1-2-3 Come Do Some Chick Hatching Activities With Me

Do you study chickens or hatch chicks as a life cycle science unit?
Our preschool does; they get their fertilized eggs from a local farmer.

With that in mind, I designed this jumbo chicken packet, which is chock full of a variety of activities that you can easily diversify, as you practice all sorts of math, science & language arts standards.

The packet includes:

* A collection of posters:

These can be used as anchor charts, decorations, countdowns, reminders & bulletin board displays. Several are also included in black and white so that you can use them as worksheets for your students.
 * crafts:

Such as the "When Will I Hatch?" slider craftivity, which helps practice counting backwards from 21-0, as well as counting forward from 0-21.  

Children can show you an AB-AB color pattern, as they trace the numbers with 2 different colored highlighters.

There are also several Life Cycle of a Chicken craftivities as well. 

Children can make a "flip the flap" chick life cycle, or show the various stages of the 21 days of an embryo inside an egg.

Another version is a "flip the flap" egg-shaped life cycle craft, which begs the question: "What came 1st, the chicken or the egg?"

There's an incubator, as well as an egg option.  All patterns come in color as well as black and white.

* puzzles:

So that you can easily diversify lessons, there are a variety of puzzle options available.

There are the simple 3-piece sequencing puzzles, as well as the 6-piece "Chicks on a Roll" puzzle dice game.

My 4-year-old grandson absolutely loves playing these puzzle dice games, as do my Y5 & kinders. 

The 3-piece egg-shaped puzzles are a bit more complex, as students put together the number, number word and group/set of that many together. 

To make this independent center activity self-correcting, number the pieces accordingly on the back. 

The number "strip puzzles" practice numbers 12-21, which are great for those toughie teen numbers, as well as help to reinforce the 21-day "chick hatching" concept.

The large, 11-piece egg-shaped puzzle does the same thing.  All puzzles come in full color so you can use them for a center, as well as black & white, so that kiddos can color, cut and make thier own to take home. 

* Venn diagrams & graphic organizers plus...

* a variety of games: which practice ordinal numbers, patterning, sequencing, counting & a variety of other standards. There are also numberous ...

* writing prompts:

Such as "A Chick Hatched Today!" craftivity, which can be a simple sentence for PK kiddos, or something more involved for older students. 

I've included my completed sample, that you can print off to share as an example.

Fold over a diamond scrap of paper to make the chick's beak 3D.

Completed projects look adorable as a spring bulletin board, or hung back-to-back and suspended from the ceiling. 

The "If I Had A Chick For A Pet..."  is also a super-fun writing prompt, as many of our preschoolers ask if they can take a chick home once they hatch.  We return them to the farmer, so this is a fun "what if" for them. 

If you also get your eggs from a nearby farm, then you'll enjoy the "Thank You; I Learned A Lot!"  writing prompt card.

Use the colorful one for all your little ones to sign, or the black & white option, for older students to complete on their own, then drop the card(s) off when you give the chicks back.  The packet also includes plenty of ...

* vocabulary building & word work, which include Elkonin boxes, pocket chart cards, a word find, a "How many words can you make?" game, an alphabetical order race & more. (Perfect for Daily 5.) Plus...

* observations, experiments, & data analysis along with ...

* calendar & countdown activities:

Which includes a real calendar page you can do as a whole-group, or have students keep track on their own, jotting down a daily note of "what's happening".  I've included "stickers" for extra special days. 

Because my kiddos were forever asking, "How many days 'til a chick hatches?" I decided to make a countdown paper chain. We tear a link off each day. I've included several options, as well as a black & white pattern if you want your students to make their own.  

Students can also color an egg on their "countdown worksheet". I have my students choose two colors to show me an ABAB pattern. 

The "A-MAZE-ing" life cycle of a chick, "itty bitty" countdown booklet, is also a fun way to reinforce counting.

There's also...
* graphing extensions &
* worksheets: which practice a variety of standards in quick, easy & fun ways.

