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Light Table Leaf Exploration

October 29, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

This light table leaf exploration activity takes nature indoors, It is easy and economical to set up, and has many learning opportunities.
This light table leaf exploration activity takes nature indoors, It is easy and economical to set up, and has many learning opportunities.

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One of the nicest places to observe colors and shapes in fall leaves is on the light table. Early learners get the chance to investigate natural materials indoors. The leaves get illuminated and their stripes, spots, and beautiful colors become even more noticeable. And best of all, there are a lot of learning possibilities in this light table leaf exploration activity.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

Fall leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

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Gather the following supplies for this low-prep, economical nature play invitation:

  • leaves in different colors, shapes, textures, and sizes
  • overhead transparencies
  • black permanent marker
  • “leaf” word strip
  • transparent alphabet letters
  • magnifying glasses
  • artificial flowers in vases

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Light Table Leaf Exploration

To collect the leaves, take your little charges on a nature walk. Give everyone a bag and ask each participant to find leaves in different shapes, sizes, and colors.

Back at home or in class, set some of the leaves on a light table for the children to view. Invite everyone to explore, sort, and arrange the foliage.

Extra leaves can be placed in an indoor DIY mud kitchen or added to a sensory tub.

Include magnifying glasses for early learners to see leaf veins and midribs clearly.

Fall leaves look extra pretty on the light table. And this leafy center has many learning opportunities.

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Place a word strip with the word “leaf” on the table, and include transparent alphabet letters. Encourage children to say and spell the word.

Fall flower sprigs in vases add ambiance to the center.

Exploring leaves is super fun on the light table. Magnifying glasses and the word "leaf" add learning possibilities to the center.

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Overhead Transparency Leaf Silhouettes

Trace some of the leaves onto overhead transparencies using a black permanent marker. Invite your early learners to match the light-enhanced leaves to their silhouettes.

Leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

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Light Table Leaf Exploration Benefits

This simple sensory activity has so many learning opportunities. Here are some possibilities this leaf light table setup offers:

  • recognizing leaf colors
  • counting and sorting leaves
  • shape matching
  • ordering leaves by size
  • alphabet letter identification
  • learning to make and spell a word
  • discussing leaf midribs and veins
  • creating designs with leaves
Fall leaf matching on the light table is easy with silhouettes drawn on overhead transparencies.

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Related: Eyedropper Leaf Art

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[Read more…] about Light Table Leaf Exploration

Filed Under: display, fall, light table, literacy, Math, preschool, science, sensory, trees Tagged With: leaves, light table, sensory play

Skull And Crossbones Art

September 15, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Oh, so easy skull and crossbones art project your little learners will love. Two free printables are included for the scissor skill activity.

Most years a pirate theme finds its way into our curriculum offerings. The theme involves action figures, boats, and lots of treasure, so what’s not to love? This year we included skull and crossbones art, which led to interesting discussions!

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Oh, so easy skull and crossbones art project your little learners will love. Two free printables are included for the scissor skill activity.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas.

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What I like most of all about a pirate theme is the way it enhances children’s language. Near the beginning of the school year, dramatic pirate language (demonstrated in storybooks) helps draw children out of their shells as they practice it in pretend play. Later on, it presents opportunities to work on sounds children may still be having difficulty with (think letter R / “arrr”.)

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International Talk Like A Pirate Day

An International Talk Like A Pirate Day is held every year on September 19. Celebrating it in the classroom fits in well with the benefits of imitating pirate talk at the beginning of the school term (which is in September where I live.}

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The Skull And Crossbones Art Project

Near the end of my latest pirate theme, I offered a little skull and crossbones art activity. (A skull and crossbones symbol was one of the designs used on pirate ships.)  Although the main goals were to discuss symmetry and practice scissor skills, the activity also inspired lively group conversation.

Oh, so easy skull and crossbones "creepy art" activity your little learners will love. Two free printables are included for the scissor skill ainvitation.

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Children cut out a skull and crossbones from a printable and then used felt markers to decorate it.

Invitation to create "creepy art" with two free skull and crossbones printables. Scissor skill practice is also a goal.

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My preschoolers loved the decorating phase. And they called their designs “creepy art.”  That term (which rolled off their tongues numerous times) was the inspiration for drawing spiders and dripping blood. (There were a few hearts to soften the look.)

