1-2-3 Come Do Some Shapely Games And Kissing Hand Activities With Me

Since The Kissing Hand Activities have been such popular downloads, I thought I'd make a few more. I've had some requests for shape activities, specifically for Audrey Penn's back to school story, so I thought I'd start there, and do something with her main character, Chester the raccoon. 

While I putzed with drawing a raccoon, I thought it would be fun to make his eyes and nose the various shapes, as a hand's on game, or whole-group assessment activity.  Thus, Shaping Up With Chester was born. 

I've included the shapes: circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, pentagon, octagon, trapezoid, rhombus, star and heart, so teachers would have a choice of what shapes they want to work on.

The packet includes an option where the eyes, nose and bow can all be changed into all of those shapes.

The photo shows an example of each one.  It's a bit difficult to see, but I've written the shape word on the center of the bows, which are also that shape.

Since this involves quite a few pieces, I suggest teachers make these to use as anchor chart posters, large flashcards or a bulletin board. 

Make an extra set to use as an independent math center for early finishers, or to send home with a struggling child.

There's also a raccoon template with only the nose missing.  Chester's eyes are filled in, ready for students to color. 

Run these off on gray construction paper.  Students color in details with crayons, and then trim. 

I've included a strip of nose shapes for them to color and then cut out, to be used as manipulatives for the game. You could also use my patterns, make a template of each shape, trace once and then cut 3-6 nose shapes out of black construction paper. 

To play the game, have a child choose a shape word card.  Show it to the class and read it together.  Children find that shape, place it in the nose position on their raccoon, and then raise their hand.  You can see at a glance who is having difficulty. 

If you want to check to see if students can identify the shapes by hearing the word, and use this as a whole group assessment tool, then use the cards with only the shape word on them. 

If you want to help little ones learn the shapes, use the word cards that also have a picture of the shape on them, as seen in the photo. 

Since part of the Common Core State Standards for shapes, includes spatial directions, you may want to include some, while children play the game.  i.e. "Put the rectangle nose under Chester's eyes, between his smile, above his neck etc."

Throw in a few silly ones to review the not-quite-appropriate spatial directions and inspire a bit of giggling.  i.e. "Put Chester's oval nose over his eye, behind his ear, on his mouth etc. "

Encourage students to play the shape identification game at home, having parents call out the different shape words.   Children could also choose their favorite shape, glue down the nose, and write the shape word on the back of their raccoon.  For a cute hallway display, suspend them from the ceiling.  A caption could be: "Mr(s.) ___________ kinders are really shaping up!"

The packet also includes a mini-trace and write shape booklet, where students color the shapes, trace and write the shape words, and then trace and draw the shapes. 

When they are done, they trim the pages, collate them and add a cover.  There are two cover options. Click on the link to view/download The Kissing Hand Shape Activities and Games packet. This packet will be FREE for an entire year, after which time it will be included in my jumbo Kissing Hand (Raccoon-Themed) Shape Packet available in my TpT shop.

Thanks for visiting today.  It's that perfect kind of afternoon, where the weather is just right, so I'm off to hike some trails with my hubby.   I'm sure Chloe, our poodle pup, will happily lead the way.  Wishing you an awesome nature-filled weekend too.

"The expert in anything was once a beginner." -Unknown    

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

Apple week wouldn't be complete without doing some shape activities.  I found that the most successful way to get my students to be able to recognize, as well as name the various 2D and 3D shapes, was to immerse them in all sorts of hands-on activities, where they could work with all of the shapes.  I had a variety of different activities to keep interest high, but it was that consistent repetition that helped turn the light bulbs on.

Since I've had a few requests for some more activities involving Johnny Appleseed, I thought I'd design some shape games using Phillip Martin's cute Johnny Appleseed character.  The first one is entitled: Where Is Johnny Appleseed?  It reviews the 2D shapes: circle, oval, triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon, trapezoid, rhombus, star and heart. 

