Pattern pins are versatile and easy to put together. They promote hands-on learning and quickly capture the attention of most learners.
I found this set of cute felt flowers and butterflies on Amazon and thought they were the perfect thing to use for our Garden Unit pins. For actual instructions on how to assemble the pins please refer to this post.
When introducing the concept of patterning, emphasis that a pattern is only a pattern if it is repeated at least two times. Follow up by showing examples. Break your children up into small groups and have them practice copying and extending these patterns. Start with easier ones and work up to more complicated ones.
In conclusion, be sure to give each student the opportunity to “read” their patterns after they have been created.
MATERIALS USED:
– Paint mixing sticks
– Paint (craft or spray)
– Clothespins
– Felt flowers and butterflies
– Hot glue gun
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle, is one of the best-selling children’s books of all time. This charming tale of a tiny and very hungry caterpillar who eats a large quantity of food and then changes into a beautiful butterfly has entertained little ones for almost 50 years.
This classic story presents many learning concepts such as counting, colors, the days of the week and, most importantly, the life cycle of a butterfly.
Additionally, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, with its vibrant and delightful illustrations, inspires creativity. Here we have our very own hungry caterpillar. Students will paint their egg cartons and glue the eyes on (Tacky Glue works best). Simply poke a couple of holes in the top and supply children with fuzzy sticks for the antennae.
Blotto butterflies are a fun and simple craft that teaches symmetry. Supply your learners with a butterfly (older children should be encouraged to cut out their own) and some tempra paint. Students will place dollops of paint on one side of the butterfly only. They will then fold the insect in half and hold it down with one hand. Using their helper hands, students will smooth out the folded paper, spreading the paint inside. Prompt them to open up their butterflies very carefully.
Discuss how each wing is symmetrical, or a “mirror image of each other”. Activities such as this help to bolster children’s natural sense of balance which, in turn, helps to develop their observation, classification, and patterning skills.
After the paint has dried children may glue on the antennae.
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 6 learning center activities that strengthen the following skills:
– Counting
– One-to-one correspondence
– Number formation
– Number recognition
– Set recognition
– Number order
– Measurement
– Upper and lowercase letter recognition
– Beginning sound recognition
– Classification
– Visual discrimination
– ABC order
– The concept of opposites
– Story sequencing
– Phonological awareness
– Language/dictation
– Self-expression
– Fine motor
– Following directions
Please note that the center activities in this packet are designed to be printed (on cardstock) and laminated, and to be used and enjoyed for many years to come.
SPRING PATTERN BLOCK ACTIVITY MATS (COLOR 9/B&W 9) AND NUMBER CARDS (COLOR 66/B&W 66)
Supply children with pattern blocks. Learners will replicate the images on each mat and count the number of blocks used. The numbers may be recorded using the number cards or a dry erase marker (laminated mat) Discuss which blocks they used more or less of.
SPRINGTIME ROLL & COVER SHEETS (COLOR 4/B&W 4)
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!
KITE NUMBER QUANTITY TASK CARDS (COLOR 10/B&W 10)
Use a hole punch to punch out the marked areas on the cards and supply children with plastic learning links. Students will create a kite tail by linking a numbered group of items to its corresponding kite. Encourage younger children to use one-to-one correspondence while counting. Older children can use this activity to practice set recognition.
SPRINGTIME RHYMING CLIP STRIPS (COLOR 14/B&W 14)
Supply students with clothespins. For added fun, these can be decorated with glitter and foam flower stickers. Students will say the names of each picture and find and mark its rhyming partner.
RAINBOW ALPHABET MATCH UP PUZZLES (COLOR 26/B&W 26)
Cut the cards in half and have young learners match the upper and lowercase letters.
SPRING BEGINNING SOUNDS TASK CARDS (COLOR 8/B&W 8)
Provide students with magnetic (plastic) letters. Learners will say the name of the featured items on the task card. They will then sort through the letters, finding their beginning sound partners and placing them on the appropriate spaces. If magnetic letters are unavailable, children may write the letters using dry erase markers.
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 + COUNTING 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!
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.
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