crafts, aesop fables, acticities for aesops fables, the sun and the wind, the wind and the sun, sun activities, wind acticities, mothers day cards, mothers day crafts, sequencing a story activities, retelling a story activities, free mothers day activities My students really enjoy this simple and short genre, which makes the fables perfect for practicing a variety of standards, particularly sequencing and retelling a story. 

“The Wind and the Sun” is the 2nd in my Aesop's Fables series, so if you have a favorite that you’d like me to design a story wheel or slider for, you can drop me an e-mail at: dianehen@teachwithme.com

aesops fables, aesops fables crafts, aesop fables, acticities for aesops fables, the sun and the wind, the wind and the sun, sun activities, wind acticities, mothers day cards, mothers day crafts, sequencing a story activities, retelling a story activities, free mothers day activitiesI think that the slider is easier for little ones. However; I've also done the wheels with my Young Fives with great success. 

My kiddos enjoy both, and like making them so much, that they often ask "Do we get to make a storytelling craft with this book?"

aesops fables, aesops fables crafts, aesop fables, acticities for aesops fables, the sun and the wind, the wind and the sun, sun activities, wind acticities, mothers day cards, mothers day crafts, sequencing a story activities, retelling a story activities, free mothers day activitiesBecause Aesop’s fables are very short, the wheels have just 4 “pie sections”, making this a simple enough craftivity for preschool children as well;  while teachers of kindergarten and 1st grade students, can prqctice and review fractions, particularly quarters.

There are full color patterns to use for an independent center, as well as a sample to share, plus black & white patterns, so students can make their own. I like giving both options, so that teachers have a choice, as they know what's best for their students' abilities.

aesops fables, aesops fables crafts, aesop fables, acticities for aesops fables, the sun and the wind, the wind and the sun, sun activities, wind acticities, mothers day cards, mothers day crafts, sequencing a story activities, retelling a story activities, free mothers day activitiesWhen everyone is done, practice telling “The Wind and the Sun” using the manipulative.
Simply turn the wheel or pull the slider strip, then call on a child to explain what’s happening in that graphic.

aesops fables, aesops fables crafts, aesop fables, acticities for aesops fables, the sun and the wind, the wind and the sun, sun activities, wind acticities, mothers day cards, mothers day crafts, sequencing a story activities, retelling a story activities, free mothers day activitiesAfterwards, have students pick a partner and take turns retelling the fable to each other. Sometimes we do this with our older, reading buddies.
This is a quick, easy & fun way to check comprehension as a whole group.

For writing practice, and a different way to check comprehension, have students complete the “Here’s What Happened” writing prompt worksheet, then color it.

aesops fables, aesops fables crafts, aesop fables, acticities for aesops fables, the sun and the wind, the wind and the sun, sun activities, wind acticities, mothers day cards, mothers day crafts, sequencing a story activities, retelling a story activities, free mothers day activitiesThere’s also a “What’s the Moral of the Story” worksheet as well. These comprehension checks come in both packets. I switch things up, by using different clip art.

As a real time saver for teachers, I’ve included colorful answer keys for both worksheets, which can also be used as a whole group discussion with younger kiddos.

To further check comprehension, and reinforce the “sequencing a story” standard, I’ve also included a “color, cut & glue” sequencing worksheet.

This too, comes in color as well as black & white, so that you can do the activity independently with older students, as well as a whole group lesson with little ones.

mothers day cupcake card, mother's day cards, mothers day crafts, cupcake activities, momies and muffinsSince Mother's Day is fast approaching, today's FREEBIE is a sweet, Mother's Day cupcake card that flips up.  Click on the link to grab the pattern today.

aesops fables, aesops fables crafts, aesop fables, acticities for aesops fables, the sun and the wind, the wind and the sun, sun activities, wind acticities, mothers day cards, mothers day crafts, sequencing a story activities, retelling a story activities, free mothers day activitiesWell that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

Last week here in Michigan, we had an ice storm mixed with snow (What?!), while this week we seemed to have skipped spring and bounced into summer, with temperatures in the high 70's and even a few days in the 80's! 