Because many children have not seen a rooster, chicken or chick before, I've included 33 real photographs.

Studying chicks wouldn't be complete without an "eggs-citing" scientific look into what's happening, so I designed 3 booklets.

You can do these as a whole group with little ones, using the colorful template options, or have older students color their own booklet; or mix & match doing several together & one or 2 independently. 

I don't take anything for granted when teaching my Y5s, as many of them have very limited experiences. 

With that in mind I designed the "Eggs-amining" An Egg activities and booklet to record their findings. They especially enjoy cracking an egg on their own, seeing if an egg will sink or float, & having a "spin contest".

They do this with both a raw and hard boiled egg then compare their findings.

Students can work individually, with a partner or in a small group. You can also do this as a whole group activity with little ones.

Another one of the booklets is "Chick This Out" an observation egg-shaped booklet where the teacher or students can record what's going on with the eggs/chicks each day.  

The 3rd booklet is a "Peek Inside" flip booklet where students record what's going on inside the egg.

These can simply be a few pages for little ones, or more in-depth observation and analysis through "candling" or learning about what's taking place via the photographs, "fast facts" information or educational links that I've included. 

Finally, as a culminating activity, I designed some "visitor" activities.

Since we have all sorts of people parading through the preschool to take a look at the chicks when they hatch (the principal, staff, & lots of other classrooms), I thought it would be fun to create a guestbook.

I've included a page for visiting classrooms to fill out then sign prior to their arrival, which includes a place for questions they may have.

There's also an invitation to hang up in the teacher's lounge, as well as an individual note, which can be placed in their mailbox. Welcoming posters, and a sign to hang on your doorknob, are all included as well. 

Well that's a quick review of what's in this whopping 342-page Chick packet, which is currently on sale for 50% off. 

As always, I give away 2 jumbo packets each month, along with a $10 TpT gift card, so be sure and check out my Face Book page, and enter to win my monthly "Flash Fun" Giveaways.  

Since Mother's Day is just around the corner, today's featured FREEBIE is a Mother's Day Cupcake Writing Prompt Craftivity.  I hope you find it useful. 

Well that's it for today.  It's been a long week, so it's time to relax and take a much-needed break.

Here in Michigan, spring has FINALLY sprung and the flowering trees are absolutely gorgeous!  Wishing you a wonderful and stress-free weekend.

"Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be." -Unknown

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 Lion & Lamb Activities With Me.      

The simile “March roared in like a lion then left like a lamb” basically holds true for weather here in Michigan.

Because of that, I designed an entire “lion & lamb” weather-themed packet, which is very versatile.

It’s chock full of a huge variety of activities that are suitable for different grades & skill levels. (PK-3rd).

I introduce March with Marion Bauer’s book, “In Like a Lion Out Like a Lamb”, which was the inspiration behind the “door dangler” writing prompt craft in the packet, as a lion comes knocking at a little boy's front door.

The story is wonderfully illustrated with short rhyming text, perfect for introducing metaphor & simile  to older students as well.

“March comes with a roar.  He rattles your windows and scratches at your door.
He turns snow to mud, then tromps across your floor.
March comes with winter clinging to his tail.
He scatters sleet and sometimes even hail.”

My Young Fives absolutely love the lion & lamb weather analogy, which is perfect for introducing a variety of weather conditions to them.

I designed a set of pocket chart cards for this, as well as made a collection of 32 photographs that depict a variety of "real" lion & lamb-like weather. There are 2-on-a-page for quick printing.

To whole-group assess their ability to identify, then classify the weather, I made a set of 6 lion & lamb Popsicle stick puppet pals. Choose your favorite or give children a choice.

They color, cut & glue a lion & lamb back-to-back, then insert a Popsicle stick.

Teacher shows a pocket chart, weather card. 

Students decide if that type of weather is a lion or a lamb, flipping their “puppet paddle” accordingly.

You can also ask them about their current weather, or to vote whether they think March will come in like a lion or lamb, as well as predict what the weather will be on the last day of March.

