preschool Archives - Page 6 of 20

Halloween Themed Printable Tangram Puzzles

October 13, 2018 By Deirdre

Earlier this week I shared with you a set of fall-themed tangram puzzles. Today you are being given a free set of Halloween themed tangram puzzles. Your children will have fun building fun Halloween themed puzzles using homemade tangram pieces.

How can you make tangram pieces at home?

Links below are affiliate links.

You can trace the tangram set in the free set of Halloween Tangram Puzzle Workspaces onto the front of an old cereal box. Then you can cut them out.
You can print the tangram set from the tangram set onto double-sided Halloween scrapbook paper and then out them out.
You can trace the tangram pieces onto Halloween felt sheets and then cut them out.

Getting the Tangram Puzzles Set

You can download the Halloween Tangram Puzzle Workspaces set and open it with Acrobat Reader. Then you can print them out on a black and white printer.

Once you have printed them out, you can trace them onto one of the materials above. Then you can cut them out.

Before you start the tangram activity, you may want to read your children a Halloween themed book. You will find my favorite Halloween books below.

Your children will find a number of the objects featured in the tangram puzzles in these books.

Here are some more wonderful Halloween-themed activities:

Halloween Candy Learning Challenge Cards- Let’s Build It

Candy Learning Challenge Cards- Let’s Sort It

Halloween Tens Frames Printables

I Spy Candy Corn with Feelings Activity Pages

Fall-Themed Printable Tangram Puzzles

October 12, 2018 By Deirdre

Your children will have fun exploring shapes and using them to create fall-themed tangram puzzles. The puzzles invite your children to slide, flip, and rotate shapes to get them in the correct position. Children that are used to seeing shapes lined up in a row will get to see them in new ways.

Before your children explore the tangram puzzles, you may want to read them a book about tangrams and tangram puzzles. Below you will find several of my favorite books that feature tangrams.

Links below are affiliate links.

Getting Ready to Use the Tangram Puzzle

You can download the Fall-Themed Tangram Patterns and open them with Acrobat Reader. This set was designed to be printed out onto a color printer.

Then you will need to decide what your children will use as tangrams. You could give a set of plastic tangrams to use or you could make your own.

How to Make Your Own Tangrams

You can print out the tangram puzzle from the tangram puzzle set onto fall-themed scrapbook paper. If you use paper with a design on both sides, their puzzles with have a fun mixture of blocks. You may need to trim the paper to get in just the right size to go through your printer.
Once you have printed out the puzzles, you can cut out each of the individual shapes. If your children are able, you can have them cut out the shapes.

If you like this fall shape activity, here are some more shape activities you will love.

Fox in Socks Tangram Puzzles

Exploring Giant Homemade Tangrams

Halloween Tangram Math Activity

Do Grapes Sink or Float? Sugar Density Experiment

September 28, 2018 By Deirdre

This is the first in a series of three sink and float experiments that feature fruit. Today’s experiment invites children to explore a density experiment that focuses on sugar water. Your children will have fun discovering just how much sugar they will need to add to the water. Without sugar in the water, your children will discover that grapes sink.

Why do grapes sink?

Grapes are denser or heavier than water. They also displace less weight in the water than they weigh.

Why do grapes float in sugar water?

When you add a lot of sugar to the water, the water becomes heavier or denser than the grapes.

Conducting the Density Experiment

Supplies

Grapes
Plastic Cups
Enough Water to Fill the Cups
8 Tablespoons of Sugar
A Spoon
A plastic tablespoon

Density Experiment Directions

You will need to place water in both of your plastic cups.
Your children will need to drop a few grapes in the cup that just contains water. They can try dropping them from various heights if you like. Each time they drop a grape into the water cup it will sink to the bottom of the cup.
Your children will need to decide how many tablespoons to place in the second cup of water. Then they will need to drop a grape or two into that cup. If the grape sinks to the bottom, have them add a few more tablespoons of sugar to the cup. ( We had to add 8 tablespoons to the water before the grapes starting to float.)
Hint: You may want to have your children take out any grapes they have dropped into the cup before they stir in the additional sugar.
Finally, have your children try to push the grapes down into the sugar water. They will be amazed and thrilled to watch the grapes pop back up to the top.

If you like this science experiment, here are some more you will love.

