Handprint Christmas Wreath

 

My grandson made this Handprint Christmas Wreath at school. It is such a cute idea that I decided to share it with you. The picture was done on a 14x14 stretch canvas board. It could also be done on a flat panel board. This size might be a little difficult to find, but it is worth the search because it is the perfect size for a 6-year-old's handprint.

I’m not exactly sure what type of paint was used. My grandson, remember he’s only 6, said it was in a tube and washable. It sounds like it was acrylic paint. They used green for the handprints and red for the berries. My grandson tried to explain that they used a paintbrush with a circle at the end. I’m sure any circular form would work. I would probably use a sponge cut into a circle, or a cotton ball.

The bow looks like a ribbon that was tied into a bow and then hot glued on. I’m sure you could find pre-made bows if you wanted to save time and go for a fancier look.

I hope that you enjoy this craft idea as much as I do. 

If you are looking for another Christmas gift idea that students can make for their families, I have a couple that you might like. 

My go-to Christmas gift is a Poinsettia Vase. I usually try to buy the small vases during Thanksgiving break. If I'm lucky I can find them all in one shot, but sometimes I have to shop around. Michael's and Walmart are my best bet. 

The directions for this project are a Freebie on my TPT Store. I've included the link if you are interested. 

Pointsettia Vase Gift Idea

Occasionally, I have a parent helper that has already received the vase because I had a sibling in my class a previous year. When that happens I have to think of a new gift idea, but I love the poinsettias. My second option is a calendar. It is a really nice gift but takes more work. 

The directions for this project are also a Freebie. Again, I have provided the link for you. 

Poinsettia Calendar Gift

The fun and wonderful thing about student-made gifts are that they are always special no matter what the gift is. 

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Making Comparisons using Simple Passages and Venn Diagrams

As students begin to feel more confident with their reading, I like to provide them with different types of reading material. I think that this is a great way to challenge them and help them develop critical thinking. 

This Making Comparison packet is a good resource for changing things up a bit. Students read simple passages and then use a Venn Diagram to compare the similarities and differences between two topics. 

The topics in this packet are familiar to students, so they are able to learn new information and also use what they know to make comparisons. 

The packet includes 10 passage pages with corresponding Venn Diagram pages. The passages provide students with nonfiction text, which is important for them to be exposed to. The comparisons in the passages are made between: dogs and cats; apples and oranges; cars and bikes; football and basketball; bees and butterflies; pizza and spaghetti; bats and birds; winter and summer; oceans and lakes; and penguins and polar bears.  

Here is a preview of the Dogs and Cats text and Venn Diagram:

How I Use: I provide students with one of the comparison passage pages. Then we read it together. This provides students with reading support if needed. It also allows me to clarify the facts and/or unknown words. After we have read the passage together, I have students read it on their own, or with a partner. I like to have students highlight keywords, or important facts during this time. Once students have finished reading I have them work on the Venn Diagram. 

Using these passages is a fun way to get students reading. They enjoy the familiar topics and are able to use their background knowledge. They are also able to share other things that they know about the topic. 

This packet is available at my TPT Store if you are interested. 

Here is the link: 

Making Comparisons using Simple Passages

 

Easter Egg Number Word Match

It's Easter time again. I love using holiday-themed activities in the classroom. It is important to me that they are educational, not just fun. This Easter Egg Number Word Match is an interactive activity that works well as a small group activity. Students can work with a partner, or on their own. They practice reading the number word and then find the matching number.

I like to use this resource as a file folder activity, but you could always have students simply match the number and word cards. 

There are 21 matching cards, which include the numbers 0-20. 

There is a reference page that students can use as they learn the number words. 

There is also a couple of labels for the file folder. 

This packet can be purchased from my TPT Store. 

Easter Egg Number Word Match

Link: Easter Egg Number Word Match

I also have an Easter Basket Adjective Egg Hunt Freebie.

Link: Easter Basket Adjective FREEBIE!

MEGA Pack - 100 Kindergarten Practice Pages

Today, I thought I would share this teaching resource with you. It is a 100 page Kindergarten practice resource. It includes pages for writing, language arts, phonics, handwriting, math, science and social studies. 

