Tulip Paper Folding Craft

 

Create a beautiful and vibrant paper tulip garden with just a few squares of paper and some crayons! It's a fun and easy activity for kids of all ages, and a great way to bring some springtime cheer indoors.

Materials:

Square pieces of paper (any size)
Crayons
Scissors (optional)

Instructions:

• Fold each square piece of paper in half diagonally, so that you have a triangle.
• Make a mini fold at the base to mark the center.
• Fold from the center point out on both sides.
• Open, glue if you’d like and draw a face!
• Add a paper scrap stem and leaves to incorporate more fine motor and scissor skills.

Display in your classroom on a banner or bulletin board. Your paper garden is now complete! Enjoy your beautiful and colorful creations!

Tips:

• Use different colors of crayons to create a more vibrant garden.
• Experiment with different folding techniques to create different shapes for your flowers and trees.
• Add glitter or other embellishments to your garden for extra shine.
• Each child can make one flower to share in a collaborative garden display!

To help you prep for your class easily and integrate writing along with this activity I have a printable pack available in my TPT store ready to print! 

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Paper Folding Craft, Spring

Caterpillar Garden - A Looping Line Practice Picture

Get ready for writing letters by practicing a clockwise and counterclockwise loop pattern in your pre-writing and early handwriting lessons in kindergarten.

Practicing different lines and patterns with fluency helps children 

• develop the fine motor skills necessary for writing
• learn the circular motion ready for letters like e, o, p, a, c and more
• strengthen the muscles in the fingers, hands, and wrists
• develop spatial awareness and coordination. 

Both the clockwise and counterclockwise loop pattern requires children to move their hands in a specific direction and to control the size and shape of the loops. This helps them develop the ability to judge distances and to control their movements in writing. 

After some practice with a loop pattern across a large sheet of paper (ideally on an upright easel to allow for big arm movement) your children can make some pictures from loops - like flowers and foliage around a caterpillar or butterflies. 

Incorporating line and pattern drawing into your classroom routine is a fun and effective way to support your students' writing development. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• set up a "drawing center" in your classroom with a variety of materials, such as markers, crayons, and play dough - display some art or drawing ideas that students have created to guide imagination
• encourage students to draw lines, patterns, and shapes during free time and during literacy centers and rotations
• se line and pattern drawing as a warm-up activity before writing lessons
• incorporate line and pattern drawing into your writing lessons by having students trace, copy, and create their own patterns or use tracing pages as a guide

You may also like:

• more caterpillars to draw
• more spring garden pictures to draw

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Handwriting, Scribble Drawings, Spring

Visualizing Numbers to 10

Visualizing numbers less than 10 is an important step in early math development.

It helps children

• understand the concept of quantity
• compare numbers
• develop number sense

Visualizing numbers helps children develop mental math skills, such as adding and subtracting small numbers. By providing children with opportunities to visualize numbers through activities such as counting objects, using number lines, and playing games, we can support their mathematical development and set them up for success in future math learning.

Here is just one game to play with the ladybug and flower mat from the Making 10 Play Mat pack.

Ladybug & Flower Number Game

• at the small group math table give each of your students a flower and access to counters
• you have the ladybug and have it positioned for stduents to see clearly
• have a sheet of paper (floral scrapbook paper would work well) to conceal the ladybug when needed
• make a number for students to see on your ladybug - you can have them count it with you as you make it, or make it and let them discover the number for themselves
• give your students 30sec-1 minute to look at the number and remember it
• hide the counters by concealing your ladybug under the paper
• give your students time to make the same number on their flower
• check all numbers by counting and comparing

• play several times with different numbers
• increase the difficulty by giving your students less time to see the number and concealing it while you make the number
• use the opportunity for math talk between numbers - ask them to describe the different arrangements and understand that the same number can be arranged in different ways - e.g. one student has made 5 with 3 pink and 2 yellow counters around the edge of the flower and another has grouped 4 orange and 1 green counter in a group at the bottom of the flower

Playing with equipment is one way to help your students visualize numbers. You could also play more structured number games or incorporate movement and music into math lessons (clapping numbers to match pictures etc). As well as building a mental picture of numbers your students will develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.


