Homeschool Curriculum Archives

Elementary George Washington Carver History Lesson for Kids

January 11, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

As Black History Month becomes more popular, kids are learning about more and more notable Black Americans in history.

That’s a great thing!

One of my favorite Black Americans to study is George Washington Carver. He’s best known for his scientific work with peanuts, but his early life is truly inspiring.

This elementary George Washington Carver history lesson for kids is a great way to introduce students to this American scientist!

This is a fantastic resource for Black History Month, but it’s an excellent American history lesson for any time of year. Especially if you’re talking about STEM and scientists through the years.

George Washington Carver Lesson for Elementary Students

Read on to see how to get your copy. And check out the digital version too!

Be sure to take a look at our list of 20 children’s books about Black scientists and inventors while you’re here!

Teach elementary students about one of the most accomplished scientists in history with this George Washington Carver history lesson for kids!

George Washington Carver Elementary Black History Lesson

To use this George Washington Carver Black history lesson, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are used below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Learning about George Washington Carver with Kids

This elementary Black history resource includes a two-page biography of George’s life and career – both color and blackline versions.

George Washington Carver History Lesson for Elementary

There are also three review and comprehension exercises for students to complete afterwards.

And an answer key is included for each activity!

How to Use This Elementary George Washington Carver History Lesson with Students

When you’re ready to use this resource, there’s a teaching script included to make introducing this topic easier.

Read through the biography with your students.

Pause throughout the reading to check for understanding. At the end, discuss the “What can you learn from George Washington Carver?” question with your class.

Studying George Washington Carver with Elementary Students

If you will be using this as a take-home lesson, print the blackline version and let students color it in.

George Washington Carver Elementary History Lesson

All of the activities’ answers can be found in the biography.

You may wish to complete the “Fill in the Blanks” activity in class and send the word unscramble and timeline activities along as homework.

Elementary George Washington Carver Lesson

Use the answer key for easy grading!

If you complete the fill in the blank activity in class, walk students through the questions and help them find the answers as needed.

Digital Elementary George Washington Carver History Lesson

This history activity is also available in a digital version for use with Google Slides!

The biography is included, as well as all three review activities. Students can simply drag and drop or type in the fields to complete the exercises.

Get a look at this Black history resource in the video below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this George Washington Carver lesson!

Try some of these other ideas for teaching Black history to elementary students!

Try these easy ways to teach black history in early grades to teach your primary students about notable Black Americans!

These black history coloring pages are a fun way to introduce students to notable Black Americans in history!

20 Fascinating Books about Black Inventors and Scientists for Kids to Read - Perfect for Black History Month!

Digital George Washington Carver History Lesson

To get the digital version of this George Washington Carver lesson for elementary students, pick it up from my Teachers Pay Teachers store! You can also get the printable and digital version as a Black history lesson bundle!

George Washington Carver History Lesson for Elementary Students

To get your copy of the printable George Washington Carver Elementary History Lesson, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check it out below!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Snowman Craft for Kids

January 6, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love an easy toilet paper roll craft?

They’re always fun and simple for kids to make. And we already have most of the supplies, so we’re ahead of the game.

If you’re looking for a simple winter craft to share with kids, this easy toilet paper roll snowman craft is just perfect!

There’s a printable template that makes this snowman craft a snap! And it’s simple enough for young learners to make too.

Read on to get the full project instructions and a link to the template.

Looking for more early grades winter fun? Try this easy paper bag polar bear craft too!

Make this fun and easy toilet paper roll snowman craft with little ones!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Snowman Craft for Kids

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

Empty toilet paper roll
Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Child-safe scissors
Washable markers or Colored pencils (optional)
Glue stick
A copy of the toilet paper roll snowman craft template

Printable Toilet Paper Roll Snowman Craft Template

To get started, download the printable Snowman Craft Template.

You’ll see the project instructions inside, along with two versions of the craft.

Easy Color Paper Roll Snowman Craft Template

There’s a blackline version for students to color themselves and a color version, if you’d like to skip the coloring step.

Each of the template pieces is clearly marked, so you’ll know which part to add at each step of the project.

Once students have colored and cut out the template pieces, it’s time to get to crafting!

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Snowman Craft

A tip here: If you’re making this project with a group of young learners, you might use the color template pieces. Cut them out in advance and have them ready to go.

That way, students can get to work immediately. This is especially useful if you’re short on time.

The first step is to glue the background around the toilet paper roll. Simply wrap it around and use glue to seal the ends closed.

Putting a Paper Snowman Together with Kids

Now we’ll put our snowman together.

Place the head at the top of the body and glue the pieces to form the snowman.

Now it’s time to add our clothing!

Glue the hatband onto the lower section of the hat and glue it onto the top of the head. Then glue the scarf onto the “neck” of the snowman.

I just used the place where the two body pieces meet as a guide.

Glue the carrot nose onto the center of the head. Then use a pen or marker to draw eyes and a smile.

