Homeschool Curriculum Archives

Apple Shapes! Printable Apple Shape Tracing Activity

August 20, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Looking for fun ways to teach shape recognition in kindergarten?

This apple shape tracing activity is a wonderful way to welcome students to school and introduce shape naming and building!

Apple season is a close runner up for my favorite time of year. And so apples are one of my very favorite themes for early learning.

Which is how this resource was born!

Fun Apple Shape Tracing Activity for Kids

This is a perfect way to use hands-on learning with early students.

And, in just a few minutes, you can prep it for reuse at centers or with small groups!

Read on to see how to get your copy of this resource. And, don’t miss this list of fun apple crafts you can share with early learners too!

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

Apple Shapes! Printable Apple Shape Tracing Activity

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

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Mini erasers, pompoms, or other manipulatives (optional)
Hook and loop sticky dots (optional)
Dry erase crayons or dry erase markers (optional)
Laminator (optional)

This product includes shape tracing worksheets for 12 distinct shapes, such as:

Circle
Square
Rectangle
Triangle
Oval
and more!

Each page features an apple themed tracing guide for each plane shape.

Students can start at the apple and trace around to the apple tree to complete each shape.

Using Manipulatives to Form Shapes with Kids

Then they can color in the word at the bottom to become acquainted with each shape word.

Each page is also available in a line art version if you need to save on color ink.

An awesome way to use these with students is to laminate them and then add math counters or playdough.

Students can place pompoms, mini erasers, or other counters on the page to complete each shape.

They can also use playdough to “build” each shape.

See this resource in action below!

Apple Shape Activity Cards

This resource also includes apple shape activity cards with shape word labels!

Shape Identification Tracing Cards for Kids

Students can trace each shape around and then use the flashcards to memorize each shape name.

Then they can find the correct shape name label and match it to the right learning card.

I love to use hook and loop dots for this, because it makes the activity reusable for groups.

Get a look at these apple shape cards in action below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this printable Apple Shape Tracing Activity!

Try some of these other apple early learning ideas!

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

Teach first graders how to tell time to the hour and half hour with this apple themed telling time math center!

Learn how to compare numbers up to ten with this fun digital apple picking activity!

To get your set of printable Apple Shape Tracing worksheets, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Hands on Apple Shape Tracing for Preschoo

>>> Apple Shape Tracing Activity <<<

Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Activity

August 17, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Nothing says “fall is coming” like apples.

I’ve always loved using an apple theme when teaching and apples still make a fun theme for learning in early grades.

But instead of just seeing apples everywhere, it’s good for students to learn exactly how apples grow.

It’s not only a good science concept – it’s part of our everyday life!

So I thought it would be fun to combine an apple theme for fall along with a sequencing concept for science.

And that’s just what this apple life cycle sequencing activity does!

Simple Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

This is such a fun science center activity for autumn! Plus, it helps students work on retelling events in the proper sequence too!

Read on to see how to get your copy of this life cycle science activity. Plus, see how you can use this science lesson digitally too!

And for more fun teaching with an apple theme, take a look at our Apple Alike! Same or Different Worksheets or our Apple Counting to Ten Puzzles!

Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Activity

To use the printable apple life cycle sequencing activity, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This product includes two apple life cycle mats: one with pictures and one with blank circles.

In addition, there are six picture cards for completing the blank mat.

Printable Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Mat for Kids

As part of the science lesson, review the completed apple life cycle mat with your students.

Talk about how apple cores contain the seeds for a new apple tree and the steps that the plant goes through before we get to pick the new apples.

Then cut out the picture cards and let them try to retell the correct sequence by placing the picture cards on the blank mat in the right order!

You can use this resource as a cut and paste activity with scissors and glue. Or you can laminate it and add hook and loop dots to make it reusable.

Printable Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Activity

There’s also a line art version of the mat and picture cards included!

Digital Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Lesson

Many, many educators (including yours truly) are making the switch to digital learning.

The good news is that you can use this apple life cycle lesson online too!

To use the digital version, students will need the following:

A laptop computer (we like Google Chromebooks) or a tablet such as the iPad
A copy of our Digital Apple Life Cycle Activity (link follows below)

Digital Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Lesson

This is a super easy and interactive science lesson for early grades.

Since the product comes with an answer key, you can grade it in no time flat. (Always a plus!)

Need to see the digital apple lesson in action? Check out the video below!

Scroll down to get your copy of our printable or digital Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Activity!

Looking for more apple learning resources?

These printable apple counting puzzles are perfect for early math lessons! Use them at fall math centers or for an interactive apple lesson for little ones!

Work on early literacy skills with this fun fall apple CVC word literacy activity!

This fun, hands-on apple life cycle sequencing activity makes it easy to teach kids how apples grow! Perfect for science centers!

To get your copy of the printable Apple Life Cycle Sequencing Activity, check it out below!

Looking for the digital and print version? Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

>>> Digital + Print Apple Life Cycle Activity <<<

Our 2020 Homeschool Curriculum for Multiple Kids

August 13, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Well, the year 2020 has brought more than its share of surprises.

We were homeschoolers for ten years (not counting a five-month break) and last year I finally decided to let my kids attend public school.

After seven months, they were home again – suddenly. And now we’re back to homeschooling again too (like many of you).

If you’re unsure what to do with your kids, how to arrange their days, or what resources to use, I hope that reading our 2020 homeschool curriculum plan will help.

These are resources especially for the grades we’re teaching this year: third grade, sixth grade, and seventh grade. But you can use this as a framework for building your own plan too.

Just starting out with homeschooling? Check out my Get It Done Guide to First Time Homeschooling too!

See the 2020 homeschool curriculum choices we made for our family this year!

A No Stress 2020 Homeschool Curriculum Plan for Multiple Kids

Images c/o: AndrewLozovyi & IgorVetushko / depositphotos

(This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Fair warning: This looks like a lot of work. But it’s not.

As you read, you’ll see that I reuse multiple resources for each child and several of these resources are free or inexpensive.

I do believe, though, in investing in the subjects that matter the most for our family’s goals. In our experience, that always turns out to be worthwhile.

By the way, if you’re unsure what to teach and when, I cannot recommend the book Home Learning Year by Year enough.

It breaks down each grade level subject and lists specific concepts to cover, with curriculum recommendations.

Our 2020 3rd Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Math – We’re using Teaching Textbooks this year for all three of our children. (Look for an in-depth review of TT later this year!)

Since our third grader is also using the BrainQuest Third Grade Comprehensive Workbook, we’ll be supplementing the math exercises in that along with TT.

ELA – For ELA, we’re just using the BrainQuest workbook along with What Your Third Grader Needs to Know. Easy peasy.

