1-2-3 Come Do Some Number Puzzles With Me

I'm always looking for intersting and fun ways for my students to practice numbers.

With that in mind, I designed these circular number puzzles.  Easy-peasy for you; fun for your students.

They have just 8 pieces for numbers 0-20, so you can easily differentiate for your students’ various skill levels. 

So that you can practice a variety of standards all at once, each piece has a different way to show that particular number.

Being able to differentiate is particularly helpful for struggling students, as well as those who need to be challenged with higher numbers, this is easily accomplished without additional work for you, as everyone is working on the same thing, just using different numbers.

The puzzles are also a simple way to get in some extra practice for those toughie teen numbers too.

There are two “frame” options for the “ bases” which students place the pieces on. One has numbers 0-10 around the edge, while the other has numbers 1-20 framing the circle.

There are also two base options as well. One is labeled, the other is not.
Puzzles can also be put together without using a base.

For a super-fun math center, which students can work on independently, simply print, laminate & trim the full color puzzles. Once you've done the work, you're set for years to come!

I keep each puzzle in a separate ZipLock Baggie, then place numbers 0-10 in one tub and numbers 11-20 in another, which is located in our math center.

So that students can easily select a puzzle for their level, I’ve included labels for the front of your Baggies and two tubs.

The labels look like little cards so that you can print extra sets and use them for sequencing or a “Memory Match” or “I Have; Who Has?” game.
You can also use the colorful center circle puzzle pieces in the same way.

I’ve also included black & white versions, which you can use for interactive math notebooks, homework, small group instruction, early finishers or intervention.

The black & white patterns are very versatile.
Besides students making their own puzzles, you can also use the templates as a worksheet or assessment tool, as students fill in each section with the appropriate answer.

Besides number recognition, the puzzles will also help with +1 and -1 simple addition and subtraction, greater & less than, subitizing, making a group/set and number word recognition.

I also challenge students to count by 5s when they are figuring out & recording their tally marks for that puzzle piece.

We also practice counting by 5s, 1s & even 10s throughout our day when we are transitioning, standing in line while students use the bathroom, or on our way to recess or lunch. We do this in whisper quiet voices, tiptoeing on "marshmallow feet". 

For another center, children can choose two puzzles and do them side-by-side, which will allow them to compare and contrast, as well as see math patterns emerging.

As your students become adept at putting the puzzles together, have them pick a partner and race to see who can complete theirs first. 

Today's featured FREEBIE is another way that I help my students learn numbers. Hang the posters up as anchor charts or use them as large flashcards.

Their graphics depict even more ways to show numbers 1-10.

I hope you find them useful. Click on the LINK to grab your set of 1-10 number posters.

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

My poodle pup Chloe, is demanding attention, so it's time to take a much-needed break.  Wishing you a carefree day.

"Don't just count the days.  Make the days count!" - Unknown

1 page.

I revamped an "author unknown" quote I found online and made it appropriate for teaching.  Hope you like it.

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

So that my kiddos can better understand the cylinder shape, and make that word part of their vocabulary, I make windsocks several times during the year.

They absolutely LOVE making them, plus, they’re easy-peasy for me, look fantastic suspended from the ceiling, and take just a short amount of time.

It seemed only appropriate to make one specifically to highlight examples of real world cylinder shapes.

There are two patterns to choose from which show graphics of a variety of cylinders your students should be familiar with.  Pick one, or give children a choice. 

You can also use one as a worksheet for children to color at a later date or use for homework, early finishers or tuck in your sub tub.

While students are happily coloring, I point out that the cylinder is made up of the flat, 2D rectangular shape, which they are now working on, but when rolled, will turn into a 3D cylinder. This simple fact never ceases to amaze them!

To transform this worksheet into a windsock, simply add some colorful strips of paper for the "tails". I cut mine one inch wide, the length of the construction paper, using a paper cutter.

My sample incorporates all the colors of the rainbow, but students could choose any colors they want.  Color choice is also an interesting way to practice AB-AB or ABC-ABC patterning.

To get in some writing practice have students write the names of each example on a colorful strip before they glue them down.
They could also write attributes on the strips.

