And it’s a great time to get your early learners all set for winter break with these fun Christmas same or different worksheets!

Recognizing objects that are the same and objects that are different is such a critical skill for preschool and kindergarten-aged students.

It’s the basis for number and letter literacy, which makes preschool a perfect time to practice this foundational skill.

These fun holiday-themed worksheets are perfect way to get more practice in before winter break begins!

And it’s just a cute Christmas activity to share when your students have presents on the brain.

Keep reading to get your set. And, for more fun with winter, take a look at our Spanish and English Arctic Animal learning cards!

What You’ll Need to Use These Christmas Same or Different Worksheets

To use these Christmas themed same and different printables, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are used below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

• Printer (with ink)
• Printer paper
• Laminator (optional)
• Dry erase markers (optional)
• Hole punch (optional)

This same or different learning activity includes four visual discrimination worksheets – two that challenge students to find the same Christmas ornaments and two that help them to spot the different one.

Along with the color worksheets, blackline versions of each page are also included.

Plus, there’s a full answer key and a teaching script inside, so you can just print and go. No prep required!

How to Use the Christmas Same or Different Worksheets with Early Learners

There are several ways you can use these visual discrimination activities with your students.

Of course, you can print the worksheets, hand them out, and call it a day.

When your learners are antsy or you’re running short on time, this is definitely a good idea!

But if you have a little time to prep, you can also let them color in the blackline versions and create their own activity.

They can use the same colors to color their ornaments the same and different colors to color the different one on each row.

You could also print the answer key and cut the sections into strips. Place them on a ring for self-checking at math centers!

Or laminate them and let students use them with dry erase markers. That way, you can print and prep once and use them again and again.

These are perfect take-home activities for students to have over winter break too.

Scroll down to get your copy of these Christmas same or different worksheets!

Try some of these other winter early learning activities!

The post Christmas Same or Different Worksheets for Kids appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

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

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

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

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

Read on to see how to get your set.

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

¡La Escuela! Spanish School Vocabulary Flashcards

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

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

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

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

The cards are designed to be printed dual-sided.

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

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

How to Use the Spanish School Word Learning Cards

There are several ways to use these with students.

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

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

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

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

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

Scroll down to get your Spanish school vocabulary flashcards!

Try some of these other Spanish literacy activities!

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

The post La Escuela! Spanish School Vocabulary Flashcards appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

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

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

These are fantastic for early literacy centers.

They’d also make good morning tub activities!

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

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

Printable Apple Letter Matching Puzzles

To use these apple letter matching puzzles, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

• Printer (with ink)
• Printer paper or cardstock
• Laminator (optional)
• Colored pencils (optional)
• Scissors

This set of letter matching activities includes 26 apple puzzles.

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

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

A full blackline version is also included!

How to Use Letter Puzzles to Build Literacy

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

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

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

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

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

Or both!

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

Students can check their work as they go!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunflower Making Ten Playdough Math Center

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

• Printer (with ink)
• Printer paper
• Laminator (optional)
• Scissors
• Playdough

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

There are also ten yellow ten frames inside.

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

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

How to Use The Making Ten Playdough Math Center

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

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

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

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

Now you can demonstrate the activity.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To get your copy of this sunflower adding to make ten center, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

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

>>> Sunflower Make Ten Playdough Center <<<

The post Sunflower Playdough Making Ten Math Center appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

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

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

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

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

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

Read on to see how to get your copy.

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

Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

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

• Printer (with ink)
• Printer paper
• Child-safe scissors
• Glue stick
• Laminator (optional)
• Hook and loop adhesive coins (optional)
• Dry erase markers (optional)

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

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

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

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

A full blackline version is included too!

How to Teach Early Learners about the Flower Life Cycle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See this resource in action in the video below!

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

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

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

Which is why I wanted to share this printable mini frog life cycle kids can color for themselves!

This printable animal science resource is a perfect way to talk about the life cycle of frogs with kindergartners and first graders.

Plus, you can even use it for a spring unit or a spring animal unit you may be planning.

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

And, be sure to take a look at how printable frog life cycle sequencing activity as well!

Printable Mini Frog Life Cycle Coloring Book for Kids

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

• Printer (with ink)
• Printer paper
• Child-safe scissors
• Colored pencils or crayons
• Stapler

After you’ve printed all of the pages, you can hand them out to students.