So it's off to go play in my garden to get it ready for planting next week, that if Mother Nature cooperates.

Wishing you a zippidy-doo-dah day, with plenty of sunshine.

"Your mind is like a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds.  You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds." -Unknown

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Wind Activities

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

Since March is one of our windiest months here in Michigan, I like to do a mini theme about wind, with a few kite activities tossed in. 

One of my students' favorite stories is The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins. Like Jan Brett's The Mitten, this tale is also perfect for sequencing.

kite crafts, wind crafts, kite activites, wind activities, the wind blew activities, ite and ight word family activitiesWith that story in mind, I designed "The Wind Blew" emergent reader packet, which includes 3 booklet options, plus a variety of page options too.

There’s a black & white version for your students, with a matching full-color teacher’s edition, to use as a sample to explain the lesson.

Students read the repetitive sentence, trace & write the object that the wind blew, then trim and collate the pages, stapling into a “just the right size” booklet.

I’ve also included an extra page, where children complete the sentence: “The wind also blew . . .” and add their own idea and illustration.

The 3rd version, is a non-illustrated option. Students read the sentences (these are filled with over 40 Dolch sight words), add end punctuation (period, question mark, exclamation point), then illustrate and color the page.

kite crafts, wind crafts, kite activites, wind activities, the wind blew activities, ite and ight word family activitiesBesides the booklet options, I’ve also included extra page options as well, which coordinate with Pat Hutchins' book  “The Wind Blew”. 

I made “Who Has Seen The Wind?” a poem by Christina Rossetti, into a photo-poster, as an interesting way to introduce the lesson, and get in that "poetry genre" standard.  To mix math with literacy, I've also included a graphing extension. 

kite crafts, wind crafts, kite activites, wind activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew story, ite and ight word family activitiesThe other packet that I designed to go along with Hutchins' book "The Wind Blew", is a "retell the story", sequencing craftivity.

So that you can quickly & easily make a sample to share, I've included a full-color pattern.  There's also a black & white version, so students can make and color their own.

I've included a "pennant flag" option, for those from a different country, in lieu of the US flag strip. 

kite crafts, wind crafts, kite activites, wind activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew story, ite and ight word family activitiesFinally, what would a windy day be without a bit of kite flying?  Your students will soar with the kite-themed, -ite and -ight word family packet.

 The packet includes:

* An -ite word family poster featuring an alphabetical list of 43 -ite words.
* An -ight word family poster with an alphabetical list of 74 words.

Because some of these will be new to your students, I’ve included -ite and -ight word covers for a student-made dictionary.  Remember to take those teachable moments to explain homonyms and compound words.  There's also ...

kite crafts, wind crafts, kite activites, wind activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew story, ite and ight word family activities* An -ite and -ight word family slider craftivity featuring 11 words, with a large teacher’s copy, as well as a smaller, 2-on-a-page pattern for students; plus ...

preview ite kite p2* An emergent reader, with 16 pocket chart cards for whole-group practice.

This comes in a full-page size in color & black and white, as well as a smaller, 2-on-a-page, black & white booklet for students, as well as ...

kite crafts, wind crafts, kite activites, aesops fable the wind and the sun story, activities for aesops fables, wind activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew story, ite and ight word family activities* 25 traceable Dolch word cards that appear in the story, with a cover so children can make an Itty Bitty booklet, plus . . .

* A “Give Me A K!” kite poster which is an “echo cheer”, 2 graphing extensions, 7 worksheets, 72, mini-word cards, plus the silly, story poem “Zite and My Kite” and finally...

* An -ite and -ight word family kite craftivity, with 6 kite options, plus a blank kite so students can design their own.

kite crafts, wind crafts, kite activites, aesops fable the wind and the sun story, activities for aesops fables, wind activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew story, ite and ight word family activitiesToday's FREEBIE also has to do with the wind. It's a "Tell Me A Story" packet, featuring "The Wind & The Sun" an Aesop's Fable.