Gently roll the paper & staple into a cylinder shape. The front will show examples of real world shapes, while a poem ("Cylinders here. Cylinders there. I spy cylinders everywhere" is on the back.

Punch 2 holes on either side, add a yarn loop & suspend from the ceiling.

I’ve included a poster for the center of your display.  I print two and glue them back to back, so I can suspend along with the windsocks. 

We always get lots of compliments, which really helps build self-esteem and a sense of pride in their work. 

Today's FREEBIE also helps review 3D shapes.  My son Steven, started juggling at a young age; now as an adult, he’s quite skilled and shared with me, that a true master can juggle a variety of objects, that are different sizes and weights.

One of his sillier stunts, was juggling a roll of toilet paper, a plunger and a bowling ball!
This was especially entertaining for little ones, as evidenced by their giggles and clapping.

Steven’s juggling escapades, inspired me to design these quick, easy and fun “Let’s Juggle 3D Shapes!” worksheets, as an interesting way to review the sphere, cube, cylinder & cone.

Patterns come in black and white, featuring a boy as well as a girl juggler. The air above them is blank.

Students fill that space, by coloring, cutting, and gluing whatever 3D shapes they have chosen, from a selection of examples on another worksheet.

Children must choose at least one of each shape, then as many others as they want to fill in the rest of the empty space.

Afterwards, using the shape key, they label the various shapes with a letter.

I’ve also included 2, colorful & completed posters, which you can use as examples to help explain what you want your students to do.

When everyone is finished, have students share their poster, pointing out their favorite object that’s being juggled and what type of 3D shape that is.

Since they are all different, completed projects make a cute bulletin board display.  Fun for a math center, homework or a sub tub too. 

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

It's going to be rather hot and muggy, so I need to don my gardening hat and give my flowers a much-needed drenching! 

Wishing you a fun-filled day with whatever you have to juggle.

"Life is a juggling act that sometimes requires you to drop everything." -Linda Poindexter

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

Besides learning 2D shapes, another of our Y5 standards is to be able to recognize, name, and give an example of the 3D shapes: cone, cube, sphere & cylinder.

Instead of learning each one independently, I teach all four of the 3D shapes at the same time. 

To help my students learn this vocabulary, I used glue dots to stick a small, solid 3D shape on my calendar display. 

It takes just a few seconds to point to each one and have my students say the name 3 times. They enjoy using their normal voice for the 1st time, a loud voice for the 2nd time, and then they whisper the word. 

I switch things up and sometimes ask them to say the shape words in a grumpy voice, high-pitched squeaky voice, or whatever.   In october we use a monster, Dracula, witch and ghost voice.  They learn this vocabulary very quickly.

Initially, I noticed that when I pointed to the plastic ball, some of my students were saying spear, instead of sphere, so listen carefully  and correct. To help reinforce the sphere as well as the other 3D shapes I use a beach ball.

You can buy them at The Dollar Store.  Using a permanent marker I drew each shape on a section of the ball, along with its name.  In just a few minutes everyone gets a turn to catch & toss the ball. 

Wherever their hands land, they point to and share the name of that shape. Since it's so light weight and travels slowly, even if a toss bonks someone or something we're safe. 

Since my kiddos absolutely LOVE this activity, I have beach balls for letters, numbers & the other 2D shapes.

We also make cubes with plastic waffle blocks.

Another super-fun thing we do, that takes just a moment is when my kiddos are transitioning, I'll say: "I spy a cube? Who else sees it?"  We then recognize various cubes around the room. 

I also have an extra set of the solid shapes and sometimes put them in my pocket, then when we are in the hallway on bathroom break. I'll hold one up 'til someone notices that I have a shape. That child gets to decide how many times (1-10) we hop on one foot and say the name. 

It's a great way to get the wiggles out while waiting. You'll find that there are lots of teachable moments in the day to cram in a bit of learning in fun & interesting ways.

Besides the above tips, I designed a jumbo 3D Shapes packet, which is filled with a nice assortment of activities to help learn, reinforce, review & assess.

