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Pumpkin Same or Different Worksheets: Pumpkin Pairs!

September 28, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I love working on visual discrimination practice with young students.

After all, helping preschoolers and kindergartners learn to recognize objects that are the same and objects that are different is the foundation of literacy.

Recognizing differences in objects helps kids recognize differences in letters and numbers – both of which are necessary to learn how to read and count.

During fall, there are a lot of fun ways to practice this skill. These pumpkin same or different worksheets are another resource to try!

Simple Pumpkin Same and Different Worksheets for Kids

These are simple and, depending on how you want to use them, can even be no-prep. Perfect for last-minute lesson planning!

Keep reading to see how to get your copy.

And, be sure to check out our easy Coffee Filter Pumpkin Craft for kids to make too!

These pumpkin same and different worksheets are such a simple way to practice visual discrimination during autumn!

Pumpkin Pairs! Pumpkin Same or Different Worksheets

To use this pumpkin-themed same and different activity, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper or cardstock
Laminator (optional)
Dry erase markers (optional)
Colored pencils (optional)

Fall Themed Visual Discrimination for Early Learners

This resource includes:

Four pages of pumpkin same and different worksheets (Blackline version included)
A full answer key
A teaching script
And photo suggestions for use

Two of the pages focus on finding pumpkins that are the same.

Two of the pages ask students to find the pumpkin that is different in each row.

Printable Pumpkin Themed Visual Discrimination Activity

If you use the blackline version, you can even let the students color in the pumpkins for themselves.

How to Use Same or Different Worksheets with Students

Of course, if you want to use these, you can simply print them and hand them out as an in-class activity.

But there are other ways to use these worksheets as well.

Pumpkin Same and Different Worksheets for Early Learners

You can print them half-sized and add them to busy bags or morning tubs.

Pumpkin Same and Different Worksheets for Math Centers

You can print the worksheets on cardstock and cut the rows apart.

Then punch a hole in the rows and place them on a ring for use at centers.

Printable Fall Themed Visual Discrimination Activity

This also works well if you want to turn the worksheets into a self-checking activity.

Just include the answer key for students to check their work.

Pumpkin Themed Visual Discrimination Practice

Since there are four rows of pumpkins on each worksheet and only four pumpkins in each row, early learners won’t get overwhelmed by the choices.

But there is still enough variety in the patterns to challenge them.

Get a look at this resource in action below!

Scroll down to get your copy of these Pumpkin Same or Different Worksheets!

Try some of these other fall-themed learning ideas for early grades!

Use these printable farm animal flashcards to help early learners recognize barnyard animals!

Use this printable preschool fall activity calendar to plan an entire season of ideas for early learners!

Use these fun and simple farm themed shape mats to help early learners practice forming eight different shapes!

To get your copy of this Pumpkin Pairs! Visual Discrimination Activity, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Pumpkin Visual Discrimination Activity for Kids

>>> Pumpkin Pairs! Same and Different Worksheets <<<

Space Themed Kindergarten Early Skills Unit – Out of This World!

September 23, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Learning basic concepts in preschool and kindergarten is the foundation of a good early elementary education.

By the time students leave kindergarten, we want them to have mastered learning colors, shapes, numbers, and letters.

This space-themed kindergarten early skills unit can help!

Fun Space Kindergarten Center for Early Learners

Educators often introduce these skills during preschool, but it’s in kindergarten when children really get a grasp of each area.

This unit is a great all-in-one when you’re welcoming students to a new school year. You can use it to test for mastery and to support kids who need a bit more practice before moving on to new concepts.

Read on to see how to pick up this early learning center for your class!

And, for more early math practice, take a look at our Apple Counting to Ten Center!

Learn basic concepts about shapes, counting, letter sounds, and colors with this fun space themed kindergarten center!

What’s In the Space Themed Kindergarten Early Skills Unit?

This kindergarten skills unit is packed with activities for learning four different skills:

Printable color matching activity cards (+ a digital version)
Printable shape matching activity cards (+ a digital version)
Printable beginning sound matching activity cards (+ a digital version)
and Printable counting to ten activity cards (+ a digital version)

Each of the materials in the resource is available in both color and blackline. Which can be a huge help if you need to save on ink.

