Homeschooling Printables Archives - Look! We're Learning!

Uppercase and Lowercase Apple Letter Matching Puzzles

Selena Robinson — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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.

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

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

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

Or both!

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!

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

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

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

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

The post Uppercase and Lowercase Apple Letter Matching Puzzles appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Printable Plant Growing Journal for Kids

Selena Robinson — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Do you remember growing your first plant?

I do. We did a plant growing experiment when I was in elementary school and all of us grew sprouts from beans.

Then we planted the sprouts in dirt-filled styrofoam cups and watched them grow next to the windowsill.

I had that experiment in mind when I decided to make this printable mini plant growing journal!

If you’re working on a spring or plant unit, this is a great (and simple) resource to add.

And it complements a plant growing experiment perfectly!

Keep reading to see how to get your copy – free!

And, for more about how plants grow, take a look at our list of children’s books about flowers!

Mini Plant Growing Journal for Kids

To use this mini picture journal, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This printable is a foldable four-page journal for early elementary students to document how their plants grow.

On each page, they can draw what the plant looks like after two, three, and four weeks.

Both color and blackline versions are included.

How to Use the Plant Growing Journal with Early Learners

A simple way to use this is ask the class some of these questions:

Does anyone know how a plant grows?
Do any of you have plants at home?
What do you think a plant needs to grow?

As you discuss the questions with your class, talk about how plants begin as seeds and then gradually grow over time – thanks to water, sunlight, and good soil.

If you decide to do a plant-growing experiment in the classroom, you can hand the journals out on the first day.

Then have the students report on their plant’s progress each week afterwards.

Scroll down to get your copy of this mini growing journal – free!

Try some of these other spring teaching ideas!

To get your copy of this printable Plant Growing Journal, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter this Sunday!

>>> Mini Grow A Plant Journal for Kids <<<

The post Printable Plant Growing Journal for Kids appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

Selena Robinson — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Have you ever watched a group of penguins huddling together to stay warm?

I just watched a video of how they do it.

They actually form circular bands around the youngest and stand with their backs facing out towards the cold.

But they rotate the bands around so that everyone has a chance to be warm in the center. Neat, right?

There’s a lot more to learn about penguins with kids. Which is where this penguin life cycle sequencing activity can help!

This hands-on animal science activity is great for teaching early elementary students about life cycles during winter.

Keep reading to see how to get your copy.

Be sure to check out our list of fun penguin books for kids to read too!

Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

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

This resource includes a completed penguin life cycle sequencing mat.

Once students have learned the primary life stages of a penguin, they can practice remembering the steps on their own.

There are a blank penguin life cycle mat and a blank penguin life cycle mat with writing lines.

Students who are already writing can practice writing out the life cycle stage names.

There are penguin life cycle stage circles to cut out and place in the correct order on the sequencing activity mat.

For students who are not yet reading, there are picture life stage circles that show the stages without words.

And a full blackline version is included!

How to Use the Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity

When you’re ready to use this penguin life cycle lesson with your students, you have several options.

Hand out the circle cards and blank mat and let kids cut the circles out and glue them in the right sequence.

You can print the entire resource at half-size and laminate it.

It makes a great addition to morning tubs!

If you decide to laminate the life cycle labeling mat, students can use dry erase marker to write and wipe the life cycle stage names.

Turn this lesson into a reusable science center activity!

Just add hook and loop adhesive coins on the back of the circles and on the blank circles on the mat.

Students can practice placing the circles in the correct order and then try again another time.

You can assign the blackline version as a take-home assignment.

Children can color the mat and circles and order them correctly before bringing them back to class.

Get a look at this resource in the video below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this penguin life cycle sequencing activity!

Take a look at some of these other early science learning ideas!

To get your copy of this Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check it out below!

The post Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Winter Fun! Preschool Winter Activity Calendar

Selena Robinson — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Helping preschoolers to learn about winter themes can be so much fun.

Once you manage to get their winter boots and coats off, that is.

There are so many fun winter early learning themes to use with young learners.

And, if you’re looking to get a jump on winter lesson planning, this preschool winter activity calendar can help you get started!

With this preschool theme printable, you can easily decide which theme to use during which week.

Plus, there are ideas for activities and crafts listed for you!

Read on to see how to get your copy – free!

And, be sure to check out our printable Winter Literacy Playdough Mats too. They’re excellent for early literacy centers!

Winter Fun! Preschool Winter Activity Calendar

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

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Laminator (optional)
A digital device, such as a smartphone, iPad, or computer (optional)

This printable preschool activity calendar features four versions:

A color version with clickable web links
A blackline version with clickable web links
A color version with text only
And a blackline version with text only

This is a fantastic basis for lesson planning during winter!

How to Use the Preschool Winter Activity Calendar

The calendar features 12 weeks of early learning themes to use during winter.

For each week, there are five activities listed: one for each weekday.

The activities include hands-on learning resources, crafts, and simple units to share with preschoolers and kindergartners.

If you’re using the web-linked version, save the digital PDF to your device. Then click the blue links to see details about each activity.

If you’re using the text-only version, you might want to print it out and hang it on the wall. (Or laminate it.)

As you gather resources or ideas for each activity, you can cross them off or color in each block as it’s completed.

These would also make great take-home parent connection activities.

Send a copy home with your students to give parents ideas to try with the kids!