I decided to make my snowman a “snow-woman” by drawing closed eyes with lashes and adding rosy cheeks, but students can really draw any kind of facial features they want.

Toilet Roll Snowman Craft for Kids to Make

Glue the snowman’s body onto the front of the wrapped toilet paper roll. Then flip it over, so that the back is facing up.

Glue each of the arms onto the back of the toilet paper roll. Try to glue just the very ends, so that the arms stick out on the sides.

Like so!

Making Toilet Paper Roll Snowman Crafts with Kids

You can even use different clothing colors and faces to make a snowman family!

See this toilet paper roll snowman craft in action below!

Try some of these other fun winter craft ideas!

Make this easy paper snowflake craft with the kids this winter!

This fun 3D cereal box polar bear craft is an awesome winter art project for kids to make!

This easy polar bear paper bag puppet is a fun winter craft to make with kids!

Looking for more snowman-themed fun? Take a look at our Snowman Shapes Plane Shape Tracing Activity!

5 Easy Ways to Teach Black History in Early Grades

January 4, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Black History Month is celebrated every February.

And there’s a good reason for it. The accomplishments of Black Americans are certainly worth studying, particularly in early grades.

Some educators, though, might feel a bit unsure how to introduce this topic to primary students. Especially if they’re not very familiar with this subject themselves.

The good news is that there are several easy ways to teach Black history in early grades and I’m sharing five you can try today!

Learning about Black history should be a fun, engaging activity.

The more we know about this subject as educators, the easier it will be to convey the inclusive, welcoming attitude we want our students to reflect as they learn.

Read on to check out these five tips – and to see some helpful resources that making teaching this subject a breeze!

Why Teach Black History in Early Grades?

Images c/o: Wavebreakmedia & weedezign / Deposit Photos

Before we get into the easy ways to teach Black history with early elementary learners, we should answer the question: Why is teaching Black history important in the first place?

Historically, the work and accomplishments of Black and Brown Americans have not been included in American history lessons.

Using Art to Teach Black History in Early Grades

There has been some progress in this area in the last decade or so, but many curriculum providers and school districts are still highlighting just a couple of figures each year (Dr. King, Rosa Parks, etc.) and not talking about many, many other Black people who have contributed to our society.

Black History Month, while valuable, is often viewed as the only time when it is “necessary” to talk about these individuals. Which is unfair to them and to our students.

Learning about Black history all year would really be the best way to combat this. And, as educators, the way we cover this topic can help to either broaden or narrow our students’ perspectives.

5 Easy Ways to Teach Black History in Early Grades

Now that we know why Black history is an important subject for our learners, even our primary students, how can we teach it? Try these five simple ideas!

Add an art twist.

Anytime I want my students to remember something new, I try to add an art component.

We can keep talking about the topic as they color, draw, or make a craft. But the act of creating does wonders for our memory.

So, if you add an art aspect to your Black history lessons, your students are more likely to remember and enjoy what they learn.

Learning about Black History with Coloring Pages

These Living Color History! Black History Coloring Pages are perfect for this. Check them out for yourself!

Embrace digital resources.

Digital resources have transformed the way we teach, particularly since so many schools have begun using distance learning as needed.

There are some excellent digital Black history resources available, even for primary grades.

Using these can make it simple to incorporate hands-on activities in a Black history lesson, without the need for physical supplies. And they’re simple to grade too!

Take a look at our digital Ruby Bridges mini lesson for an example!

Read engaging, factual picture books.

I am a total and complete book nerd. Anytime I can use a book in a primary grades lesson, I’m going to do it.

Another easy way to teach Black history with young students is to include some factual picture books you can read with the class.

I want to add a note here: It is essential that the book is factual.

All information about Black Americans is not accurate, even if it’s complimentary. We need to complete our due diligence as educators to make sure that what we are sharing is correct.

Fascinating Books about Black Inventors and Scientists for Kids

Over the years, we’ve read some excellent picture books about Black Americans. Take a look at our booklist to read about some of the greatest Black scientists and inventors in history!

Try some hands-on history ideas.

Another way to teach Black history in primary grades is to turn it into a hands-on activity.

Let your students dress up in period clothes and do a living “wax museum”. Each one can represent a specific Black American and prepare a one or two-sentence statement about what they did in history.

A timeline activity is another great way to help students remember important events in each person’s life and career.

You can also have them memorize a quote or two and recite them. These quotes are readily available online. (Again: Do your due diligence to make sure the quote is correctly attributed.)

Invite parental involvement.

The best way to help kids learn about Black history in primary grades is to involve their parents.

Educators can teach children about Black Americans all year long (and they should!), but if they’re hearing or seeing negative portrayals of Black culture in the home, it’s difficult to counteract that.

Many parents aren’t actively discouraging these conversations. They simply don’t know how to talk about race with their children.