When children play with numbers, they are actively engaged in the learning process, manipulating objects, exploring patterns, and making connections. This hands-on, minds-on approach to learning helps children develop a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

Join my newsletter community (it's free) for more support, ideas and news of resources in store.

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math warm up, Play to Ten

Egg-citing Spring Classroom Door

Easter is coming - is it time to brighten up your classroom door? Here is a fun and festive decoration that will also help your students learn to find their name, learn their friends names and feel part of the class community. 

Your students will love their "egg-citing" spring door decoration and they'll be chirping with delight!

Use the printable pieces in this pack from my store or have students cut an oval from bright construction paper and write their name!

Instructions:

• Prepare the egg cutouts. 
• Or if making your own, cut out egg shapes from colorful construction paper. You can use different colors and sizes to create a variety of eggs.
• Write student names on the eggs or have them write their own name. 
• Cut the word cards provided, or type and print your own unique classroom message. 
• Assemble the door decoration. Arrange the egg cutouts so all the names can be seen and scatter the polka dot and plain eggs through too  You can use tape or glue to attach the eggs to the door.
• You can also add other decorations, such as flowers, butterflies, or clouds. There are lots to choose from in other door display packs in or collection. 

This door decoration is a great way to get your students excited about spring and to celebrate the new season. So get creative and have fun!

Here are some alternative message ideas:

• "Spring is in the Air"
• "Our Egg-citing Spring Classroom"
• "Peep, Peep, Here Comes Spring!"
• "Hoppy Easter from Our Classroom"
• "Blossoms and Bunnies"
• "A Rainbow of Spring Colors"
• "Welcome to Our Chirpy Classroom"

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Door Displays, Easter

Big egg Tracing Pages

New season and Easter feelings are in the air, and we can’t wait to be filled with the joy of creativity! Your little artists might like to explore their imaginations by painting vibrant Easter eggs too.

I just added 10 new designs to the Big Egg Tracing Page pack if you’d like an outline to follow or you can draw an oval and have your children design their own egg!

After tracing a big egg shape your children can paint their eggs for a display!

Why is painting with happy colors so important ? Here are just a few reasons:

It helps develop their fine motor skills.

Painting requires children to use their hands and fingers in precise ways, which strengthens their muscles and improves their coordination.

It enhances their hand-eye coordination.

Children must coordinate their hand movements with their eyes to create the shapes and patterns they want. Use the plain egg on page 4 of the pack to have your children make their own design!

It stimulates their creativity and imagination.

Painting allows children to express themselves freely and explore their own unique ideas.

It's just plain fun!

Painting is a joyful activity that brings smiles to our little ones' faces.

As well as painting beautiful eggs for your classroom display you could:

1. Have an Easter Egg Hunt: Hide plastic eggs filled with candy or small toys around the classroom and have the students search for them.
2. Make a Bunny Card: Create a simple Easter bunny card using construction paper, glue, and other materials. Here are some templates we have. 
3. Easter Story: Read an age-appropriate Easter or spring story to the class and discuss its message.

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Easter, Tracing

Spring Chick Dice Grid Game

Do you have our Dice Grid Games? Here is an additional way to play - using the spring chick dot game mat.

• one math between 2 players
• use the dot tiles (print in yellow is optional)
• use 2 dice
• students take turns to roll both dice and find a yellow tile that combines with the dice to make 10
• for example, a student rolls 6 and 3 and then takes a yellow 'one' tile to make the 10
• the student finds a place for the tile on the game mat - matching the dots
• the students continue to have turns rolling, making ten and finding a position for their yellow tile
• the student who first completes any row of 3 tiles is the winner
• option: play multiple rounds and for each win score a fluffy chick 

I love knowing that children are excited to learn with our resources and am glad you're here with me! 