Each of the materials also includes a set of instructions and detailed suggestions for use, including photos and a teaching script.

Digital Space Counting Kindergarten Activity

Each digital activity includes colorful movable slides for use with Google Slides.

Space Themed Digital Counting Activity for Kids

There’s also an answer key file for each activity, which makes grading a snap.

How to Use This Kindergarten Early Skills Unit with Kids

To use this space themed kindergarten early skills unit, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are given below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper or cardstock
Laminator (optional)
Scissors
Clothespins
Dry erase crayons (optional)
Google Chromebooks or iPads (for the digital version)

I like to laminate the activity cards, so they’ll stand up to frequent use. But if you don’t laminate them, you might find it best to print them on cardstock.

Using Space Counting Activity Cards at Centers

Simply cut the activity cards apart and let students work with them to find the matching number, letter sound, shape, and color.

You can use the activity cards as clip cards by adding clothespins.

Or you can laminate the cards and let students use dry erase crayons to color the correct number, letter, shape, or color.

Blackline Space Kindergarten Center Shape Activity

If you use a blackline version, you can even let the kids color in the cards before working with them.

My personal favorite is using them at centers or in busy bags.

I like to put the cards on separate rings (by concept) and then I can hand them out all at once.

Using a Digital Space Counting Activity with Kids

Using the digital version of each activity is simple.

Just use the link in the resource to create a copy of each activity for use in Google Slides.

Students can move the yellow checkmark to mark the correct shape, color, letter sound, or number on each slide.

Digital Space Themed Color Matching Activity

There’s also an answer key for each activity. So you can grade each student’s work without having to navigate away from the assignment.

Digital Beginning Sounds Matching Activity

Get a look at one of the activities in use below!

Scroll down to get this space themed kindergarten early skills unit for your students!

Try some of these other early learning ideas!

This apple counting to ten math center for kindergarten is an excellent way to welcome students back to school with fun counting practice!

Learn the Spanish ABCs with this fun Spanish alphabet literacy center for early learners!

These shark themed counting to ten puzzles are wonderful for use at early math centers!

To get your copy of this Out of This World! Space Themed Early Learning Unit, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

>>> Out of This World! Kindergarten Bundle <<<

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Owl Craft for Kids

September 21, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Making animal crafts during fall is such a fun way to welcome autumn with early learners.

But when you’re working with preschoolers or kindergartners, you don’t usually have much time to get a craft completed.

This toilet paper roll owl craft is just the activity for the job!

When my kids were younger, we went to the zoo often. And one of our favorite animals was the Great Horned Owl.

We don’t have owls in our neighborhood, so that was the first time we got to see one in real life. It was gorgeous.

I wanted to hear it hoot, but owls are nocturnal animals, and they spend most of the day sleeping. Oh well.

If you make a group of these paper roll owls with your class, though, I’m sure they’ll be happy to supply the hoots!

Read on to see how to make this craft and to get the printable owl craft template.

And, for more fun with owls, take a look at our list of engaging owl books for kids to read!

Make a fun and simple fall animal craft with this toilet paper roll owl craft kids can make!

What Do You Need to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Owl Craft?

What I like about this easy owl craft is that you only need a few supplies.

So you won’t have to find any unusual items or keep a lot of materials on hand to make it.

Here’s a list of what you’ll need to make the toilet paper roll owl craft. (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Toilet paper roll (Try having students bring them in from home)
Colored craft paper
Pencil
Ruler
Child-safe scissors
Glue stick
Washable markers
Printable Toilet Paper Roll Owl Craft template

Once you’ve printed the paper roll owl craft template, cut out the individual pieces. (Try printing the template on cardstock to make the tracing pieces more durable.)

Trace the pieces onto craft paper and cut them out before beginning the project.

Depending on the age of your students, you may want to cut the pieces out in advance. Older elementary students can cut them out on their own.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Owl Craft

Start by wrapping the square piece around the toilet paper roll. Make sure the paper wraps all the way around. Use glue to secure it.