Cheat Sheet for Talking about Race with Kids

This parents’ cheat sheet for talking about race is an excellent resource for helping parents have these kinds of conversations with their children.

Topics such as racial differences, civil rights, racial protests, and Black history are included with sample questions and responses.

Having a Conversation about Race with Kids

These responses may also be helpful for answering student questions when you teach about Black history in early grades.

To get your copy of this resource free, click the image or the link below to have it sent to your inbox! You’ll also get our weekly newsletter – coming this Sunday!

**IMPORTANT** If you have a pop-up blocker enabled in your web browser, you will need to disable it to complete the email address window.

>>> Cheat Sheet for Talking about Race <<<

With these fun and simple ways to teach Black history in early grades, you can enlighten your primary learners about the Black Americans who contributed to our society!

Looking for more Black history resources for primary students? Take a look at these!

These Black history matching puzzles are a fun way to teach elementary students about notable Black Americans!

We Got Jazz Elementary Digital and Print Unit for Kids

Easy Paper Snowflake Craft for Kids

December 7, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Making paper snowflakes is one of the winter craft projects I remember the most as a child.

My classmates and I would see who could make the most complicated design. Then we’d fold in half, cut it out, and open it up. Sometimes we’d try cutting out phrases or faces.

And the teacher would hang them on the window afterwards. Good times.

If you’re looking to make a traditional paper snowflake craft with kids this winter, this colorful one with a printable template is a neat twist!

These are simple to make too. And there are three different template designs to choose from!

Read on to grab the printable template and to read the full instructions.

And, take a look at our All About Snowflakes unit for more ways to create a snowflake theme with primary grade students!

Easy Paper Snowflake Craft for Kids

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

White printer paper (cut into squares)
Colored cardstock (cut into squares)
Child-safe scissors
Craft glue
Hole punch
Printable Paper Snowflake Craft Template (download this to use as a tracing guide, if desired)

You’ll start with a square-sized piece of white printer paper.

You could also use coffee filters, craft paper, or drawing paper.

Then you’ll download the printable paper snowflake craft template.

On the template, there are three different designs: in a large size and a small size.

The templates are optional, so if you have a design in mind, you may not need them.

But if you’re making this for the first time with kids, the templates can help them make a snowflake design.

How to Make a Paper Snowflake Craft

To get started, fold the square of white paper in half diagonally.

The corners should be lined up so that the paper forms a triangle.

Next, fold the triangle in half. Now you should have a double-layered smaller triangle.

What we’re doing is folding the paper into four layers. This way, we only have to cut the snowflake design once to create all four sides.

Now, print the snowflake template and choose which design (and size) you’d like to use.

Use a pencil to trace the chosen design onto one side of the folded paper triangle.

Let kids use child-safe scissors to cut along the tracing lines.

For the circle in the center, it’s easiest to use a hole punch.

Now, help them unfold the triangle. They’ll see a finished snowflake!

All that’s left to do now is to glue the finished snowflakes onto the squares of colored cardstock.

Simple Paper Snowflakes for Kids to Make

These are adorable for hanging from a garland!

They’d also make sweet cards to send to family members and friends.

Simply fold a separate piece of cardstock in half. Write a thoughtful note inside and glue the paper snowflake craft on the front!

However you decide to use them, these simple snowflake crafts are fun for kids to craft during winter!

Try some of these other winter activities for kids!

Share some of these fun snow books for kids with little ones this winter!

Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

December 2, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

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!

Fun Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity

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!

This hands-on penguin life cycle sequencing activity is a simple way to learn about animal science during winter!

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.

How to Label a Penguin Life Cycle Activity

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.

Penguin Life Cycle Stages for Pre-readers

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.

Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Cut and Paste Activity

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

Using a Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity in Morning Tubs

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.

Reusable Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Science Centers

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.

Penguin Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Pre-readers

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!

These fun weather STEM activities for kids are excellent for simple spring science experiments! Simple enough for home or the classroom!

Make engineering fun with this printable Build A House STEM Challenge Cards for kids!

This hands-on oak tree life cycle sequencing activity makes learning about fall plant science fun for early grades!

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

Winter Fun! Preschool Winter Activity Calendar

November 29, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

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!

Fun Preschool Winter Activity Calendar for Kids

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!

Use this printable preschool winter activity calendar to plan your winter early learning themes!

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)

Preschool Winter Activity Calendar for Kids

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

Printable Winter Activity Calendar for Preschool

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.

Printable Preschool Winter Themed Calendar

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.

Preschool Winter Activity Themed Calendar

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!

Get into the spirit of the winter season with this list of 15 adorable snowman books for kids!

Learn to recognize uppercase and lowercase letters in two languages with this fun snowflake English and Spanish letter matching activity!

Use these fun snowman shape tracing worksheets to help early learners practice forming plane shapes!

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!

Click here to get your printable resource

>>> Preschool Winter Activity Calendar <<<

Spanish Parts of a House Vocabulary Flashcards

November 23, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Learning to talk about rooms in a home is a great way to build vocabulary in early learners.