Choose the shapes you want to work on.  Print, laminate and trim those apple cards and put them on your white board using a magnet, or on your flannel board using the scratchy side of a square of Velcro. 

There are two Johnny Appleseed Card options.  Choose one, print, laminate and trim.  Before your students get to school, put Johnny behind one of the apples. 

When students are gathered on the carpet, call on a quiet child to guess which apple shape they think Johnny Appleseed is hiding behind.  "I think he's behind the hexagon."  Lift up the card to take a peek and see if he's there. 

If not, that child calls on another to take a guess.  Play continues 'til someone has found Johnny Appleseed.  The simplistic beauty of this game, is that it only takes a few moments of time, and reviews shapes and the shape word in an interesting and fun way. 

I've also included a set of mini cards, so children can play Memory Match and "I Have; Who Has?" games.  Click on the link to view/download the Where's Johnny Appleseed Shape Game. 

The other Johnny Appleseed game involves spactial directions. As you know, part of the Common Core State Standards for shapes involves placement of the shapes. 

This "Where's Johnny's Apple?" game is a quick, easy and fun way to help reinforce that vocabulary, as well as whole-group assess students' understanding of the directional words. 

To play the game, run off the black line master of Johnny Appleseed.   (There are 2 on a page for easy printing.)  Children color their Johnny. (I've included a large one that's in color for teachers to use.) Print and trim the apple manipulatives and give each student one. 

Choose a child to pick a direction card, (there are 21 + a blank one to fill in with whatever). Show it to the class and then read it together. 

Children place their apple in the appropriate position (over, under, on, between, beside ...) on their Johnny Appleseed mat.  You can see at a glance who's having difficulty and jot a note to yourself. 

After you have quickly assessed your students, place the teacher apple on your Johnny Appleseed poster in the correct position.  (I put my poster on the white board.) 

Children look at their Johnny mat to see if they have the correct answer and adjust if necessary.

After the game, pass out a certificate of praise to help build self-esteem.  Click on the link to view/download the Where's Johnny's Apple?  Spatial Direction Game.

The Apple Shape Matching game provides a wonderful independent center for early finishers, or more practice for struggling kiddos.  Picking up and placing the various shapes also provides great fine motor practice.  

For a sweet "oldie but goodie" apple shape easy reader, click on the link for The Shape of Apple Annie.  It was one of my first apple stories and serves up a nice lesson about being content and happy with who you are. 

Annie, however, is not happy with her apple-shape 'til she turns into all sorts of other shapes.  Children trace the various apple shapes and then write the shape words in the spaces provided. 

Finally, since all of the silly shaped animals (penguins, owls, chicks rabbits)  have been so popular, I decided to make some silly-shaped apples. 

They can be used as anchor chart posters, large flashcards, a bulletin board, and assessment tools.

Make extra sets and use them for independent centers and games. 

Children can also choose their favorite shape and make a shapely apple of their own.  A shape attributes worksheet is also included.

As you can see by the photo, some of the apples have the various shapes as their "core" (I think they turned out really cute, if I do say so for myself.)

Others are big and the entire apple takes on that shape. The shape word is a little hard to see in the photos, but they appear on all of the apple shapes.

I've included all of the 2D shapes, as well as four 3D shapes.  There's also directions for a fun "Four Corners" apple game that my students just LOVE.  Click on the link to view/download the 41-page Shapely Apples packet.

Thanks for visiting today.  I'm about appled out.  If you'd like to see all of the other apple FREEBIES to help celebrate your apple week, simply scroll down.

It's time for a much-needed break.  I'm off to get some clothes on. (Don't you just love relaxing jammie days?) It's date night with my hubby, and that requires some makeup.  Wishing you a wonderful weekend. 

"If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get everything done!"

1-2-3 Come Do Some Kissing Hand Activities With Me

Since all of The Kissing Hand Activities have been such popular downloads, I decided to make a few more activities to review all sorts of Common Core State Standards. 

The first packet has to do with the alphabet.  I've included large 5x7 upper and lowercase letter cards that you can use as flashcards or for Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" games. 