The packet includes:
* A “My 3D Shape (trace, write & color) Booklet”
* A “Flip the Flap” Craft: So that you can choose different skill levels, there are several options, which will practice the solid shape, its name, a real world example, as well as attributes. 

Simply choose which is right for your kiddos . Besides black & white, patterns also come in color, so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share.

* Also included, is a 3D Shapes: Popsicle Stick Puppet Pal, which is a quick, easy & fun way to whole-group assess, at the same time reinforcing attributes.

Children become 3D shape detectives. You read clues from my list.  As students listen, they decide which shape is being described, then hold up that shape on their puppet stick. 

Teachers can see at a glance who is having difficulty.  Jot yourself a note, and work with these kiddos later. 

The packet also includes:

* Pocket Chart Cards
* Posters plus...
* Venn Diagrams, which are one of my favorite ways to teach comparison & contrast.  Because I teach all 4 shapes at the same time, this is a quick, easy & fun way to reinforce differences, so that students can easily describe & identify the shapes. 

Older students can do these individually or partner up to complete a worksheet, while younger kiddos can complete one as a whole group activity. There are also a number of ...

* Centers as well as...
* A variety of "Print & Go!" Worksheets.  One of my students favorites is "I Spy Real World Shapes", which is a color, cut & glue activity.
* Some of the worksheets & games double as interesting & fun Assessments.

*The 3-piece "match me up" Puzzles, plus the number strip Puzzles are another way to immerse children with the shapes.  The strip puzzles reinforce number recognition plus counting from 1-20 & skip counting by 10s.  I love hitting several standards with one activity.

There are activities for a variety of standards such as: sorting, patterning, graphing counting, attributes, groups/sets, simple addition & subtraction, as well as greater & less than.

I've also included a number of simple GAMES:
* “What Shape’s Hiding?”
* “ Four Corners”
* Memory Match
“ I Have; Who Has?
* “What’s Missing?”
“I Spy!
“* 3D Shapes on a Roll!”
* Spying Real World Shapes!
* “What Shape Am I?”

Finally, there are templates you can use as paper manipulatives.  Simply print, laminate & trim.  Students can pattern, sort, count, show groups & sets, as well as make equations & do simple addition & subtraction problems using the math symbol "tiles". 

The packet can be used for morning work, review, assessing, centers, whole-group activities, early finishers, homework or something for your Sub Tub. Click on the link 3D Shape Activities to zip on over to my TpT shop to take a look.

There are two featured FREEBIES today, both help reinforce the 3D shapes as well. One is a set of 3D posters that come in a variety of sizes so that you can use them as anchor charts, flashcards, bookmarks or for games. 

The other is an emergent reader: "Community Helpers Shape Up!"  I hope you find them useful.

I also found a cute 3-minute YouTube video where Exie the excavator is building a city with 3D shapes. Click the link to have a look.

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

PTL the clouds have burst and the sky is soaking my thirsty garden. 

A wonderful respite from the hot & muggy weather we've been having. Wishing you a refreshing day.

"Some people feel the rain; others just get wet." -Roger Miller

1-2-3 Come Do Some Pattern Block Activities With Me.  

Pattern blocks are one of my students’ favorite math manipulatives.  We count, sort, pattern, and do all sorts of interesting things with them.

With that in mind, I wanted to design some additional activities that would help practice a variety of standards while they “played” with them. What started out as a game & booklet, turned into a jumbo "Fun With Pattern Blocks" packet.

If you don’t have a wooden or plastic set of pattern blocks, no worries, I’ve included patterns so that you can make your own paper ones.

Pick and choose your favorites and use them as math centers, whole group activities, games, worksheets, homework, and an easy assessment tool.

They’re great for early finishers and something to tuck in your sub folder as well.

The packet includes:

* Anchor charts, pocket chart cards & posters.

* Four, pattern block shape BOOKLETS, with 4-on-a-page patterns, which make a “just the right size” mini booklet:

1. Shape UP: featuring “color me” kids holding a shape.
2. Pattern Block Fun: featuring “connect the dots” and “finish drawing the shape” pages.
3. Spying Shapes Inside Shapes: discovering, counting, coloring and naming the various shapes and …
4. Maze Craze: featuring mini mazes in the various shapes, such as “You’re hung up in a hexagon! Can you find your way out?”