I"ve included 3 graphing extensions for this.

The photo-posters can also be used like the weather cards. What clues in the photograph make them think that the weather is lamb-like, or was the result of a lion-kind of day.  

The photographs can also be used to inspire a writing prompt, where kiddos pick a picture then make a list of adjectives that describe it, write a descriptive sentence, paragraph, poem or short story. 

For an awesome bulletin board, display the photo next to students' completed work. 

Younger kiddos can sort the pictures using the lion & lamb sorting mats.  Make an extra set and cut them into puzzles to use for an independent center. 

We also track the weather for the month of March with a "color, cut & glue" calendar worksheet, with a culminating math activity, which practices, counting, comparison, greater & less than, as well as tally marks & graphing.  

Older students can record their data and analysis in the March Weather Journal, which is an interesting & fun diary-type writing assignment.  

All of the activities come in color as well as BW for kiddos. 

I've also included a super-fun variety of writing prompt craftivities.

Didn't  matter what grade I taught, as soon as I tossed in a bit of hands-on craftiness, my students were riveted and couldn't wait to begin.  

The beauty of these "craftivities" is that they can be completed by little ones, as well as older students who will write more in-depth. 

So that they fit your students' skill levels, I give you a list of writing prompt suggestions.

Simply pick which one's appropriate for your students or give them a choice.  

I've also given you the ability to choose how you wish to display them. 

Children can make a booklet, horizontal/vertical display, or dangler that's suspended from the ceiling.

To slide in the poetry genre, I've also included a poster-poem for William Cullen Bryant’s “Stormy March”.

There are 100+ pages of games, centers, whole-group activities, anchor chart-posters, worksheets, and Venn diagrams.

Besides the black & white templates, so you can quickly & easily make samples, or do activities as a whole group with little ones, I’ve also included full-color patterns for all of the activities.

To save you even more time, I tucked in my completed writing sample templates, so you don't have to make up your own. 

If your students are like mine, they'll give their "best effort" because these prompts are especially fun for them. Added bonus: completed projects make a terrific spring bulletin board.

Today's featured FREEBIE is "Wind Tricks" ; a 31-page poetry packet, which includes the games "Windy Words" and "Blow Some Words My Way", along with a variety of quick, easy and fun "rhyme time" activities.  I hope you find it useful. 

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

The weather finally feels like spring today (high 60s) so out to the garden I go for some much-needed clean up.

"Why try to explain miracles to your kids, when you can just have them plant a garden." -Robert Brault

1-2-3 Come Do Some "It Looked Like Spilt Milk" Activities With Me

Do you read "It Looked Like Spilt Milk"  by Charles Shaw?

It’s a terrific, springtime story for introducing your study of clouds, and helps children stretch their imaginations. 

Because my Young Fives really enjoy this story, I designed several cloud-themed activities for them to transition to, after we read the tale.  They are both featured on the blog today, along with an awesome FREEBIE.

Since "It Looked Like Spilt Milk" is perfect for practicing the “sequencing and retelling a story” standards, I designed a quick, easy and fun slider craftivity, which will help your students retell the story in the proper order.

There are 2 outside slider options to choose from.

One features a cloud, the other a square with a spilled milk "splat". 

I chose blue construction paper, to resemble the story as well as the color of the sky.

Pick your favorite or give children a choice.

Students color the story elements on the “slider strip” then cut and glue it together.

There are 2 "storytelling slider strip" options as well.
One, for beginning readers, has the pictures labeled, while the other strip's graphics are blank.

As they pull on the end of the “slider-strip” the various “cloud” pictures go through the “window”, so that children can take turns retelling the story to a partner or reading buddy, then take their craftivity home to share with their family, once again practicing these standards.

I introduce the lesson by reading the book ”It Looked Like Spilt Milk”, then share my completed "slider craft” with my students.

After I read the story, we retell the tale together, using the picture prompts on my slider.

I have them guess which story element they think comes next, before I pull the picture through the “window”.