It's an oldie but still goodie, that I did years ago, before computer classes, clip art and fonts that I now use. I hope you enjoy it.

kite crafts, wind crafts, kite activites, aesops fable the wind and the sun story, activities for aesops fables, wind activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew activities, the wind blew story, ite and ight word family activitiesWell that's it for today.  Thanks for visiting. 

Since March roared in like a lion here in Michigan, it will be interesting to see if it gently leaves like a lamb, or continues to be really windy. 

Wishing you a carefree, high-flying sunny day.

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." - Charles Dickens

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Wind Tricks Poetry Packet

1-2-3 Come Do Some Fun Wind-Themed Activities With Me

Incorporating a variety of genre is one of our standards.  It's difficult to cover separate units for all that's required, so I offer a variety of genres within each of my monthly-themed units.

I love poetry, particularly poems that rhyme, but finding age-level appropriate ones that match a theme, is not an easy task.

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesSince March is a very windy month here in the Midwest, I have a brief, wind-themed mini unit, that I toss in on the tail end of our kite unit. (No pun intended!)

With that in mind, I designed the Wind Tricks poetry packet to go along with my other wind-themed activities.  I hope you find it helpful.

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesI came across this poem years ago, and even with the help of massive search engines, I still have not discovered the author. 

I chose this poem because it's short, simple, incorporates rhyme and more than half the words that are in the poem, also appear on the Dolch word lists.

The packet includes:

An anchor-chart Wind Tricks poster-poem. Hang it up and read it to your class, then read as a whole group.

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesSix large (full-color) pocket chart cards, featuring each stanza.  Use these for a whole group activity as well.

Using dry erase markers, call on children to correct beginning capitalization and add end punctuation.

I've also included a small set of matching pocket chart cards which fit on one page.

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesSo that students can read and correct their own poem, I made a black and white "emergent reader" set of cards, which they can color, trim and collate into a booklet. 

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesThe packet also has 2 sizes of 34-mini word cards, using the words from the poem. (18 are Dolch Words.)

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesOne of the ways you can use them is with the Mr. Windy envelope.

Pass the mini word cards out to students and then have them "feed" the Mr. Windy "Blow some words my way" envelope or use them to play the Windy Words game.

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesThe Windy Words game is a bit goofy, but I'll try just about anything to get my kiddos excited about reading and writing.

No matter what grade I taught, from PK through college, my students always enjoyed my silly, but educational games.

Children make their own "Windy" by poking a straw through Mr. Windy's mouth.  I used a red strip of paper and taped it to the table.

Adjust the game to suit the age of your students. Toss the word cards on the table, or leave them in a pile.

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesWho can blow the most words across the line? Can they read all of the words that they blew over the line? Have them choose 3-5 words and use them to make up sentences.

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesAs a math extension, have each student count and then record on the “Tally Ho” sheet, how many words they blew across the line.

Use tally marks then add up a grand total of how many words the entire class blew over the line. (Recording data, using tally marks, as well as skip counting by 5s are all practiced.)

There are other uses for the cards too. Put them in alphabetical order; sort them by long and short vowels; or sort them by parts of speech.

If you have the time, and don't mind a messy, but awesome craftivity, reuse the Windy Word straws to make a "Windblown" Hair-Raising Portrait.

straw blowing portrait painting, blowing paint with straws to make a pictureI found this adorable picture on Pinterest, with a broken link, but it's exactly what I had in mind.  For easy clean up, lay newspaper on your worktable and use a cardboard box as a "security wall" to catch splatters.

windblown hair template, straw blowing portrait painting, blowing paint with straws to make a pictureStudents can draw their own face on a sheet of white construction paper, or run off my template. Children add facial features and color their "head".

To make a "bad hair day doo" arrange a rainbow of colored plops of paint around the top of the head. (I use watered-down acrylics, because they are inexpensive, washable, and fast drying.) 

Children use their straw to gently blow the paint in an upward direction to make "strands" of "hair".

Set aside to dry and later have children mount their creation on the top of the writing prompt: "I'm having a bad hair day when..." or something to do with wind or the Wind Tricks poem.  They could also write the poem on the back or whatever words you want them to work on. 

child blowing paintAnna, over at the Imagination Tree did some cool abstract straw blown paintings with her girls.  For more "straw art" click on the link for a very pinteresting board I discovered while doing research.