After all, we all live in some kind of home. And the earlier we can identify the rooms in it, the easier it is for us to appreciate where we live.

If you’re looking to build early vocabulary skills in English and Spanish-speaking students, these English and Spanish house vocabulary flashcards can help!

English and Spanish Parts of the House Vocabulary Cards

This set is a perfect resource for early literacy skills.

And, if you have ELL students in your class, this is a simple way to help them begin building their vocabulary in both languages!

Keep reading to see how to get your set.

And, for more Spanish literacy practice, check out our Spanish Alphabet Early Literacy Center!

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

Printable Spanish House Vocabulary Flashcards for Kids

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

Printer (with ink)
Cardstock
Scissors
Laminator (optional)
Glue stick (optional)
Hook and loop adhesive coins (optional)
Colored pencils (optional)

House Vocabulary Matching Cards for Kids

This vocabulary building activity includes flashcards, vocabulary labeling cards, and word labels for students.

Eight Spanish parts of a house vocabulary flashcards are inside.

Eight English parts of a house vocabulary flashcards are also included.

English and Spanish Parts of a Home Vocabulary Cards

This set of house vocabulary flashcards is designed to be printed two-sided.

So you can print the Spanish house vocabulary words on one side and the English on the other.

When you cut them out, students can flip back and forth to practice each language.

Printable Spanish and English House Vocabulary Flashcards

A blackline version of both sets of cards is available.

English and Spanish House Vocabulary Matching Cards

And there are labeling cards for students to match up the vocabulary words in both languages with the correct pictures.

There’s a Spanish pronunciation guide inside too!

How to Use Spanish House Vocabulary Flashcards with Students

You can use these Spanish vocabulary cards in several ways.

Spanish House Vocabulary Flashcards for Kids

Go through the English and Spanish flashcards with the class. Try to enunciate each word as you read it.

English House Vocabulary Flashcards for Kids

You can even ask the class: “What part of the house is this?”

Let them respond and then walk them through pronouncing the written English or Spanish vocabulary word on the card.

Printable English and Spanish House Vocabulary Labeling Cards

Use the vocabulary labeling activity as a one-time cut and paste activity.

Or you can laminate it and attach hook and loop adhesive coins to make it reusable!

If you have students who are already writing, you can laminate the labeling cards and let them practice the correct vocabulary word on each card with dry erase markers.

English and Spanish House Vocabulary Flashcards

Hand out the blackline cards and let students color the pictures. Then laminate them for review.

English and Spanish Parts of the House Flashcards

Place the two-sided English and Spanish cards on a ring and pair them with the labeling activity for self-checking at centers!

Get a look at this resource in action in the video below!

Scroll down to get your set of these Spanish house vocabulary flashcards!

Try some of these other Spanish literacy resources!

Help early learners build a daily routine with these English and Spanish daily routine cards!

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

Learning Parts of the House Vocabulary in Spanish

To get your set of these English and Spanish vocabulary learning cards, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check them out below!

3D Polar Bear Cereal Box Craft for Kids

November 18, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Polar bears are one of the first animals that come to mind when I think of winter.

They’re wild, of course, but they look so cuddly and adorable. They’re a perfect theme for early grades.

And they also make a great topic for winter crafts.

Which is why this 3D cereal box polar bear craft is so much fun to make with kids!

This winter diorama craft looks complicated, but it’s really not.

Even better, you only need a few supplies (which you probably already have) to make it!

Read on to get the full project instructions and to grab the free printable template.

Want more winter crafting fun? Don’t miss our cute Polar Bear Paper Bag Puppet!

3D Cereal box Polar Bear Craft Supplies

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

But, if you’re making it along with younger children, you’ll want to do some of the prepping and cutting work in advance.

That way, they can avoid any possible injuries and it won’t take as long to finish the project.

To make this 3D cereal box polar bear craft, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

If you’re prepping the printable templates and the cereal box in advance, you can use regular scissors.

But if the kids are doing the cutting part, be sure to use child-safe scissors to keep their little fingers protected.

Start by opening the flaps of the cereal box and laying the entire box flat on a surface.

Cut off the top and bottom flaps so that only the sides of the box are left. Make sure they remain attached as one piece.

How to Make a Cereal Box Polar Bear Craft

You’ll use a pencil and a ruler to outline a rectangle on one of the box panels.

Be sure to mark on the inside of the box so you can see the lines.

You’ll also need to download the printable Polar Bear Craft Templates.

Cut out all of the template pieces and trace them onto craft paper. Then cut them out.

In this project, wintery colors, such as light blue, dark blue, and white are used for the background.

But the choice of colors is totally up to you.

Now we’re ready to get started!

How to Make a 3D Cereal Box Polar Bear Craft

Now that your cereal box is prepped, it’s time to cut out the “window” that you’ll see the winter scene through.

