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
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!
Children love to use the flannel board, and I give them that opportunity as often as I can. This table top board is perfect for a small group. I like to gather two or three children and have them work together to create a scene. Once the activity is completed, preschoolers practice pre-reading skills by telling oral stories (about their picture) and acting them out. The possibilities are endless. This springtime activity also teaches color recognition, association, and helps improve visual perception skills.
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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