This led me to tell them that there is such a thing as creepy art and that it is perfectly legitimate. Skull and crossbones art fits the label, and some of it is even described as “gorgeous” and “pretty” online.

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Skull And Crossbones Printables

The simple pirate-themed art activity was so well-received that I thought it was worth sharing in a blog post. It’s easy to pull out on International Talk Like A Pirate Day, or any time of the year.

Here are two free printables to download so your little learners can make creepy art too.

This first printable can be cut out and decorated. Or you can skip the cutting phase.

Skull and crossbones template to download for scissor skill practice and art.

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Skull And Crossbones PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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The second printable is designed to be folded in half lengthwise and then cut. It’s a good activity to discuss symmetry.

Skull and crossbones template to download for scissor skill practice and art. Learning about symmetry is also a possibility.

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Skull And Crossbones Scissor Skill PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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The work of Salvador Dali is an example of exquisite creepy art. An artist theme on Dali would be a great follow-up to this skull and crossbones art activity.

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And for more pirate-themed fun, try this “Exploding Treasure Chests” science experiment by FUN-A-DAY.

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Related: Pirate Treasure Bin

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[Read more…] about Skull And Crossbones Art

Filed Under: art, literacy, Math, pirates, preschool Tagged With: art, pirates, scissor skills

Jelly Bean Theme

April 16, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

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A few weeks ago, I set out to make an Easter display that would work for a wall art tree. I thought of incorporating the “Jelly Bean Prayer,” and wondered if there was such a thing as a jelly bean tree. To my delight, an online search revealed a variety of references to “jelly bean tree,” and provided inspiration for other activities. So in addition to changing up the display, I came up with this fun and tasty Jelly Bean Theme. The post includes free printables and a few facts about the colorful candy.

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10 Jelly Bean Facts

  • Jelly beans are bite-sized candies with hard, crunchy shells and soft, chewy centers.
  • These sweet candies are associated with Easter in Canada and the United States.
  • Part of the appeal is their egg shape and tiny size. This makes them terrific Easter egg fillers.
  • There are eight basic colors and flavors, which often have a fruity taste.
  • Over time, jelly beans were created in many different color schemes, often matching seasonal celebrations.
  • Jelly beans became popular in the 1960s.
  • The most common order for eating the candies is: red, purple, green, yellow, and black.
  • Jelly beans are used as an art medium, and there are mosaic art pieces made with them.
  • President Ronald Reagan liked them a lot, so artist Peter Rocha made a jelly bean portrait of the president.
  • There is a National Jelly Bean Day (in the US) on April 22.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Jelly Bean Theme Activities

There are a number of easy, educational jellybean activities to do at home or school.

Tasting Jelly Beans

Give participants jelly beans in the colors red, purple, green, yellow, and black. Chart the order each child eats the jellybeans.

What order would you eat these jelly beans in? Try this candy tasting activity and record the results.

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Incorporate language and math sequencing by describing color and taste, and using words such as first, next, and last.

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Jelly Bean Sorting

Invite children to sort jelly beans by color. This flower-shaped paint palette is perfect for individual color sorting.

A flower-shaped paint palette makes the perfect tray to sort jelly beans by color.

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Candies On Display

Jelly beans look attractive stored in mason jars. The filled jars could be part of a tablescape display or food table.

Store jelly beans in jars for a tablescape or food table display. Have a "Guess The Number Of Jelly Beans In The Jar" contest.

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How Many Jelly Beans Are In The Jar?

Fill a jar with jelly beans, and have participants guess the number of candies in the jar. Then count the jellybeans together. For early learners, a baby food jar or small bottle would be a good size to use.

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Cupcake Liner Easter Party Favors

Add pipe cleaner handles to sturdy Easter-themed cupcake liners. Fill the liners with Easter-colored jelly beans and hand them out as Easter basket party favors. Or fill plastic Easter eggs with jelly beans.

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Jelly Bean Prayer Wall Display

Over-sized paper jelly beans for a "Jelly Bean Prayer" tree display. Download the free printable for art, book-making, and display opportunities.

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Download this free template for a Jelly Bean Prayer tree display. I used it to cut out large jelly beans from different colors of cardstock paper. Then I wrote a line of the prayer on each one and added them to a tree theme wall display.

Download this oversized jelly bean template for art, book-making, and display use.