Walk them through each life stage on the coloring sheets – starting with the egg stage and progressing through to the adult frog stage.

Ask your class to recite the stages in order with you to make sure they understand the correct order.

How to Make a Frog Life Cycle Book with Early Learners

To make this mini book together, let the students color each page.

Then, they can use child-safe scissors to cut out each one and place them in a stack.

Make sure they put the pages in the correct order!

Staple the pages together on the left edge and have them add their name to the front.

Done!

Get a look at the completed frog life cycle book in the video below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this mini frog life cycle book!

Take a look at these other spring learning ideas for early grades!

To get your copy of this free mini coloring book for kids, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

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

>>> Frog Life Cycle Coloring Book <<<

The post Printable Mini Frog Life Cycle Book for Kids appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

Here the weather is already warming and we’re seeing more rain showers. Plus, the bees are starting to buzz around again.

Since spring is nearly here, I thought this printable preschool spring activity calendar would be a fun resource to share!

Using this activity planner can be a huge time-saver if you’re planning preschool lessons during spring.

And it’s free to download!

Read on to get your copy. And, take a look at our list of 50 spring books for kids too!

Printable Preschool Spring Activity Calendar for Kids

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

• Printer (with ink)
• Printer paper
• Colored pencils (optional)
• Digital device (optional)

This preschool lesson plan features 12 spring-related themes, so you can use it for up to twelve weeks of lessons.

For each week, you’ll see five different activities to complete.

In the digital download, you’ll get two versions (color and blackline) with linked text.

If the text is blue, that means you can click it to be taken directly to the resource or activity.

There are also two versions (color and blackline) with plain text, which are great if you intend to print the calendar out.

How to Use a Spring Preschool Activity Calendar with Early Learners

Here are a couple of ways to make use of this spring activity planner:

Print the unlinked version out and hang it up on the wall of your classroom or learning space.

As you complete each activity, let students color in the block. See how many you can try this spring!

You can also send this home with students for parents to try as well.

If you’re using the linked version on a digital device, just save the file to your hard drive. Each day, click the blue link and take a look at the idea or activity.

You can give the students copies of the unlinked version for them to check off too!

Scroll down to get your copy of this printable preschool spring activity calendar – free!

Take a look at these other spring teaching ideas for early grades!

To get your copy of Spring Fun! a spring activity planner for preschoolers, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter this Sunday.

NOTE: If you have a pop-up blocker installed in your web browser, disable it in order to see the widget where you can enter your email address.

>>> Spring Pre-K Activity Calendar <<<

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

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

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

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

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

And it complements a plant growing experiment perfectly!

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

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

Mini Plant Growing Journal for Kids

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

• Printer (with ink)
• Printer paper
• Pencils
• Colored pencils or crayons

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

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

Both color and blackline versions are included.

How to Use the Plant Growing Journal with Early Learners

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

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

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

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

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

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

Try some of these other spring teaching ideas!

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

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter this Sunday!

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

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

They’re all around us, so it’s fun to show students the circle in the clock on the wall or the square in the window.

Transportation is another of my favorite themes for preschool.

Which makes this easy shape train craft a perfect way to teach both at the same time!

If you’re looking for a simple, hands-on way to talk about shapes or transportation, this is it!

It’s simple enough for young learners to complete on their own.

But it also provides a good way to talk about real world math with students, even in preschool.

Get the full instructions and the printable template below!

Need more ways to talk about shapes in early grades? Take a look at our hands-on Shape Sorting Mats!

Easy Shape Train Craft for Kids

This simple shape craft is a perfect low-prep activity for a shape or transportation unit with preschoolers or kindergarteners.

Once you’ve cut out the template pieces, students can assemble the craft with just a few directions.

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

• Printer (with ink)
• Printer paper
• Scissors (if you plan for students to cut out the pieces themselves, use child-safe scissors)
• Construction paper
• Glue stick
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Printable Train Craft Template

Get started by printing the craft template.

Then use a pencil to trace the shape pieces onto colored construction paper and cut them out.

I find it best to use different colors for each piece. That way, it’s easy to point out each geometric shape without confusing the students.

The finished project includes three rectangles, one triangle, two squares, and two circles.

How to Make a Shape Train Math Craft

Now it’s time to assemble our train!

Use a piece of construction paper as your background.

Start by gluing the large rectangle down towards the right edge of the paper.

Glue the triangle on the left side of the rectangle. The two pieces should touch.