Science – We’ll be covering the science sections in both of the above books, but I want to add a bit more this year.

So we’re working with two Usborne resources: Science with Magnets and the First Encyclopedia of the Human Body.

Also – my third grader loves STEM, so I picked up the free STEM at Home resource from Carly and Adam. Done.

Social Studies – Social Studies is a bit harder to recommend, because we’re using the Usborne Time Traveler book.

(Note: I’m not an Usborne consultant. We received almost all of our Usborne books when we used BookShark curriculum last year.)

I looked around on Amazon and the Time Traveler book is super expensive these days. So if you’re looking for a more affordable resource, try the Usborne First Encyclopedia of History instead.

Our 2020 6th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Math – For my middle schoolers, we’re also using Teaching Textbooks. But I’m adding another resource for each child.

My sixth grader will also be working with Everything You Need to Ace Math in One Big Fat Notebook. I love this book so much.

It’s filled with easy explanations, colorful drawings, simple exercises, and an answer key. Perfection.

ELA – Our eleven-year-old is a math and science fan, but he doesn’t love reading and writing. So he needs a little more support in that area.

We decided to use the 6th Grade Common Core ELA Practice Book from ArgoPrep.

Here’s why I like ArgoPrep: Their books come with free video explanations of each exercise. If you visit the website, you can choose your math or ELA book and then watch the instructors explain each exercise.

No more grading!

Science – While my third grader loves STEM, my sixth grader is a STEM super fan. All he’s ever wanted to do is build and design things.

I attended a STEM educator conference over the summer and one of the presenters recommended Instructables for Teachers. It’s incredible and free, especially if you are not STEM-inclined (like me).

It’s separated by grade level and the full instructions and supplies for each project are clearly listed. You can easily scan to see which projects you can complete with your kids before getting started.

Social Studies – Our social studies program is going to be based around the book Hungry Planet: What the World Eats.

Now that we’re living in unusual circumstances in our country, I wanted to help my son learn about the food insecurity people in other regions face everyday.

We’ll also be learning about the culture of each country and some of its history as we go along.

Our 2020 7th Grade Homeschool Curriculum

Math – Teaching Textbooks again, plus Everything You Need to Ace Math in One Big Fat Notebook.

My seventh grader loves to draw, so we’re also using The Cartoon Guide to Algebra. It’s a really fun book and does a great job at illustrating some of the algebraic concepts that seem abstract.

ELA – For the basics, ArgoPrep again with the 7th Grade Common Core ELA Daily Practice Book.

By seventh grade, I also start to get serious about organization and writing with my kids. (High school is only two years away!)

So he’ll be taking two live classes with Open Tent Academy this year: one on Study Skills and one for IEW Middle School Writing.

Science – Our science for seventh grade is going to be based almost entirely around the free CrashCourse YouTube channel and the free program Ted-ED Earth School.

At this age, I start to let my kids have some say in their interests and my seventh grader is not interested in hands-on experiments. So videos it is!

Social studies – Our seventh grader will also be working with Hungry Planet, along with our sixth grader. Two for one!

What about Our Homeschool Electives?

We’re only working with one elective this year: how to play piano.

We got a keyboard from a friend and I bought the Alfred All-In-One Piano Course. Since our kids are a bit older, I decided to go with the adult version. But if I had younger children, the Basic Piano Course would be a better fit.

Whew! It looks like a lot on the page, but it’s really simple and streamlined.

Want to see some of our school year in action? Follow me on Instagram! We’re starting our school year on August 24.

View this post on Instagram

Lesson planning has come a very long way. . . Now that we’re homeschooling again, this digital lesson planner from @pocketfulofprimary is truly saving my life. . Four weeks to go! . . #lookwelearn #homeschoolmom #homeschoollife #homeschoolplanning #teacherspayteachers

A post shared by Look! We’re Learning! (@lookwelearn) on Jul 27, 2020 at 6:53am PDT

Need more help to plan your homeschool year?

Banish overwhelm and start learning with this easy guide to first time homeschooling!

If you feel overwhelmed by planning your homeschool year, take a look at these easy tips to streamline your homeschool schedule!

Welcome the new homeschool year with these 25 fun first day of homeschool ideas! Choose a few of these back to homeschool ideas to try with your family!

Apple CVC Word Literacy Activity for Early Readers

August 11, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Have you had enough apple early learning resources yet?

Of course not! The more apples, the better!

So I’m excited to share this fun (and hands-on!) apple-themed CVC word literacy activity!

It’s a perfect lesson for strengthening phonics, fine motor skills, and following directions – all in one fall-themed activity for early readers.

Read on to see how to use this early literacy skill builder with your students!

And, for more fun with apples this fall, take a look at our Apple Orchard! Digital Comparing Numbers Activity too!

Apple CVC Word Literacy Activity for Early Readers

To use this apple CVC word literacy activity, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Scissors
Lacing alphabet letters
Pipe cleaners
A copy of our Apple CVC Word Cards (link at the bottom of post)

It only takes a few minutes to set up this literacy activity.

Start by cutting apart the Apple CVC word cards.

Afterwards, pull out a few pipe cleaners and let students find the matching lacing letters for each word.

They can pull a CVC word card and then lace the letters onto pipe cleaners to spell out each word.

After students are comfortable spelling out the words, use different color lacing letters to highlight separate phonetic sounds.

Isolate the vowel sound by using a certain color for the middle vowel letters.

Then practice identifying beginning and ending sounds with different color letters too!

This is a fantastic way to incorporate fine motor skills along with literacy in a fun fall theme!

Scroll down to get your set of apple CVC word cards for use with this literacy activity!

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

This printable apple same and different lesson is a fun way to help early learners practice visual discrimination skills!

These 20 apple preschool books make wonderful read aloud selections for fall in early learning classrooms!

To get your set of Apple CVC Word cards for this Apple CVC Word Literacy Activity, click the image or the link below to download them directly to your computer!

Apple CVC Word Reading Activity for Kids

>>> Printable Apple CVC Word Cards <<<

The Get It Done Guide to First Time Homeschooling

August 6, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Suddenly homeschooling for the first time?

You’re not alone.

Many, many parents are teaching their children at home for the first time ever this year.

As a veteran homeschooler, I want to say two things:

First of all – welcome! We’re not weird as we seem and we love to have new families join us. So hi!

Second – no matter how unprepared you feel, you’ve totally got this.

And, to help make the idea of learning at home easier, I’m sharing this super easy, nitty-gritty, get it done guide to first time homeschooling.

The Get It Done Guide to First Time Homeschooling

If you’re brand new to the idea of teaching your own children, this is a simple, streamlined way to get started.