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Jelly Bean PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Jelly Bean Art

Use this same printable for children to paint or color and cut out gigantic paper jelly beans.

Or have children dictate or write a page for a jelly bean storybook, and then decorate the background.

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J Is For Jelly Bean Craft

Invite children to glue jelly beans onto a paper letter J. How fun!

"J Is For Jelly Beans" in this tasty craft. Reinforce the letter J sound with this fun and easy activity.

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Jelly Bean Tree Craft

Print copies of this tree template on white cardstock paper. Set them on an art table along with white glue and jelly beans. Invite children to glue jelly beans on the tree.

This could also be a transient art activity offered in a tray.

How fun! Decorate a tree template with jelly beans. Glue the tasty candies on for a finished project. Free tree printable available.

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Jelly Bean Artists

There are artists who work with jelly beans as a medium, or as a subject in their art. Who knew?

Peter Rocha and Kristen Cummings are two notable jelly bean artists. Their creations can be viewed on the Jelly Belly Company’s “The Jelly Belly Bean Art Gallery” web page. Their candy art can also be viewed on my Pinterest Board Jelly Bean Kids Activities/Jelly Bean Artists.

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Storybooks Incorporating Jelly Beans

The flavorful candies make an entertaining subject for storybooks. Here are a few books incorporating jelly beans:

Arthur’s Jelly Beans by Marc Brown 

Arthur and his friends participate in a “Spring Fling” party, which includes a jelly bean hunt of course!

Jellybean Mouse by Philip Roy

Happy the mouse isn’t excited to go on a laundromat errand but discovers a jellybean machine once there. The day’s adventure becomes just the excitement the spunky mouse is seeking.

The Jellybeans And The Big Dance by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans

A group of girls with different interests meet at a dance studio, and slowly become friends. They eventually discover that just as jellybeans come in different flavors but go well together, they get along great. They decide to call themselves “The Jellybeans.”

There are three more books in this friendship and team-building series:

  • The Jellybeans and the Big Book Bonanza
  • The Jellybeans and the Big Camp Kickoff
  • The Jellybeans and the Big Art Adventure

Jelly Bean Tree by Toni Yuli

This story isn’t about jelly beans, but the main character, a giraffe, is called Jelly Bean. It’s reason enough to include the colorfully illustrated, endearing story in the theme.

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[Read more…] about Jelly Bean Theme

Filed Under: art, crafts, display, Easter, literacy, Math, party, preschool, sensory, spring, themes, trees Tagged With: art, crafts, jelly beans, sensory tray

Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

February 22, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

These Valentine's Day treasure blocks offer a host of learning opportunities paired with loose parts and other blocks.
These Valentine's Day treasure blocks offer a host of learning opportunities paired with loose parts and other blocks.

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To add interest to block play activities, treasure blocks are always a good choice. Their contents can be changed to match the current theme you are doing as well as your child’s interests. Since we are in the month of February, Valentine’s Day treasure blocks blend in perfectly and can be used in a variety of creative ways.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

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Supplies To Collect

There’s no shortage of items to gather for valentine treasure blocks. You can go entirely with recycled loose parts or use economical purchased items. Or you can use a few of both.

The supplies I feature are red, pink, purple, and white – traditional Valentine’s Day colors. Gathered and added to the blocks are:

  • cut straws
  • beads cut from garland and necklaces
  • buttons
  • heart and rainbow erasers
  • acrylic hearts
  • gem craft hearts
  • hair ties

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Valentine’s Day Treasure Block Activities

At first, the filled treasure blocks can be set out on their own on a table or in a carpeted area for children to explore.

The blocks can be used as musical shakers, and children can be challenged to order them from quietest to loudest. With my blocks, the one with the hair ties hardly makes a sound, and the ones with bead garland balls and acrylic hearts tie for making the loudest sound.

These Valentine's Day treasure block shakers can be ordered by softest to loudest sounds.

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Another day, introduce new items to the treasure block play area. Featured here are little monsters, inspired by the endearingly illustrated storybook “Love Monster” by Rachel Bright, and Valentine’s Day loose parts. The monsters are actually repurposed dog toys, so they stand up superbly to block play! And they are squeaky, adding another element of sound to the play experience. Pairing the blocks, monster figurines, and loose parts together encourages children to think creatively in new ways.

These Valentine's Day treasure blocks offer a host of learning opportunities paired with monsters and loose parts.