Make an extra set; cut them apart, and use them for an ABC puzzle center.  I've included a tip list of all sorts of other things you can do with the cards, including a "Kaboom" game.  

There are also mini cards.  Run them off and have students arrange them in alphabetical order, or don't cut them apart, and make the lowercase worksheet into an "I Spy" game board. Students color their uppercase heart-tiles and cut them apart. 

Choose a student to call out a letter.  Students find the uppercase letter heart-tile and place it over the lowercase letter hand on their game board.  You can also have them glue them down. 

I've also included several assessments, a recording sheet, plus 2 trace and write worksheets. 

Click on the link to view/download The Kissing Hand Alphabet Game packet. 

The next packet is all about numbers.  There's a counting booklet for numbers 0-10, with a blank sheet to program with larger numbers. 

Have students show "how many" with stickers, or X's (kisses) to show the group/set for each number. 

Students trace the numbers and number words.   If you want to extend the activity, have them practice writing the numbers and words on the back of the pages. 

I've included large and small "lipstick-ers" for your students to cut and glue the appropriate amount to the hands.

There are also large 8x10 number posters that you can use as flashcards or for games.  There's a blank hand for this activity as well, so that you or your students can make cards for those teen numbers and beyond.

As with the alphabet packet, this one also includes several trace and write worksheets. Click on the link to view/download The Kissing Hand Number Packet.

Finally, I wanted to toss in a "craftivity," so I designed some number, shape and letter sliders. 

There are two different "Chester" raccoons to choose from, as well as upper & lowercase letter strips, plus a shape strip.

If you want to reinforce numbers, choose a slider with numbers to 20, or practice skip counting with strips to count by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's. 

Click on the link to view/download The Kissing Hand Slider packet.  Do you have a Kissing Hand activity that you could share with us?  Would love to hear from you: diane@teachwithme.com or leave a comment below.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you found something here that you can use to help make learning even more fun. As always, feel free to PIN away.

It's steamy outside, as the gentle rain splashed all over the hot asphalt.  Time to pretend to be two again, as I go puddle jumping with my little grandson.  Hope you have a refreshing day!

1-2-3 Come Do Some Back To School Activities With Me

As children head back to school, it's helpful if you can do some early assessing with your kinders and firsties to see where everyone's at, yet that can be time consuming and really not all that fun for your kiddos the first week of school, when they're already antsy sitting through rules, regulations and procedure talks. 

With that in mind I designed the puppy packet using the adorable clip art of DJ Inkers. 

It's a wonderful back to school packet that you can use for a variety of activities. 

Fill in your students' names on the "Look who's been spotted" worksheet.  I've included templates for preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade, plus a blank one to write in whatever you're teaching. 

Students find their name and color the circle their favorite color.  Be sure and include your name on the heart. 

Having simple worksheets like this gives your students something to do, and allows you a few minutes to work one-on-one with them.

To quickly and easily whole group assess where your students are at, play the "I spy" games for numbers, shapes, plus upper and lowercase letters. They'll have fun and you can see at a glance who's having difficulty.

The packet also includes 2 writing prompt activities.  I've designed these as extra large bookmarks, with 2 on a page. Students can choose one, color it and complete the prompt.

It's a quick home-school connection that lets parents know what their child did that day. 

I've included completed samples for you to share as well.

Another writing activity is D is for dog.  Students can roam the room and spot items and words that start with the letter Dd. 

If you do Daily 5 this is a nice option.

The packet also includes a Whose Name Is On The Bone? activity.  Because my Y5's were learning how to recognize their name, I filled a dog dish (I bought mine at The Dollar Store) with paper bones that I had written their names on. 

For a few minutes each day, I'd hold up a bone and the child who recognized their name would bark.  I know it sounds silly, but they absolutely LOVED this.  As time permitted, we'd do 3-6.  To help get the "wiggles" out, after they had sat through whatever else I had planned for carpet time, I'd play the song Who Left The Dogs Out?  