And, honestly, even though I’ve been homeschooling for ten years, this is basically the way I approach it as well.

So I’m here to tell you: it works.

Want to make the first day of your school year special? Try some of these fun first day of homeschool ideas!

The Get It Done Guide to First Time Homeschooling

Images c/o: victoshafoto / depositphotos

To start, I need to make a confession: I’ve been working from home and homeschooling for years.

But, I’ve also sent my children to public school (twice) and worked out of the home as well.

So I understand how having your children always at home can be…a bit much. If you feel that way, you will face no judgment at all from me. I get it.

As I’ve been talking with other moms online and in person, the number one feeling they express is a sense of overwhelm.

Trying to work from home, manage their households, and teach their children seems like an impossible task.

via GIPHY

Seem familiar?

So let’s start by taking a deep, deep breath together. Take two if you need to.

via GIPHY

We’re going to get through this in four steps (five, if you want).

That’s it. That’s all.

You can do this.

Step 1: Look at your state requirements.

Before you do anything, and I mean anything, find out what your state (or province) requires homeschoolers to do.

If you search “(state) homeschool requirements”, look for an internet search result from the actual department of education for your state. Then read the list of regulations.

Some states are very hands-off and require almost no paperwork or specific standards, but others are very detailed and require regular evaluations and check-ins by parents.

Use those regulations as your homeschooling framework.

Step 2: Choose a math program.

After you read your state’s requirements, start selecting how you will teach each subject, especially the core subjects such as math and English Language Arts (ELA).

Fair warning: There are a ton of math programs out there. A TON.

Don’t get caught up trying to read through each one and compare them. Start with Khan Academy (it’s free!) and let your child start working through that from the very beginning.

You’ll get a good sense of where he or she needs to improve as they go along.

You’ll also see what they like and don’t like about that program, which will give you a good idea of how to choose something different, if you choose.

If you just want to keep moving for now, check your child’s appropriate grade level on Khan Academy and then buy a grade-level math workbook. Done.

Step 3: Choose an ELA program.

Once you get math going, find a way to teach ELA.

Khan Academy has some courses for this too, but they’re still working on them.

I generally use a grade-level workbook for ELA and then add a lot of books to read and discuss together through the year. (Look for my specific homeschool choices for this year coming soon!)

Still with me?

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Step 4: Choose a way to learn science and social studies.

Okay. The biggies are done. Now it’s time to move on to the other subjects.

Science is actually pretty simple these days. Find a great and reputable kids’ science YouTube channel and off you go. Pick up a book with easy experiments to try if you like.

You can do the same with social studies. With younger kids, find an excellent world travel channel and learn about a new country each week.

For older kids, focus on historical events and their impact on society. (Further down, there are a few recommendations you can try for this.)

Step 5: Pick an elective or two (if you want.)

That’s basically a school day.

If you do math and ELA four days a week, plus science and social studies two days each, you’ve covered all the basics.

Want to add an elective? Great! There are plenty of those out there for free too, including art, music, American Sign Language (which I teach!), and more.

A simple internet search will point you in the right direction.

And we’re done!

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Pat yourself on the back. You’re ready to go. Really.

Is All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum Good for First Time Homeschoolers?

You might be wondering why I didn’t mention any all-in-one boxed curriculum choices in the steps above.

Well, here’s why.

I have used several through the years. (BookShark was our absolute favorite.)

In fact, I was homeschooled myself from sixth grade onward with a boxed curriculum.

Here’s the thing about all-in-one-programs (at least in my experience):

They tend to fit well in some subjects and not at all in others. All of my kids were at different grade levels in each subject. They tended to need a grade-level math but an advanced ELA program or vice versa.

So I always ended up with materials I paid for, but couldn’t use. Boo.

Also – I found the big box a little overwhelming, especially when I was just starting out.

But you might be different. So, after you’ve gotten into a good routine, feel free to take a look at a few (especially BookShark).

Easy Homeschool Options for First Time Homeschoolers

Whew! I’ve said a lot here, but I can’t let you go without sharing a few good resources that will help you get started if you’re first time homeschooling. These are all excellent and, even better, free.

YouTube: CrashCourse Kids – an excellent science channel for elementary grades
YouTube: CrashCourse – comprehensive science and history for middle school and teenaged students
Varsity Tutors: Virtual School Day – free online classes for all grade levels (read carefully; some have fees)
Easy Peasy All In One Homeschool – a free comprehensive internet-linked curriculum for PreK through high school
TED-ED – video-based science, social studies, and history lessons for all grade levels

Need more homeschooling inspiration? Try some of these ideas!

Looking for an easy ADHD homeschool schedule to try this year? See the simple ADHD homeschool schedule we're using!

Do you want to homeschool but feel that you can't possibly spend all day with your kids? Here's how to manage it.

20 Engaging Apple Preschool Books for Kids

July 30, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Looking for some fun and engaging apple preschool books to share with early learners?

You’ve come to the right place!

Below, I’ve listed 20 preschool apple book selections that are sure to make an upcoming apple or fall unit into a learning activity your students will love!

These are filled with lovely illustrations and simple stories that make them a perfect fit for preschool classrooms.

If you’re homeschooling preschool-aged children, these are also great to add to your library reading list or your home library.

Read on to see the full list!

And, don’t miss my super easy Apple Coffee Filter Craft for kids to make!

20 Engaging Apple Preschool Books for Kids

We’ve always used lots of picture books during the preschool years. And, since apples are such a popular early childhood theme, we’ve shared some of these during preschool as well.

If you love any of these in particular or your class loves one or two, let me know which ones!

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

1. Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss

2. Apples by Gail Gibbons

3.How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro

4. Apples for Everyone by Jill Esbaum

5. Hello, World! How Do Apples Grow? by Jill McDonald

6. Apple Picking Day! by Candice Ransom

7. Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins

8. Apples, Apples, Apples by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace

9. Applesauce Day by Lisa J. Amstutz

10. 5 Little Apples by Yusuke Yonezu

20 Apple Preschool Books for Kids to Read

11. The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons

12. Apples! (Celebrate Fall) by Erika L. Shores

13. Apples for Little Fox by Ekaterina Trukhan

14. Pinkalicious! Apples, Apples, Apples! by Victoria Kann

15. Apples Grow On a Tree by Mari Schuh

16. Max & Mo Go Apple Picking by Patricia Lakin

17. Pat the Bunny: At the Apple Orchard by Golden Books

18. Apple Countdown by Joan Holub

19. Eat ‘Em Ups: Apples! by Gail Tuchman

20. Let’s Go Apple Picking! by Lori Haskins Houran

Want to expand your apple lesson or unit? Keep reading for more apple learning fun!