• find the printable mat and more in store
• find some math warm ups here
• follow my teacher store 
• let’s stay connected - consider joining my free newsletter

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Dice Grid Games, Making 10, Spring

Easter Cards to Make

 Make an Easter Card with your children! 

Making cards:

Encourages creativity and imagination: 

Making Easter cards allows childrento express their creativity and imagination through colors, designs, and decorations. They can use their own ideas or draw inspiration from their favorite Easter characters or themes.

I have a few printable options if you'd like a guide:

• Bunny Family Easter Card
• Super Simple Bunny Card

Provides a sense of accomplishment: 

When children complete their Easter cards, they feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. This can boost their self-esteem and encourage them to continue exploring their creativity.

Gives them a purpose for writing and communication

Your children will have a reason to practice their writing skills and have a meaningful reason to communicate with the written word. 

Here are 5 things your students may like to write on their card:

1. Happy Easter!
2. I hope you have a wonderful day.
3. I am so happy to celebrate Easter with you.
4. I hope you get lots of chocolate eggs.
5. I love spending time with you at Easter.

Find these cards and more Easter ideas on the website page!

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Easter

Every 10 Eggs

Place value is a fundamental concept in number sense and a cornerstone of early math. Understanding 10 ones (or 1 ten) is a critical milestone in place value development as it forms the foundation for comprehending larger numbers. Here is a math warm up that will help with

• counting to ten
• adding smaller numbers to make ten (1, 2 and 3)
• beginning to think about 10 ones as 1 ten

Every 10 Eggs - a math warm up or game

• use the 123 cards and baskets from the Math Kit
• flip the dot cards in a face down pile
• on a students turn they flip cards and count to exactly 10
• when 10 is reached they add an 'egg' (counter) to their basket
• stop at 4 or 5 eggs (whatever you have time to allow)

Why is Understanding 10 Ones Important?

Understanding 10 ones is essential for several reasons:

Building Number Sense: 

• it allows children to transition from counting individual objects to thinking about numbers in groups of 10
• this lays the groundwork for more complex mathematical operations

Connecting Concrete and Abstract Representations: 

• Ten ones can be represented concretely using physical objects, such as the 'egg' in the basket
• After the game have students record their eggs as tens in their math journal - e.g. I have 3 tens in my basket. 3 tens is 30.
• Your children will begin to grasp the relationship between quantities and their numerical representation.

Composing and Decomposing Numbers: 

• Understanding 10 ones enables children to compose and decompose numbers. 
• They can compose numbers by grouping 10 ones into tens, and decompose numbers by breaking tens back into 10 ones. This skill is crucial for addition, subtraction, and mental math strategies.
• To extend this activity, have students shuffle their pile of used cards and play again, this time removing a '10 egg' each time they count ten dots. 

You may like:

• to find the Math Kit for more visual support in math
• find more ideas for Easter
• to join my free newsletter

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Math Kit, math warm up

Fluffy Chicks and Scissor Skills

Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than with a fun and engaging craft activity for kindergarteners? This yellow paper circle spring chick craft is perfect for developing scissor skills and fine motor development.

This activity is ideal for kindergarteners because it helps them develop several important skills, including:

Scissor skills: 

Cutting the fluffy feather lines on the chick's body helps children develop their scissor skills. This is an important skill for kindergarteners to develop, as it will help them with a variety of tasks in the future, such as cutting out shapes for art projects and writing their names.

Fine motor development: 

Gluing the chick's body, wings, and feet together helps children develop their fine motor skills. This is another important skill for kindergarteners to develop, as it will help them with tasks such as holding a pencil, turning the pages of a book, typing on a keyboard, using small math equipment and participating fully in other areas of learning with hands-on lessons. 

Creativity: 

This activity allows children to be creative and express themselves. They can choose how to decorate a background page for their chick, and they can even add their own unique touches.

Spring is a beautiful time of year, and one of the most delightful aspects of the season is the arrival of baby animals - which are not only adorable but also fascinating subjects for kindergarten students to learn about and write about.