* A set of “Block Heads”, which I use for flashcards, decorative anchor charts, & the “Four Corners” game. I've included a variety of silly eyeballs to mix & match.  Their "mouth" names the shape.

You can also use as a whole-group craftivity & have students pick their favorite and make one of their own, writing attributes, and why it’s their favorite on the back.

* A "trace, write & color" flip-a-strip booklet, as well as a full-page booklet, which can be used for a center, anchor charts or a class-made book.

* All sorts of GAMES, many of which can be used as quick, easy and super-fun assessments, such as the “I Spy A Pattern Block!” worksheets.

* There are a variety of dice games as well, like our favorite “Rack Up a Stack!”

* Other games include: “Trapped in a Trapezoid”, “Hiding in a Hexagon”, “Trapezoid Towers”, “Rhombus Race”, “Fill it Up”, “Spin to Win”, “Two Trapped Trapezoids”, “Triangle Trees”, and a “Which trapezoid is bigger? challenge.

* The “Memory Match” game cards can also be used for, Sorting, Patterning, “I Have; Who Has?” 1-to-1 correspondence, “Kaboom!” and “What’s Missing?” activities and games.

Students practice greater & less than, color words, alphabetizing, strategy, graphing, tally marks and addition.

* The number strip PUZZLES (1-10 & 11-20), help with number recognition, counting & sequencing.

* And finally, a cute pattern block name craft, which makes a colorful bulletin board display, and provides a simple way to review shapes, colors, letters, capitalization, alphabetizing and patterns.

There are several pattern options, including one with the shapes inside square blocks.  Choose your favorite, or give children a choice. 

Today's featured FREEBIE is a simple craft I call, Pattern Block Pals.

The gloved-hands & tennis shoes on their feet at the end of colorful accordion-folded legs add the "Awww-dorable!" factor.

Completed projects make a super-cute "Getting In Shape" bulletin board display.

Besides my featured FREEBIE you may also be interested in these other FREE pattern block activities: 

Holly and Heather over at Prekinders have over 20 free pattern block picture mats in full color, as well as black and white. 
ABC Teach also has a big variety of pattern block picture mats: toys, animals, flowers, and some really interesting and challenging patterns.

I was really excited to find a complete set of FREE pattern block mats for upper & lowercase letters as well as numbers over at Confessions of a Homeschooler.  Erica also has a nice set of "complete the pattern" cards.

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

My mom, who is 91, is visiting for the week, so time to do some sightseeing with her. Wishing you a stress-free day.

 "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." -Benjamin Franklin 

1-2-3 Come Do Some "Goldilocks & the 3 Bears" Craftivities With Me

Since "retelling and sequencing a story" are standards I have to teach, I wanted to design a simple and fun little craft that my Young 5s could make, to use as a "hands-on" manipulative, which would "prompt" them as to the sequence of the story, so they could retell it. 

Something that was easy-peasy for me to prep, as well as interesting for my students. Thus "Wheels", "Sliders" and "Flip-the-Flap" storytelling crafts were born. 

Besides black & white patterns for students to color, I've also included full-color templates, so that teachers can quickly and easily make an example to share.  I'm a firm believer in: "A picture [example] is worth a 1,000 words." 

Not only because attention spans are short, but holding something up and sharing it, also grabs kiddos' attention; they can't wait to make one of their own.  

Take a look at each kind of craft, and decide which is best for your students age, skill-level and time you have to make it. 

There are several options within each packet as well. Pick your favorite or give children a choice.  I make all of the options, laminate and put in my literacy center.

First up, "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears"  Flip-the-Flap booklet. 

The bowl of porridge tells the tale, as students color, cut & collate the “bowl-shaped” pages into a little booklet, which is then glued to the bowl that Goldilocks is holding.

The pages flip up to reveal picture prompts that will help students practice the "sequence & retell a story” standard.

