Kindergarten Creations

Pattern Easter Eggs! A Spring Classroom Decoration

I get so excited when spring finally arrives, and we get to decorate the classroom in all things spring! During the month of April, we create these pattern Easter Eggs. They are simple to create, and they give the kiddos the chance to practice patterning. All you need is an egg template and colored paper strips. If you need an egg template, click here to get a free one. I hope your kids enjoy this activity!

Crystal McGinnis

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Life Cycle of a Frog Craft

By Crystal McGinnis 8:14 AM

Spring is almost here! One of my favorite crafts to create each year in Kindergarten is this Life Cycle of a Frog Craft. The kids love to learn about the life cycle of a frog, create this craft, and then display them around the classroom. They look adorable hanging up, and seem to make the classroom look Springy!

The steps are pretty simple! We will cut out the head and the eyes first.

The eyes are then glued to the head as shown.

We cut out the body of the frog, and the life cycle diagram. The kiddos color the steps in the life cycle. It will be glued to the front of the frog.

The pieces are then glued together.

The arms and legs are then folded accordion style.

Teacher Tip: I always keep a completed frog displayed while the kiddos are creating so that they have a model to look at. This definitely helps.

Display!

If you would like your kids to create this craft, click below to get the template.

FROG LIFE CYCLE CRAFT TEMPLATE

You might also like my frog life cycle FREE emergent reader! It is read like the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear." CLICK HERE TO GET IT FREE!

Pin this pic if you want to come back later!

Crystal McGinnis

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Easter Egg Spring Literacy Center

By Crystal McGinnis 10:45 AM

I am SOOO excited that spring is almost here! I get the winter blues, and this year has been especially difficult. With spring only being a few weeks away, I have decided that it is time to start thinking about spring planning for the kindergarten classroom. This week I created this spring literacy center using plastic Easter eggs. The prep is simple, and the kiddos will love the hands-on approach to practicing their CVC and CVC words. Here is what you do:

I created a set of small CVC word picture cards. I also created word labels to match the cards. These labels can easily be taped to the front of the plastic Easter eggs. The kiddos will read the word on the outside of the egg, and place the correct picture in the egg. Simple as that!

After they match each egg. The students will write the CVC word on the recording sheet. This holds them accountable for completing the activity.

Some kindergarten students are ready to read LONG VOWEL CVCE words. I created this set for them. It is important that we differentiate to meet the needs of all learners.

If you would like to use either set in your classroom, you can grab them in my TPT store by following these links. I hope your kids love them!

DOLLAR DEAL! CVC Word Easter Egg Literacy Center

Long Vowel CVCE Word Easter Egg Literacy Center

Crystal McGinnis

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10 Skittles Math Activities For Young Learners

By Crystal McGinnis 8:11 AM

Kinders LOVE using candy for math activities in the classroom! Their little eyes just light up when they see you pull out a bag of candy. They just know that they will be rewarded with a sweet treat after they finish the assigned task. I love to keep students happy, so I created this set of Skittles math activities! They are perfect for learning centers, RTI, or whole group activities. Your students will be engaged while learning the skills they need to be successful.

Skittles Shapes-Students practice counting vertices (corners) of shapes by placing skittles on each vertice and then adding them up.

Skittles Patterns-Students create patterns with skittles. They then color in the boxes to match.

Skittles Number ID-Students practice number ID by covering up the number called by the teacher. Simple and effective!

Skittles Addition-Students use skittles to add and complete number sentences.

Skittles Sorting and Graphing-Your students sort their pile of skittles by color. They then create a bar or picture graph. You choose!

Skittle Ten Frame Counting-The kiddos practice creating sets of skittles on ten frames. This activity is provided in both single and teen numbers.

Skittles Survey-Your kiddos ask their friends what their favorite color of skittle is. They record the answers and total.

Skittle Roll and Count-Students roll two dice, add the dots, write the number, and count that many skittles. This is perfect for practicing addition, number writing, and counting.

Skittles Comparing-Students compare the number of skittles in each color and determine which color is greater.

Skittles Tallying-Students organize, count, tally, and total their skittles.

If you want to use these activities in your classroom, you can grab them in my TPT store.

CLICK HERE TO GET MY SKITTLES MATH!

Grab this pin to come back!

Crystal McGinnis

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Printable Valentines! Cactus, Llamas, Unicorns, Mints, Cuties, and More!

By Crystal McGinnis 11:48 AM

My friend Mallory is super crafty. She created these adorable printable Valentines for classroom teachers or parents of school aged children who are preparing for Valentine's Day. Along with being very easy to print and prepare, they are an inexpensive way to spread the Valentine's love. Add candy if you choose, and you are ready to go!

This cactus themed valentine is perfect! Add a little cactus (if you choose), and they are ready to give! These are great for kiddos, co-workers, teachers, parents, or whoever you would like to give a gift to.

"We are Mint to Be!" What a cute little valentine. Simply add some mints.

If you want to give healthy valentines, how about these "Cutie" valentines? Simply add a Cutie orange to the valentine!

Llamas are adorable, and the kids love animal themed valentines.

Check out her Llama themed valentines here!

What little girl or boy doesn't love a unicorn? These unicorn valentines go great with some candy hearts!

If you are a teacher and want to create personalized valentines for your students, these are pefect. Simply type your name using the editable powerpoint, print, and you are done!

I can't wait to see what she creates next!

Crystal McGinnis

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Word Family and Vowel Team Crafts

By Crystal McGinnis 9:34 AM

Do you use anchor charts in your classroom? The kids love anchor charts, and they are a great way to practice reading skills! I created these simple anchor chart crafts to help kinders practice their word families and vowel teams. After creating these word family crafts, we will create a display using them. The kids can use the display as a tool for their writing. Eventually, these will be sent home. We will keep one of each displayed permanently. I have three options for each craft. A colored construction paper option, a white paper option, and an option that lets the kiddos write their own word family words. I have included a link to each one if you would like to use them in your classroom.

ING KING

EE TREE