My students now know what’s expected of them, and are very excited to transition to making an “It Looked Like Spilt Milk” storytelling slider of their own.

Storytelling sliders are also an easy & interesting way to assess comprehension.

I’ve included a “Let’s “sequence the story” activity for this, where students color and trim the picture “windows” then glue them in the correct order on their worksheet.

There’s also a “Here’s What Happened…” writing prompt worksheet, as another way to check comprehension, plus practice sequential writing, hopefully using a variety of ordinal numbers and other transitions. 

Finally, I thought it would be fun to practice upper and lowercase letters with a "cloud alphabet", which also includes an "animal cloud" for each letter as well.

The "Cloud-Themed Alphabet Packet" includes:
* An “Alpha Clouds” (color, trace & write) booklet.

With 4 pages on one, to make a "just-the-right-size", mini booklet.

*An “ABC Animal Clouds” booklet, with the same above format.

* A boy & girl “Look at my cloud name” worksheet craftivity.

* 3 sets of alpha-cloud cards for upper & lowercase letters.

* 2 sets of animal cloud cards. There is a “cloud animal” for each letter of the alphabet.

* There are also matching animal word cards, which will provide more ways to play “Memory Match” and “I Have; Who Has?” games.

* Children can also pick a picture card and describe the animal using 1-3 adjectives OR…
* Pick a word card and use it in a sentence. OR…
* Students can arrange the letter and/or word cards in alphabetical order.

-Use the “Kaboom!” cards to add to the fun.
-Use the cover to make an “Itty Bitty” booklet.

* I’ve also included a 5-page, tip list of other games and things you can use the cards for.

* 2 poster poems to introduce the lesson

These activities can be used for independent centers, whole group activities, Daily 5 word work, early finishers, homework, or tossed in a sub tub.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a set of number posters.  

These anchor charts are perfect for a math bulletin board that you can refer to daily and review:

* fractions, colors, patterns, telling time, fact families, money, tally marks, ordinal numbers, measurement with a ruler, +1 addition, sequencing numbers, counting groups and sets of objects, and using a ten frame for addition or subtraction.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. My feet have hit the floor running, as I'm watching 3 of my grandchildren today.

They are age 4, 2 and 1, so it will be a busy day of play, filled with lots of fun and giggles.   Wishing you a love-filled day.

"Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you’re just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric." ~Pam Brown

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

Most of my Y5s don’t have any problem learning to identify the 2D shapes, however, when I ask them to find an example of that shape in the “real world” many of them have difficulty.

With that in mind, I designed these quick, easy and fun “I Spy!”  Puzzle Pie activities.

Whenever I'm putzing with a project, I test it out on my 4-year-old grandson, to tweak any "glitches" that may occur. 

Nothing like "kid-tested & teacher-approved".

He absolutely LOVED putting these together.

Even his 2-year-old sister enjoyed placing pieces on the grid, although she did things willy-nilly.

Each shape packet is sold individually for just a dollar.

There are 14, 2D shapes in all: circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle, hexagon, pentagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, heart, star, semicircle & crescent!

I had a question whether I would consider bundling all of them into one packet. For sure! 

I'm always willing to combine a "collection" of something.  This bundle offers a 40% savings from buying each 2D shape puzzle pie packet separately.

Use the full color patterns as an independent center.  

Simply print, laminate and trim.  I keep the "puzzle parts" for each 2D shape in a large, ZipLock Baggie.

Depending on the shape and clip art available, I’ve included 1-4, “bottom” puzzle grids with matching words, as well as a blank template, so that students can pick and choose, which of the 6-24-different pieces of “real world” 2D shape examples, they want to use to complete the picture puzzle.

For example, I found many more graphics of rectangular-shaped items, so there are 4 puzzles and 24 pieces for the rectangle packet, where as there were a limited number of examples for the hexagon, which has 2 grids and 12 pieces to choose from. 

