Homeschool Curriculum Archives

La Escuela! Spanish School Vocabulary Flashcards

September 6, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I’ve been an educator for many years now and summer break is always a treat.

But this is the first year I can recall when I truly do not know where the summer went. I blinked and it was August.

Ready or not, the new school year is upon us. Which made me think of these Spanish school vocabulary flashcards!

These would be a great way to welcome early and ELL learners to the classroom.

Use them at centers, in morning tubs, in small groups, and more!

Matching Spanish school words and pictures

Read on to see how to get your set.

And, for more Spanish vocabulary building, take a look at our ¡Los Verbos! Spanish Verb Learning Cards too!

Practice basic school words in both English and Spanish with these printable Spanish school vocabulary flashcards!

¡La Escuela! Spanish School Vocabulary Flashcards

To use these printable Spanish school vocabulary flashcards, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

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

Using Spanish school word flashcards at centers

This learning card set features flashcards for 12 Spanish and English school related words.

Matching Spanish words for school for early learners

There are also picture labeling cards and word labels in both English and Spanish.

Practicing English and Spanish school words

The cards are designed to be printed dual-sided.

That way, you can have English on one side and Spanish on the other!

A full blackline version and a pronunciation key are included as well!

How to Use the Spanish School Word Learning Cards

There are several ways to use these with students.

Break out the flashcards to teach learners each word. You might decide to start with whichever language your students are most comfortable.

As they build fluency, introduce some of the words in the second language.

Let students color the blackline version of the cards for themselves!

Spanish and English school word flashcards

Put the English and Spanish flashcards on a ring for use at centers.

Printable Spanish school word flashcards for kids

And, be sure to use the labels and labeling cards for a hands-on activity that will build literacy skills.

Scroll down to get your Spanish school vocabulary flashcards!

Try some of these other Spanish literacy activities!

These English and Spanish solar system learning cards are a fun way to learn about space in both languages!

Learn how to talk about parts of the home in two languages with these English and Spanish parts of the house vocabulary cards!

These Spanish Arctic Animal learning cards are perfect for early literacy and science centers and ELL students!

Teaching kids how to talk about school in Spanish

To get your copy of these Spanish school word learning cards, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check them out below!

Uppercase and Lowercase Apple Letter Matching Puzzles

August 2, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

It’s back to school season!

It always amazes me how fast summer goes by. But once school starts, it’s time to break out one of my very favorite early childhood education themes: apples!

So if you’re working with early learners who are practicing letter recognition, here’s a set of fun apple letter matching puzzles that can help!

These are fantastic for early literacy centers.

They’d also make good morning tub activities!

Keep reading to see how to get your copy of these literacy skill builders.

And, for more apple early learning fun, check out my Apple Counting One to Ten Puzzles too!

These apple letter matching puzzles are so fun for helping early learners build literacy skills!

Printable Apple Letter Matching Puzzles

To use these apple letter matching puzzles, 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)
Colored pencils (optional)
Scissors

This set of letter matching activities includes 26 apple puzzles.

Each features an uppercase and lowercase version of the same letter.

After you’ve printed the puzzles, cut them apart for students to practice matching the letters to their partners.

A full blackline version is also included!

How to Use Letter Puzzles to Build Literacy

These are perfect for centers or small groups. You can cut them out as one piece if you are teaching letter recognition.

As students look at each apple, they can learn to recognize the uppercase and lowercase version of each letter.

Apple Letter Matching Puzzles for Kindergarten

Once they’re ready, it’s time to practice!

Cut the puzzles apart and students can match up the letters they just learned.

Apple Themed Letter Puzzles for Kindergarten

To make sure the puzzles last, you may want to either laminate them or print them on white cardstock.

Or both!

Using Letter Matching Puzzles at Centers

If you’re working with very young learners, print an extra set of the puzzles and leave them whole. Then put them on a ring as an answer key.

Students can check their work as they go!

Apple Letter Matching Puzzles Coloring Activity

If you use the blackline version, you can let your class color in the puzzles before matching them up.

How to Teach Uppercase and Lowercase Letters

Scroll down to get your set of these Apple Alphabet! Letter Matching Puzzles!

Need more apple-themed resources? Take a look at these!