How to Make a Boat with Recycled Materials

STEM Activities-How to Make a Balloon Boat

How Long will a LEGO Boat Float?

How to Build a Paddle Boat

Hands-On Counting Activities for Veterans Day

September 21, 2018 By Deirdre

This set of hands-on counting activities features counting and skip-counting printables. Your children will have fun putting the numbers in sequence. When they are done their puzzles will display two veterans holding poppies. (The poppy is a symbol of Veterans Day). You will find already-colored and ready-to-be-colored puzzles in this set.

Building Background

Before your children explore the puzzles, you will want to read them a book about veterans. Below you will find some wonderful books to read to your children.

The links below are affiliate links.

Getting the Hands-On Counting Activities Ready to Use

You can download the Hands-On Counting Activities for Veteran’s Day onto your computer. Then you can open them up with Acrobat Reader.

Next, you will need to decide if you want to use the already-colored or the ready-to-be-colored versions of the puzzles.

Hands-On Counting Activities for Veteran's Day Skip Counting by 5's

If you choose the already colored puzzles, then you may want to laminate them. After laminating the hands-on counting puzzles, you can cut them out.

Hands-On Counting Activities for Veteran's Day 1-10

If you choose the ready-to-color puzzles, you want to have your children color them before cutting them into pieces. Then you can decide if you want them laminated or not.

Hands-On Counting Activities for Veteran's Day Skip Counting by 2's Ready to Color Puzzle

Advantages of Using the Ready to Color Puzzles

Your children are able to color the veteran’s uniforms to match any of the branches of the military or with a camouflage design.
Children are able to give the soldiers the skin color and hair color that they have.

Exploring the Hands-On Counting Activity Puzzles

There are several ways you can have your children explore the puzzles.

You can place magnetic tape on the back of the puzzle pieces. Then your children put the puzzle together on a cookie sheet or the side of a file cabinet.
You can place Velcro on the back of the puzzle pieces. Next, your children can then put the puzzle together on a flannel board.
Children can put the puzzles together on a tabletop.

If you like these hands-on counting activities, then here are some more you will love:

Halloween Counting Puzzles

Fall Tree Counting and Skip Counting Puzzles

Leaf Themed Ten Frames

Veterans Day Adding Activity

Your children at home and students at school will have fun exploring this free set of hands-on counting activities. These counting and skip counting puzzles have Veterans Day theme.

Halloween Counting and Skip Counting Puzzles

September 17, 2018 By Deirdre

This is the second in a series of three countings and skips counting puzzles. Earlier I shared with you a set that featured fall trees. Today I have a Halloween set that features black crows and pumpkins. I am sure your kids will enjoy exploring the number puzzles in this set.

An Editable Halloween Counting Puzzle is Available

The last puzzle in the set is editable you can choose the counting or skip counting sequence you want your children to work on. You will just need to type in a number into each of the editable spaces on the Halloween counting puzzle. You can individualize the editable puzzle so that each of your children can work on the number sequence they need to learn.

Getting the Halloween Counting Puzzle Set

You will need to download the Halloween Counting and Skip Counting Puzzles onto your computer. Then you can open them up in Acrobat Reader.

The puzzles were designed to be printed out on a color printer. While you could print them out in black and white, they will look better and brighter in color.

Getting the Puzzles Ready to Explore

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You will probably want to print them out onto white card stock and then laminator. Your puzzle sections will last longer on the thick paper with the plastic laminated on it.

Then you will need to decide if how you want your children to work with the puzzles. You can place the pieces through alaminator
Magnetic Tape, cookie sheet or the side of a file cabinet. Children can arrange the pieces so that they are in order on a table top. You can glue pieces from a sheet of felt on the back of each puzzle piece. Then your children can place the puzzle pieces in order on a flannel board.

Halloween Counting Books

You may want to read a Halloween-themed counting book to your children before have them explore the counting puzzles. Below you will find some fun Halloween books that explore numbers.

Fall Tree Counting and Skip Counting Puzzles

September 16, 2018 By Deirdre

A friend recently shared a picture of one of her preschoolers working on one of the Community Helper Vehicle puzzles I created. One of her students was placing the pieces on an oil drip pan. She shared with me that she placed magnetic tape on the back of each of the pieces so they would stick to the pan. That inspired me to create three sets of number counting and skip counting puzzles that have fall themes.