They'd pretend to be puppies and crawl around on all fours singing and barking 'til the song ended.  I'd reign them in and we'd transition to our next activity. (Too cute and rather hilarious!)

Click on the link for a nice YouTube video featuring the song and cute dog animation.  Who Let The Dogs Out?  For a shorter version, sung by kids and showing some nice dance moves for them to imitate, click on this link: Who Let The Dogs Out?

As another simple fill-in, I've also included 4 dog-themed bookmarks in color as well as black and white, plus one you can give for good behavior.

Click on the link to view/download the Back To School Puppy Packet. Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  

Work's done for today, so I'm off to play.  As always, summer is flying way too fast!!!

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." -Scott Adams

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

Since the Silly Shaped Penguins, as well as the Shapely Owls have been such popular downloads, I decided to design a spring "craftivity" too.  When I took a look at all of the spring baby animals, the cute little chick clicked for me! 

Like the Penguin and Owl Shape packets, I designed all sorts of shape-themed activities around these cuties. 

I hope you enjoy using them, as much as I had fun making them.

I've included patterns for the standard 2D shapes, as well as the pattern block trapezoid and rhombus shapes, plus the 3D cone, cube and cylinder shapes. 

For more pizzazz, tape a real feather to the top of the chick's head and accordion fold the legs.  Adding wiggle eyes also adds more pop. 

You could also make the wings moveable by punching a hole and attaching them with brass brads. Click on the link to view/download the Shapely Slick Chick Packet.

The packet includes a set of black & white shapely slick chick cards, as well as a full-color set.

I've also made 2 sets of shape-word cards.

These are perfect for Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" games. 

Run off the black and white templates and have students make an Itty Bitty Slick Chick Shape booklet.

There's also an easy reader booklet, which covers lots of standards. 

Students read the sentence, underline the capital letters and add end punctuation.

They trace and write the shape words, add features on the first shape to make it look like a chick; trace the second shape and then draw the shape. 

On the last page they tell which shapely slick chick they liked the best. 

I've included a graph, so you can record the results.  Standards are also covered with worksheets for spatial directions, attributes, and matching the word to the shape. 

Finally, to build self-esteem, I designed a sweet certificate of praise.  Click on the link to view/download the Shapely Slick Chick packet.

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away. 

"The first day of spring is one thing, the first spring day is quite another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month." -Henry Van Dyke

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

I really enjoy it when teachers contact me with special requests, so when Carol in Wisconsin, asked me for some gingerbread alphabet cards to go with her big themed-unit in December, I happily got to work. 

To help reinforce Common Core State Standards,  I also included a trace and write upper and lowercase worksheet as well as a match the uppercase letter to the lowercase letter one.

There's  5 different assessments + a 3-page tip list of what to do with the cards, including games like Kaboom.  

If you too have a request, simply email me at: diane@teachwithme.com and I'll see what I can do.  Click on the link for Gingerbread Alphabet Cards

To review even more standards I designed 2 gingerbread sliders and included slider strips for counting numbers to 30; counting backwards from 10 to 0 and 20 to 0; skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's; shapes, + upper and lowercase letters.  You can use these to review, assess, and play games with. 

Students trace the numbers/letters/shapes.  I encouraged an ABAB pattern using red and green markers.

For that finishing touch allow students to decorate with wiggle eyes, ribbons, rhinestones, buttons and glitter.  I used white puffy paint for the "frosting."  My kiddo's loved that; so easy, but so "Wow!" Click on the link for the Gingerbread Sliders.

I also started working on the winter time cards, and completed the gingerbread ones. The packet includes digital and analog time to the hour and half hour, with a cover to make an Itty Bitty booklet + a tip list of how to use the cards.  Click on the link for the Gingerbread Time Cards

I tried to graph every day with my Y5's.  Pretty soon the light bulb comes on for everyone.  A graph was always part of our table top lessons, and I think my kiddo's really enjoyed coloring and filling in their worksheets. 