Fun Preschool Apple Themed Snacks

Nothing rounds out a fun apple preschool books read-aloud time like adding an apple-themed treat at snack time. Try some of these ideas!

This cute Shrek Apple Snack is a fun addition to a class or family movie showing.
Serve these neat Crunchy Apple Boats for a fun and healthy snack.
These Silly Apple Monsters are so adorable for little ones to make and eat!
Need an apple snack but don’t have any apples? Try these Graham Cracker Apple Snacks instead.
These Sea Turtle Apple Snacks feature friendly goldfish too!

With plenty of apple activities, these apple preschool books, and a fun apple preschool snack, you can put together a preschool apple unit your students will love.

Take a look at these other apple early learning ideas!

Use these apple shape sorting worksheets to help early learners practice recognizing the four basic shapes with a fun fall theme!

Apple Alike! Apple Same or Different Worksheets

July 27, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Smell that?

It’s the scent of apple season around the corner!

As much as I love summer (and I do), fall is easily my next favorite season. And one of the reasons I love fall so much has to do with apples.

I’ll be honest here. I have never been apple picking. But it’s definitely on my bucket list to try with the kids.

I have, however, used apples as an early childhood theme for years (like almost all primary teachers).

And I’m excited to share a brand new apple-themed early resource: Apple Alike! Apple Same or Different Worksheets!

This is a wonderful and simple way to practice visual discrimination with early learners during fall!

Read on to see how you can use this with your students and to find out how to get your copy.

Need more apple-themed learning ideas? Try these Apple Ten Frame Counting Mats!

Apple Alike! Apple Same or Different Worksheets

To use these apple same or different worksheets with students, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper or Astrobright paper (optional)
Laminator (optional)
Dry erase markers (optional)

Apple Printable Same and Different Worksheets for Kids

This product includes:

Two color “Find the Same Apples” activities
Two color “Find the Different Apple” activities
Blackline versions of all worksheets
Answer key
And instructions for use!

Apple Same and Different Matching Activity

There are two activities that help students practice recognizing the same object, as well as two that help students practice spotting the different object.

Apple Same and Different Worksheets Answer Key

The answer key shows the correct choices for each activity. Easy grading for the win!

Printable Apple Visual Discrimination Activity for Early Learners

The color version features brightly colored apples to engage students.

Apple Printable Same and Different Worksheets

The blackline version for each activity still features the differences in pattern for students to spot each activity.

Apple Visual Discrimination Activity for Centers

You can also make this into a center visual discrimination activity in just a few steps!

I like my center activities to be a little smaller, so I tend to print the pages at half size. But you can use them at full size, if you like.

Apple Same and Different Early Center Activity

After you print each page, laminate it.

Then use a hole punch to place a hole in the top left corner of each page.

Same and Different Apple Worksheets for Kids

For centers, I prefer to use the color version, but if you prefer to use the blackline, AstroBright paper adds a nice pop of color!

Printable Apple Visual Discrimination Activity for Kids

Once you finish punching holes, use a ring or a paper fastener to connect them.

Let students use them with dry erase markers over and over again!

See this product in action below!

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

Try some of these other apple activities for early learners!

These apple tree ten frame counting mats are so fun for early fall math centers! Makes a great morning tub math activity too!

Printable Apple Same and Different Worksheets

To get your set of these Apple Alike! Apple Same or Different Worksheets, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check them out below!

Safari Skills! Printable Safari Preschool Writing Worksheets

July 23, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I’ve always wanted to take my kids to one of those wild animal safari parks.

It looks incredible to be able to get that close to elephants and giraffes.

We haven’t had that experience yet, but we did get to visit a wild animal sanctuary a couple of years ago.

Easily one of our most memorable field trips.

If you have early learners who are just as excited about wild animals, these printable Safari Preschool Writing Worksheets are perfect!

This set of preschool worksheets features fine motor tracing practice, plus early literacy skills and counting words too.

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

And, for more ways to help early learners build literacy skills, don’t miss our Ocean Alphabet and Number Playdough Mats!

Introduce writing and early literacy skills with this fun safari themed preschool writing lesson!

Safari Skills! Printable Safari Preschool Writing Worksheets

To use this printable safari preschool writing lesson, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Pencils
Laminator (optional)
Dry erase markers (optional)

This product includes:

Five pages of safari-themed line tracing worksheets
A six-page mini safari number word book
And a four-page mini safari word writing book

Printable Safari Preschool Tracing Worksheets

Use the line tracing worksheets with either pencils or (if your students are ready for them) child-safe scissors.

The number and word books are excellent choices for literacy, writing, or math centers.

You can even laminate the pages, cut them part, and place them on rings for repeated use with dry erase markers.

This resource would be a perfect addition to a jungle unit or as an extension activity for a read-aloud such as “Giraffes Can’t Dance”.

Scroll down to get your copy of these Safari Preschool Writing Worksheets!

Check out some of these other early learning resources!

Use these printable shark counting to ten puzzles to help early learners practice counting with numerals, objects, and number words!

Use these city themed number playdough mats to practice forming numbers from zero through nine!

This printable snail themed geometry activity is a fun way to teach early learners a variety of 2D geometric shapes!

To get your copy of this printable Safari Preschool Writing Lesson (for free!), just sign up for our email newsletter!

You’ll get access to this resource, plus lots more, in our exclusive Subscriber Library!

Shapes and Sides! Digital Shape Sides Sorting Activity

July 20, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Learning to recognize shapes is a fundamental early childhood education concept.

As children grow, however, we don’t just want them to know shapes by their general appearance. We want to teach them how to differentiate shapes by counting their sides and vertices (corners).

In fact, this is a required standard for kindergartners.

To make learning this concept easier, even for distance learning, I’m sharing a simple Digital Shape Sides Sorting Activity!

Digital 2D Geometric Shape Sorting Activity

This is such an easy activity for early geometry lessons!

Read on to find out how to get your copy and to see the lesson in action! And, for digital math ideas, take a look at my digital Ladybug Number Word Puzzles!

Use this digital geometric shape sorting activity to help early learners practice counting sides and vertices!

2D Geometric Digital Shape Sides Sorting Activity

To use this Shapes and Sides! Digital Shape Sides Sorting Activity, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

A computer compatible with Google Slides (We use these Google Chromebooks)
Or a tablet compatible with Google Slides (such as this iPad)
The Shapes and Sides! Digital Activity (available in my TPT store)

2D Geometric Digital Shape Sorting Activity for Kindergarten

This product includes three digital shape sorting activity pages, which feature nine different 2D geometric shapes.