You will find that each of the sets contains a 1-10 puzzle, an 11-20 puzzle, a skip counting by 2’s puzzle, and counting by 5’s puzzles. Today’s set of puzzles features a tree with fall-colored leaves. You will find one of the remaining sets has a Halloween theme and the other has a Veterans Day theme.

Downloading the Counting and Skip Counting Puzzles

You can download the Fall Tree Counting and Skip Counting Puzzles onto your computer and open them in Acrobat Reader. While you could print them out in black and white, I would recommend printing them out in color.

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You will probably want to print them out onto Neenah Exact Index, 110 lb, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 250 Sheets, White, 94 Brightness. Your puzzle sections will last longer on the thick paper with the plastic laminated on it.

Deciding How Your Children will Explore the Puzzles

You can placeMaster Magnetics – B005HYDC68 Roll-N-Cut Flexible Magnetic Tape Refill – 1/16″ Thick x 1/2″ Wide x 15 feet. (1 roll), 07518on the back of the puzzle pieces and have your children place them in order on an WirthCo Funnel King 94482 Drip Tray – Metal Oil Drain Pan, Oil Tray, Heavy Duty, 17 1/2” x 25 3/4”, 6 Quart Capacity, cookie sheet or the side of a file cabinet.
Children can arrange the pieces so that they in order on a table top.
You can glue pieces from a sheet of felt on the back of each puzzle piece. Then you children can place the puzzle pieces in order on a flannel board.

If you like this printable math activity set, here are some more you will love:

Subtraction Treasure Chest Match

Color, Count and Graph Pumpkin Activity

Roll, Write and Count Mats

Ocean Themed LEGO Counting Mats

Leaf Themed Ten Frames

Here are the supplies I recommend you use for this activity:

Building Numbers 11-20 with Crayons STEM Task Cards

September 8, 2018 By Deirdre

Last month a shared several STEM task card sets that invited kids to build letters, numbers, shapes, and tally marks with crayons. The number set I shared focused on the numbers from 1 to 10. Today I have a set that focuses on the numbers 11 to 20. Your children are going to have fun building two-digit numbers with these STEM task cards and a box of crayons.

Before you have your children build each of the numbers, you may want them to read a children’s book that features numbers. The books below

Getting the STEM Task Cards Ready for Your Kids

You will need to download the Learning Numbers 11-20 with Crayons Printable Task Cardsonto your computer. Then you can open the set up using Acrobat Reader.

You need to print them out using a color printer. This will allow the various colors of the crayons to stand out.

Exploring the Task Cards

You can want to have your children work on building numbers in an invitation to play area in your house or classroom. They can work on their own, with you as their partner or with a friend. It is really up to you.

I used to leave activities on the kitchen table for my son to work on while I made dinner. This would have been a great activity for him to work on.

Hints:

You will need to let your children know if they need to match the crayons colors feature on the card. They really don’t have to. Children could use any color they like to build the numbers.

The crayons pictured on the cards are too small for your children to lay their crayons on. You may want to give them a plastic mat or tray for them to build on. It will keep your table or work surface free of stray crayon marks.

Learning Letters with Crayons STEM Task Cards

Greater Than and Less Than STEM Task Cards

Learning Numbers 1-10 with Crayons STEM Task Cards

Exploring the Numbers 1-10 with Tally Marks

Building Shapes with Crayons STEM Task Cards

If you like this math activity, here are some more you will love.

Subtraction Treasure Chest Match

Color, Count and Graph Pumpkin Activity

Roll, Write and Count Mats

Ocean Themed LEGO Counting Mats

Ten Frame Math Activity with Duplo {Free Printable Sheets}

LEGO Geometry Riddles

Hot Chocolate Math – free printable counting mats

Let’s Build an Algorithm Based on Ten Apples Up on Top

August 31, 2018 By Deirdre

Apples Up on Top is a wonderfully fun fall book. I thought your children would have fun creating an algorithm based on the book. They will also be able to work on counting from one to ten as the connect the apple filled boxes in number order.

What is an algorithm? I tell my students that an algorithm is the series of steps needed to complete a task. Computer programmers or coders create the series of commands needed for a computer to complete a task.

Before you get started you will want to read your children the book Ten Apples Up on Top. Below you will find a hardcover version, a board book version and a collection of books that includes Ten Apples Up on Top.