For the most exact lines, use a craft knife to cut out the rectangle. (Be sure to do this away from children.)

But you can also use scissors to poke a hole in the center of the rectangle.

Then just cut towards the lines and follow them around to make the rectangular window.

Glue a piece of light blue paper onto the back of the “window”. It should cover the back panel completely. Trim off any excess.

Fold the sides of the box back together to form a hollow rectangle. Glue the sides closed.

Time to start using our template pieces!

All of the scene templates have folding lines at the bottom. Fold each one on those lines to ensure they stand up.

Glue the mountain pieces (numbered as 1) onto the back panel of the box. You want them to overlap slightly at the bottom.

Now, glue the snow piles (numbered on the template as 2) in front of the mountains.

Leave space behind them to add more elements to the scene.

Add the frost-covered trees (numbered as 3) behind the snow piles but in front of the mountains.

Space them out to be seen between the piles of snow and glue them down.

Then glue the long snowbank (numbered as 4) down in front of the snow piles.

Add the last two snow piles (numbered as 6) on either side of the front of the box window.

Time to add the polar bear!

Cut out the polar bear and scarf from the template sheet. Use markers to outline the bear and to add ears and a face.

Color in the scarf too! Then glue it onto the polar bear’s neck.

Assembling a Cereal Box Polar Bear Craft

Finally, glue the polar bear in front so that it stands on the long snowbank in front of the winter scene.

And our 3D cereal box polar bear craft is done!

3D Winter Cereal Box Craft Kids Can Make

These would make excellent art projects for parent night, winter camps, and take-home crafts!

Check out more winter craft ideas for kids below!

This easy penguin family paper plate craft is such a cute winter craft to make with kids!

Make this cute coffee filter snowman craft with the kids on a winter afternoon!

15 Adorable Snowman Books for Kids

November 17, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Have you ever built a snowman?

I got a chance to…once.

Down here in Georgia, we don’t get snow often. And when we do, it’s usually what we call a “dusting”. Just enough to be pretty as it falls, but not enough to stick to the ground.

One winter, when I was about four, we actually had a legitimate snowfall. And we built a snowman in the front yard.

It was awesome.

I still think about that snowman every winter.

And, so, I’m sharing a list of adorable snowman books for kids to help your early readers get into the winter spirit, whether you have a chance to build a snowman this year or not.

These books are super cute for young children. And they’re filled with lovely illustrations that are perfect for winter weather!

Read on to see the full list.

Check out our Paper Plate Penguin Family Craft for more winter fun!

15 Adorable Snowman Books for Kids to Read

This list contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.

How can you use these snowman books for kids with your students?

Choose one or two from the list that you think your class will love. As you read through them, look for new words you can talk about with your students.

If you notice a literary device, such as rhyming or alliteration, make a note of it. As you read it aloud, ask your students if they notice the technique in the story.

Extend the snowman theme by adding fun snowman activities, such as our Roll A Snowman Art Activity or our simple Coffee Filter Snowman Craft!

See the full list of adorable books about snowmen for kids below!

15 Adorable Snowman Books for Kids

Add these adorable snowman books for kids to your winter or snowman theme for this year! These are great for read-aloud selections or storytime in early grades! Try some simple extension ideas, such as a snowman craft, to add to the theme!

The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll

Little Critter: Just a Snowman by Mercer Mayer

How to Catch a Snowman by Adam Wallace & Andy Ellerton

The Snowman by Raymond Briggs

Snowman's Story by Will Hillenbrand

My Snowman Paul by Yossi Lapid

Froggy Builds a Snowman by Jonathan London

Snowman vs. You by Michael Wayne

All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle

Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright

Raccoon's Perfect Snowman by Katia Wish

Friendly Little Snowman by Samantha Meredith

The Itsy Bitsy Snowman by Jeffrey Burton

Snowmen at Work by Caralyn Buehner

The Allergic Snowman: A Children's Book by Lora Cipriano

Try some of these other winter learning ideas this year!

Snowflake Spanish Uppercase and Lowercase Letter Matching Activity

November 16, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I’m not winter’s biggest fan. Not by a long shot.

But I do love snowflakes. They are incredibly intricate and, even though they’re fragile, each one is unique.

Each one!

That always blows my mind.

So I thought snowflakes would be a fun theme for a brand new English and Spanish letter matching activity!

Fun Snowflake Spanish Alphabet Matching Activity

This early literacy resource is a perfect addition to winter literacy centers!

And what’s even better is that it offers hands-on uppercase and lowercase alphabet recognition practice in two languages.

Awesome for ELL learners!

Read on to see how to get your copy.

And, for more winter early learning inspiration, take a look at our list of 15 fun books for kids about snow!

Snowflake English & Spanish Letter Matching Activity

To use this snowflake English and Spanish letter matching activity, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This resource includes 29 Spanish snowflake uppercase letter cards and 29 Spanish lowercase letter circles for matching.

