Learn about France with this France preschool unit! Activities, crafts, food, songs, etc to give your child a taste of France.
Simple Maze Printables To Stimulate Little Minds Welcome to the wonderful world of simple maze printables and activities. Get your little one started early! Mazes are great for developing those little minds. It keeps kids mentally stimulated while they are having fun. Below are some simple maze printables. They are mildly challenging for little ones. Each maze is unique, with fun illustrations to keep your little one engaged. To print, click on the link below any maze you like. All our printables are for personal use. Print as many as you like. Feel free to come back often to get
These preschool human body printables will teach your kids about the human body. Learn the body organ's functions and locations with these!
Learn about France with this France preschool unit! Activities, crafts, food, songs, etc to give your child a taste of France.
Here are 10 super fun movement songs for kids to get them up and moving! These are great brain breaks as well.
FREE printable activity for toddlers and preschoolers to identify body parts and place pieces where they go. Great anatomy activity that also helps to build vocabulary.
Huge number of resources for free printables for Montessori homeschools and preschools along with ideas for using printables to create Montessori activities
Construction themed activities and centers inspiration is HERE! Get out your planner, and let’s plan a ton of fun and engaging construction-themed activities your little learners (Preschool, Pre-k, and kindergarten)...
Enon United Methodist Preschool recently held a fun and educational activity that combined math and creativity. The children built a math city out of Legos, using a city plan drawn on a mat that in
Communities function well because of dedicated people that take their jobs seriously. Community helpers are vital in keeping our neighborhood a good place to live. These people’s jobs contribute to everyone’s safety, health, and well-being. Allow children to explore the importance of the roles of these community helpers through these ten awesome preschool crafts. Conclusion ... Read more
This year for preschool we are part of a co-op preschool group. I put together name recognition activities for all the kids in the preschool. Here are the activities. Name sticks To make this activity. I got paint stick stirrers and used Mod Podge to glue the letters of the child's name on to the stick. Then used mounting tape to stick the letters onto the clothespins. Your child matches up the letters to spell their name. Name Block Matching This can be made in any word document or you could make make it easily be hand. Name Puzzles Here are free puzzles patterns for 4, 5, 6, and 7 letters names. You can either hand write your child's name or open in a word document to add your child's name Just right click on the each image, save and print. I recommend printing on cardstock paper so it is more durable 4 letter name 5 letter name 6 letter name 7 letter name Name Tracing You can download free front from this website to make these tracing cards in a word document. The font is called ABC Print Dotted. This is laminated and so it can be used over and over again. Name Path For this activity, you can use any word document and create a table. Then can choose what letters you want to use and what path to create to spell your child's name. This is also laminated so it is reusable. Progressive Name Tracing This idea is also part of the Preschool learning binder I put together. I download free front from this website to make this in a word documents. The names of the fonts are ABC Print Arrow, ABC Print Arrow Dotted, and ABC Print Dotted. All of these activities are stored in a laminated 9 x 12 folder. I used an X-acto knife to cut a slip in the top. I like this folder idea because it keeps things together and can be passed around easily to each home when it it our turn to teach preschool.
How to Quiet a Noisy Classroom, are you looking for some new techniques to to bring calm and order back to your loud classroom? I have a few ideas that might help calm that too loud classroom and help to bring some peace and quiet to your noisy classroom.