Each of the pages has a chart with a blank “shape” column.

Students will need to examine the three shapes on each page and then count the sides and vertices (corners).

Digital 2D Geometric Shape Sorting Activity for Early Learners

Then they drag and drop the correct shape onto the matching row with the corresponding number of sides and vertices.

This activity can be used with an Apple Pencil, if students are working on iPads, or just by using their fingers to drag and drop the shapes on any tablet!

Watch the video below to get a look at this product in action!

Scroll down to pick up your Shapes and Sides! Digital Geometry Activity!

Don’t miss these other digital learning activities for early grades!

Pick up the print or digital version of this ice cream shape sorting activity for students to use in or at home!

This digital and print ice cream vowel sounds sorting activity is a wonderful lesson for early readers! Use it online or as a hands-on activity at centers!

To get your copy of this Shapes and Sides! Geometric Shape Sorting Activity, click the image or the link below to get it from my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Digital Geometric Shape Sorting Activity for Kids

> Shapes & Sides! Shape Sides Sorting Activity <

School Supply Patterns! Back to School Pattern Activity

July 16, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I’m an absolute fool for school supplies. At any time of year.

So back to school season usually finds me wandering the school supply section of Target like some kind of stationery zombie muttering “Must buy notebooks” to myself.

Even kids who aren’t thrilled about going back to school usually love getting new school supplies.

And that’s why I thought that school supplies would be a fun theme for a simple math pattern activity – this back to school pattern activity!

This would be great to use in morning tubs or at math centers with small groups!

And, if you’re homeschooling, you can print it to use with your kids who are learning basic ABAB, ABC, and ABB math patterns too!

Read on to see how to get your copy. And, for more back to school learning ideas, check out our Back to School Creative Writing Prompts!

School Supply Patterns! Back to School Pattern Activity

To use this back to school pattern activity, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This product includes eight different school supply themed pattern sheets. Some of the exercises follow an ABAB pattern, while others follow an ABB or ABC pattern.

So there’s room for differentiation with these, depending on which skills your students are fluent in.

Back to School Pattern Building Activity

To use these pattern sheets, have the students cut out the pattern cards at the bottom.

Then they can glue them on the correct row to finish the pattern.

They’ll need to be careful!

Some of the pattern cards feature images that are used in other rows, but don’t complete the pattern correctly.

If you print these on white paper, you can also have the kids color the pictures as they work!

Scroll down to get your copy of our Back to School Pattern Activity!

Check out these other fun ways to start the school year!

To get your copy of our Back to School Pattern Activity, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

>>> School Supply Back to School Pattern Activity <<<

Day and Night! Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals Sorting Activity

July 13, 2020 by Selena Robinson 3 Comments

Have you ever seen a possum in real life?

Growing up in the country, I knew that they existed. But it took several years before I actually saw one scurrying away in the early morning hours.

It was like catching sight of Bigfoot.

I knew that there were animals that were awake when I was asleep at night, but to actually see one was memorable.

If you’re teaching students about animal sleep habits, this printable and digital Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals Sorting Activity can help!

Diurnal and Nocturnal Animals Sorting Activity for Early Grades

Most kids love to learn about animals and my students are no exception.

So when we were starting to learn about animal sleeping habits, I wanted to find a way to make a simple, hands-on activity they’d love to do.

Read on to see how to get your copy of this Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals activity – available as a print or digital resource!

Looking for more science resources for early grades? Take a look at our list of fun Weather STEM Experiments to try with students!

Teach early students how to recognize animals with different sleeping habits with this hands-on diurnal and nocturnal animals sorting activity!

Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals Sorting Activity for Kids

I remember learning about nocturnal animals when I was a kid, but we didn’t talk much about diurnal animals (at least not using the term “diurnal”).

So in case this term is fairly new to you as an educator, “diurnal” simply means that they are active during the day like you and me!

Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals for Early Grades

The printable nocturnal animal sorting activity is super easy to use. You’ll only need the following supplies: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer Paper
Scissors
Laminator (if you want to make a set that lasts)
Hook and loop adhesive coins (optional)

Nocturnal Animals Early Elementary Activity

This resource includes picture cards of 16 animals: eight are nocturnal and eight are diurnal – in both English and Spanish.

Some of the animals in the product include:

Hawk
Gorilla
Bee
Raccoon
Elephant
Possum
Butterfly
Dog
And 8 more!

Learning about Nocturnal Animals in Spanish

There are also sorting pages (in both English and Spanish) where students can classify animals according to whether they are diurnal or nocturnal.

The Spanish set includes a pronunciation guide.

How to Teach Early Grades about Nocturnal Animals

A set of unlabeled picture cards is also inside!

Diurnal and Nocturnal Animal Classification

Plus, there’s an answer key included, as well as a full set of instructions.

How to Use the Diurnal and Nocturnal Animals Sorting Activity with Students

When you’re ready to use this resource with your class, here are a few ways you can include it in your lesson plan.

(Look at the included teaching script if you need an idea of how to introduce this topic.)

Teaching Early Students about Nocturnal Animals

You can use this for a one-time learning Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals Sorting activity.

Just skip the laminating and have students cut and paste the animals in the correct column.

Sorting Diurnal and Nocturnal Animals in Spanish

If you have Spanish-speaking students, let them use the animal cards and the sorting sheet with Spanish terms.

This is also great for early Spanish immersion classes.

If you have students who are practicing writing, use the unlabeled cards as a labeling activity!

Just laminate the cards and then allow students to write the animal names (in either language) with wet erase markers.

Or have the class help you label the cards by challenging them to spell each animal name out loud with you.

Diurnal and Nocturnal Animals for Early Grades

Use the unlabeled cards as a reference and let students name each animal on their own. They can then use the labeled cards for self-checking.

Diurnal Animals Early Science Center Activity

If you use it at science centers, add hook and loop coin stickers to the back of the cards. Cut each column apart and place them on rings.

Then add coin stickers onto the column squares so students can practice sorting the animals again and again.

Digital Nocturnal Animals Classifying Activity

Are you distance learning? Use the digital version along with Google Slides!

Get a look at this resource in action below!

Scroll down to get your copy of our print or digital Nocturnal and Diurnal Animal Sorting Activity!

Kids’ Books about Nocturnal Animals:

Read more about nocturnal animals with these books for kids!

1. Daylight Starlight Wildlife by Wendell Minor
2. Where are the Night Animals? by Mary Ann Fraser
3. Moonlight Animals by Elizabeth Golding
4. Night Animals by Gianna Marino

Resources about Nocturnal Animals:

Learn more about nocturnal animals with these other learning ideas for early grades!