Spanish Letter Matching Activity for Kids

The English version features 26 uppercase cards and 26 lowercase circles.

And there’s a full answer key in both languages!

Spanish Alphabet Matching Activity for Early Grades

Plus, there’s a blackline version of both snowflake card and circle sets.

How to Use the English and Spanish Letter Matching Activity with Students

So – how can you use this with your early readers?

Snowflake Spanish Letter Matching for Kids

My personal favorite is to set it up as a reusable center activity.

Add hook and loop adhesive coins to the back of the lowercase letter circles. And then add them to the center of each snowflake card.

Snowflake Spanish Alphabet Matching Activity

Students can match up the lowercase letters to the uppercase letters over and over again.

If you cut out the answer key cards and place them on an O ring, you can keep the answer key at the center for self-checking!

You can also use this as a one-time cut and paste activity.

Students can use child-safe scissors to cut out the lowercase circles and glue them onto the correct snowflake uppercase letter cards.

If you decide to use the blackline set, students can color the cards in for themselves!

Another option is to laminate the uppercase snowflake cards.

Then students can practice writing the matching lowercase letters with dry erase markers.

Spanish Alphabet Uppercase and Lowercase Letter Matching

This is a good option if you have students who have already learned their lowercase letters and you need to differentiate the activity.

English Alphabet Matching Activity for Kids

You can also print the resource at half-size.

The smaller page size makes it an ideal size to place in morning tubs!

Get a look at this resource in action below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this Snowflake English and Spanish Letter Matching Activity!

Try some of these other winter learning ideas for early grades!

This simple snowball themed emotions game for kids is a great social skills activity! Use it during winter for a indoor play activity!

Uppercase and Lowercase Spanish Alphabet Matching

To get your copy of this Snowflake English and Spanish letter matching activity, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check it out below!

Easy Penguin Family Paper Plate Craft

November 11, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Are you looking for a simple, cute winter craft for young ones?

This easy penguin family paper plate craft is just perfect!

This adorable winter paper plate craft works well with themes about winter, the Arctic, penguins, and family!

You won’t need any special supplies to make this craft. But there are several steps involved.

So, if you’re working with young learners, doing some of the prep in advance will make this activity much more enjoyable for them.

Read on to get the full instructions and printable penguin family template you’ll need!

And, for more winter hands-on activities, take a look at our list of 50 winter crafts for kids to make!

Penguin Family Paper Plate Craft for Kids

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

To begin, download and print the Penguin Family Craft Template in the supply list.

You can choose either a blackline version or a color version. If you print the blackline version, be sure to let kids color in the penguin and clothing.

After you’ve printed the template, use scissors to cut out the pieces. Then trace the pieces onto cardstock and colored craft paper.

Cut those out and you’re ready to get started!

A note: If you’re making this craft with young children, it’s a good idea to have the template pieces cut out and ready to go.

That way, the kids can simply assemble the penguin family and complete the craft in a few minutes.

How to Make a Penguin Family Paper Plate Craft

Start by making each individual penguin. These pictures are for the baby penguin, but the steps are the same for each member of the penguin family.

Use a glue stick to attach the white penguin face and chest to the gray penguin body.

Then glue the head behind the face and add the arms on either side.

You’ll complete the body by gluing the feet at the bottom.

You may want to use a marker to outline each of the feet.

Now – just attach the nose on the lower part of the face. Be sure to glue the point facing downward.

Add some wiggle eyes!

And then dress the penguin up with the hat and scarf!

If you want, you can add stripes to the hat and scarf with a marker as well.

Complete the family by making the parent penguins as well!

How to Make a Penguin Family Paper Plate Craft

Now it’s time to make a background for our paper plate scene.

Just cut out a circle of blue paper that will fit inside the plate’s center. Glue it onto the plate.

Cut out some trees from green paper and add snow caps to a couple of them. Glue them in place.

Making a Penguin Family Paper Plate Craft

Then cut a white “snow” ground shape for the bottom half of the plate. Glue it in place.

Add the penguin family, glue each one down, and you’re all done!

Try some of these other fun winter activities for kids to try!

This quick roll a snowman winter art activity makes a great winter art game for kids!

This fun and easy snowman slime is so fun for sensory play during winter! Mix up a few jars and hand them out as gifts for little ones!

Snowman Shapes! Snowman Shape Tracing Worksheets

November 9, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

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.

Printable Snowman Shape Tracing Worksheets

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!

Winter Themed Shape Tracing Lesson for Kids

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!

This Polar Animal I Spy Activity is so much fun for little learners! Great for a preschool or kindergarten winter unit!

These hot cocoa sequencing mats are so fun for helping early learners practice telling how to follow directions!

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!

15 Fun Snow Books for Kids to Read

November 4, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

We live in the Deep South. Our winters can get cold on occasion, but usually they’re fairly mild.

I can count the number of times I’ve seen actual snowfall on one hand.

