Bring Coloring Pages to Life in 3D with ColAR Mix App!

Recently, I stumbled upon this cool website/app called http://colarapp.com/ .  You need to check it out.  Kids can turn a picture into 3D art with a mobile phone or iPad.  1) You print a coloring page from the website. 2) Kids color the page in crayon or colored pencil (markers don't seem to work).  3) You or their parents download the ColAR Mix App onto mobile phone or iPad.  4) Using the App, you take a
picture of the colored page.  5) Voila!  The kid's colored page comes to life in 3D!

I think it's awesome for all ages.  It promotes fine motor skills and technology at the same time!  And if you're creative enough, you can implement it into your curriculum.  

I tried the bird and worm coloring page with my first graders, as it corresponds with our animal theme in science.  My students loved it!  

Enjoy!

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Reinforce Skills with Placemats

A simple way to reinforce skills during breakfast, snack, and lunch are with placemats! 

Every month have students make a placemat decorated in the weekly or monthly theme. 
Laminate the placemats and then use a permanent marker to write letters, numbers, or personal information such as the child's address and phone number...anything you want the students to learn and memorize. 

During mealtime, ask youngsters questions about the information on their placemats.

Fun mealtime conversations!  Thanks to The Mailbox! ;)

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Labeling Fun

Oh post-its!  Who doesn't love them!?  I know my students do!

Here is a fun activity to teach students about labeling and how to label with body parts!  Thanks to Mrs. Lee's Kindergarten blog, she and her students have the labeling mastered!  Look at how much fun they were having!

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Celebrate The 2012 Summer Olympics!

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London is just around the corner!
I'm super excited about it and I may just implement an Olympics theme in my classroom this year.  
Here's a website to activities all about the 2012 Olympic Summer Games!
This one, too.   

Have fun!  
Let me know if you have any ideas for implementing the Olympics into your classroom!

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Tossing Into Fun

Toss some fun into reviewing the academic basics in the classroom!

1. Place several large blank cards with one letter/shape/color/etc. per card. 
2. Stand with students in a circle and spread out the cards in the center face up. 
3. Have one child toss a provided beanbag onto a card and name what is on the card. 
4. Whether the child gets the answer right or wrong, he/she can get the beanbag and hand it to the next friend. 
5. Continue until each child has a turn identifying a card. 

To modify the activity for other skill areas, use cards labeled with colors, letters, numbers, or sight words, etc.  

Again, Thanks, Mailbox!

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6 Questions to Ask Your Students at the Beginning

I found this awesome idea from Mrs. Robinson's Classroom Blog.  She did this at the beginning of the school year with her 3rd graders, brainstorming the possibilities & expectations of being in school.  Fabulous!  Click on this link to go to her blog for details about what she did!  Thanks, Mrs. Robinson!

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What You Can Do With A Cardboard Box | KaBOOM!

What you can do with a cardboard box | KaBOOM!


As teachers, we always have cardboard boxes somewhere!  Here are ideas in what to create with cardboard boxes and how to use them in your classroom!

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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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Happy Birthday From The Class

Here's a gift idea from friends in class to the birthday student!  This class-made book will become a treasured keepsake for each birthday child. 

1. On a child's birthday, give each youngster a sheet of paper and have him/her draw the birthday friend. 
2. Then write or dictate at least one thing s/he likes about the birthday friend. 
3. Have students make and decorate a cover page with "Happy Birthday To (birthday friend)" 
4. Stack all the pages behind the cover and staple it along the left side to make a booklet. 
5. Present the book to the birthday child and have her take it home to share with her family.
6. Sweet!

Thanks for the idea, The Mailbox!

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Magnet Painting

1. Place and tape a baking sheet on two or four large and sturdy wooden blocks so that there is enough room under the baking sheet to move hands. 
2. Tape a piece of paper onto the baking sheet.
3. Place blobs of paint (at least 3 different colors) on the paper.
4. Place magnet(s) on top of the paper in the baking sheet.
5. Use one magnet underneath the baking sheet to move the magnet(s) on top around. 
6. Voila!  A masterpiece.

Thanks, The Mailbox for reminding me of this fun little art and science activity!

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All Kids Network

Here is another site for classroom resources: All Kids Network

It is filled with Kids Crafts, Kids Worksheets, & Kids Activities based on subjects and themes!  

It's really easy to navigate and find what you want, especially when it comes to their printables.  Happy perusing!

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Puppets!

Have I ever mentioned how awesome puppets can be in a classroom?  In the younger classrooms, of course.  I purchased these 8 puppets from OrientalTrading.com years ago and they have been a great investment!  

Great uses for puppets:
-storytelling
-classroom mgmt with various voices to get class' attention
-breakfast/snack/lunch time with new pals (puppets) to encourage students to try in foods
-physical education, movement, yoga 
-social stories: talking about feelings and emotions
-creating a variety of scenarios to teach students with special needs about how to interact with others
-role playing
-kitchen and pretend play activities
...the list can go on. 

I actually purchased mine when they were on sale at OrientalTrading.com.  Tip about the site though, make sure you read through the reviews before purchasing products.  The reviews from customers are usually right.  ;)

Oh & I also bought these 6 weather puppets, too!  And of course, it was to teach my young students about the weather!  :)  

Have fun!

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