Need some guidance for teaching preschool Spanish? You’re in the right place! Young children are the perfect age to soak up a new language. I'm currently raising my own three kids bilingually, and have taught classes to this age group as well. It's never too late to start, and 3-5 year olds are really fun to teach! In this post I've compiled my favorited strategies for you. To get started in learning Spanish together, you Can Do three things: 1. Outline some beginning topics. You can create your own list, with common preschool topics (think numbers, colors, greetings, etc.)Take a
My daughter has one of the best kindergarten teachers imaginable. She is caring, patient, and so imaginative. Her activities seem to seamlessly flow together, integrating all content areas. In short, she is amazing! One of the activities, that I really loved, was her newest addition to the blocks center. My daughter came home and told me that their "Blocks Center is really rocking the house!" That is high praise coming from my baby. A few days later, I got to go in and see this "rocking" center for myself. It really is amazing. It's so amazing that I decided to put my own spin on it and share it with you! The center has pieces of felt (or foam) for different symbols on a map. All the pieces are hand cut and are just a quick shape in different colors. The center that I made includes: rivers, lakes, roads, houses, bushes, and trees. You can get a free copy of the map key here. Print out the key and cut out felt, then you have all you need to make "Interactive Maps"! Cut out some pictures from a magazine and label them for specific places in the community. Simple and fun! The part I love the most about this activity is that it can include math, writing, science, social studies, and so much more! I wanted to include specific places in my version, so I went through my clip art and whipped up a few. I love how every map will be different and each child's personality can shine through. When I started making our version at home, there were only straight roads. This created a lot of protesting from my kids. Thus, a variety of roads were created. They were right, it does make the maps more interesting and realistic. As we played with the concept, I added task cards. This will allow kids to create maps with a model. It is really great for kids that have a difficult time starting an activity without direction. Sometimes, open ended play seems to overwhelm these children. Adding task cards with directions, allows these children to work from a task. AND task cards give kids practice reading numerals and using one-to-one correspondence. I also made blank task cards, so that partners could create tasks for each other. It's more fun to do a friend's activity, than one provided by the teacher. Why not capitalize on their enthusiasm for "being the teacher"? Adding onto the idea of "being the teacher", I love adding in partner games. Each child can have a turn I love adding a recording sheet to the activity, because it holds each child accountable for their learning and provides a physical record that is sent home to their parents. One thing I so appreciate about my daughter's teacher is that every center has some written or physical component that comes home. I am able to infer from the directions, or completed project, what my daughter is doing that day. I am able to ask her more specific questions about her day, after looking over the work that comes home. It allows me to get more meaningful information about my daughter's learning that day. I love having different recording sheets for the same activity. It can change the whole focus of the activity and it makes it very easy to differentiate. I hope you found some easy ideas to use with your kids. I love that you can just add felt and open up a whole new world... Get your kids excited about maps and the parts of their community with these hands on activities. Make your own, or find mine here. Head over to my blog, Differentiation Station Creations, to find some more activities to add your Blocks Center! Until next time,
Kids will have fun while learning where do I Live with this printable activity perfect for preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten students.
Learn about France with this France preschool unit! Activities, crafts, food, songs, etc to give your child a taste of France.
I have a confession, number lines are not my favorite tools for adding and subtracting with my young learners. I always teach how to use them, but I don't spend very much time on them. My main issue is that, students will not always have access to a number line. I don't want them dependent on a tool that they may or may not be able to get their hands on. However, after doing a bit of research about some of the additional benefits of number line learning, I started to rethink my feelings about them. Besides solving basic addition and subtraction equations, familiarity with number lines helps students as they work with all sorts of other math tools. Graphs, thermometers, clocks, and rulers all include number lines. Not only can our work counting forward and backward on a number line help us to add and subtract, it can also lay the group work for upcoming mathematical concepts. Since I had a change of heart about the importance of number lines, I decided to devote more time to them this year. Here are a couple of quick activities I used with my students that they really enjoyed. First up is our Life-Size Number Line. I used this big number line for a whole group activity, but you can easily adapt it for a small group or center activity. I created it by printing the numbers 1-20 and laminating them. I made my line with some masking tape and then placed the numbers on top. The line wasn't straight and the numbers were't perfectly spaced, but that didn't matter at all. I made several slides for our interactive white board with basic addition and subtraction equations. (A regular white board will work just as well.) Students came to the number line individually. They read the equation to the class and then they solved it on the number line. They loved it so much that I used it with them the next day to solve word problems. (one prep and two activities #forthewin) Not only did the kids love it, I really liked using the Life-Size Number Line because it was an easy way to make sure students understood how to correctly move the number line. If you would like to use this activity with your students, click on the picture below for a free copy of the Life-Size Number Line . Another number line activity I incorporated was a quick and easy number line game. (I'm always looking for ways to use my Target Dollar Spot erasers and this activity was perfect.) All you need are some kind of game pieces, a number line, and a spinner (if you don't have a spinner, just use a paper clip and a pencil). This game works well with two to three players. To play, students take turns spinning. If a student lands on plus five, he moves his game piece forward five spaces. If he spins minus two, he moves his piece back two spaces. The game continues until the first player reaches the end of the number line. This activity was wonderful practice for students counting on and counting back. Since we've covered addition and are nearing the end of our subtraction unit, the Number Line Spinner game gave students a chance to begin mixing their facts. I plan on adding this game to our Early Finishers menu since the rules are so simple and there are so few pieces. If you'd like a FREE copy of this my Number Line Spinner game, click on the picture below. There you have it, two simple ways to add a little more variety to your number line routine. Thank you so much for stopping by. Happy teaching!