Getting the Algorithm Based on Ten Apple Up on Top Worksheet

You can download the Counting Apples to Ten Algorithm Coding Worksheet and open it up with Acrobat Reader. It was designed to be printed out by a black and white printer.

Exploring the Algorithm Worksheet

Your children will start by placing an up arrow in the box found in the bottom left-hand corner of the worksheet.
Then they will need to decide whether to move up or go to the right to get to the box that contains one apple. Since there are five apples in the box on the right, moving up is the right way to go.
Your children will place an up arrow in the box between the start box and the one apple box.
Next, they will place an arrow pointing up into the box that contains the one apple.
An up arrow will go in the box between the one and two apple boxes.
The two apple box will need to have an arrow pointing to the right in it. They will need to move from the two apple box to the three apple box just to the right of it.
Almost all the boxes in the second column will all need to have down arrows based on them. The box at the bottom of the column will need an arrow pointing to the right in it.
All the boxes in the third column except the top box will need to have arrows pointing up placed in them. The top box will need an arrow point to the right.
The first four boxes in the last column will all need an arrow pointing down in them.

When your children have finished connecting the numbers with arrows, they can trace the path their algorithm travels.

If you like this Ten Apples Up on Top Activity, here are more you will love.

Muffin Tin Counting Activity with Apples

Craft and Activities to Do with Ten Apples Up on Top

Ten Apples Up on Top math game

Ten Apples Up on Top playdough activity

The Parts of an Apple Printable Read and Color Book

August 29, 2018 By Deirdre

Your children will have fun learning about the parts of an apple as they read and color this free printable book. It features five pages. Each of the pages features a different part of the anatomy of an apple.

Before your children read and color the parts of the apple in the book, you may want to read a children’s picture book about apples. Below you will find some of my favorite apple-themed books.

Getting the Parts of an Apple Book Ready

You can download a copy of The Parts of an Apple Printable Book and open it in Acrobat Reader. The printable is black and white. It could be printed out on a black and white printer.

You will probably need to fold the book for your children. Let me walk you through how to fold it.

Folding the Book

You will fold it in half lengthwise creating a hot dog fold.

Then you will fold it in half the other direction creating a hamburger fold.

Next, you will fold it in half again to create a small rectangle.

You will then need to totally unfold it.

Creating a Center Cut

You will need to fold the book in half again hamburger style (from top to bottom)

Then you will need to cut along the center line across the inside rectangle. You will stop cutting when you get to beginning the outside rectangle.

Folding the Book

You will need to fold the book into a hot dog fold.

Then you will push the folded edges towards center allowing the slit to open
up into a diamond shape or mouth shape.

You will need to keep pushing edges together until diamond or mouth becomes a slit again,
perpendicular to folded edges.

Fold one edge toward slit and the opposite slit toward the folded edge.

If you like this apple printable, here are some more you will like.

Counting to 10 Worksheets with Apples
Apple Reading Comprehension Pages
Apple Weigh Loss STEM Activity
Apple Taste Test Activity

Exploring the Numbers 1-10 with Tally Mark Activity Cards

August 25, 2018 By Deirdre

Your children will have fun exploring the numbers 1-10 with this free set of STEM tally mark activity cards. This set of cards invites children to build a representation of the numbers from 1 to ten with crayons. Children will also work on their counting skills as they build each number in tally marks.

If your children haven’t had a lot of experience with tally marks, you may want to read one of the books below. Each of the books focuses on counting with tally marks.

Getting the Tally Mark Activity Cards

You can download the Tally Mark Activity Cards onto your computer for free. Then you can print out the complete set or just the numbers you want your children to explore.

The cards were designed to be printed out on a color printer. While you could print them out in black and white, they probably will look better in color.

Exploring the Activity Cards

Your children will have fun building numbers with crayons. While they could use brand new crayons right out of the box, you will notice that we used crayons we had at home.

Some children will insist that they use the same color crayons they see displayed on the activity cards. If you have crayons in those colors, that is just fine. If you don’t have those colors or your children want to use different colors, that is fine too.

There are three things I want your children to do while exploring this activity. The first is to count out the number of crayons they need to build each number. The second is to build each tally mark creation displayed on the card. The third and final goal is for your children to have fun exploring a math concept.