Art Projects: March

Here are some links for March themed art projects to do with your little ones:

1. DLTK Rainbow crafts: http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/rainbows/index.htm
    I have done the science experiment of making a rainbow in a cup.  I found that it is best to demonstrate and then have the students create their own.  I also had them draw their results. This site even provides a printable worksheet for the students to draw their results on.

2. A to Z Teacher Stuff: http://lessons.atozteacherstuff.com/412/the-month-of-march/
    If you do not want to plan your lessons for March here is a detailed lesson plan for March.  Some of these activities I have done.  Others did not line up with my curriculum.

3. The Files of Mrs. E: http://thefilesofmrse.com/archives/2141
    The paper plate lion and lamb are a fun exercise for the students to complete.  Depending on the skill level of the students you can have paper pre-cut that they can just glue on or have them cut out their own strips.  If you did not want to cut this is easily transferred into a painting project.  Also, when you pain the paint will act as a glue for the cotton balls.

Beginning Reading

Here are some links to printable beginning readers.

1. DLTK:  http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/
    This site has a lot of books you can print for your little ones.  They have them available in full color or in coloring book format so the children can color their own.  I cover a new letter each week in my class.  Each week the kids would create their "ITsty Bitsy Letter .. Book".  These really helped the students identify beginning letter sounds.

2. ABC Teach: http://www.abcteach.com/directory/prek-early-childhood-booklets-3442-2-1
    This site has many many resources for printable books for beginner readers.

Introduction

Hello Readers,

My name is Lynnette and I am creating this blog to provide resources for teachers, teachers-to-be, and parents.  Hopefully my blogs will provide resources and ideas for teaching your little ones.  I mostly have worked with 3-5 year-olds.  The majority of my posts will be geared at that age group.  Please comment on any of my post if you can add to them.

Educational Mobile Apps

Here is a list of mobile apps I have used with my students.  Just be aware that some of them cost money for the full app.  Please set your parent setting so your students/children are not making purchases unbeknownst to you.

1. Kids Preschool Puzzles (Lite): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=zok.android.shapes&hl=en
    This may be a little tricky at first for little ones.  I found that if I completed a puzzle with them one time my students were able to complete their own puzzles.

2. Kids ABC Letter Phonics (Lite): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=zok.android.phonics

3. Kids ABC Letter Trains (Lite): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.intellijoy.abc.trains.lite
    I had a little boy would LOVED trains.  He would ask all the time at free time if he could play this game.  This was a simple game but it teaches the basics of how to write letter and hand-eye coordination.

4. Kids Connect the DOts (Lite): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=zok.android.dots

5. Kids Learn Shapes (Preschool): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.intellijoy.android.shapes

6. Kids Learn to Read (Free): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.intellijoy.android.reading.free
    The kids really like to play the mini reading games on this program.  I would suggest up-grading to the full version otherwise this game will end very quick.  The free version is just a sample so you are unable to complete the mission.

7. Learning Letters Puppy: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.fisherprice.com.Puppy
    The kids absolutely love this game.  They enjoy singing along.  Very kid friendly and retains the children's attention.

8. Let's Count Animals for Baby: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.fisherprice.com.letscount
    Another great fun to sing along and learn app for kids.  Very kid friendly and retains the children's attention.

Beginning Writing Tracer Pages

I have complied a list of link of free printable resources for beginner writers.  These cover numbers, letters, colors, and shapes:

1. lilbunnyhops:http://www.lilbunnyhops.com/trace_abc_free_printables.html
    This link provides individual pages for tracing Aa-Zz where the entire page is tracing.  Also, it has combination pages where there is only tracing for the first letter and the student must free hand the rest of the line.

2. DLTK: http://www.dltk-teach.com/alphabuddies/trace.htm
    This link id for ABC Tracing pages.  I have used this site many times over the years.  The worksheets print nicely.  They also have a lot of resources to look though.

3. KidZone: http://www.kidzone.ws/TRACERS/NONE/
    This link is very helpful for when you want young writers to learn a custom writing page such as their address, phone number, or name.  You can type in up to 4 lines of text and print out your worksheet.  Make sure you always use the print preview to make sure your typed document will look how you want it to when it prints.

4. Fun2write.com: http://www.fun2write.com/numbers.shtml
    This link has very nice PDF you can print for numbers.  You do not even have to download them before you print.  Very quick.

5. Worksheetfun: http://www.worksheetfun.com/category/math/shapes/shape-tracing/
    This site has nice worksheets for shapes.  You can also find letter and number tracing pages as
well.  I like to print pages from here and put them in clear paper protectors for binders.  The kids use dry erase markers to trace the lines and then erase when they are done.  This way the documents can be used more than once and the children can explore with different colors and size markers.

6. First School: http://www.first-school.ws/theme/printables/color-worksheets.htm
    This site has some nice color worksheet activities you can do with your students.