Begin adding the owl’s “feathers”.

Glue the individual feather pieces onto the bottom half of the toilet paper roll.

Layer them so that the edges overlap at the sides. After you complete the first row, move down and begin adding the two lower rows.

Glue them underneath the first row and continue overlapping the sides to make your owl’s feathers appear layered.

Glue the wing pieces onto the owl’s body. Be sure to place one on each side.

Use glue to add the owl’s beak right in the center above the feathers.

Now press the top of the toilet paper roll in the center to form the owl’s ears.

Try to fold the front and back of the roll down, but have the kids form the sides into points.

Have students color in the eyes and then glue them at the top of the owl’s face.

Finished!

Use different colors of craft paper to make an owl family! It would make an adorable display for parent night.

If you decide to make this paper owl craft with your students, I’d love to know how they liked it!

Fall Early Learning Activity Calendar

This paper owl craft for kids is a perfect addition to an owl theme for early grades.

And that’s one of the fall preschool themes on our printable Fall Early Learning Activity Calendar!

Easy Fall Themed Activity Calendar for Preschool

This handy printable has 12 different themes for you to use with your students during autumn.

Preschool Fall Themed Calendar for Teachers

Plus, there are web-linked activities you can complete each day of the week with your students!

To get your copy of this free printable fall preschool activity calendar, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter – coming this Sunday!

>>> Fall Preschool Activity Calendar <<<

Try some of these other fun fall crafting ideas for kids!

Make this fun and easy origami pig bookmark craft as a fall art project!

Make this easy paper scarecrow craft with kids during harvest time!

Add some crafting fun to your farm unit with this fun 3D paper barn craft for kids!

Easy Origami Pig Bookmark Craft for Kids

September 7, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Looking for a simple fall-themed paper craft kids can make? This easy origami pig bookmark craft is perfect!

I love corner bookmarks. They’re easy to use and they make adorable little gifts.

The good thing about this one is that kids can make it for themselves – and learn some origami folding skills in the process!

This would be an adorable craft project for either fall or spring. Especially if you’re working on a farm unit with little ones.

Read on to get the full bookmark craft instructions – and a printable template!

And, for more fun farm animal crafting, take a look at these paper bag farm animal puppets!

What Supplies Do You Need to Make an Origami Pig Bookmark?

I’m always partial to crafts that don’t require any special supplies.

And this is another one of those. Yay!

To make this paper pig origami bookmark craft, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are provided. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Once you’ve printed out the pig bookmark craft template, use a pencil to trace the individual pieces onto craft paper.

Cut each piece out with scissors.

If you’re working with young kids, have them use child-safe scissors or do this step for them.

Now you’re ready to move on to making the origami bookmark craft!

How Do You Make an Origami Pig Bookmark Craft?

To get started making this paper corner bookmark, fold a piece of pink origami paper in half diagonally.

Lift up the point of the top half and fold it back to meet the top of the triangle.

You should see the bottom half of the folded paper underneath.

Fold the left side of the folded paper downward to meet the point of the bottom half.

Don’t fold the top half back down.

Bring the right side of the triangle down to meet the point of the bottom half of paper.

At this point, both the left side and the right side should be folded over and down.

The paper should form a diamond shape.

How to Make a Paper Origami Pig Bookmark

When we folded the top half of the paper upward, we formed a little pocket.

Bring both ends you just folded down up and tuck them underneath that top half, folding them into the pocket.

Use scissors to cut a rounded edge on the bottom half of the folded paper.

Now assemble the template pieces you cut out earlier. Glue the inner ear pieces and the nostrils onto the ears and nose pieces.

Use glue to attach the nose and the ears to the bookmark.

Finally, add the eyes and use a black marker to color them in.

Done!

You can also change the eyes by drawing them on. Kids might want to try making closed eyes or winking eyes.

To use the bookmarks, place them on the top or bottom corners of the book you’re reading.

They’ll hold your place for you!

