TANGRAMS A tangram is a traditional Chinese puzzle made up of a square cut into 7 different pieces (one parallelogram, one square, and five triangles). Introducing tangrams in preschool and kindergarten can help young kids develop spatial, geometric, and problem solving skills. The 7 pieces, when fit together, can make a square (as pictured above), but they can also form many other shapes and … [Read more...] about Critical Thinking: Tangram Bunny Crafts for Preschool & Kindergarten
The Senses of Sight and Sound: Upcycling Crafts and Lessons for Conservation Awareness
In order to get our kids thinking about conservation this spring, we will combine some of our sensory lessons with conservation awareness. The activities/lesson plan suggestions below will offer opportunities for hands-on play with the senses of Sight and Sound. Through play and experimentation, the children will gain an awareness of conservation and how their own senses provide important … [Read more...] about The Senses of Sight and Sound: Upcycling Crafts and Lessons for Conservation Awareness
Intuitive Math: Part Part Whole Math in Preschool {Part Three}
This post is the third in a series on encouraging intuitive math skills in preschool children. If you would like to see the first post (Number Awareness and Recognition, 1-to-1 Correspondence, and Subitizing), you can view it here. Activities for 5 and 10 Frames can be printed here. There are 6 important number concepts that preschoolers need to have opportunities to explore through play in … [Read more...] about Intuitive Math: Part Part Whole Math in Preschool {Part Three}
Spring Weather Theme for Preschool – Stained Glass Umbrellas & Sunshine Math
We've had over 49 inches of snow so far this winter! Our preschoolers (and teachers) are anxiously awaiting spring's arrival! Just in the last month, we've gone from -23 degrees to a stormy 50 degrees outside today! Our kids can finally see the grass peeking out from beneath all of the melting snow! To celebrate the warmer temperatures, we made stained glass umbrellas and played with sunshine … [Read more...] about Spring Weather Theme for Preschool – Stained Glass Umbrellas & Sunshine Math
@LOFT to Award Chicago #Teachers $1500.00 @LuckyMagazine
HELLO, CHICAGO TEACHERS…Enter for a chance to win the LOFT Best (Dressed) Teacher Contest. Show LOFT and LUCKY MAGAZINE how you use your personal style to inspire your students for a chance to win a $500 LOFT gift card and a $1,000 classroom grant. HOW TO ENTER: 1. Complete this 10-minute survey and submit an image of you in your favorite work outfit. Email both to [email protected] by … [Read more...] about @LOFT to Award Chicago #Teachers $1500.00 @LuckyMagazine
The Shape of My Heart by Mark Sperring – Creating a Friendship Star with Kids!
The Shape of My Heart by Mark Sperring is adored by all of our kids! We bought this book to use as a Valentine's Day book, but it is a great one to read all year long! The illustrations are delightful and invite the children to interact as each page is read. It is a wonderful book to explore the various shapes that children encounter each day. While the book is intended for a younger audience, … [Read more...] about The Shape of My Heart by Mark Sperring – Creating a Friendship Star with Kids!
Intuitive Math: 5 and Ten Frames in Preschool – Numbers {Part Two}
Intuitive Math: Encouraging Early Math Skills in Preschool – Numbers {Part Two} This post is the second in a series on encouraging intuitive math skills in preschool children. If you would like to see the first post, you can view it here! There are 6 important number concepts that preschoolers need to have opportunities to explore through play in order to develop good math intuition skills. … [Read more...] about Intuitive Math: 5 and Ten Frames in Preschool – Numbers {Part Two}