Even though they are not part of my report card standards, I included the rhombus and trapezoid shapes, as my Y5s use pattern block manipulatives for a variety of our math centers, and I wanted them to be familiar with the vocabulary to describe these shapes.

Beginning readers can practice their decoding skills with the word-filled grids, while younger kiddos can simply place the pictures on the blank grids. 

You can also use the puzzles as an interesting and fun assessment tool. Choose one or 2 picture pieces for each 2D shape.

Hold one up and ask students to identify what shape they see. This will also check that they are using correct vocabulary as well. 

Likewise, ask them to point to a hexagon. This way you know they can identify the shape, but not necessarily remember the name of it.

I also run off an extra set of each of the picture pieces for all of the shapes, to use as a sorting activity. This set is kept in a large ZipLock Baggie. 

As a whole-group activity, I also use this bag to pass out several pieces to each child. We sit in a circle and they show one of the picture pieces, tell the name of the shape and what the "real world" object is.  "Can we spy anything in our room that is also that shape?"

I’ve also included black & white templates, so that students can make their own puzzles to take home. 

The pentagon & hexagon packet also have a volleyball, picture poster.  Tossing or rolling a volleyball to your students, is a quick, easy and super fun way to practice those somewhat "toughie" shapes. 

I think they're a bit difficult to remember because there really aren't that many examples children see or are familiar with, like squares and circles. 

The pentagon packet also includes "irregular" pentagons, as seen with a teabag, pocket or baseball's home plate.

I've also included some interesting information about the "why" home base is an irregular pentagon.  

Since March Is Reading Month, and many classrooms are celebrating Seuss, today's featured FREEBIE also helps practice 2D shapes; as well as letters, numbers 0-120, contractions, colors and more.

I used a sand pail for one container, as well a "flip up" container from a 10-pack of Mr. Clean "erasers", which is perfect for the Grinch's "mouth". 

LOVE the dry sponges too, as they are perfect for getting permanent marker off laminated name cards, so that I can reuse them each year.  Several dishwashing containers like Cascade, also use flip up containers.

 Click on the link to grab the jumbo, "Feed The Grinch" packet.  I hope you find it useful. 

Well that's it for tonight.  I usually zip off a blog article during the day, but life happened this morning, with way too much on my plate all day.  

Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you a stress-free week. 

"The greatest weapon against stress, is our ability to choose one thought over another." -William James

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

So that my students are interested and engaged, I’m always looking for different and creative ways for them to practice shapes.

Today's blog showcases my brand new puzzle game, along with the "oldie-but goodie" Lorax craftivity, just in time for a "Celebration of Seuss" for March Is Reading Month coming up.

First up are the 3 & 4-piece puzzles that feature 2D and 3D shapes, their attributes, as well as a “real world” example.

SHAPES INCLUDED:

* 2D shapes: circle, semi-circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, pentagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, heart, star, & crescent.

* 3D shapes: sphere, cylinder, cone, cube, pyramid, rectangular prism & triangular prism.

Simply pick which shapes are appropriate for your students, then print the colorful patterns on card stock, laminate and trim. 

I’ve also included black and white templates so that students can make their own puzzles.

Children can put them together in an independent puzzle center. To make this a self-correcting activity, number the back of each piece: 1a, 1b, 1c etc.

Make an extra set to be used for a Memory Match or “I Have; Who Has?” game.
i.e. “I have the triangle word piece, who has the shape and “real life” example pieces?”

Students can also sort them into 2D and 3D shapes.  I’ve included 2 sorting mats for this.

For a whole group comprehension activity, toss the shape pieces into a container.
* Children choose one and give the attributes.  The color-copies have them listed, where as the BW patterns have this section of the puzzle blank.

OR…
* Children can give 3 clues about the shape card they are hiding; their classmates guess which shape they think is being described.

OR…
* Toss the “real life” picture pieces into a container. Students pick one and tell what shape it is. OR…
* Toss the word pieces into a basket. Children pick one, read the shape word, then draw a picture of that shape on the board.