Help your students to research spring chicks and learn about them together. Chart some facts to read back with the class. Explore the life cycle of chickens, the importance of caring for living things, and the wonders of nature. Additionally, writing about chicks can help children develop their storytelling skills, descriptive language, and ability to organize their thoughts.


Here are a few ideas for writing activities that you can use with your kindergarten students:

• Have students write a story about a day in the life of a spring chick.
• Ask students to write a poem about the beauty of spring chicks.
• Write a short information report. Here are some practical writing scaffold sto help.

All that bright yellow in the classroom? You bet!

1. Yellow is Engaging: It's is a bright and cheerful color that can easily capture the attention of young children. It is often used in early years classrooms to create a stimulating and inviting environment.
2. Yellow is great for emotional well-being: Yellow has been shown to have a positive impact on mood and emotions. It can help to create a sense of happiness and optimism, which is important for young children's development.
3. Yellow contributes to cognitive development: Yellow can also help to promote cognitive development. It has been shown to improve memory and concentration, which are essential skills for learning.

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scissor skills, Spring

Bugs on a Leaf Math Warm Up

By understanding and being able to fluently add numbers under 5, children are able to solve simple addition problems quickly and accurately, which helps them develop confidence and a positive attitude towards math. Fluency in addition under 5 supports the development of more complex mathematical concepts, such as subtraction, multiplication, and division. Here is a low prep math warm up you can play to help ongoing practice of this essential skill. 

Bugs on a Leaf Math Warm Up - Addition Within 5

• each player has a leaf play mat
• use 1-3 dot cards
• on their turn a student flips a card and places a matching number of counters (bugs) onto their leaf
• player each have 2 turns
• totals are calculated and the highest wins
• encourage students to look at each others' leaves and check the accuracy of the totals

Here one player has a total of 4 and the other 2. Encourage your students to talk about their bugs - First one bug landed on the leaf, then 3 more bugs. There were 4 bugs altogether.



Optional: if playing multiple rounds, you can let students keep track of their wins by putting a counter on a flower mat for each win they score. 



Addition within 5 can be something. you support daily in your kindergarten with math warm ups and play. Once you've taught students some of these games you can provide the equipment at a math table and stduents will play them in their self-directed center or play time too. 

Don't forget, as well as playing games:

Use manipulatives. 

Physical objects like blocks, counters, or toys can help kindergarteners visualize and understand the concept of addition. Combining concrete objects, math language or talk and symbols or visuals will provide a multi-sensory experience for students and build confidence and understanding. 

Use real-world examples. 

Real-world examples can help kindergarteners connect the concept of addition to their everyday lives. For example, you could ask them how many apples they would have if they had 3 apples and then got 2 more apples from the store. The visuals in the math kit (like the leaf play mats) help students make connections from real world experience and stories to symbols and concepts.

Find the Math Kit Bundle HERE

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Math Kit, math warm up, numbers to five

Let's draw an orange!

Drawing is always fun but it is esepecially important in the early years of school.

Drawing can help:

Develop fine motor skills:

• Drawing requires children to use the small muscles in their hands and fingers, which helps develop fine motor skills. 
• These skills are essential for writing and to complete other tasks in the classroom - playing math games and engaging with hands-on learning for concepts like measurement, space and geometry.

Enhance creativity:

• Drawing allows children to express themselves creatively and to explore their imaginations. 
• It helps children develop problem-solving skills, as they experiment, make choices and decisions to represent their ideas.

Promote self-expression:

• Drawing gives children a way to communicate their thoughts and feelings without using words. 
• It can also be a therapeutic activity for children who are struggling with difficult emotions.

Here is a project you can do easily with paper, crayons and watercolors - an orange!  

Here are the steps:

After drawing one your students can draw a whole page full and then add a tree foliage background or cut them out for display. 

If you love teaching action and counting rhymes in your learning program, you may also like my new rhyme: Orange Tree. It's included in the bundle of rhymes and is a valuable tool for math while integrating reading, language and listening. 

This rhymes combine rhyme and actions in a fun and engaging way to explore numbers to ten and counting forward and back.