Bat Science Experiments: Echolocation Activities

Creating Growing Patterns with Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal Animal Report: Hedgehogs

Bats in a Cave Sight Word Game

Nocturnal Animals Writing Tray and Word List

And don’t miss these other early science activities!

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

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

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

Digital Diurnal and Nocturnal Animals Sorting Activity

Pick up the digital version of this sorting activity in my Teachers Pay Teachers store! You can also get the print and digital versions together as a bundle!

>> Digital Nocturnal and Diurnal Animal Classification Activity <<

Spanish Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals Sorting

To get your copy of the printed Nocturnal and Diurnal Animals Sorting Activity, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check it out below!

Rescue the Shark Printable Battleship Game

July 9, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Long, hot summer afternoons are made for playing inside.

Well, that and ice cream cones.

As much as I love letting my kids play outdoors in the summer, we live in the Deep South. Which means that once it gets to around 1:00, the temperature is close to 100.

So it’s time to head indoors.

Which is where this Rescue the Shark printable battleship game comes in handy!

This is a fun and simple indoor game that you can let the kids play together. It only requires a couple of supplies and it’s sure to keep them entertained for a while.

So you can enjoy a glass of lemonade (or an ice cream cone) in relative peace.

Read on to see how to play this game and how to score your copy – free!

And, don’t miss our printable Shark Food Chain File Folder Game too!

Use this printable rescue the shark game to help kids have fun play time indoors!

Printable Rescue the Shark Battleship Game

To play this printable Rescue the Shark Battleship Game, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Rescue the Ocean Animals Printable Game for Kids

If you’ve ever played the classic board game Battleship, this is basically the same idea.

Each player starts by folding their game board in half.

The top half should show “My Animals” and the bottom half should show “Their Animals”.

Then each player chooses spots on the “My Animals” section to draw their sharks.

The goal is to “rescue” the other person’s sharks by calling out the correct coordinates in which the other player has drawn them.

The first player to rescue all of their opponent’s sharks wins!

Scroll down to get your copy of this printable Rescue the Shark Battleship Game!

Try some of these other printable game ideas for kids!

These printable money games for kids are perfect for quick math lessons! Let students play them for a hands-on money activity!

This English and Spanish hygiene bingo game is a fun way to help early learners build hygiene skills!

To get your copy of this Rescue the Shark Printable Battleship Game, click the image or the link below to download it directly to your computer!

> Rescue the Shark Printable Battleship Game <

Easy Paper Elephant Craft for Kids

July 6, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Of the attractions in our city, our favorite is the zoo. Hands down.

Whenever we go, I usually head for the African Savannah exhibit so I can get a look at the elephants.

The last time we went, we actually got to see an elephant jogging directly towards us. I caught it on camera.

It was awesome.

For kids who love elephants, making this fun and easy paper elephant craft is a cute way to spend some crafting time!

Simple Paper Elephant Craft to Make with Kids

This is a really simple art project that only requires a couple of basic supplies, so it’s great for a quick art lesson.

Read on to get the full project instructions.

And, be sure to try our 3D Paper Dolphin Craft too!

Try this simple paper elephant craft for a fun kids crafting activity!

Easy Paper Elephant Craft for Kids

To make this easy paper elephant craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer paper
Child-safe scissors
Construction paper
Colored pencils
Glue stick
A copy of our free printable elephant craft template (link located farther down)

Supplies to Make an Elephant Craft for Kids

How to Make an Easy Paper Elephant Craft

To get started, print the template and use a pencil to trace the outline of each shape onto construction paper.

Use white for the eyes and hooves. Use gray for the head, body, legs, and trunk.

Light pink works well for the ears and a bright pink is good for the elephant’s cheeks.

Start by gluing the hooves onto the bottom of the legs.

Then attach two of the legs to the bottom of the body.

Give your elephant four legs by attaching the remaining two legs slightly to the left and behind of the front legs.

Use the glue stick to attach the trunk to the bottom of the head and the light pink ears on the left and right side.

Glue the eyes in the center of the elephant’s face. Then place the two “cheeks” on either side of the trunk.

Use a glue stick to attach the head to the body.

And you’re done!

Your elephant is all set to explore the jungle!

Simple Paper Elephant Craft for Kids to Make

Scroll down to get the printable template for this Paper Elephant Craft!

Try some of these other fun craft ideas for kids!

Make this easy sea animal suncatcher craft for a simple summer art project this year!

Make this fun and easy 3D paper dolphin craft for a fun art project to share with kids! Great for a summer art activity!

Share an easy summer craft with the kids and make this easy paper ladybug craft! So fun for little hands!

To get the printable Elephant Paper Craft template, click the image or the link below to download it to your computer!

>>> Elephant Paper Craft Template <<<

Easy Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

July 2, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Have you ever been to the beach and picked up a sand dollar?

I remember finding one in the sand when I was about eleven. I brought it home with the intention of turning it into something, but never did.

Since then, I’ve found out that picking up sand dollars is not really the best thing to do. It’s best for them and the environment to leave them put.

But if you still want to have a memento of a beach trip or just a cool way to memorialize ocean life, this sea animal suncatcher craft is a cute project for kids!

Fun Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

This is a really fun summer art project for little ones.

It’s also great for teaching color families, sea life, number recognition, and fine motor skills – all at once!

Keep reading to get the full project instructions – and the free craft template. And, for more fun with ocean animals, take a look at our easy Coffee Filter Crab Craft!

Easy Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

To make this sea animal suncatcher craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer Paper
Child-safe scissors
Glue stick
Colored pencils or crayons
A copy of our free Sea Animal Suncatcher Template (located further down the page)

Start by printing out the blank color code page, the color key, and the animal templates you plan to use.

Use the color key to see how to fill in your suncatcher coded template.

All of the colors are on the bright side of the spectrum, but you can really use any five colors you choose.

A completed color coded page is also included, if you want to double check how the finished page should look.

Now, let the kids use child-safe scissors to cut out the animal template.

Glue the animal silhouette to the center of the finished color coded page.

Lovely Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

All that’s left to do now is hang it in a window!

You can make a cardboard frame for the outside edges, if you like. Or just add masking tape to the back to place it in a sunny spot!

Scroll down to get your Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft Template!

Love this project? Try some other summer-themed crafts!

This simple coffee filter jellyfish craft is a perfect easy summer craft for kids! Make a few with your little ones this summer!

These simple summer crafts for kids are such a great way to spend time together!

To get your copy of the template for this Sea Animal Suncatcher, click the image or the link below to download it directly to your computer!