By switching things up via a theme, interest remained high.  I often used shapes inside the themed-item, so that I could review yet another standard.  This packet also includes a game.  Click on the link for the Gingerbread Graphing Activities

Finally, I also designed the ever-popular shape matching game with a gingerbread theme.  I feel as with the above lessons, if you change an activity with a new theme, things stay fresh.  Students also feel empowered because they know what to do an can get right down to business.  Click on the link for the Gingerbread Shape Games

Thanks for visiting to day.  Feel free to PIN away.  If you'd like to take a peek at all of the creative-educatonal items that I spend way too much time pinning, click on the big heart to the right of the article. 

I design and blog daily so I hope you can pop in tomorrow for the newest FREEBIES.  I have lots more gingerbread goodies that I'm excited to share.

"A cookie a day chases sadness away; an entire jar brings it back!" -Unknown

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

One of the most common symbols of Thanksgiving is the Pilgrim hat. When I was doing research about the Pilgrims for several of the packets, I was surprised to learn that they did not really sport the large brass buckles on their hats and shoes, despite belief to the contrary.

In search of a "buckled up" pilgrim picture, I came across a costume company that sells this "authentic" Pilgrim garb.  It is because most of the 17th-century artists also depicted couples this way, that we have come to believe that they all wore buckles.

Buckles didn’t come into fashion until decades after the Pilgrims left England, and were used as a status symbol, since they were more expensive than other fastening solutions. 

The Pilgrims did wear the conical hats, which I discovered were called capotains, but they didn’t have buckles, nor did their belts. 

Pilgrim boys and men, held up their pants with leather laces tied to their shirts and doublets. These facts have been gleaned from historical records, passenger lists, wills, diaries, and letters that included descriptions of clothing.  Buckles later became very popular in England because they were an expensive fashion statement, however, they were not part of Pilgrim dress.

I thought you'd enjoy learning this bit of trivia, which you can share with your students when they do the Shapely Buckle craftivity.  Years ago I made a Pilgrim buckle shape booklet, and thought I'd up-date that idea with a new packet.

This one includes a pattern for the Pilgrim's hat, which I cut out of black construction paper.  A mini-buckle booklet is stapled together and then glued to the center of the hat. 

Children flip the pages to reveal the different shaped buckles.  Adding a bit of gold glitter glue to the cover, really adds that finishing touch.

A graphing extension is also included, showing which shaped buckle your students thought would be the best.  The large shape cards that feature traceable shape-words, can be uses as pocket or flashcards to review and assess.   Make an extra set; laminate, trim and cut into puzzles. 

Students can also make an Itty Bitty booklet, as a cover is included.  Children trace and color the shape buckles, as well as trace and write the shape words.

I've also included smaller buckle shape cards along with shape word cards to play Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" games.  Children can match shape to shape or shape to word. 

Click on the link to view/download the Shapely Buckles packet.  I've shared quite a few Thanksgiving/Pilgrim links in other blog articles and found another one today that you might also enjoy. This link contains 6 short video clips that include interesting Thanksgiving/Pilgrim information from the History Channel.

Since the Penguin Shape packet I & II as well as the Shapely Owls continue to be three of the most downloaded items on my site, I thought it would be fun to make one featuring turkeys. 

Teachers can make the large shape-head turkeys for display or review, and then have students choose their favorite shape and make a shape body - turkey bird of their own. 

A turkey version of the 4-Corners game can also be played with the large turkey heads.  Directions are included in the packet.

There are some turkey shape word cards you can use for pocket or flashcards. 

Make extra sets to play Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" games, or cut them apart and make puzzles.  Click on the link to view/download the The Shape Of My Turkeys packet.

Finally, Susan over in Texas, asked if I could make the Pilgrim Shape Spinner game featuring turkeys.  No problem.  If you'd like a set too, click on the link to grab it.  Turkey Spinner Shape game.

Thanks for visiting today. I hope you can stop by tomorrow for a few more FREEBIES hot off the press.

"What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?" - Eleabor Roosevelt

October SHAPES Up!

October is a wonderful month to review shapes! I have some fun activities to help you do just that.