I hope you have a great day at school today and you hear your students say things like:

• "Yay, I love art!"
• "What are we going to make?"
• "Do I get to use the glitter?"

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Finger Play, Scribble Drawings

Butterflies Warm Up

Fun Butterfly Fact:

Butterflies rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. When you see them basking in the sunlight - they're warming up. Encourage your students to warm up for math today with a quick place value game using the new butterfly cards in the Math Kit! 

Butterfly Ten Math Game

• butterflies have special scales on their wings that help them absorb sunlight and convert it into energy - tell students they will collect ten of these scales on their butterfly before lift off and flight (scoring a ten block for the center of their card)
• students roll a 1-3 dice and add the matching number of blocks or counters to a wing on their card
• they keep rolling and adding cubes until they reach 10
• stop them periodically and ask them to tell you how many they have so far and how many more they need to make ten
• when ten cubes have been collected, they trade for a ten
• extension idea: keep playing to build a 50 or 100 (switch to a 6 sided dice)

To further your children's learning in place value - have them:

• count objects in groups of tens and ones (take a scoop of counters or buttons and sort them into tens with the remainder being ones - find the total)
• match numerals to groups of objects (use the number cards from the math kit to label a set made from place value blocks)
• engage in more fun printable card games and worksheets

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Place Value, Spring

St Patricks Day Craft - At the end of the rainbow!

St. Patrick's Day provides many opportunities for engaging and hands-on activities. Children can participate in art projects such as making shamrocks for a classroom banner or rainbow decorations - like these ones! They can color and cut the rainbow rectangles on a page provided in the file or you could use party streamers or crepe paper. 

Along with the craft (color, paint or print on colored paper) your children can write about St Patrick's Day after reading some books. 

The tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick's Day is said to date back to the 17th century, when people would wear green shamrocks on their clothing as a way to honor Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Over time, the green shamrock evolved into the big green hat that is now a popular symbol of the holiday! Talk about what your students would love to find at the end of a rainbow and make a list together. Teach your students how to make a list as you write. 

From this collaboartive list they can draw or write a short response to the sentence starter. A plain option is provided in my file if you'd like to create your own writing task.  

What a beautiful bulletin board or display you'll have with all the colors of the rainbow and your students drawing and writing! 

In addition to the craft activity, you may like a sensory bin activity in your classroom for engaging your students while others finish their craft. Here is one idea:

Create a Pot of Gold Sensory Bin

This is a fun and easy way to explore textures and sensory input. 

• fill a bin with rice, beans, or sand
• add some gold coins
• let your children use their hands or scoops to dig through the bin and find the gold

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St Patricks Day

Fine Motor Mats for St Patrick's Day

Let's get creative with play dough during March! St Patrick’s day gives you the ideal theme to get a rainbow assortment ready and have some fun! I have some new shamrock funny face play dough mats in my store. You can combine them with dough and small equipment and have your children cover the shapes and lines on the mats. Use:

• dough
• buttons
• counters
• small blocks
• pom poms
• dry erase markers and more!

Your children learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process. Hands-on activities allow children to explore and interact with their environment, which helps them to make connections and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. Play dough and fine motor activity mats are perfect for hands-on learning in your classroom. They help with:

Increased engagement: 

Fine motor activities are engaging and allow your children to use their senses to explore and interact with materials, which helps to keep them interested and motivated.

Development of problem-solving skills: 

Play dough shape-making activities often require children to solve problems, such as how to create a shape or arrangement to fit a space or cover an area. This helps them to develop their problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in school and in life.

Development of fine motor skills: 

Working with dough, buttons, counters or markers on the activity mats help develop your students fine motor skills. They will use hand-eye coordination and dexterity. This is important for tasks such as writing, drawing, and playing musical instruments.

Development of social skills: 

A play-dough or fine motor mat learning center can serve to support the scial development of your students too. They can work at a small desk together and share equipment, talk about their work, listen to one another, be cooperative and communicate their thoughts and feelings. 

Find the mats over in my store ready to print and play!

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fine motor, St Patricks Day