All of these organizational printables shown on this blog post are FREE! This page contains affiliate links. Read Full Disclosure
Challenge your young learners to use these colorful cups, tubes, and balls to build their creations on the light table. It's art; it's engineering; it's fun!
Last summer I added Mo Willems' The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! to my classroom library. Of course, this addition was a no-brainer. Willems' books are always super popular, especially Pigeon books. Just as predicted, my students loved this book. It is the perfect length for the beginning of the year, when attention spans are extra short and students need a little break from all the procedural training they are receiving. Since I knew this book would be a hit, I decided to make it the centerpiece of back to school. I created some basic "Pigeon themed" math and literacy activities, as well as a simple craft. I used these activities intermittently during the first week and was able to glean some great info about my new students' basic math and literacy skills, as well as their fine motor skills and listening skills. One of the Pigeon themed activities was a number/number word/counting mini book. Students traced and wrote the numbers 1-10, as well as the number words 1-10. Then students illustrated a picture to go with each number. We broke this activity up over a couple of days. Students took part in a listening activity. Students had to complete a picture according to a series of questions/statements that I read aloud. (If you've every made a glyph with your students, this activity feels really similar.) Students also put together their first puzzler for the year. This puzzler focused on number representations. Students cut and glued the puzzler pieces to tell what number is represented in the box. By the end, students have a completed picture that they can color. I use various puzzlers throughout the year. This the Pigeon puzzler is a great introduction to how to complete a puzzler. Students loved making their simple, one-page craft Pigeons. All that was required was the Pigeon pattern (I used white card stock), scissors, and glue. The class Pigeons made a really quick and cute back to school bulletin board. In addition to these activities, students worked on counting/cardinality, geometry, place value, number bonds, handwriting, the alphabet, rhyming words, sight words, and more. The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! is a perfect springboard for a variety of skills. For a math freebie (from the printables featured above), click on the picture below. This freebie provides practice with ten frames, counting, and number identification. If you have not added, The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! to your classroom library, I highly recommend it. There are so many directions you can go with this book. More importantly, your students will love it and be totally engaged. What a great way to start the year, by reading a book that students truly enjoy. :) For more details about the all of the Pigeon inspired activities I used with my students, be sure to click on the picture below. Of course (like most), I'm not certain what this year's back to school days will look like. Whatever the setup, I know I'll be using The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! to help me kick off the year. Thanks for stopping by. School Is a Happy Place is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associated Program, an affiliate program that allows this site to earn advertising fees. Please know that all of the recommendations on this site are authentic and come from personal experience.