I purposely did not number the pages, so you can check comprehension.
This also allows you to choose less pages for preschool students, who can easily sort beginning-middle-& end, then retell the story with a limited number of “picture prompts”.

Simply run the Goldilocks pattern off on construction paper or card stock.
Students trim & add color.

For some 3D pop, have children bend the top of the porridge over, instead of gluing that top section down.

For extra pizzazz & that finishing touch, I also attached a small spoon. These are tiny "tasting" spoons that they sell at party stores.

I bought a set of 24 for less than $2 and my students absolutely loved this "Wow!" factor add on. 

We no longer have "shoe tying" as a standard, but since a spool of ribbon is just a buck at most fabric stores, I let my students try their hand at tying a bow for Goldie's hair, which we attach with a glue dot.

I have a pile pre-made for those who can't accomplish this feat. Just a simple and inexpensive way to embelish the craft and add more fun.

Next, "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears" Storytelling SLIDERS.

I call them "sliders" because students pull a storytelling strip, filled with graphics through a "window".  As they "slide" the "picture prompts", they retell the story. 

There are 4 outside slider options to choose from: (Mama, Papa & Baby bear, plus Goldilocks). 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 “tummy 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. 

After I read the story, we retell the tale together, using the picture prompts on my storytelling slider. I have them guess which story element they think comes next, before I pull the picture through the “window”.  

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 2, “Here’s What Happened…” writing prompt worksheets, as another way to check comprehension, plus practice sequential writing, hopefully using a variety of ordinal numbers and other transitions.
You can do this as a whole group activity with little ones.

Finally, "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears" Storytelling WHEELS.

There are 5 “print & go” options to choose from. One with all three bears featured on the front, as well as a circle with the title on, and 4 “topper” options: Goldilocks, Papa, Mama & Baby bear.

The simple circle with the 3 bears on the front, is the easier option and perfect for little ones.

Since there are 12 picture prompts for telling the fairy tale, I made two, 6-sectioned "pie" wheels, which students glue back-to-back. Children simply flip their wheel over, to continue telling the rest of the story.

The reason I made a 6-sectioned pie, instead of one with 12, is that I find that if graphics are too small, students don't do a good job of coloring.

My kiddos seem to choose one color and then scribble on a bit of color. When clip art is larger, they choose more colors and do a much better job of coloring, resulting in a nicer finished project.

You don't have to put a BACK "cover" on, but I've included one for that "finishing touch".  Like the slider packet, the wheel packet also has a "Here's What Happened..." writing prompt worksheet to check comprehension and practice writing.

Whether you choose a wheel, slider or a flip-the-flap craft, when everyone is done, have children pick a partner and take turns telling the fairy tale to each other.  We sometimes do this sort of thing with our older reading buddies.

Besides using crafts to practice language arts standards, I also incorporate a bit of art in learning letters.  

Today's featured FREEBIE is our "Letter Hh is for House" craft, which I also use to review shapes and practice our address. 

Completed projects make a sweet bulletin board too, as my students glue their picture on. 

Well that's it for today. The weather outside is getting very dark, so a storm is brewing for sure. 

Great for my flower garden, and perfect for snuggling in and getting some more "to do" items checked off my growing list.

Here's hoping the rain will get rid of this yucky mugginess.  Wishing you a relaxing and stress-free day.

"There's a quiet beauty found in nature when the heavens weep." -Unknown

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

My son has taken up beekeeping as a hobby and asked if I would design some educational activities he could share when he gives a talk.

Of course my answer was yes! This jumbo "Honey Bees!" packet is the result of that request.

So … I spent days reading books and articles, countless hours doing research online, plus more time watching videos.

Fascinated, I sifted through a mountain of material, sorting, consolidating and making it “kid friendly”, while designing fun “stuff” to help students learn about honey bees.

This is a comprehensive and very versatile unit.
Simply choose whatever information and activities are appropriate for your students, then “print & go”.

Don’t know anything about bees? Doesn’t matter.
It’s all in here, so you too can enjoy learning right along with your students.

I did a ton of work, so you don’t have to!