Printable Fall Themed Early Learning Calendar

If you’re planning to add this pig bookmark craft to a fall unit, you might be looking for other early learning fall themes.

This 12-week fall themed activity calendar can help!

It’s got 12 different fall themes, plus a different learning idea for each day of the week.

And – links to the activities too!

To get this printable fall themed activity calendar, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter this Sunday!

>> Fall Themed Activity Calendar <<

Try some of these other easy crafts for kids!

This easy origami fox bookmark craft is such a fun paper craft for kids! Make a few with students and use them as reading rewards!

3 Tips for Prepping Math Centers – Fast!

August 31, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Duck Brand. All opinions are 100% mine.

Math centers. Once they’re organized and ready to go, they’re awesome – especially for primary grades.

Kids can rotate from station to station, completing hands-on learning activities and getting some practice for concepts you’ve gone over in class.

It’s the prepping part that is…a challenge.

If you’re looking for some tips on how to prep a math center faster, here are three suggestions that have been working for me.

Even better, one of my math center prep hacks makes it easy to clean activities in between groups of students. Which is super important, especially these days.

Read on to read my math center prep tips! And, for more fun math activities for early grades, take a look at my list of printable counting puzzles!

Three Tips for How to Prep a Math Center – Fast!

1. Choose the activities you plan to include before you print.

This is a mistake I’ve made all too often. I love the center and the activities in it, so I think “I’ll use all of these!” and I print the entire thing.

Reality: I never end up using everything. Never.

There are a couple of activities that are a big hit and those are the ones the kids want to do again and again. Huge waste of time (and ink!)

Scroll through the center to find the worksheets or activities that will be a good fit for your students.

Write down the page numbers for printing those specific pages. Then start printing what you need.

2. Gather up the manipulatives and tools you’ll need for each activity.

Math center activities for early grades usually include different kinds of tools and movable pieces.

I find it best to get all of these items together before I start preparing the center itself.

When I’m prepping center activities, I tend to use hook and loop sticky dots, scissors, and O rings.

The activities are designed for use with dry erase markers (or crayons), transparent spinners, and clothespins, among other manipulatives.

So I put all of the tools I need to prep the center in one group and the tools students will need to use the center in another.

Then I’m not running back and forth to my desk when I need to switch from assembling one activity to another.

And I already have the items students will use for the center in one place too. That makes it much easier to organize each activity as I go along.

3. Use clear laminate to cover each activity or worksheet page.

But my absolute favorite tip for how to prep a math center is to use clear laminate to cover every activity.

Personally, I’m partial to the Smooth Top® EasyLiner® from Duck Brand.

Clear laminate works just like the laminating sheets in your laminator.

The advantage is that you don’t have to wait for the laminator to heat up (which seems to take forever).

And, you don’t have to wait in line to use the machine (which also seems to take forever).

EasyLiner® also comes with helpful gridlines that make measuring the right amount a snap!

I just roll out several inches of the clear laminate – gridlines facing up.

Then I lay the activity page on top. The edge of the page is my measuring line.

Cut the length of clear laminate you need.

The gridlines side is the removable piece you’ll need to peel off. I find it best to snip a tiny corner off.

Then it’s easier to peel the backing off in one piece, which avoids leaving crease marks on the laminate.

Lay the laminate down, sticky side up. Then place the activity directly on top, face down.

Flip the page over, add a second sheet to cover the back (if needed), smooth it out, and you’re done!

All that’s left now is to cut out any activity pieces and add other items (such as the sticky dots you see above).

Removable Adhesive EasyLiner has another advantage: It wipes clean.

So, if you need to sanitize your math center activities in between groups, you can use cleaning wipes on the pages with no problem.

I love clear laminate for making dry erase activities in my centers.

With it, I can turn any printable worksheet into a reusable center activity.

When the pages are covered with clear laminate, I can let students use dry erase markers or dry erase crayons.

Then just use a napkin (or a napkin plus water for wet erase markers) and we’re good to go for the next group!

Watch me cover a math center activity with clear laminate below!