Today is the last day to enter my Weekend Wishlist Giveaway for the fabulous Maggie Tote! The winner will be announced tomorrow morning! Let's link up to share what happened in our classrooms this week. Me first! :) In math, we are working on our place value unit. Students practiced writing expanded form by playing "Bull's Eye" using a target and paperclips. They wrote their scores in expanded form (ex. 100+30+2=132). Students are also learning to write numbers in word form. To make sure they are mastering the spelling of these words, we made flashcards and "Mastery Pockets." We'll save these to use for MANY activities this year! Here's how to make a "Mastery Pocket": Step 1: Take a 2-pocket folder. Cut a semi-circle shape ABOVE the inside pockets. Step 2: Cut down the fold along the white semi-circles (in pic above) so it creates two flaps. Fold flaps down. Step 3: Use velcro dots to secure flaps down so that they create pockets that can open and close. I got these Velcro mini-dots that worked PERFECTLY at Wal-Mart in the craft section. Step 4: Print labels that say "Practice" and "Mastered" to go on each pocket. You can download mine here! Voila! Now you have a cheap, easy solution to storing flashcards that students are using to master skills. And, students LOVE being able to move cards from the "practice" pocket to the "mastered" pocket! They also love to decorate them and make them their own. ;) In science, we're still learning about animals. This week we finished up learning about all of the animal classification groups. Students created flipbooks to help them remember the characteristics of the different animal groups. I love using different textures to represent the animals' body coverings! Mammals - fur fabric from a craft store to represent hair/fur Reptiles - onion sack to represent scales Amphibians - wax paper to represent smooth, moist skin Birds - craft feather to represent feathers Fish - onion sack to represent scales Insects - a piece from a hard plastic 3-ringed folder to represent an exoskeleton Inside they wrote examples of animals that would belong in each group and characteristics of that group. (Animal Groups Flipbook from Teacher's Clubhouse) I ended my week by taking one of my SWEET students to Frankie's Fun Park for putt-putt, bowling, and games! She won a date with me from the silent auction at our school's carnival. It was a fun time and a perfect ending to the week! She won over 2,000 tickets and insisted on buying me something with them - a Gamecock Hello Kitty! I'm pretty sure it's going to bring my Cocks good luck tomorrow...maybe I'll take it to the game -ha! Gotta love those sweet students! ;) What happened in your classroom this week?
A Unifix Cube Template Printable is a versatile tool for educators and parents aiming to teach young learners about math concepts like counting, patterns, addition, and subtraction..
A place value Cheerio tower? Genius!
Check out these simple classroom transition ideas that will help you ensure that your transitions are effective and fun!
Color this Australia coloring page! Australia is more than just a continent, it's also a country and home to a unique culture and a range of wildlife.
Looking for clever, fun, & unique ideas for what to do with boxes? You've got to see these box activities and easy cardboard crafts!
Kids will love learning fun facts about Uganda with these Uganda preschool activities. Make crafts, go on safari, and eat Ugandan food!
Looking for a printable coloring map of the seven continents? Then you are in the right place. We have custom designed just such a map ... Read more
These bear crafts for kindergarten and preschool will go great with all of your bear themed units and activities. Check out all 19 ideas!
This was a fun lesson I did at the end of the school year after discussing abstraction and the work of Jackson Pollock with my grade 4...
Printable Noah's Ark Activity Book and lessons for kids ages 3-5 (Kindergarten - 1st grade). Bible resources for Homeschoolers, Sunday and Sabbath lessons.
Well, in my 14 years at Zamo we never had rain to contend with during our Celebration of Art festivities... until last night, that is. I must say, that although unusual for San Diego in July, the rain did not dampen the spirit of the event at all:) Attendance was robust and their were tons of smiles to brighten any gloom that drops from the sky may have brought. Again, our incredible classroom teachers and staff were amazing while leading 10 different activities for our community to participate in. Our PTF rocked ticket and food sales. Our administration hung tough in the wet silent auction area. We were visited by our School Board President, the San Diego County VAPA Coordinator, and this morning our SDUSD Superintendent stopped by too. I am so proud of what our kids accomplish every year. It's so great to be able to share the creative work of our students with our school community and VAPA decision makers at the district level and beyond. Thanks to everyone who lent a hand in making the event another great evening of art making and art appreciation! We couldn't do it without you. our school musicians kicking off the evening. rain! Superintendent Marten with Principal Murchison and Mrs. Liggins:) one proud dude! observing and reflecting by writing fan letters to student artists:) from left to right- Principal Derek Murchison, artist in residence Danielle Guimond, VP Robert Vera, School Board President Marne Foster, art teacher Melony Vance, SD County VAPA coordinator Russ Sperling, artist in residence Kathi Arinduque (and her grandson:), and me A peek at some of the hands on activities that kids could participate in. All of the projects below were done by classroom teachers with their classes. Each student is represented on campus in these class displays. kindergarten owls! 2nd grade scratch art! 2nd grade hot air balloons! 4th grade rotational symmetry! 5th grade self portraits! 3rd grade oil pastels! Here's a little video I put together after the event. I think the music suits the spirit of the night pretty well:)
Flowers, insects, and sunshine! Just in time for the month of May, and these Transitional Kindergarten May Worksheets! These printables have been a life saver for me! In the midst of distance learning, I have been sending these electronically to my parents to help my TK students continue their learning at home. You can also...