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Asking the question “What can you build for the monsters?” will foster even more creativity. When I asked my preschoolers this question some of the answers were:

  • “I’m building a monster lair.”
  • “I am going to make a monster hiding place.”
  • “I made a house for the monsters.”

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More Block Play Possibilities

Pairing treasure blocks with mirror blocks is always a hit. The blocks are similar in size and shape and combine well for building large structures.

Pair Valentine's Day treasure blocks with mirror blocks and monsters for creative and imaginative play.

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And counting monster teeth and eyes, and discussing block shapes are ways to incorporate math into the play.

On their own, or combined with loose parts and other blocks, Valentine’s Day treasure blocks offer many opportunities for learning.

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[Read more…] about Valentine’s Day Treasure Blocks

Filed Under: block play, Math, music, preschool, pretend play, sensory, Valentine's Day Tagged With: block play, monsters, musical instruments, Valentine's Day

Christmas Light Table Activity

December 21, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Invitation to scoop and sort Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes in this magical light exploration play activity for little learners.
Invitation to scoop and sort Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes in this magical light exploration play activity for little learners.

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This Christmas light table activity is oh so simple to set up! And the festive light play invitation will add ambiance to your Christmas theme offerings.

A light table is a table illuminated by light and comes in a variety of sizes. Some smaller ones have removable legs for versatility. Portable light boxes and light panels are other excellent alternatives for light exploration activities.

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For more activities with light, follow my Pinterest board Light Play.

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Light Table Supplies

Clear containers and accessories, and reusable ice cubes are the key items to collect for this magical center. Gather:

  • clear salad bowl
  • plastic see-through gift boxes
  • plastic egg holders
  • clear serving spoons
  • Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes

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The Christmas Light Table Activity

Counting, sorting, and scooping opportunities at the light table with Christmas-themed reusable ice cubes and clear containers.

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Fill the salad bowl with reusable ice cubes and set it on a light table along with a serving spoon.

Spread the plastic gift boxes, egg holders, and extra spoons around the bowl.

Invite little learners to scoop ice cubes from the bowl into the gift boxes and sort ice cubes in the egg holders.

Color and shape sorting, counting, and practice with eye-hand coordination are a few benefits of this play invitation, aside from just being a lot of fun!

Invitation for little learners to count and sort reusable Christmas-themed ice cubes at the light table.

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If you do not have a light table or lightbox in your classroom or home, you can make a simple and economical DIY version. Just add Christmas lights to a clear plastic tub with a lid. I’ve tried this and it works just fine!

Reusable ice cubes can be picked up at dollar stores, or in the picnic supply section of other stores.  I’m always checking for ones that complement the themes we do in the classroom.

The clear gift boxes were an awesome dollar store find, and I snapped up ones trimmed in red, green, silver, and gold.  Little learners would enjoy scooping and transferring ice cubes into all sizes and shapes of containers, so use what you have available.

Clear gift boxes are the perfect containers for scooping reusable Christmas-themed ice cubes at the light table.

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A light table can be used for science, discovery, math, art, drawing, literacy, music, and more. What’s your favorite way to use one? Share below.

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[Read more…] about Christmas Light Table Activity

Filed Under: Christmas, light table, Math, preschool Tagged With: ice cubes, light table, loose parts

Spider Theme Activities

October 31, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Spider theme activities little learners will love. Art, Math, dramatic play, and gymnasium play ideas are featured.
Spider theme activities little learners will love. Art, Math, dramatic play, and gymnasium play ideas are featured.

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For years I have been collecting supplies for spider theme activities. And fall is the best time to add to the theme, as spider décor and toys are everywhere in stores.

But I’ve been hesitant to do a whole theme about these little crawlers. That might involve just too many spiders for some children’s comfort!

This fall I decided to introduce just a few spidery things in the classroom, and touch on the theme a little more than usual. I added spider activities sequentially over a two-week period. It didn’t hurt that a family on the route to preschool positioned a humungous spider on top of their home, with a web that extended from rooftop to ground. I’m sure this helped break the topic in!

An oversized spider decoration.

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Here are some spider theme activities we completed. They would work well for the children in your life too.

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Spider Mask

Easily transform into a spider with this easy papercraft mask.