I hope these tips for how to prep a math center faster have been of help to you.

If you use any in your classroom, let me know which ones worked!

See more of my apple-themed math center activities for early grades below!

Easy Paper Scarecrow Shape Craft for Kids

August 24, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

When you’re working on a fall theme with kids, there are so many ideas for cute fall crafts out there.

But it’s always good to try to include an early learning concept or two. That way, you can spend time crafting and practicing a skill kids need in the early years.

This paper scarecrow shape craft does both!

Use this simple fall shape craft to practice fine motor skills such as tracing, cutting, and gluing.

Plus, you can use it to identify basic plane shapes as you go along!

Read on to get the printable template and to see the full instructions.

And, for more fun with fall shapes, take a look at our Apple Shape Tracing Activity for early learners!

Easy Paper Scarecrow Shape Craft for Kids

To make this easy paper scarecrow shape craft for kids, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Start by printing the scarecrow shape craft template. Then use scissors to cut out all of the shape pieces.

You may want to keep them separated according to the part of the scarecrow to which they belong.

Help your child use a pencil to trace the shape pieces onto colorful craft paper. (Use any colors you like.) Then cut out each piece.

As you can see, each of the pieces (except for the pants) for this scarecrow shape craft are basic plane shapes.

Take this moment to ask the child to identify as many as they can. Ask: “How many circles do you see? How many ovals? How many rectangles?”, and so on.

While you work through the craft, direct your child to the next step by asking: “Can you find the white circle?” “Can you find the blue rectangles?”

This will give you a chance to practice both color and shape recognition while working on the craft together.

How to Make a Scarecrow Shape Craft with Kids

Now it’s time to get started making the shape scarecrow craft!

Put the shirt together first. Glue the two small rectangles onto the back of each side of the large square. Make sure the sleeves are sticking out.

Then glue the rectangle onto the front of the bottom of the triangle to form the scarecrow’s hat.

Turn both the shirt and hat pieces over. Now it’s time to make the scarecrow’s head.

Glue the triangle nose into the center of the face circle. Make sure the point of the nose is down and at an angle.

Glue the cheek circles on each side of the lower half of the face. You’ll want them to be slightly lower than the triangle nose.

The thin yellow rectangles form the scarecrow’s hair. Glue them to the top of the face, dividing them evenly on each side.

Then glue the hat onto the top of the circle so that it rests over the hair.

The shirt piece should still be flipped over.

Use a glue stick to attach the pants onto the bottom edge. Then turn the pants and shirt over.

Glue the small overall circles onto the small rectangles to form the straps of the scarecrow’s overalls.

Glue both of the straps onto the front of the shirt and pants. The scarecrow’s overalls are complete!

All that’s left now is to add the shoes.

Glue the two small ovals onto the bottom of each of the overall pant legs.

Glue the two medium-sized rectangles onto the end of each shirt sleeve to form the scarecrow’s arms.

Finally, use a marker to draw eyes and a smile on the face and you’re done!

If you like, you can add a small patch to the front of the overalls too.

This scarecrow shape craft is an excellent fall fine motor skill builder! Use it to talk about farms, basic shapes, and to practice following directions with little ones.

Did you like making this easy fall shape craft? See more fun fall activities for kids below!

Fall Fun! Preschool Fall Activity Calendar

August 17, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Fall is nearly here! And it’s the time of year when early learners are getting their first experiences with structured school days.

If you’re trying to fill up those days with themed learning ideas, planning out fall preschool themes can be a bit of a challenge.

Enter this printable preschool fall activity calendar! It’s loaded with 12 early learning themes that are ideal for autumn.

Plus, there’s a web linked version with links to easy preschool activities for each day.

Read on to see how to get your copy of this preschool fall theme activity plan – free!

And, for more fall early learning fun, take a look at our list of apple books for preschoolers to read!

Fall Fun! Preschool Fall Activity Calendar

To use this preschool fall activity calendar, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
PDF reader (available online for free)

This set of preschool fall theme calendars includes four copies:

A color web-linked version
A blackline web-linked version
A color non-linked version
And a blackline non-linked version

So there’s a lot of room for you to decide how to use the calendar with your early childhood students.