Make sure students rotate the triangle so that the longest edge is facing up and out. This will be the front of the train.

Complete the body by adding the thinner rectangle vertically along the right side of the large rectangle.

Place it so that it covers the right edge of the large rectangle. This will form the back of the train.

The two circles go in the bottom center of the train, forming the wheels.

An easy way to direct students is to have them glue the circles on the bottom of the large rectangle only.

Add the final small rectangle by gluing it onto the top of the thin vertical rectangle.

Add the two squares (windows) by gluing them towards the top of the center rectangle.

If you like, you can have students draw perpendicular lines to form windowpanes.

And we’re all finished!

These would make an excellent class project for parents’ night!

Let the students try different colors of paper and add their own touches afterwards: a plume of smoke coming from the smokestack, a conductor in the window, tracks under the train – whatever they can think of!

See the full project directions below!

Easy Shape Train Craft for Kids

Print

This simple shape train craft is a perfect way to teach early learners about geometry and transportation. Plus, they'll get some fine motor skills practice too!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

• Construction paper
• Pencil
• Printer paper

Tools

• Printer
• Ruler
• Child-safe scissors
• Glue stick

Instructions

1. Print the shape train craft template.
2. Cut out the template pieces and then use a pencil to trace each shape onto colored construction paper.
3. Cut out the paper pieces.
4. Glue the large rectangle down onto a piece of white construction paper.
5. Glue the triangle onto the front of the rectangle, forming the front of the train.
6. Glue the thin rectangle vertically along the back edge of the large rectangle, forming the back of the train.
7. Glue the small thin rectangle horiztonally along the top edge of the thin rectangle.
8. Glue the two circles onto the bottom of the large rectangle, forming the wheels.
9. Glue the two squares onto the top section of the large rectangle, forming the windows.

Notes

• Encourage your students to add details, such as: tracks under the train, smoke coming from the smokestack, a railroad crossing sign, or a conductor in the window.
• Have students use different colors for each train and make a group of trains for a class display.
• Talk about each shape before adding it to the picture. Ask students: "What shape is this?" or "How many sides does this shape have?"
• For shapes that are similar, such as the rectangles, talk about how each one is different. Ask: "How is this rectangle different from that rectangle?" Encourage students to examine the differences in height, width, and orientation.
• If you need to save time, print the template pieces and cut out shapes ahead of time. Then students can simply assemble the craft as you provide instructions.

Take a look at these other shapes activities for early learners!

The post Easy Shape Train Craft for Kids appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.

His own life story is fascinating, but what he went on to accomplish is even more impressive.

Use this elementary Frederick Douglass history lesson to teach your students about this American activist!

This resource is a perfect fit for Black History Month. But it’s also excellent for teaching American history all throughout the year.

And it comes in a digital or printable format!

Read on to see how to get your copy of this elementary Black history resource.

And, for more about African-American history, take a look at our list of Black history books to share with kids!

Elementary Frederick Douglass History Lesson for Kids

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

• Printer (with ink)
• Printer paper
• Pencils
• Colored pencils (optional)

Inside this resource is a two-page biography of Frederick Douglass’ life.

It’s written in age-appropriate language for students to comprehend.

There’s also a blackline version of the biography included.

Along with the life story, there are three comprehension and review activities for students to complete.

An answer key is included for each activity.

And a teaching script is inside too!

How to Use this Frederick Douglass History Lesson with Students

When you’re ready to introduce this Black American to your students, start by reading the biography together.

Be sure to stop frequently to check for student understanding as you go.

If you choose, you can print the blackline version of the biography. Then students can color the pictures as you read through his life story.

The review activities include:

• A fill in the blank activity (based on the biography)
• A timeline sequencing activity (based on the biography)
• And a word unscramble activity (using words taken from Frederick’s life and career)

You might choose to complete one or two in class and send the rest with students as homework.

The answer key makes it easy to grade student submissions!

This resource is also available as a digital product for use with Google Slides!

All of the activities are included and students can either type on the slides to answer the questions or drag and drop their responses.

Get a look at the printable resource in the video below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this Frederick Douglass Elementary Lesson!

Add more Black history teaching ideas to your lesson plan with these activities!

To get the digital version of this Frederick Douglass elementary history lesson, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store! You can also get the digital and printable version as a bundle!

The post Elementary Frederick Douglass History Lesson for Kids appeared first on Look! We're Learning!.