Scroll down to get your printable winter preschool activity calendar!

Take a look at these other early learning ideas for winter!

To get your copy of this Winter Fun! Preschool Winter Activity Calendar, click the image or the link below to have it sent to your email inbox!

You’ll get our weekly newsletter this Sunday too!

>>> Preschool Winter Activity Calendar <<<

The post Winter Fun! Preschool Winter Activity Calendar appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Snowman Shapes! Snowman Shape Tracing Worksheets

Selena Robinson — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Winter is nearly here! And it’s a great time to review (or teach) plane shapes for early learners.

If you’ve already taught the basics of shapes to your students, these snowman shape tracing worksheets are a fun way to broaden their understanding!

In this activity set, students get to learn 12 different plane shapes, as well as learn to recognize and write the shape names for themselves.

And there’s an adorable snowman theme throughout!

Read on to see how to get your set.

Need more winter learning ideas? Take a look at our Hot Cocoa Counting to 10 Activity Cards too!

Snowman Shape Tracing Worksheets for Kids

To use these snowman shape tracing worksheets, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This set includes:

12 color shape trace and write worksheets
12 blackline shape trace and write worksheets
Shape trace and write activity cards (color and blackline versions)
And a teaching script!

The following shapes are included:

Circle
Square
Rectangle
Triangle
Oval
Rhombus
Heart
Star
Pentagon
Hexagon
Trapezoid
and Octagon!

There’s also a detailed suggestions list showing various ways to make use of this resource with your class.

How to Use the Snowman Shape Tracing Worksheets with Students

How you use these shape tracing worksheets depends on what works best for your students.

If you need to save on ink (or if you want to add an art dimension), use the blackline version.

Students can color in the snowmen at the top as they complete the lesson.

If you’re working with these printables at early math centers, you can print them half-sized and place them on a ring for regular review.

You might also choose to laminate the pages and let students complete them using dry erase markers or dry erase crayons.

Just wipe them clean to start again the next day!

This resource also includes shape tracing activity cards.

Students can use these to review their recognition of both the shapes and the shape words.

You can also laminate these and use them with dry erase crayons in busy bags or morning tubs!

Get a look at this resource in action below!

Scroll down to get your set of these Snowman Shape Tracing Worksheets!

Try some of these other wintry themed activities for early grades!

To get your set of these Snowman Shapes Tracing Worksheets, you can get them from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Or check them out below!

The post Snowman Shapes! Snowman Shape Tracing Worksheets appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Oak Tree Life Cycle Sequencing Activity

Selena Robinson — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000

It’s autumn and leaves are falling everywhere we look.

We live in a neighborhood that has a ton of oak trees. Okay, not a literal ton, but you get the idea.

So every fall, there are acorns as far as the eye can see.

Which gave me the idea to create a new life cycle activity: this Oak Tree Life Cycle Sequencing Activity set!

Oak trees are excellent topics for science with primary grade students. Depending on where you live, you can actually see steps in this process with your class in real life!

Read on to see how to use this hands-on life cycle lesson with students.

And, for more ways to learn about plant life cycles, don’t miss our Apple Life Cycle Activity!

Oak Tree Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

To use this printable oak tree life cycle sequencing activity, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are given below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This plant science resource includes a completed life cycle mat, which you can use to review the steps in the sequence with the class.

Then there’s a blank mat for students to complete with labeled or unlabeled picture sequence circles.

There’s also a version of the activity mat that includes space for students to label the steps for themselves.

And a blackline version is included too!

How to Teach the Oak Tree Life Cycle Sequence

To start discussing this topic with your class, review the completed life cycle and walk the students through each step.

If you can get acorns or oak tree leaves, they’d make great visual aids or sensory objects at centers too.

Once you review the sequence, you can talk about the names for each stage in the growth process.

This will be very helpful if you plan to use the labeling activity mat.

If you have pre-readers or ELL students in your class, swap out the labeled circles for the unlabeled picture circles.

Use the differences in each picture to help them remember the process without worrying about spell or pronouncing each stage.

My personal favorite way to use this resource is as a reusable center activity.

I prep it once and it can be used over and over again.

But it works well as a one-time cut and paste activity for each student too.

Another way to reuse this resource is to laminate the labeling mat. Students can write in the correct stage names with dry erase markers.

Then just wipe it clean to use it again.

See this resource in action below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this Oak Tree Life Cycle Activity!

Take a look at these other science ideas for early grades!

To get your copy of the Oak Tree Life Cycle Resource, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check it out below!

The post Oak Tree Life Cycle Sequencing Activity appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Pumpkin Same or Different Worksheets: Pumpkin Pairs!

Selena Robinson — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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!

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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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 Pairs! Same and Different Worksheets <<<

The post Pumpkin Same or Different Worksheets: Pumpkin Pairs! appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

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

Selena Robinson — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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 <<<

The post Space Themed Kindergarten Early Skills Unit – Out of This World! appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Fall Fun! Preschool Fall Activity Calendar

Selena Robinson — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

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.

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!

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 <<<

The post Fall Fun! Preschool Fall Activity Calendar appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Apple Counting to Ten Math Center

Selena Robinson — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 10:00:00 +0000

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!

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.)

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

Finally, use the included worksheets for independent practice.

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

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!

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 <<<

The post Apple Counting to Ten Math Center appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.