During winter, the best way we have to learn about snow is to read about it.

This list of 15 snow books for kids is a great way to build a winter read-aloud library!

There are fiction and non-fiction picture books in this list.

When you’re introducing these types of books, you can use this list of children’s books to help students learn the differences between the two.

Read on to see the full list!

And, for more fun with a snow theme, take a look at our Winter Alphabet and Number Literacy Mats!

15 Fun Snow Books for Kids to Read

These snow books for kids are perfect for adding to a winter or snow theme.

If you decide to use all of the books on the list, you can read one per day for three weeks straight.

Or you could separate the books into fiction and non-fiction selections and then have students look for the differences in the way each book is written.

Some of the books about snow feature winter animals as well.

If you are studying any of the typical winter animals such as owls, bears, or deer during winter, those books would make a good tie-in for those themes.

You could also use some of the books that talk about snow and snowflakes as bases for snowflake crafts or easy snow science experiments.

Check out the list of snow books for kids to read below!

This list contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.

15 Fun Snow Books for Kids to Read

These wintry snow books for kids are a wonderful way to introduce snow and snowflakes to early learners!

They'd also make excellent storytime or read aloud selections in preschool and kindergarten!

Ten Sparkly Snowflakes by Tiger Tales

Curious About Snow (Smithsonian) by Gina Shaw

The Snowflake by Benji Davies

The Lonely Snowflake by Patrick S. Stemp

Snow by Cynthia Rylant

There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow! by Lucille Colandro

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Jon Nelson, Ph.D.

Little Owl's Snow by Divya Srinivasan

Snow by Uri Shulevitz

Snow (I Can Read It All By Myself) by Roy McKie and P.D. Eastman

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The First Snow by M. Christina Butler

The Little Snowplow by Lora Koehler

Fancy Nancy: There's No Day Like a Snow Day by Jane O'Connor

Skippyjon Jones: Snow What by Judy Schachner

Try some of these other winter learning ideas for early grades!

Add these hot cocoa playdough 1-10 counting cards to winter math centers for easy counting practice! Great for morning tubs too!

Easy Polar Bear Paper Bag Puppet

November 2, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Looking for a quick and fun winter craft for young kids to make?

This easy polar bear paper bag puppet is a perfect easy winter animal craft you can make with early learners!

It only takes a few basic craft supplies. Even better, it only takes a few minutes to assemble.

This would make a wonderful addition to an Arctic or winter theme in a preschool or kindergarten classroom!

Read on to see how to make this easy polar bear craft and to grab the free printable template.

And, for more snowy crafting fun, take a look at our list of 50 winter crafts for kids!

What Do You Need to Make a Polar Bear Paper Bag Puppet?

You’ll only need a few items to make this paper bag animal puppet.

Simple Polar Bear Paper Bag Puppet for Kids

And I’m pretty sure you already have most of them in your craft closet.

Disclosure: Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.

Once you’ve download the printable puppet template, print it and cut out the pieces.

Polar Bear Paper Bag Puppet Template Pieces

You can either use the template pieces themselves to make the puppet or trace the pieces onto colored paper.

Then you’d just cut those out and get started.

How to Make a Polar Bear Paper Bag Puppet

To make this polar bear out of paper, start by assembling the pieces.

Use glue to attach the inner ears to the outer ears. Then glue the nose onto the center of the head.

Attach the feet at the bottom of the body and the tail on the lower left side of the body.

Now, glue the ears onto the top corners of the head.

Attach the grey belly by gluing it onto the lower third of the body piece.

Time to break out the paper bag!

Turn the bag upside down with the flap facing up. Flip the flap up and glue the body onto the paper bag.

The flap should come down over the top of the body.

Use markers and crayons to add eyes, a nose, and cheeks to the polar bear’s head, if you want.

Finally, glue the head onto the bag flap.

And that’s all!

Isn’t that a simply adorable polar bear puppet?

Try some of these other winter craft ideas for kids to make!

This adorable pinecone snowman craft for kids is a perfect winter art activity for little ones!

Make some of these easy winter crafts for kids with your family this year!

Make this easy and cute coffee filter penguin craft with the kids this winter!

Oak Tree Life Cycle Sequencing Activity

October 19, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

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!

Fun Oak Tree Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

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.

Oak Tree Life Cycle Cut and Paste Activity

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.

Label the Oak Tree Growth Cycle Activity

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!

Try some of these simple 15 minute science experiments for a quick at-home science lesson with kids!

This printable apple life cycle sequencing activity is perfect for helping students learn how apples grow! Use it at science centers or in morning tubs!

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

Build A House STEM Challenge Cards

October 7, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

STEM education can feel a little overwhelming at times.

Especially if you’re an English major (like myself).

But STEM is really just about applying science, technology, math, and engineering into a hands-on concept.

Which means designing structures, three-dimensional shapes, and so on by using scientific principles, math concepts, and construction techniques.