To practice the “spatial direction” aspect of this standard as a whole group, have children pick a shape piece.
Call out directions for children to follow. i.e “Place your shape above, below, between, on, behind " etc.
You can see at a glance who is having difficulty.

Students can also pick a piece and go on a shape hunt; listing,then totaling up how many items they found in your classroom that are that shape. I’ve included a worksheet for this.
 
Besides using them as individual puzzle pieces, I designed a variety of covers for both the 3-piece and 4-piece puzzles, so students can make an “Itty Bitty” 2D and/or 3D flip booklet.

These make a fun homework assignment, something for early finishers or struggling kiddos; as well as an interesting lesson for your sub tub. 

Next up is "Shapin' Up With The Lorax";  a quick, easy and fun craftivity, with a variety of game options.
It's one of my most popular shape craftivities.    

There's also an emergent reader, which practices capitalization and end punctuation too.

I’ve provided both 2D shapes as well as the four, 3D ones. 

Make a set to use for a bulletin board display. We always get tons of compliments on ours.

Make an extra set; cut them in half, and use as puzzles for an independent math center and an interesting way to review symmetry.

Play 4-Corner FREEZE; a game that practices a variety of life skills, like listening and following directions, as well as the 2D/3D shape vocabulary, plus recognition, and counting backwards from 10 to 0.

My kiddos absolutely LOVE this game. Easy-peasy for me, and only takes a few minutes, so it’s perfect for the end of the day. I’ve included directions in the packet.

You can also use the Lorax shapes as big flashcards. Hold one up. Children call out what shape it is, along with its attributes, like the number of vertices.

Play “Who’s Missing?” Display a set on the wall. After children leave, take one away. In the morning, children guess which one is missing.

I’ve also included a 2-on-a-one-page template, so children can pick their favorite shape and create their own Lorax.

For a cute keepsake idea, students can use their hand prints as the mustache, and add accordion-folded legs and arms. (Super fine motor practice!) 

Have older students write attributes on the back. 

There are TWO featured FREEBIES today: a 31-page, 2D-shape poster pack   as well as a 10-page, 3D shape set.

They come in a variety of sizes, so you can use them for anchor charts, a bulletin board, flashcards, centers & games.

I've also included a bookmark of the 2D-basic 6, & 3D-basic 4, which students can tuck in their math journals. 

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

It's 27 degrees out and snowing, so don't think spring will be along any time soon here in Michigan. 

Perfect weather to snuggle in and dream up some spring activities as an escape. 

Wishing you a cozy day.

"It's only cold if you're standing still." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some Nursery Rhyme Activities With Me

I plug in nursery rhymes whenever I can, so during our winter “mitten theme” my young fives enjoy learning “The Three Little Kittens”.

Since my storytelling wheels have been so popular, I decided to make “Rhyme Time” poetry wheels, to help practice the “retelling & sequencing” a story standards, using favorite nursery rhymes.

Each packet contains background information on the nursery rhyme, along with a colorful anchor chart poster of the poem.

I’ve included a BW version for students, to help practice reading and whatever other skills you are working on.

For example, using this “worksheet” beginning readers can circle rhyming words, color words, number words, or other sight words.

Reinforce spelling by having children underline “silent e” words; 1, 2 or 3 syllable words; vowels, or long and short vowels etc.

There are full color patterns to use for an independent center, as well as a sample to share, plus a black and white pattern, so students can make their own.

When everyone is done with their “Rhyme Time Story Wheel”, take a moment to retell the rhyme as a whole group, by turning the wheels.

To reinforce the lesson further, encourage students to “show & share” their wheels with their family, retelling the rhyme once again. Can anyone recite it?

I also have my students pick a partner and take turns sharing their wheels with each other. Sometimes we do this with our older, reading buddies.
This is a quick, easy & fun way to check comprehension too.

Since the wheel is cut into 6 equal parts, if you’re studying fractions, be sure and take a teachable moment to review that vocabulary and information as well. 