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

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

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

Matching Uppercase and Lowercase Letters with Kids

To get your set of these Apple Alphabet Matching Puzzles, pick them up in my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check them out below!

Easy Toilet Paper Racecar Craft for Kids

July 12, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Looking for an easy kid-friendly craft to add to your transportation unit?

This easy toilet paper racecar craft is perfect!

It’s simple, only requires a few supplies, and just plain cute too.

One of the books I grew up with was Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day?. I’m sure many of you remember that one too.

What always caught my eye was all the cars and trucks that moved through the town every day. (I think Sergeant Murphy was directing traffic in one of the scenes.)

Transportation is still a great theme for early learners, which makes this racecar craft a perfect project to make with preschoolers and kindergartners!

Make this simple toilet paper roll racecar craft with little ones for a quick transportation craft!

Read on to get the full instructions and printable template to make it with your students.

And, for more about transportation, check out our printable Racecar Scissor Skills Printables too!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Racecar Craft

When you’re ready to make this craft, let your students choose what color they’d like. Any craft or construction paper works for this project.

Simple Paper Roll Car Craft for Kindergarten

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

Colored craft paper
Cardstock
Empty toilet paper roll
Pencil
Scissors
Ruler
Craft glue
Washable markers
Printer (with ink)
A copy of the Toilet Paper Roll Racecar Craft Template

After you’ve downloaded the Toilet Paper Roll Racecar Craft Template, print it out on cardstock paper. Use scissors to cut out the template pieces. (You may need to print two to have enough stripes to decorate your car.)

Trace each of the template pieces onto the colored paper. Cut them out and you’re ready to get started.

If you’re working with multiple students, you may want to do this step in advance. Then the kids can get started right away.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Race Car

First, wrap the colored craft paper around the empty toilet paper roll. Use scissors to cut off the excess paper.

Secure the ends with glue.

Trace the rectangle from the template onto the toilet paper roll.

How to Make a Racecar Out of a Toilet Paper Roll

Cut the rectangle shape out on three sides, leaving the edge closest to the front in place. (This step is best done by an adult.)

Reach into the toilet paper to push the cut sides up. This forms the “windshield” of the car.

Cover the windshield with a piece of light blue craft paper. Glue it in place.

Trace the stripes onto craft paper and glue them onto the sides of the car.

Make the rear wing by tracing the wing template and shorter stripes onto craft paper. Glue the stripes onto the wing and attach to the back of the car.

Trace (or draw) the number template and glue it to the side.

Glue the wheels on and you’re done!

You might choose to have your class make an entire fleet of cars!

See how many different colors your students can use!

Try some of these other simple transportation crafts for kids to make!

Get ready for back to school with this super cute paper school bus craft for kids! So easy to make, even for little ones!

Get some early math practice with little ones and make this simple shape train craft!

This fun paper pirate ship craft is a perfect activity for a pirate unit!

Sunflower Playdough Making Ten Math Center

May 24, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Summer is here! And that means sunshine, sunscreen, and sunflowers!

When you’re thinking about back to school, a common theme is apples, which I love to use as well.

But many of us go back to school long before apple season. (Our district goes back during the last week of July.)

So if you’re looking for a simple early math center to get kids engaged during those early weeks, this sunflower making ten playdough math center is a great fit for first grade!

Any time I can make a resource hands-on, I jump at the chance.

And because you can use this with several kinds of manipulatives, it’s versatile. Which is great if you’re still trying to get your classroom supplies sorted at the start of the year.

Read on to see how to get your copy of this resource – free!

And, for more fun in the sun, take a look at our simple Coffee Filter Crab Craft!

Use playdough to add up to ten with this sunflower themed playdough math center!

Sunflower Making Ten Playdough Math Center

To use this early math center, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are used below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Making Ten Playdough Math Center for Early Elementary

This resource includes ten sunflower addition circle cards – each displays a pair of numbers that equal a sum of 10.

There are also ten yellow ten frames inside.

You can print the resource with regular printer paper if you’re only planning to use it once.

But if you intend to reuse it (like most of us teachers do), laminate the cards and ten frames before you cut them out.

How to Use The Making Ten Playdough Math Center

When you’re ready to begin this activity, ask your class about how we add numbers to make ten. If they’ve never done it before, have them hold up all ten fingers.