Put simply – it’s building things with math, science, and technology skills.

So we can totally do this. And these printable Build A House STEM challenge cards are a fun way to get started!

Think of STEM as designing a solution to a real-world problem.

When we help students imagine ways to solve common problems, we encourage them to think creatively, develop plans, and collaborate – all very useful skills.

Read on to see how to get your set of these STEM challenge cards for free!

And, be sure to check out our list of weather STEM learning ideas while you’re here!

Build A House STEM Challenge Cards for Kids

To use these Build A House STEM challenge cards, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Cardstock
Scissors
Laminator (optional)
Building materials: index cards, toilet paper rolls, construction paper, etc.

Elementary STEM Building Challenge Cards

This set of STEM activity cards features 16 different design challenges for students.

They’re given eight ideas for building a house with specific materials and eight ideas for building a house with specific features.

Building a House STEM Challenge for Elementary

A blackline version of the cards is included too!

How to Use These Build A House STEM Challenge Cards with Students

It’s important to help students remember that they are not required to use only the building material on the card.

But the item listed should be the primary material.

For example, if they are working on the card that says “Build a house using construction paper”, they’re welcome to use fasteners, such as glue, tape, paper fasteners, etc.

Simple Engineering STEM Challenge Cards for Kids

If you have students who are new to STEM, they may feel overwhelmed and not sure where to begin.

Stimulate their creativity by asking questions such as: “If I wanted to build a house with index cards, how could I get started?” “Should I begin by forming the walls or the roof?” “How do you think we can get the house to stand up?”

One of my favorite techniques is to suggest something ridiculous that would never work.

The kids can’t wait to correct my idea with something better!

Design a House STEM Challenge Cards for Kids

You may want to start by having students choose one of the “Build a house using…” cards.

This will give them some time to practice designing and building a 3D structure.

Simple STEM Challenge Cards for Building a House

Then introduce the “Build a house with…” cards to challenge them to add new features, such as a working door, a swimming pool, and more.

Scroll down to get your set of these Build A House STEM Challenge Cards – free!

Try some of these other ideas for teaching STEM to elementary students!

Help students measure and compare objects with these printable weight STEM challenge cards!

This list of 20 STEM activities for distance learning are fun and easy to help students practice STEM concepts at home!This list of 20 STEM activities for distance learning are fun and easy to help students practice STEM concepts at home!

Printable STEM Challenge Cards for Kids to Build a House

To get your set of these Build A House STEM Challenge Cards, click the image or the link below to have them sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter this Sunday!

>>> Build A House STEM Challenge Cards <<<

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Fox Craft for Kids

October 5, 2021 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I just adore foxes.

I saw the Disney movie Robin Hood when I was a child more times than I can remember. (You know, the one with the foxes?)

So, when I think of woodland animals, foxes always have a special place in my heart.

Which is why I thought this tissue paper roll fox craft would be a fun fall animal craft to share with kids!

Kids of all ages can help to make this easy woodland animal craft. And it goes well with a forest unit too!

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

Want more ideas for fall crafting? Don’t miss our Paper Bag Fox Craft too!

This adorable toilet paper roll fox craft is perfect for a woodland animals unit with kids!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Fox Craft for Kids

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

Empty toilet paper roll
Colored craft paper or printer paper
Pencil
Child-safe scissors
Ruler
Glue stick
Washable markers
Printable fox craft template (or blackline version)

To get started, print either the color or the blackline fox craft printable template.

If you’re using the blackline version, you can print directly on colored craft paper. If you’re using the color version, print on regular printer paper.

Use scissors to cut out the individual fox craft pieces.

Gather your supplies and you’re ready to get started!

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Fox Craft

To make this paper fox craft for kids, start by wrapping the body piece around the empty toilet paper roll.

Glue the ends down to secure it.

Now, press the center of the top of the toilet paper roll down. Press the corners up to form the fox’s ears.

Glue the fox’s chest to the bottom center of the toilet paper roll.

For the eyes, you can use the included eye template pieces.

But if kids find those too small to cut, you can simply use the eye outlines and let them draw the eyes on with markers.

Glue the eyes onto the top of the fox – just under the ears.

Find the point where the eyes meet in the center and glue the fox’s nose there.

Now it’s time to add the legs and tail!

Start by gluing the brown feet onto the bottom of the leg pieces. Then glue the tufted tail onto the end of the tail piece.

Place one of the fox’s legs on either side of the chest. Glue them in place.

Make sure the brown feet are pointing downward.

Finally, use the glue stick to add the tail to the bottom of the fox.

Make sure to glue it on the backside and angle it upward so that the tail points up when seen from the front.

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Animal Craft for Kids

And we’re done!

Try a few other colors to make a family of foxes!

If this paper roll fox craft is a hit, be sure to try some of these other easy animal crafts for kids!

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

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

This simple paper cone lion craft is a perfect crafting project for little ones!

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!

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!

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 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!