Another interesting way I teach "The 3 Little Kittens" nursery rhyme is with a "slider" craftivity.  This is a different option for practicing the "sequencing" and "retelling" a story standards. 

If you like both, simply use one as a center, and the other for an in-class, whole-group activity, or fun homework assignment.   

There are 2 outside slider options to choose from.  Pick your favorite or give children a choice.

Students color the story elements on the “slider strip” then cut and glue it together.

As they pull on the end of the “slider-strip” the various pictures go through the “window”, so that children can take turns retelling the nursery rhyme to a partner or reading buddy, then take their craftivity home to share with their family, once again practicing these standards.

I introduce the lesson by reading the colorful, poster-poem (anchor chart) then share my completed "slider craft” with my students.

I’ve also included a BW version of the poem for students, so you can use it as a worksheet.

So that you can quickly, and easily make an example, I’ve included a full-color slider pattern.

After I read the nursery rhyme, we recite it together, using the picture prompts on my slider.
I have them guess which element of the rhyme they think comes next, before I pull the picture through the “window”.

“Rhyme Time Sliders” are also an easy & interesting way to assess comprehension. 

Since March is just around the corner, today's featured FREEBIE is a collection of sheep-themed nursery rhymes, which my Y5s enjoy learning during our lion-lamb theme in March.  I hope you find them useful too.  

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for popping in. The sun is valiantly shining, despite some windblown clouds that threaten to cover the warm rays.

Maybe I'll get a bit of yard work done today...or not!  So many options and not enough energy.   Wishing you a fun-filled day.

"The most important part of education is proper training in the nursery." -Plato

1-2-3 Come Make Some "Paper Love" With Me  

I really enjoy designing things that will get even my most reluctant writers excited about writing. 

With that in mind, I made this very versatile, quick, easy & super-fun writing prompt craftivity. The "envelope" unfolds to reveal a "secret message" or "love note" that can be used for:

* Valentine’s Day (Great for a party day activity.)
* Mother’s Day
* Father’s Day
* Grandparents Day

* Volunteer or Veteran’s Day “Thank You! We Appreciate You!” notes
* “Get Well” or sympathy notes for an ill or grieving classmate
* “Just a Note” to a friend OR… Whatever else you may think of.

If your kiddos are like mine, they will absolutely LOVE making these, so be prepared and run off extra copies for early finishers, and students who ask to “Please…” make another one.

Woo Hoo! They are that addicting & fun; plus “print & go” easy-peasy for you.
I think one of the reasons they are so popular, is that the envelope unfolds to be a heart-shaped message.

I added the 4, “Confidential”, “Top Secret!” & “For Your Eyes Only” labels, to add to the fun.
Nothing like writing a “secret” message to get students excited about writing.

Works for many age groups — from preschool (who can draw a picture and dictate a sentence, or simply write “I love you”) all the way to upper elementary, who can use the blank template.

Great for Daily 5 or your writing block, and simple as a generic lesson for your “Sub Tub” too.

There are 8 graphic options on the front of the “envelope”.  These templates come in a horizontal AND vertical pattern.

For PK kiddos, demonstrate how to fold the “envelope” with “monkey see - monkey do”, step-by-step directions. Even my 3-year-old grandson had fun making several.

Today's featured FREEBIE is also a sweet bit of "paper love".  Click on the link to grab your copy of the "I Love You To Pieces" craftivity

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

Much to do today, as one of our 8 grandchildren is celebrating their 1st birthday this weekend.  Wishing you an "ed-venture" - filled day.

"Let all that you do be done in love." -1 Corinthians 16:14

2 pages.

"I love you to pieces" is a super-fun "rip & tear" craftivity that will help strengthen those finger muscles.

1-2-3 Come Do Some Activities For "Polar Bear What Do You Hear?"  

Bill Martin's ”Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear?” is one of my Y5s all-time favorite stories.

With that in mind, I just finished designing some quick, easy and fun activities children can transition to after you read the tale.  I'm featuring 3 on the blog today.