Easy Sea Animal Suncatcher Craft for Kids

>>> Sea Animal Suncatcher Template <<<

Big City Lights! Printable Number Playdough Mats

June 29, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Growing up in the country, I always wanted to visit a big city. I’d seen them on TV and movies, but I’d never actually been to one.

Until my first trip to New York City.

We visited there as a family when I was six years old and it was everything I’d been hoping to see – and more.

Riding through the city at night made me feel like I was moving through a giant carnival. All of the buildings were lit up and it seemed like the greatest place on Earth.

Of course, in the daylight the city looked much different.

But the memory of those bright lights stayed with me. And that’s where I got the idea for these Big City Lights! Printable Number Playdough Mats.

These are perfect for adding to an early education unit about the big city!

Plus, they make wonderful fine motor strengtheners for little ones who are working on number recognition.

Keep reading to see how to get your copy.

And, for more early number recognition practice, stop by to see our English and Spanish Cupcake Number Word Matching Activity!

Big City Lights! Printable Number Playdough Mats

To use these printable number playdough mats, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printable City Themed NumberPlaydough Mats

This product includes ten printable number mats.

Each mat features one numeral (from 0 through 9) over a background of the big city at dusk.

These are perfect for math centers or morning tubs.

Just print them, laminate them, and let students use playdough or dry eraser markers to trace each number.

These are also wonderful for homeschoolers and afterschoolers!

Be sure to laminate the mats so you can reuse them as needed.

Scroll down to get your copy of these number playdough mats!

Don’t miss these other number learning ideas for early grades!

These popsicle themed addition to make 12 puzzles are a fun way to practice addition facts at math centers! Perfect for early elementary math practice!

Pick up the digital and print versions of these ladybug number word puzzles to help early learners practice number recognition at math centers or at home!

To get your copy of Big City Lights! Number Playdough Mats, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

>>> City Printable Number Playdough Mats <<<

Best Friends! Printable Friendship Cards for Kids

June 25, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

If your kids miss hanging out with their friends, they’re not alone.

Mine have been miserable most of the summer, because they’ve been stuck in the house.

We try to schedule video chats and phone calls, but it’s just not the same.

Would you like to help your kids or your students send a special something to their friends? These printable friendship notes are a nice way to help them keep in touch!

These sweet friendship notecards are so cute for little ones to color and send to their friends. They can send them in the mail or drop them in a front door – just to let a friend know they’re still special.

Keep reading to get your set – free! Plus, pick up our free Ice Cream Summer Reading Kit to keep students reading over the break!

These printable friendship notes are a sweet way for kids to let their friends know they care!

Best Friends! Printable Friendship Notes for Kids

To use these printable friendship notes for kids, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Cardstock
Colored pencils (optional)

This set includes two versions of friendship cards: one set features cats and another features dogs.

The directions are simple: Kids can cut out each shape and color them in.

There’s also space for them to add their own message, as well as a version without a title for them to create their own.

Finally, they’re both available as line art versions for kids to color in as they choose.

After they’re done adding their own touches, kids can simply put their friendship cards in an envelope and start sending them out.

They’re sure to make someone’s day!

Scroll down to get your copy of these printable Best Friends cards!

Take a look at some of these other fun kids’ printables!

These fun dinosaur word matching puzzles are so fun for early literacy practice!

Use these printable solar system coloring pages for a fun astronomy activity for early learners!

To get your copy of these printable friendship cards, click the image or the link below to download them to your computer!

>>> Printable Best Friends Notecards <<<

50 Fun Summer Books for Kids to Read

June 23, 2020 by Selena Robinson 2 Comments

Summer reading is a great way to avoid the summer “slide” with your kids.

And there’s no better way to get them into a book than to choose one that’s summer-themed!

Today I’m featuring 50 summer books for kids that feature familiar characters, funny storylines, and gorgeous illustrations.

After all, when a story is engaging, kids are more likely to feel interested in what happens.

Plus, they’re more likely to reread them on their own – which is one of the best ways to build a love of reading.

These children’s books about summer make wonderful choices for an upcoming family road trip, book club, or summer reading program.

Read on to see the full list.

And, don’t miss our printable Summer Reading Challenge Bookmarks too!

50 Summer Books for Kids

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

1. To the Beach!

2. Pool

3. Summer Days and Nights

4. Should I Share My Ice Cream?

5. The Night Before Summer Vacation

6. Nate the Great and the Boring Beach Bag

7. Puppy Pool Party! An Underwater Dogs Adventure

8. Summer

9. Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise

10. Penguin on Vacation

11. Bats at the Beach

12. The Whale in My Swimming Pool

13. I See Summer

14. Ice Cream: The Full Scoop

15. Peppa Pig and the Great Vacation

16. Beach House

17. McElligot’s Pool

18. Let It Shine

19. The Scoop on Ice Cream

20. The Night Before Summer Vacation

21. Daisy Dawson at the Beach

22. Down by the Cool of the Pool

23. Summer is Here

24. Ice Cream Soup

25. Arthur’s Family Vacation: An Arthur Adventure

26. Beach Bungle (Olive & Jay Book 1)

27. The Mystery of the Purple Pool (The Boxcar Children Mysteries #38)

28. A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo (Geronimo Stilton)

29. Mouse’s First Summer

30. Froggy Goes to Hawaii

31. Daniel’s Day at the Beach (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)

32. Pool Party Puzzler (Nancy Drew Clue Book)

33. How to (Almost) Ruin Your Summer

34. Ice Cream Summer

35. Pictures from Our Vacation

36. Corduroy Goes to the Beach

37. Leo Can Swim

38. One Crazy Summer

39. Summer Wonders

40. Last Day Blues (Mrs. Hartwell’s Classroom Adventures)

41. Dancing Dinos at the Beach

42. First Time at the Pool

43. Summer Treasure (Robin Hill School)

44. Wemberly’s Ice Cream Star

45. How I Spent My Summer Vacation

46. Biscuit’s First Beach Day

47. Martha Speaks: Pool Party

48. The Night Before Summer Camp

49. Mama, Is It Summer Yet?

50. The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation

Get ready for more summer fun with these other learning ideas!

These printable summer reading challenge bookmarks are a fun way to keep kids reading during summer!

Dino Match! Dinosaur Word Matching Puzzles

June 22, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Did everyone go through a crazy for dinosaurs phase or was it just me?

From age 8 until about age 11, I was insane about them. I had a model T-Rex figurine that had a mouth you could actually move.

I mean, how much better can it get than that?

My kids love dinosaurs too, so I thought dinosaurs would make a fun theme for an early literacy activity – these dinosaur word matching puzzles!