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First, we decorated a spider mask. I used a wooden puppet as a template and traced it on pieces of black cardstock. I cut out enough spider masks for each child to have one and then glued on little orange hats. Each preschooler glammed up a mask with sticker gems. Afterward, I punched holes on each side of the masks and attached 18-inch pieces of thin elastic cord. The activity went over well, and children were happy to pose for pictures wearing their masks.

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Spidery Dramatic Play

Oh so fun spider-themed accessories for the play kitchen.

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Next, I added a few spider décor pieces to a pumpkin store and play kitchen. The items were a hit with everyone, and both centers were popular play areas for the children.

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Spiders and Spouts Sensory Tray

An Itsy Bitsy Spider inspired construction and sensory tray little learners will love.

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The following week I added a “Spiders And Spouts” sensory tray, inspired by the Itsy Bitsy Spider sensory tub blog post by Rubber Boots And Elf Shoes.

For the tray, I selected tubes from a sports net, a musical instrument set, a marble run toy, and a construction set. I added paper webs, spiders in many sizes, and bug viewers.

We followed up the sensory play with Itsy Bitsy Spider nursery rhyme picture books. Some favorites were:

  • The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Joe Rhatigan
  • Pete The Cat And The Itsy Bitsy Spider by James Dean
  • The Eensy-Weensy Spider by Mary Ann Hoberman

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Other Good Spider Books

We also squeezed in the storybooks “Aranea: A Story About A Spider” by Jenny Wagner, and “The Very Busy Spider” by Eric Carle.

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Spider Math Tray

Once the children thoroughly explored the spiders and spouts tray, it was turned into a Math center where students could roll a dice and put the correct number of spiders on a paper web. They could also add in tiny ants as prey.

Bring on the math with spiders and dice counting game.

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Spider Web Printable

Feel free to download this printable for use in a sensory or math center.

Downloadable spider web printable for math, sensory, and art activities.

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Spider Web PrintableDownload

This printable is for personal or one classroom use only.

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Gross Motor Activities

Finally, we had spoon races with spiders, and used bouncy spider balls in our gymnasium. Playing with the bouncy balls was definitely the favorite activity of the children.

Easy to play spider and spoon game.

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Spider balls to get little learners moving.

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[Read more…] about Spider Theme Activities

Filed Under: autumn, book theme, crafts, dramatic play, fall, literacy, Math, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: dramatic play, paper crafts, sensory tray, spiders

Apple Print Activities

October 16, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Apple print activities. Dip and paint apple halves and slices and press them onto art paper. Save some prints for fingerplays and counting.
Apple print activities. Dip and paint apple halves and slices and press them onto art paper. Save some prints for fingerplays and counting.

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Apples are so plentiful in fall and come in many sizes and colors. Besides enjoying the crunchy, juicy fruits in pies, squares, and drinks, set aside some for apple print activities.

To start off, show early learners a selection of apples in contrasting colors. A green Granny Smith, a yellow golden delicious, and a red royal gala apple make good fruits to set out and discuss. They are also easy to find in stores.

Little learners would be excited to taste the apples. Cut some into chunks and invite children to taste apples in all three colors.

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

Pick an inexpensive apple to use for the craft. I picked a smaller-sized apple on sale at a local produce store. Cut some apples in half from top to bottom, and slice others horizontally. Have early learners notice the seeds, and count them. Highlight the star shape in the horizontally cut apples.

Then invite children to use the apples for printmaking.

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Supplies To Collect

  • green, red, and yellow tempera paints
  • 12-inch x 18-inch sturdy art paper
  • small plates or trays
  • paintbrushes
  • apple halves

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Making Apple Prints

Pour a little red, green, and yellow paint in small flat dessert dishes or disposable plates. Add a little yellow to the green paint to lighten and brighten the color.

Allow little ones to dip apples into the paints, and make prints on the paper.

Fun and easy printmaking with apples.

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Another way to do this activity is to have early learners paint the apple halves instead, and then press them on the paper. It is easier to control the amount of paint on the apples this way.

Apple printmaking with green, red, and yellow tempera paints.

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Tip: After each painting experience, apple pieces can be rinsed and used again by another child.

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More Apple Print Activities

Apples often come in two different colors, like red and green, or yellow and red. To extend the painting experience, invite children to paint each apple half in a different color, and make prints with them.

Add some fun by making apple prints in two different colors.