First up is a story wheel craftivity, which is an interesting and simple way to assess comprehension and practice the sequencing and retelling a story standards.

There are full color patterns to use for centers, plus a black and white pattern so your students can make their own.

When everyone is done with their story wheel, have children pick a partner, and take turns retelling the story.

We sometimes do this with our older "reading buddies".

As a comprehension-assessment tool, and for fine motor practice, another option is to make the “Polar Bear Pie Puzzles”, which have BW & color templates.

In order to practice a variety of standards, there are 5 different puzzle-base options.

Simply choose which is most appropriate for your kiddos.

There's also a writing prompt worksheet, where students write what happened in the story, which will further check comprehension and reinforce chronological writing.  

Next up is the "Polar Bear What Do You Hear?" SOUND packet.

Because the characters in the story hear different sounds, the tale is perfect for explaining onomatopoeia & reinforcing the 5 senses.

Since most of my students have never heard the sound of these animals, I’ve included links to real animals roaring, hissing, snorting etc. (One for each animal in the story!)  
My kiddos absolutely LOVE this activity, and are truly amazed how animals “speak”.

The packet also includes:

* 3 writing prompt worksheets.
If your students are like mine, even your most reluctant writers will enjoy contributing their page to 3 class-made books.

1. “Animals Animals What Would You Like To Hear?”
( Fill-in-the-blanks & illustrate worksheet page).

2. “Chit Chat With The Animals”
( If a _______ (animal) could talk what are some things they might say?” Color-me worksheet pages featuring a variety of animals for children to choose from). 

Younger students can dictate or write one simple sentence, encourage older students to do a bit of research on their animal and write sentences that incorporate that information. "The zookeeper measured me today and I weigh 5 tons and an 11 feet tall."

3. “Children Children What Do You Like To Hear?”
(When it comes to awesome sounds, here’s a list of my top ten favorites: color-me worksheet pages).  Includes girl & boy options.

Completed work makes a wonderful bulletin board.

I've included 3 posters to use for the center of your displays.
Later, add the covers to make class-made books, which are great for parent-teacher conferences.  There's also . . .

* A set of puzzle cards where students match the animal section to the sound section. Fun for Daily 5 word work, or a vocabulary-building activity.

* 2 graphing extensions.

* A set of pocket chart cards, which helps reinforce the onomatopoetic vocabulary in the story.

Make an extra set for an independent center activity, where students match the sound card to the animal/zookeeper card.

These can also be passed out prior to reading the story.
As you read “Polar Bear What Do You Hear?” the child holding that card brings it up and places it on your flannel or white board.

Afterwards, pass the animal cards out and see if children can arrange them in the correct sequence of the story. Grab that teachable moment to practice ordinal numbers.

* I’ve also included a mini-set of the cards for “Memory Match” & “I Have; Who Has?” games. Children can sort, sequence & alphabetize these smaller cards, as well as use them to make up sentences.

Toss them into a container and have children choose an animal card then make that noise, or choose a sound card and tell which animal made that noise.

Finally, the farm unit, is one of our preschoolers favorites, so I wrote “Farmer Farmer What Do You Hear?” as a fun, parody-like writing prompt, for them to transition to after we read “Polar Bear What Do You Hear?”  Instead of wild animals, this story features animals on the farm.

Even beginning writers will enjoy filling in the blanks, then illustrating their page for a sweet class-made book. PK kiddos can simply dictate their answers.

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

Later, collate the pages and add the cover to make the booklet, which is perfect for parent-teacher conferences.

Besides the class book, I’ve also included an emergent reader.
There are 3, BW options, making it suitable for PK kiddos as well as kindergarten and first grade, or to diversify within your classroom.

I've also included colorful teacher templates as well.

The featured FREEBIE today is a cute "5 Senses" anchor chart poster.  I hope you find it useful. 

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

I'm watching 2 of our 8 grandchildren today, so it's time to switch to my "Nana hat"; we're going to make Valentines. 

Wishing a day filled to the brim with blessings.

"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." - Doug Larson