These are a fun way to practice reading dinosaur-themed vocabulary words for early learners.

Plus, they’re excellent for stepping up to reading two and three syllable words.

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

Want more interactive literacy practice? Take a look at our digital Ice Cream Vowel Sounds Sorting Activity!

Dino Match! Dinosaur Word Matching Puzzles

To use these dinosaur word matching puzzles, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This literacy resource includes 12 word and picture puzzles for students to solve.

Printable Dinosaur Word Matching Puzzles for Kids

Each two-piece puzzle features a dino-themed vocabulary word with a corresponding picture.

Simply cut them apart and let students start matching them up!

If you’re working with very early readers, you might want to start with one-syllable short word puzzles – such as “egg”, “nest”, and “sun”.

As students become more fluent readers, add in some of the larger words for a challenge.

If you use these at literacy centers, laminating them is a good way to make sure they hold up to repeated use by little hands.

These would also make a wonderful addition to a dinosaur unit!

Assign them to students to use at home or work with at science centers or in morning tubs!

Scroll down to get your Dinosaur Word Puzzles!

Try some of these other early literacy activities!

Use this printable Space Color by Sight Word Activity to help early readers practice literacy skills and have an art activity too!

This hands on short vowel sounds activity is so fun for building early phonics skills! Add it to your literacy centers for engaging phonics practice!

To get your set of these free Dino Match! Word Matching Puzzles, click the image or the link below to download them directly to your computer!

>>> Printable Dinosaur Word Puzzles <<<

Pineapple Multiplication by Four Roll and Cover Game

June 18, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Summer is here and the living is easy.

Multiplication facts, though, are still giving my youngest a hard time.

She’s working on memorizing her times tables so she can sail into third grade math this fall with no trouble.

To make it a little more fun, I thought we’d try this printable pineapple multiplication by four game!

Fun Pineapple Multiplication by Four Game

This is a simple and cute way to help kids work on multiplication fluency!

Keep reading to see how to get yours – free! And, for more ways to have fun with math, take a look at our list of outdoor math games to play!

Pineapple Multiplication by Four Game

To use this printable multiplication roll and cover game, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

This product includes two versions of the multiplication roll and cover game:

One for use with a six-sided die
And one for use with a ten-sided die

The rules are simple.

Students roll a die and then find the corresponding multiple of four on the game board.

Multiplication by Four Roll and Cover Game

Then they just cover that number with a math counter and keep going!

You can also use buttons, counting bears, pom-poms, or coins in place of counters.

Students can play the game alone or with a partner. If they’re playing alone, challenge them to see how quickly they can roll and cover all the multiples.

If they’re playing with a partner, the first one to cover the last multiple wins!

Pineapple Multiplication by 4 Roll and Cover Game

A line art version of both game boards is also included.

Personally, I love to add a pop of color by printing them on AstroBright paper – as above. It definitely makes the activity a bit more cheerful.

Scroll down to get your Pineapple Multiplication by Four Game!

Check out these other fun math learning ideas!

To get your copy of this Pineapple Multiplication by Four Roll and Cover Game, click the image or the link below to download it to your computer!

>>> Pineapple Multiplication by Four Game <<<

Compare Cones! Ice Cream Same and Different Worksheets

June 16, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Is there a more fun early childhood education theme than ice cream?

I don’t think so.

When you’re trying to get early learners into the rhythm of a new school year in late summer, a fun ice cream-themed learning activity can help a ton.

So if you’re working on recognizing objects, these ice cream same and different worksheets are a simple resource for preschoolers and kindergartners!

Fun Ice Cream Same and Different Worksheets

These are easy to use for individuals or small groups. And you can work on each concept separately!

Read on to get your set of these early education worksheets. And, don’t miss our Ice Cream Vowel Sound Sorting Activity too!

This ice cream themed same and different activity is a fun way to practice visual discrimination with little ones!

Compare Cones! Ice Cream Same and Different Worksheets

To use these printable ice cream same and different worksheets, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Printer (with ink)
Printer Paper
Pencils
Laminator (optional)
Dry erase markers or dry erase crayons (optional)

Same and Different Worksheets for Early Learners

This product includes:

Two find the same ice cream cones worksheets
Two find the different ice cream cone worksheets
A full answer key
And a set of instructions!

Printable Same and Different Worksheets for Early Learners

If your students are ready, you can introduce finding the same object and finding the different object in the same lesson.

But if you need to work on one at a time, show students how to examine each ice cream cone to find the similarities.

Then, introduce finding the different object in a separate lesson.

Reuse these at early centers by laminating the pages and letting students complete them with dry erase markers.

Don’t forget to use the answer key!

Scroll down to get these Ice Cream Same and Different Worksheets!

Try some of these other fun ice cream learning activities!

These 20 fun books about ice cream for kids are so fun for summer reading!

Ice Cream Themed Same and Different Worksheets

To get your set of these ice cream themed comparing worksheets, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check them out below!

Cosmic Colors! Solar System Coloring Pages

June 15, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

When I was about ten, I was obsessed with space.

We’d travel down to Florida to see our family and every time we passed the exit for Cape Canaveral, I’d beg for a trip to Space Camp.

Never happened.

I did get this ink pen that had a floating astronaut in it, though.

One day I’m going to get my trip to Kennedy Space Center, but until then, I still love learning about space and solar system with students.

And these printable solar system coloring pages are a simple way to make learning about space fun!

Keep reading to see how to get your set.

And, for more ways to learn about space, take a look at our All About the Solar System science unit!

Cosmic Colors! Solar System Coloring Pages

To use these printable solar system coloring pages, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

Solar System Tracing and Coloring Pages for Kids

This product includes ten coloring pages:

One for each member of our solar system
One for the sun
And another for the moon

Printable Solar System Coloring and Tracing Pages

Each page shows the name of each celestial body and features a picture to color.

At the bottom, there is also a tracing strip so that early learners can practice writing each name.

Printable Solar System Coloring Pages for Kids

These are a fun way to add a little art into the science of learning about space!

You can print them on Astrobright paper and laminate them for use at science centers.

Or print them in a smaller size, laminate them, and place them on a ring for a simple memorization activity.

Scroll down to get your Solar System Coloring Pages!

Try some of these other outer space activities for kids!

Ready to teach the kids about space? This printable solar system science unit study is perfect for exploring the members of our solar system!

Share a trip into space with the kids when you read these amazing books about the solar system together! These would make perfect read alouds for a solar system unit!

To get your copy of these Cosmic Colors! Coloring Pages, click the image or the link below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

Solar System Coloring and Tracing Pages for Kids

>>> Cosmic Colors! Coloring Pages <<<

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