Spring is here and what better way to welcome the season than with kites? This colorful kite craft is a delightful extension to the book Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand.
Bear looked at the sky. Could it be? he wondered. He tilted his head up. WHIFF. WHIFF. WHIFF. He smiled and then shouted, “Kite Day!”
Bear and his best friend Mole passionately work together to make a kite for this very special occasion. Finally, the kite is soaring up, up, up! But when a storm rolls in…SNAP! The kite string breaks and Bear and Mole run after it. They find it resting in a tree protecting a nest of baby birds from the pelting rain, and are subsequently greeted by a very thankful mama bird.
Hillenbrand does a wonderful job of emphasizing the pro-social themes of friendship, cooperation, and sharing. Children enjoy the adorable characters and the way the golden kite, with its vibrant rainbow tail, stands out against Hillenbrand’s classic, muted watercolor illustrations. This darling tale makes a perfect read-aloud for preschoolers.
So what are you waiting for? Grab the book, download our kite template, gather up some collage materials, and join in on the fun. We used crepe paper for the tails, but yarn will work as well. Be sure to discuss the order of the rainbow with your learners, and to encourage older children to cut out their own kites and to tie their own bows (just a starting knot).
April showers bring May flowers, and this Spring Math and Literacy pack brings lots learning and lots of fun! It contains 14 worksheets, a 10 page counting book, and 2 learning center activities that strengthen the following skills:
– Counting
– One-to-one correspondence
– Number formation
– Number recognition
– Set recognition
– Number order
– Measurement
– Fine motor
– Upper and lowercase letter recognition
– Beginning sound recognition
– Classification
– ABC order
– The concept of opposites
– Story sequencing
– Language/dictation
– Self-expression
– Following directions
Print these out on cardstock (laminate for heavy use). Cut the cards in half and have young learners match the upper and lowercase letters.
SPRINGTIME ROLL & COVER SHEETS (COLOR 4/B&W 4)
Print these sheets out on cardstock (laminate for heavy use). Provide mini erasers, pom poms, vase gems, or some other small manipulative for students to use as markers. For individual use, have the child roll the die, count the dots (or recognize the “set” of dots), and find and cover the corresponding number on the sheet. Repeat until all of the numerals are covered. In small group, give each child a sheet and have them take turns rolling the die. The first person to cover all of their numbers wins. Trade cards and play again!
WRITING PROMPT – “IF I HAD A RAINBOW OF MY OWN, I WOULD….”
Read the story A Rainbow of My Own by Don Freeman. Ask students what they would do if they had a rainbow of their own. Children will dictate their responses to teachers and draw a picture. Older children may copy their responses onto their papers, while some may even be able to write some of their own words. Two prompts are offered – one boy and one girl.
WORKSHEETS 14 + NUMBER BOOK (1-10) (B&W)
A My Spring Counting Book (1-10) is included in the worksheet section of this pack. Children will cut out the pages of the book. Teachers/adults should staple the pages together. Students can then count and write the number of spring items on each page and color the pictures.
Additionally, with these worksheets learners will compare sets, color by numbers, sequence a story, identify opposites, label beginning sounds of some spring things, and so much more!
This Charlie Rooster shape craft is a fabulous extension to the story Friends written and illustrated by Helme Heine. Together, these activities teach pro-social behavior, shape knowledge, and color recognition.
As children grow, they become increasingly interested in establishing friendships. Friends provide stimulation, assistance, camaraderie, and affection.
Charlie Rooster, Johnny Mouse, and Percy the pig are the best of friends. They do everything together. They ride their bike together, play games together, and even do their chores together. Because that’s what best friends do. This charming book glorifies friendship; proving that friends can make even the most simple, everyday delights seem extraordinary. In cheerful watercolors, Helme Heine depicts the tremendous spirit of these adorable animals, who are filled with the enthusiasm and pleasure of companionship.
We're Gigi and Zoey. We teach a two-year program (preschool and pre-k), and we're passionate about Early Childhood Education and the philosophy that children learn through play. Our goal is to prepare children for kindergarten while making learning fun.
We hope that our resources inspire you, and that you will share them with your little ones.
- 
- 
- 
written and illustrated by Helme Heine. Together, these activities teach pro-social behavior, shape knowledge, and color recognition.