Walk them through adding a couple of different numbers to make ten.

For example, you could say: “Hold up all ten fingers. We’re going to count out three together. As we count each one, put that finger down. 1-2-3.”

They should have seven fingers still extended. Use this to show that 3+7 = 10. Repeat with a few other combinations.

Now you can demonstrate the activity.

At the center, put down an addition circle card and a ten frame. Use two different colors of playdough.

Make enough playdough balls to represent the first numeral. Then use the second color to make playdough balls that represent the second numeral.

Making Ten Math Center for Early Elementary

Show students how to count each group and then add them all up to make ten.

If you don’t have playdough, you can use just about any math manipulative you can think of.

Coins, buttons, stickers, math counters – even LEGO blocks or drawing circles with dry erase markers would work well.

Scroll down to get your copy of this Sunflower Making Ten Math Center!

Take a look at these other early math activities for centers!

Help early learners recognize plane shapes with this fun ice cream kindergarten shape sorting activity!

This printable cupcake themed Spanish number word matching activity is a perfect fit for math centers!

Sunflower Playdough Making Ten Math Center

To get your copy of this sunflower adding to make ten center, 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!

>>> Sunflower Make Ten Playdough Center <<<

Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

April 12, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Have you been studying butterfly life cycles with your students?

I always love this topic, because it’s so cool for kids to see how animals grow to become adults – just like they’re doing.

If you’re looking for a hands-on way to reinforce this concept, this paper plate butterfly life cycle craft is perfect!

Easy Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

With this easy science craft for kids, you can practice fine motor skills, get some artistic practice, and learn a science lesson. Win!

Read on to get the full project instructions and to pick up the printable template you’ll need to make this craft.

Need more ways to teach this to your class? Don’t miss our printable Butterfly Life Cycle Sequencing Activity!

Learn about how butterflies grow with this fun and easy butterfly life cycle craft for kids!

Easy Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

To make this easy butterfly life cycle craft, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are used below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Child-safe scissors
Construction paper
Washable markers
Pencil
Craft glue
Paper plate
Printable Butterfly Life Cycle Craft Template

To get started, print out the Butterfly Craft Template, which includes the pieces you’ll need to make this project.

Use scissors to cut out the pieces. Then lay them on construction paper and use a pencil to trace each outline.

Cut out those pieces and you’re ready to get to work!

If you’re doing this with several children, you can prepare the body pieces beforehand. Then students can simply assemble the craft on their own.

How to Make the Paper Plate Life Cycle Craft

This butterfly life cycle craft project features four stages: egg, chrysalis, caterpillar, butterfly.

Start by assembling the egg stage.

Glue the leaves onto the branch piece. Then glue the three “eggs” on top.

Now, move on to the chrysalis. Glue the chrysalis pod onto the lower branch, then attach the rounded corner on the left side.

If you like, you can use a marker to add ribbed lines along the right side.

Now it’s time to assemble the caterpillar!

Start by gluing the antennae and legs onto the body pieces.

Then use glue to attach the body pieces together and form the caterpillar.

Add a happy face with a marker.

We can finally make the butterfly!

Glue the wing sections onto the wing template. Then glue the body section in the center of the wing template.

Add a happy face to the butterfly.

Once you’ve assembled all four life cycle stages, it’s time to place them in the right order.

Assembling the Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

Start by cutting out a piece of construction paper to fit inside the paper plate.

This is a good point to talk with students and ask:

Which stage is the first in the butterfly life cycle?
After that, which stage comes next?

Simple Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

Proceed through the entire cycle and, once students have identified the correct order, have them glue the stages onto the plate.

And we’re done!

Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

It’s a craft, a science project, and a fine motor skill strengthener – all in one!

Get the printable project instructions below.

Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

Learn about how butterflies grow from egg to adult with this fun paper plate butterfly life cycle craft!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Active Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

Printer paper
Construction paper
Washable markers
Pencil
Craft glue
Paper plate

Tools

Printer (with ink)
Child-safe scissors

Instructions

Start by printing out the Printable Butterfly Life Cycle Craft Template.
Cut out the template pieces.
Trace the pieces onto construction paper.
Cut out the construction paper pieces.
Assemble the egg stage: Glue the leaves onto the first branch piece. Add the eggs on the leaf.
Assemble the chrysalis stage: Glue the chrysalis pod onto the second branch piece. Add the rounded section to the left side.
Assemble the caterpillar stage: Glue the antennae and legs onto the body circles. Glue the body circles together to form the caterpillar. Use a marker to draw a happy face.
Assemble the butterfly stage: Glue the wing sections onto the wing template. Glue the body section in the center of the wing template. Use a marker to draw a happy face.
Cut out a piece of construction paper to fit the center of the paper plate. Glue it down.
Add the life cycle stages to the paper plate in the following order: butterfly at the top, then egg stage on the right side, caterpillar on the bottom, and chrysalis on the left side.

Recommended Products

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Try some of these other spring craft projects for kids!

Gather up a few basic craft supplies and make this easy coffee filter frog craft for kids!

Make a fun spring animal craft with this easy toilet paper roll ladybug craft with wings that move!

This simple paper bee craft is a fun way to make an easy spring or summer craft with kids!

Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

March 29, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Are the flowers blooming where you are?

We always have an early blooming period before winter actually ends and then another frost before spring begins.

Now, though, we’re seeing flowers begin to bloom for the season.

So I wanted to share a printable science resource that’s perfect for spring – this flower life cycle sequencing activity!

Fun Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

This is a great way to teach early learners how flowers grow from seed to plant!

And because it’s interactive, it makes a fantastic science center activity.

Read on to see how to get your copy.

And, for more fun with flowers, try our simple Coffee Filter Flower Craft for kids!

Learn how flowers grow from seed to plant with this hands-on flower life cycle sequencing activity!

Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

To use this flower life cycle sequencing activity with students, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Easy Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Early Grades

This resource includes a flower life cycle mat, along with life stage circles.

There is a completed version inside that you can use to teach this sequence to your students.

Afterwards, they can practice completing the cycle in the correct order for themselves.

Labeling Stages of the Flower Life Cycle

Students who are already writing can use the labeling version to write the name of each step in the cycle.

A full blackline version is included too!

How to Teach Early Learners about the Flower Life Cycle

This resource features a teaching script to help you introduce this topic to your class.

After you’ve opened with an initial discussion, you can use this activity in a few ways.

Use the labeled circles for students who are already reading words on their own.

Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity Labels

The unlabeled circles are best for young or pre-reading students. They’d be good for ELL learners also!

If you’re using the labeling version of this flower life cycle sequencing activity, you can laminate the pages and let students write the names with dry erase markers.

Then you can just wipe them down and reuse them with the next group.

Using the Flower Life Cycle Activity at Centers

This is also a fantastic activity for science centers! Print the completed life cycle and then let students recreate the correct sequence on their own mat.

See this resource in action in the video below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity!

Don’t miss these other spring teaching ideas for early grades!

Use this printable preschool spring activity calendar to plan 12 weeks of spring-themed activities for early learners!

This mini frog life cycle coloring book is so cute for spring animal science lessons!

Share this list of 50 spring books for kids with early readers!

To get your copy of this flower life cycle activity for early grades, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or pick it up below!

20 Fun Ladybug Books for Kids to Read

March 15, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

When it comes to insects, I’m a bit of a fraidy cat.

I don’t mind teaching my students about them and I realize the valuable role they play in our ecosystems.

I just don’t want them anywhere near me.

Except for butterflies and ladybugs. In fact, I can actually pick a ladybug up without being scared.

So I quite enjoyed putting together this list of fun ladybug books for kids!

If you are planning a spring or insect unit with your class anytime soon, these children’s books about ladybugs will be a perfect fit!

Read on to see the full list.

And, for more ways to learn about insects, don’t miss our printable Butterfly Life Cycle Activity!

20 Fun Ladybug Books for Kids to Read

This list of kids’ books features both fiction and nonfiction selections for early ages.

There are stories about ladybugs and books that teach students about how ladybugs live and grow.

All of the books feature beautiful pictures that will make them engaging for young readers.

How to Use These Books with Early Learners

When you’re ready to read a few of these with your class, start by finding out how much your students already know about ladybugs.

Ask:

Has anyone seen a ladybug?
What do ladybugs look like?
What do you think ladybugs eat?
Can ladybugs fly?