If you’re homeschooling, you can also use this, since none of the activities require a group of children.

How to Plan Fall Themes for Preschool

So – we have our fall activity calendar for preschool. How do we use it to plan fall early learning themes?

The calendar has 12 pre-filled theme ideas for you to try.

Of course, you can move them around or swap them out for other themes you’d prefer.

Fall Themed Ideas for Preschool Students

Next to each theme are five different activities for that week.

On the calendar, they are listed for use on a different day each week. But if your learning plan is structured differently, feel free to double them up or omit whichever you choose.

Each week, there are hands-on activities, book ideas, and crafts to try with early learners.

The web-linked version includes clickable links to instructions and resources that fit each activity.

Or, if you have activities you prefer, just print the calendar and color each activity as you complete it!

Scroll down to get your copy of this themed fall activity calendar for preschool!

Take a look at some of these other fall learning ideas for early ages!

This fun apple shape tracing activity is perfect for teaching shape recognition to early learners!

To get your copy of this fall preschool activity calendar, click the link or the image below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our email newsletter. Look for it on Sunday night!

>>> Fall Preschool Activity Calendar <<<

Apple Counting to Ten Math Center

August 10, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

It’s back to school time!

In our area, students return in late summer so it’s still hot outside. But in many places, back to school time coincides perfectly with fall.

Which is why apples are still such a perfect back to school theme, especially in early grades.

Get some fun counting to ten practice and welcome kindergarten students to class with this hands-on apple counting to ten math center!

Fun Kindergarten Apple Counting to Ten Math Center

This resource is absolutely loaded with apple counting fun – in both English and Spanish!

Plus, it is versatile enough for use in small groups, at math centers, for independent work, or for take-home assignments.

Read on to see how to get your copy.

And, for more ways to practice counting with early grades, take a look at our collection of counting puzzles for kids!

Apple Count to Ten! Apple Counting to Ten Math Center

To use this kindergarten counting to ten math center, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are given below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Apple Themed Kindergarten Counting to Ten Math Center

Inside this kindergarten counting resource, you’ll find printable counting to ten puzzles and English and Spanish counting to ten learning cards.

There are also counting practice worksheets, a spin and color game, and a counting cut and paste sorting activity.

Fall Counting to Ten Math Center for Kids

There’s a blackline version of each activity included, if you need to save ink.

Apple Counting English and Spanish Practice

And all of the worksheets have answer keys for grading!

How to Use the Apple Counting to Ten Math Center with Kindergarten Students

There are several ways to use this counting math center with your students.

You can begin by introducing counting from zero to ten. Have the entire class count out loud with you.

Apple Counting to Ten Clip Cards in English and Spanish

Afterwards, show them how to count from zero to ten in Spanish and have them repeat each number word with you.

Then it’s time to head to the centers!

Divide the kids into small groups and let each group work on a different hands-on activity.

You can use the apple counting puzzles at one group, the apple count and clip cards with another, the apple number word matching cards at a third, and so on.

Here’s a tip: laminate the English and Spanish number word labels and attach hook and loop sticky dots to the back.

Voila! A reusable center activity!

Apple Themed Counting to Ten Puzzles for Kindergarten

By the way, the apple counting to ten puzzles are available as a standalone product as well.

Easy Apple Counting to Ten Math Center for Kindergarten

I like to cover my spinner games with clear laminate. That way, students can use dry erase crayons to complete them.

Then I can just wipe the game clean and start over with a new group.

Apple Counting Worksheets for Kindergarten

Finally, use the included worksheets for independent practice.

These are great for in-class work or for assignments the students can take home.

Apple Counting to Ten Math Center Activities

Of course, you could also laminate these and use them in small groups over and over again.

See an overview of this comprehensive counting resource in the video below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this Apple Counting to Ten Math Center!

Check out some of these other early math activities for kindergartners!

These apple seek shape sorting worksheets are such a fun way to help early learners practice shape recognition!