Kids love candy and in case you haven’t noticed, candy comes in every shape you need, even the more difficult 3-dimensional ones, so why not take “sweet” advantage?

Here’s how:

Treat Bags:

Make a treat bag (I have several samples to choose from) and fill it with an example of each shape of candy. Click on the link to view/print the patterns. Treat bag samples.

Play a “Guess What Shape The Candy Is?” game with your students as you display the bag on your lap and pull out a piece of candy, showing it to your students as they sit on the floor in front of you.

As a treat, you could give each of them a triangular piece of candy corn, or make up a treat bag for everybody.

The Dollar Store has a nice selection of inexpensive paper ones, as well as Ziploc Snack Baggies that come in packs of 18-24.

If you do make up a bag for everyone, they can take it back to their desk and sort the candy on the shape sorting mats, or you can do a whole-group assessment and have children spill the candy out.

Teacher says: “Show me the triangle, show me the sphere, cube, etc.” ‘til you have reviewed each shape.

Tell the students that they may eat their M&M, Skittle or Smartie (one piece of candy that is not a big deal, but will satisfy them) and then put all of the rest back in their bag to take home so that they can share the lesson with their family.

Click on the link to view/print a shape sorting mat. 3-D shape sorting mat.  Regular shape sorting mats.

What's Missing Candy Game?

• You could also transition to having your students sit in a circle on the floor. 
• Arrange one piece of each of the 3-D - shaped examples of candy on the carpet in the middle.
• Have students close their eyes.  Hold a sheet of orange construction paper over the candy, and with your other hand, remove one of the pieces of candy.
• Tell your students to open their eyes.
• The first one to say the missing SHAPE wins a piece of candy corn.
  
• To make the game more difficult add another different kind of candy. 
  
• Remember to review the different names of the SHAPES in the circle as you add candy.
  
• You can also play a separate game with the regular-shaped candy, or for older students combine both 3-D and regular shaped candy!
  

Posters:

I have purchased candy and taken pictures with a white or black background for you to print off and laminate for your classroom.

Click on the link to view/print 17 black and white background 3-D and regular shape posters 

You can hold them up and use them as a review of the various shapes, a comparison of the 3-D shapes with the flat shapes, a memory match game, counting fun, discussions, writing prompts, or graphing extensions.

Click on the link to view/print shape graphs.

When you are done using them, hang them up in your room.  I truly believe that if a student “sees” a shape in real life, especially one that they can identify with, it helps them remember the name.

If you think of other ways to use them, I’d enjoy hearing from you so I can pass along the idea to help everyone! diane@teachwithme.com

October Shape Booklets:

I have a variety of cute shape booklets (over 50!) that my own students really enjoy making and parents have given lots of positive feedback about.

Here are some of our favorites for October:

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Shapes (Complete with a head and manipulatives you can make and pass out to your students so they can "feed" her.) The Shapes of October, The Shape of my Kitty's Tongue (Perfect for a black cat mini-unit) + Shape booklets involving an Acorn,  Spider,  Bat,  Leaf,  Candy Corn and  Scarecrow!

Why not become a subscription member and be able to download all of this, at no additional charge for an entire year, + get our 60+ pages Apple Bytes newsletter packet as well!

Fun Shape Freebies:

Don't forget to check out this month's free booklet, A Flame On My Candle, which also involves shapes, as well as all the cute shape activities in our Book of the Month side-blog to go along with Go Away Big Green Monster.  Your students will especially enjoy the envelope monster that eats shapes.  

For some 3-D shape posters as well as regular shape posters click on the links to view/print them.

I also made up some shape word flashcards. You can put them up on your word wall, or make Memory Match games. 

My students enjoy tracing them and making them into Itty Bitty books.  Click on the link to view/print the shape word cards.

I think building a child’s self-esteem is extremely important.  One way I do this is via certificates of praise.  Click on the link to view/print a certificate for 3-D shapes or a certificate for regular shapes. 

I hope you found these ideas helpful and that things really shape up for you and yours