Patterning & Matching

For Math Center

1. Gather a variety of manipulatives.  
2. Place manipulatives in a simple pattern.
3. Take a picture of pattern.
4. Repeat process with different patterns.
5. Enlarge & print pictures and laminate them.
6. Place pictures in a Center along with manipulatives.
7. Have students choose a picture with manipulatives to match & recreate the pattern!

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Math Bags

I found this Math Bags idea from Deborah J. Stewart from Teach Preschool.  Thank you, Ms. Deborah at www.teachpreschool.org!  That's an awesome resource website!

I've implemented Math Bags in my prek classroom this past year and my students absolutely loved it!

• Each student received a "Math Bag" with their name on it, which I purchased from the Dollar Store.
• Within each bag, I placed an insert instructing my students' families to go around the house and help them find and COUNT 5 items (big or small) that they would not mind donating to the class.  These items can be small toys, paperclips, buttons, caps, rocks...really anything and the 5 items do not need to be the same.  
• I usually sent these bags home on Fridays and students return them on Mondays.  
• During our Monday Morning Circles, we would go through each bag and count and see the items their friends brought.  
• It was a lot of fun! And my students really mastered the concept of counting! 
• This Math Bags counting project lasted a good 1-2 months.  

You can definitely further the counting project to 10 items or more, patterns, even.  
Please let me know if you do this and how it worked out for you!

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KidsSoup & ABC Twiggles

KidsSoup & ABC Twiggles are another amazing Preschool and Kindergarten resource websites I've used.  KidsSoup is colorful and easy to navigate to find the themes, lessons, printables, crafts, games...tons of fun you want to have in your classroom.  ABC Twiggles focuses purely on the alphabet through a multi-sensory curriculum, through online books and videos, flashcards, posters, worksheets, coloring pages, letter matching, word walls, chants, books, recipes, crafts, and more!  

Unfortunately, their membership isn't free, but you can get the bundle (both websites) membership for $39.99 for the whole year!  Or you can just get the KidsSoup membership for $26.99 & ABC Twiggles membership for $21.99.  I think the bundle is the best deal for all that you get!  

If not, you can always just sign up for their KidsSoup Twiggle Magazine Newsletter for free ideas!  :)

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Moving & Reviewing Skills

Review a variety of skills with this engaging game! 

To prepare, write letters, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. (whatever skill you want to review) on small cards (index cards will do). Make a second set of cards identical to the first. Place one set of cards in a special bag.  Then, give each student a card from the other set. Place a bell (or other musical instrument) in the middle of your student circle. 

To play, take out one card from the bag and show it to your students. Encourage the child with the matching card to go to the center of the circle and ring the bell/instrument. Then help her identify the symbol displayed on the card. Continue in the same way until each child has had a turn.

The Mailbox is really great!

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Counting School Days

Let's keep track of the number of days of school.  

1. Start with a decorated caterpillar head. 
2. On the first day of school, invite a student to pin/staple a circle with a "1" next to the caterpillar head.  
3. On the second day of school, help a student add a circle with a "2" to continue the caterpillar's body.
4. Invite students to make the caterpillar grow in the same manner each school day. 

The display is sure to be a colorful teaching tool you can use all year for counting by ones, counting backward, and skip-counting!

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Identify It

Energize a review of geometric figures with this lively chant. 

To prepare, make a class supply of assorted construction paper shapes. To begin, sit with students in a circle. Give one shape to each student and confirm that he can identify it. Then lead students in the chant below, substituting the name of a different shape if needed. Repeat the chant with each featured shape. 

[Square], [square] is the shape I see.
If you have a [square], please show it to me.
Stand up and turn around.
Show your [square] and then sit down.

To modify the activity for different skill areas, feature letters, numbers, or sight words in the chant instead of shapes.

Again, Thanks, Mailbox!  If you haven't noticed, many of my ideas come from TheMailbox.  If you like what I've posted, you should definitely get on that website and mailing list!

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Helpful Fun Resources

I love these 2 books!  They easy resources to navigate and use!  

<----- This book to the left is one that will help you organize your classroom.

-----> That book to the right is for enhancing lessons and engaging your students.  

Both are awesome for teachers new and old.  You can never have too many ideas!

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Telling Time

Teaching how to tell time can be difficult for teachers and learning how to tell time can be confusing for students.  Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs has a list of wonderful resources for teachers to use.  It's for students to learn how to tell time, no matter what age and ability.  

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Hands-On Fun!

I really can't get enough of Ms. Deborah and her website TeachPreschool.org!

It's amazing.  She's awesome!  I think I check out her website at least every other day now to get ideas for my classroom!

So...Thank You, Ms. Deborah for your fun, creative ideas, & the many links to other blogs for even more cool stuff!

This link takes you to graphing for prek, but it's great for all youngsters! I say preK to 2nd grade!

Enjoy!

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