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesSince this is a rhyming poem, I also included some Rhyme Time activities for the words in the poem that rhyme with day, street, and dance, which include anchor-chart posters, featuring the alphabetical lists of the words that I thought of.

This is a great way to build vocabulary, and fits in nicely with your Daily 5 word work activities.

Finally, I included a "What is Genre?" explanation, with an emphasis on explaining the poetry genre. (Nice for giving your students some background.)

Click on the link to view/download the Wind Tricks poetry packet and let the fun begin.  To see all of my wind-themed FREEBIES click on the link to pop over to that section of TeachWithMe.

For more educational "pinspiration", free ideas, activities and crafts on my Pinterest boards, click on the link. I have one specifically for Windy March.

wind activities, wind poem, words that rhyme with play, words that rhyme with dance, words that rhyme with feet, word games, tally mark activities, wind tricks poem, emergent wind reader, poetry genre, poems for young kids, end punctuation activities, beginning capitalization activitiesThanks for visiting.  Time to run.  My 2-year-old grandson is coming to Nana's to play this morning.  I think baking some cookies is in order. 

Although he loves drinking with a straw and blowing bubbles, and truly enjoys craftivities with me, I'm not quite ready for a "mess-terpiece" today. Wishing you a delicious day filled with giggles.

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." -Jimmy Dean

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Kite Booklets

Celebrating March Is Reading Month With Kites

Need some reading and writing activities for those block periods or Daily 5?

wind, wind booklet, easy readers, march is reading month activities, easy reader booklets, kites, kite activities, wind activities, kite activities for preschool kindergarten and first grade, wind activities for preschool kinergarten and first grade, I’ve got some quick and easy ones revolving around kites today:

The Wind Blew is an easy reader with 4 on a page to conserve on paper when you print.

This also helps reinforce sequencing when students cut the pages apart and put their booklets together.

The end of the story allows students to think of their own “thing” that the wind blows, write it down and illustrate their page accordingly.

When everyone is done with their booklets have students share this page with the class and write down how many things they thought of that the wind blew.

Pat Hutchins has a cute book When The Wind Blew that would make a nice transition activity. {amazonWS:itemId=068971744X}

The last page allows you to nail another core standard by asking students if they like when the wind blows.  A graphing extension is provided for that.  Discussion can follow of why a student does or doesn’t.

Click on the link to view/download The Wind Blew booklet.

wind, wind booklet, easy readers, march is reading month activities, easy reader booklets, kites, kite activities, wind activities, kite activities for preschool kindergarten and first grade, wind activities for preschool kinergarten and first grade, Go Fly A Kite is also an easy reader that involves spatial directions.  Students cut and glue the kites to the various positions on the page.

Make this a special keepsake by having students glue their school photo to the boy or girl face on the last page.

Click on the link to view/download Go Fly A Kite

wind, wind booklet, easy readers, march is reading month activities, easy reader booklets, kites, kite activities, wind activities, kite activities for preschool kindergarten and first grade, wind activities for preschool kinergarten and first grade, My Shapely Kite reviews the 6 basic flat shapes.  Students have the option to either trace the various shaped kites or to cut and glue a construction paper shape to the appropriate kite.

To reinforce reading and writing skills, students trace the shape words as well.

Click on the link to view/download My Shapely Kite

wind, wind booklet, easy readers, march is reading month activities, easy reader booklets, kites, kite activities, wind activities, kite activities for preschool kindergarten and first grade, wind activities for preschool kinergarten and first grade, Where Have All The Kites Gone? Is another easy reader that reviews simple subtraction skills.

Students trace and solve the equations X-ing out a kite as they go.

Discussion of what else could have happened to the kites can stimulate a writing prompt and nice transition to another activity.

Click on the link to view/download Where Have All The Kites Gone?

Be sure an pop back tomorrow for some more March Is Reading Month activities!

Do you have an idea you'd like to share?  I'd enjoy hearing from you: diane@teachwithme.com or feel free to leave a comment here, especially if you use an idea!  Thanks in advance.

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