Fun Books about Ladybugs for Kids to Read

After you discuss ladybugs together, pick out a few answers your students have given and call back to them as you read.

If your students are unfamiliar with ladybugs, you may want to read a non-fiction book that gives basic ladybug facts. Once they have learned a bit about them, try a storybook or two featuring a ladybug character.

See the full list of books about ladybugs below!

20 Fun Ladybug Books for Kids to Read

Get to know ladybugs, along with your early learners, with this list of 20 fun ladybug books for kids to read!

There are both fiction and non-fiction selections included, but all of the books feature gorgeous pictures that are engaging for young readers!

It's a Good Thing There Are Ladybugs by Joanne Mattern

Photo Credit: Amazon

The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

Photo Credit: Amazon

The Life Cycle of a Ladybug by Colleen Sexton

Photo Credit: Amazon

Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth

Photo Credit: Amazon

Lily The Ladybug by Brickmade Books

Photo Credit: Amazon

Ladybugs by Gail Gibbons

Photo Credit: Amazon

Ladybugs: Animals That Make a Difference! by Ashley Lee

Photo Credit: Amazon

Will Ladybug Hug? by Hilary Leung

Photo Credit: Amazon

You're My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards

Photo Credit: Amazon

Lu, the Little Ladybug That Was Afraid to Fly by Yuliya Barannikova

Photo Credit: Amazon

A Ladybug's Life by John Himmelman

Photo Credit: Amazon

Lots of Ladybugs!: Counting by Fives by Michael Dahl

Photo Credit: Amazon

Colors with Ladybug by DK Books

Photo Credit: Amazon

The Brave Ladybug by Adenir Almeida

Photo Credit: Amazon

Are You A Ladybug? by Judy Allen

Photo Credit: Amazon

The Ladybug Who Lost Her Spots by Marybeth Stevens

Photo Credit: Amazon

Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug! by Mem Fox

Photo Credit: Amazon

Little Ladybug: Finger Puppet Book by Chronicle Books

Photo Credit: Amazon

The Very Lazy Ladybug by Isobel Finn

Photo Credit: Amazon

Counting with a Ladybug by DK Books

Photo Credit: Amazon

Try some of these other insect learning ideas and activities!

This butterfly life cycle activity is such a fun way to help kids learn how butterflies grow! Great for science during spring and summer!

These bug identification printables are so fun for teaching kids about common insect species in the neighborhood!

Easy Coffee Filter Frog Craft for Kids

March 8, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Springtime is here and before long we’ll be seeing lots of frogs hopping around!

Frogs are a fun early learning theme for preschool and kindergarten. So if you’re looking for a simple frog art project, this coffee filter frog craft is a perfect fit!

You’ll only need a few crafting supplies to make this.

And there’s a free printable template you can grab too!

Read on to get the full project details.

Want to learn more about frogs? Take a look at our simple frog unit for more ways to teach early learners about these amphibians!

Easy Coffee Filter Frog Craft for Kids

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

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Child-safe scissors
Crayons or colored pencils
White basket coffee filter
Construction paper
Glue stick
Washable markers
Printable Coffee Filter Frog Craft Template (available in blackline and color)

After you print the craft template, choose either the blackline or color version to use.

Coffee Filter Frog Craft Printable Template

If you want your students to color the frog pieces for themselves, use the blackline version and hand out crayons or colored pencils.

If you’re short on time or working with very young children, the color version saves you a step.

How to Make a Simple Frog Craft for Kids

Once you’ve cut out your template pieces, it’s time to get started!

Color the white basket coffee filter green.

Lay the filter in the center of the piece of construction paper, but don’t glue it down yet.

Place the frog feet on either side underneath the bottom edge of the coffee filter. Glue them down.

Then place the frog legs on either side underneath the side of the coffee filter. Glue them down.

You want them to appear behind the frog’s body (the coffee filter).

Once you have the feet and legs glued in place, lay the coffee filter on top of both and glue it down.

Glue the eyes onto the top edge of the filter.

Now – just use a marker to add a big smile and you’re done!

Making a Simple Coffee Filter Frog Craft

You can also add a few cattails or lily pads, if you like.

Watch me make this coffee filter frog craft in the video below!

Get a printable copy of the coffee filter frog craft instructions below!