Pick up the printable or digital version of these ladybug number word puzzles to teach early counting skills!

To get your copy of this kindergarten apple-themed counting math center, click the image or the link below to get it from my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

>>> Apple Counting to Ten Center <<<

3D Paper Barn Craft for Kids

August 5, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I absolutely adore using farms as a theme for early grades. They’re a great way to weave in some favorite kids’ themes – animals, community, occupations, nature – all in one unit!

Any time we do an early learning unit, we try to include at least one craft.

If you’re using a farm unit with early grades this year, this 3D paper barn craft is a cute kid-friendly project to add!

This is such a great craft project, because kids can complete it on their own and they get some good fine motor skill practice along the way.

You don’t need any special supplies either, which is always a big help.

Get the full project instructions and the printable template below. Plus, read on to get a free fall themed activity calendar for early learners!

And, for more ways to learn about farms, take a look at our list of fun farm books for kids to read!

Easy 3D Paper Barn Craft for Kids Supplies

To make this paper barn craft, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

The great thing about this farm themed craft is that it’s so simple to make.

Kids only need to know how to use scissors, glue, and fold paper to make it!

Since some of the pieces are smaller, you may want to assist in cutting out the small template pieces or making the smaller folds. But children can largely complete this project on their own.

How to Make a Barn Craft with Kids

After you’ve printed the paper barn printable template, you’ll be ready to get started with your paper barn craft!

Begin by using scissors to cut the template pieces out. Then use a pencil to trace the templates onto colored craft paper.

Kids can cut those out and then start assembling the barn.

The template pieces have lines that show where to make creases. Help students follow the guide and make their folds accordingly.

Spread glue on the end of the barn template marked “1”.

Then fold that piece over to join the other end and press it down to glue the sides together.

Use the roof template to make creases along the roof piece.

Spread glue along the underside of the roof and attach it to the walls of the paper barn craft.

Now it’s time to add the window and door!

Glue the white strip pieces around each side of the door.

Go back and add two more strips in an “X” shape to complete the door.

Add four smaller strips around the edge of the window. Use glue to attach all of the strips to the door and window.

Now – add glue to the back of the door and window and attach them to the front of the barn.

Glue the end of the chimney to the back of the barn roof at an angle.

Your 3D paper barn craft is all done!

If you like, you can let kids cut out some green jagged pieces of paper to add shrubs around the barn – as you see in the picture.

Fall Themed Preschool Activity Calendar

Want to share even more fall learning ideas with preschoolers?

Pick up this free fall themed activity calendar!

It features 12 planned fall early childhood themes (one for each week), along with web-linked activities and ideas to share each day, including the paper barn craft.

There’s a non-linked version you can print out and check off as you complete too!

To get your free fall preschool activity calendar, click the image or the link below to have it sent to your inbox!

This Sunday, you’ll also get our email newsletter!

>>> Fall Early Learning Activity Calendar <<<

Don’t miss these other farm themed activities for kids!

These adorable farm animal paper bag puppets are such a fun way to learn about barnyard animals with the kids!

These no prep fall counting worksheets for preschoolers feature a fun farm theme! Use them for classwork or at math centers!

Apple Trace and Write! Apple Shape Tracing Worksheets

August 3, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Are you still looking for easy and fun apple themed early learning ideas? I’ve got you covered!

I could seriously create apple themed resources all year long.

But we’re heading into fall and that means I’ll be moving on to other themes soon, like leaves, acorns, and farms.

Those are fun themes too, though, so yay!

I still had another apple learning activity to share with all of you this year: these printable apple shape tracing worksheets!

Apple Shape Trace and Write Worksheets for Kids

This is a fun early geometry lesson for students who are learning to recognize and build plane shapes!

And it would also make a great addition to an early math center or a morning tub.

Read on to see how to get your set! And, don’t miss our Apple CVC Word Building Activity for early literacy skills too!

These apple shape tracing worksheets are so fun for helping students learn to build plane shapes!

Apple Trace and Write! Apple Shape Tracing Worksheets

To use these printable apple shape tracing worksheets, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)