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Thin the paints. Invite little learners to make prints on sections of paper towel roll. The absorbency and texture of the towels give the prints a unique look.

Make two-colored apple prints on absorbant paper towel.

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Instead of using apple halves, set out apple slices for the children to use. They work well too!

Printmaking using apple slices on a section of absorbant paper towel.

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After the paintings are dry, cut out a few prints to use in fingerplays and counting activities.

Cut apple paint prints used in fingerplays and counting activities.

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And the apple prints would make great additions to an apple tree or a wreath craft.

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[Read more…] about Apple Print Activities

Filed Under: apples, art, autumn, Math, preschool Tagged With: apples, colors, counting, printmaking

Recycled Card Mitten Matching

January 31, 2021 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Mitten and snowflake matching math activity using recycled cards.
Mitten and snowflake matching math activity using recycled cards.

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Christmas is one of the best times to collect recycled cards for classroom activities. I ask people to save their cards for me and then file them away for future use. Cards are beautiful and add an arty flair to any project. And winter-themed cards are perfect for this recycled card mitten matching challenge.

For this activity, select cards with a snowy, winter theme. Christmas cards frequently have this. Cut mitten shapes from the cards. Use one of these templates if you wish. I made the mittens in two sizes!

Mitten template.

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Large Mitten PrintableDownload

This printable is for personal or one classroom use only.

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Mitten template.

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Mitten PrintableDownload

This printable is for personal or one classroom use only.

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Punch shapes from the center of the mittens. I used a snowflake paper punch, but any shape could be punched or cut out. Then set the mittens and punched shapes out on a table. Invite early learners to match the cutouts to the mittens.

Mitten pattern matching math activity.

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More Paper Mitten Activities

Aside from this recycled card mitten matching challenge, mittens cut from different colors of cardstock paper could be used for matching. Or use the mitten template for a painting, coloring, or scissor skill activity.

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Snowflake and mitten matching challenge.

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Mitten and snowflake matching challenge.

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[Read more…] about Recycled Card Mitten Matching

Filed Under: art, Math, preschool, winter Tagged With: mittens, printables, recycled cards

New Year’s Countdown Activities

December 30, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Art and math New Year's countdown activities. Printmaking with fringed toilet rolls, collage art, and number matching opportunities.
Art and math New Year's countdown activities. Printmaking with fringed toilet rolls, collage art, and number matching opportunities.

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This post is an updated version of one of last year’s posts.

These New Year’s countdown activities give practice in number recognition and counting down from 10 to 1. And how fun is it for early learners to print fireworks with fringed toilet paper rolls!

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Printmaking Fireworks

Supplies needed:

  • Happy New Year printable (downloadable below)
  • scissors
  • toilet paper rolls
  • magenta, yellow, and light blue tempera paint
  • small plates or container lids
  • paintbrushes

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Happy New Year Printable

New Year's Countdown template to use for art and math activities with young children. Invitation to add paint print fireworks, count down from 10 t0 1 and match numbers.

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The “Happy New Year” printable can be printed on 8 1/2 inch x 11-inch paper, or 11-inch by 17-inch paper.

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Happy New Year PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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The Printmaking Invitation

Cut fringes into one end of three toilet paper rolls.

Bend the fringes on each paper roll outward.

Pour magenta, yellow, and light blue paint into small plates or lids.

Set out the paints, paper rolls, and paper on a table.

Ask your little learner to dip the fringed end of each paper roll into a color of paint and make a firework print on the paper.

Encourage your little one to add more prints in each paint color to the page.

Invitation to paint fireworks with fringed toilet paper rolls.

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Tip: Try this on a practice sheet first.

For added control, fringed ends can be painted with a brush instead of being dipped in paint.

New Year's fireworks printmaking with fringed toilet paper rolls.

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Fireworks paint prints made with fringed toilet paper rolls.

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To incorporate number recognition and matching practice, ask your early learner to cover the numbers 10 to 1 with numeric stickers.

Number matching on a New Year's countdown printable.

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Dot Marker New Year’s Countdown

Another way to use the New Year’s Countdown printable is to let your little learner decorate it with paper stars. Then ask your little one to count down the numbers from ten to one, dabbing each numeral with a dot marker as it is spoken.

Dot marker New Year's countdown invitation.

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Dot marker New Year's countdown activity.

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These New Year’s countdown activities will be sure to help your early learner start the new year off on a positive note. Let the counting begin!