The packet includes:

* Honey bee vocabulary (54 words) with definitions & fun word work activities to practice these new science terms, with a “My Bee Words” cover for a student-made dictionary.

* A detailed explanation of each stage of the bee’s life cycle, complete with posters, worksheets, puzzles, games & crafts students can do to help reinforce these concepts.

* In depth information about the 3 types of bees (queen, drones & workers) and all of their duties, which help run a healthy hive, along with worksheets, a craft. 

There's also a quick, easy & fun assessment game to help check comprehension.

Children color, cut & glue the beehives featuring the 3 types of bees to a Popsicle stick.

The teacher reads one of 30 statements from the "Which Bee Am I?" worksheet. Students decide which bee is being described then hold it up. 

Teacher's can see at a glance who is having difficulty.  It's a fun way to review, before giving older students the quiz, where they circle a Q, D or W.

Because I like mixing language arts with science, comprehension can also be checked via a cute "What'll It Bee?" writing prompt, where students explain which type of bee they'd like to be, as well as which one they wouldn't want to "bee". 

There are also quite a few other interesting writing prompt activities which will enhance what students have learned.

* Parts of a bee worksheet-posters.

* 30 real photographs of the different honey bees, their hives, stages of their life cycle, pollination, and beekeepers. Use these (2-on-a-page) photo posters to introduce the lesson, explain things, then as a bulletin board display featuring students’ work.

You can also have older students pick one and write about it, or make a list of descriptive words.

* 52 interesting facts about bees, which are displayed on mini posters (2-on-a-page). Simply choose your favorites.

Share the information with your students, then check comprehension with the quick true or false quiz, which can be given orally to younger kiddos, who show their answers with a Popsicle stick puppet paddle.

* A class book, "If We Were Bees" ,along with several poems, plus a variety of word work activities (including rhyming) are also included. 

* Several "Life Cycle of a Bee" crafts are a super-fun way to reinforce these science terms, as well as check comprehension. 

Choose from a variety of puzzles and a flip-the-flap booklet to do as a whole group activity, then set up the rest as independent centers.

* There’s even a splash of math as well; the puzzles practice counting forwards & backwards plus skip counting.

Take that teachable moment to review ordinal numbers and the hexagon shape with the life cycle crafts, while the “roll & color” life cycle game practices graphing skills, and the honeycomb worksheets reinforce guess-timation, plus greater & less than, with another graphing extension.

The versatile bee craft practices number recognition, and also has options for upper & lowercase letter review.

I use the worksheets  as a whole group "I Spy" assessment game. Aterwards, each colorful bee looks different, and teachers can see at a glance who is having difficulty.

Younger kiddos can simply color the hexaagon shapes, while older students color the life cycle, or use the "rip & tear" pattern to help strengthen finger muscles. 

There are a variety of posters & anchor charts in the packet to use in your displays of student work. 

Besides using honeycomb cereal as a manipulative, I have students sprinkle rice on their (glue-traced) "Ee is for egg" worksheet, to help them understand the size and appearance of a honey bee's egg. 

As you can see there's a huge variety of bee activities in this jumbo packet.

I have 3 featured FREEBIES for you today.  The first one is a set of 5, bee-themed puzzles. They are used in a dice game to help reinforce number recognition and simple addition.  

The next one is a colorful anchor chart poster, which shows the parts of a honey bee. 

I've also included a picture bibliography of my favorite bee books, plus links to 8 awesome videos about bees, which are educational, short & super-interesting. 

I was absolutely fascinated learning about these industrious insects and hope you will be too.  

The 3rd one is a "Bb is for Bee" coloring page. 

Well that's it for today.  It's hot & muggy, so I won't be venturing out much. 

Wishing you a relaxing day, filled with a myriad of quiet moments.

"The hum of bees is the voice of the garden." -Elizabeth Lawrence

9 pages.

Reinforce number recognition & simple addition with these sweet bee-themed number puzzle games.

7 pages

Here's an anchor chart poster featuring the parts of a honey bee.  I've also included a bibliography of my favorite bee books, along with educational links to bee videos.

1 page.

Here's a sweet alphabet "print & go" coloring page for the letter Bb.