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New Year's countdown printmaking and number matching printable.

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[Read more…] about New Year’s Countdown Activities

Filed Under: art, Math, New Year's, preschool Tagged With: Happy New Year, New Year's Eve, painting, printables, printmaking

New Year’s Crafts

December 29, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Glitzy, easy to make 2021 New Year's keepsake crafts that enhance eye-hand coordination, fine motor control, patterning, and number recognition.

This post has been updated for New Year 2023.

Glitzy, easy-to-make 2023 New Year's keepsake crafts that enhance eye-hand coordination, fine motor control, patterning, and number recognition.

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2023 is just around the corner, and who doesn’t mind having some easy-to-do New Year’s crafts at their fingertips. These activities double up as 2023 keepsakes. You can choose from several glitzy versions.

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2023 Collage Craft

Supplies Needed:

  • glitter gold cardstock
  • tan cardstock
  • 8 ½ x 11-inch cream cardstock
  • gold sequins, stars, balls, and confetti
  • gold glitter glue
  • glue paddle
  • collage containers
  • adhesive gems
  • black or gold metallic felt pen
  • pencil
  • scissors
  • glue stick or glue gun

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Making The 2023 Collage Craft

Trace your little learner’s hand on a piece of tan cardstock, or let your child do the tracing.

Help your child cut out the hand.

Add gold glitter glue and craft bits to small containers. Simply collect any gold-colored craft items you have around for the collaging.

Set out the gold bits, glue, glue paddle, and paper hand on a table.

Gold craft supplies to decorate traced hands.

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Invite your little one to glam up the hand with the collage items, using glitter glue as an adhesive.

Let the collaged hand dry.

Cut a number three and a pair of number two shapes from gold glitter cardstock or a gold gift bag. Download the printable further on in this post to use as a template if desired.

On cream-colored cardstock, help your little learner use a glue stick to tack on a number two, the decorated hand, another number two, and a number 3. Reinforce the shapes with a glue gun if needed. Add a greeting with a black or gold metallic felt pen.

Gold-themed traced hand 2021 keepsake craft.

_______

The glitzy hand takes center stage in this craft.

_______

Related: New Year’s Countdown Activities

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Traced Hand 2023 Keepsake

A simpler version of this activity is to trace your little one’s hand on glitter gold or glitter silver cardstock. After cutting it out, have your child glue the glam hand onto a gold or silver numbered 2023 template (downloadable below.)

A gold glitter traced hand completes this 2021 keepsake craft.

_______

Adhesive gems enhance the craft.

Gold cardstock traced hand and adhesive gem 2021 craft.

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Silver glitter cardstock and adhesive gem 2021 keepsake craft.

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Golden Hand Craft Printable

Download this free New Year 2023 gold-numbered template for making children's keepsake crafts.

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2023 Here I Come Gold 2 PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

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Silver Hand Craft Printable

Download this free New Year 2023 silver-numbered template for making children's keepsake crafts.

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2023 Here I Come Silver 2 PrintableDownload

_______

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Related: New Year’s Sensory Tray

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Rhinestone 2023 New Year’s Crafts

Skip the hand art and invite your early learner to add adhesive gems to a metallic numbered 2023 printable.

Adhesive gem decorated 2021 keepsake craft supplies.

_______

Following are silver and gold versions for downloading.

_______

Gold 2023 Template

Download this free New Year 2023 gold-numbered printable for making children's keepsake crafts.

_______

2023 Here I Come Gold PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Silver 2023 Template

Download this free New Year 2023 silver-numbered printable for making children's keepsake crafts.

_______

2023 Here I Come Silver PrintableDownload

This printable is for individual or one classroom use only.

_______

Adhesive gem decorated 2021 keepsake craft.

_______

These New Year’s crafts are great for strengthening finger muscles and practicing eye-hand coordination. They facilitate number recognition and pattern making. And your little learner will love the opportunity to use adhesive gems and gold-themed craft supplies in these projects.

_______

Happy New Year 2023!

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Collage 2021 keepsake craft with a gold theme.

_______

[Read more…] about New Year’s Crafts

Filed Under: art, Math, New Year's, preschool Tagged With: Happy New Year, keepsakes, New Year's Eve, printables

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Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. I am a preschool teacher who loves to share easy and fun early learning activities. Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to stay awhile!

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