The first pages of this packet provide students with letter and letter sounds practice. Students locate the upper and lowercase letters and trace them. Then they read a simple sentence for more letter practice. There is a page for all 26 letters of the alphabet. 

 

There are practice pages for rhyming, identifying beginning/middle/ending sounds, and blending. 

There are also practice pages for students to focus on 7 beginning sight words. Students trace these words and then use them in a sentence. Since the sentences are repetitive students practice 10 other words. They reading is supported by the use of pictures. 

The packet includes 26 handwriting practice pages. Student practice neatly writing upper and lowercase letters. They first trace the letters using the arrows to help with letter formation. Then they write the letters on their own. 

There are 22 math practice pages. These pages include: numbers (counting and writing), more and fewer, ten frames, beginning addition and subtraction, patterns, and graphing.  

Here is a sample of some more of these pages. 

There are 9 pages that touch on science and social study concepts. They include energy, motion, plants and animals, weather, places in the community, national symbols, community helpers, school rules, and location.  

This packet is a useful resource for helping students practice basic skills. This product can be found on my TPT Store. Here is the link if you are interested in checking it out. 

Link: 100 Kindergarten Practice Pages

Using Data to Tell How Many More or Less

 

Teaching students to use the data on a graph to compare numbers can be a little tricky, but I love it when they get it. There are a few main resources that I have used over the years. 

The first is to provide students with hands-on experience. I like to have students use manipulative and have them compare objects as we use the vocabulary question, "How many more__ are there than ___?" Having students line up in two lines and comparing the number of students in each line is fun too. 

I also like to use my Using Data to Tell How Many More or Less in a Category packet. It is a packet that provides students with a strategy for comparing and then has them answer questions about the data. I think this is important in building understanding. Students work to answer "How many more," "How many less," "Which has more," and "Which has fewer." They also need to write a sentence about something they have learned. 

You can see on this sample page that students use lines to match the objects and then circle the remainder. Then they use this information to answer the questions. 
 

You can click on the link below if you are interested in viewing this packet.

Using Data to Tell How Many More or Less

Another resource that I have used, which follows the same ideas as the worksheets, is a video that I have actually made available on YouTube. It is helpful for reviewing/teaching the idea of using the data on a graph to tell how many more or less/fewer. It is also a good way to review the vocabulary and what it means. 

Using Data to Tell More and Fewer

I hope that you find these resources helpful. Please feel free to visit my TPT Store to see my other teaching resources. You can also follow my store to receive notifications of free and paid products. 

Mrs. Navarre's TPT Store

Story Retell Helper - Free Resource

I love to provide students with tools that help to make them successful. This Free Story Retell Helper is one of those tools. I like having students use this tool as they read, or listen to a story. This story helper helps students to understand the parts of a story and helps them strengthen their comprehension skills. 

This is a resource that I have made available as a Freebie on my TPT Store. 

Click the link to view this product: 

Story Retell Helper Freebie

This story Retell Helper encourages students to look at the different elements of a story. They use this information to verbally practice retelling the story. 

The Setting - When and where does the story take place?

The Characters - Who are the characters in the story (especially the main character)? 

The Problem or Situation - Not every story has a problem, so this is a little tricky, but basically... What is the problem or situation of the story? What is the main action? What is the overall story about?

The Reaction - This isn't actually an element of story retelling, but I find that it is helpful in having students produce more details for the middle of the story. What do the characters do? How do they react to their problem or situation? 

The Solution - How does the problem or situation get resolved? What happens at the end of the story?

The last page is a book report page in which students can use the information they have gathered from the Story Retell Helper. They list the title, setting, characters, and problem/solution. Then they tell what happened at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the story. The back of the paper can be used to add more detail or to draw a picture. 

I hope that you enjoy this Freebie. You can also visit my TPT Store to see my other products. Feel Free to follow my store to get notifications of free and paid products. 

Click on the link to visit my store:

Mrs. Navarre's TPT Store

Learning Activities with Interactive Power Points

I love creating products that support student learning. Lately, I have been busy creating interactive Power Points. These Power Points provide students with the practice of various skills and are self-checking. Students click on what they believe to be the correct answer. The Power Point will only move to the correct answer. These interactive Power Points can be viewed and purchased at my TPT Store. Each link has a video preview of the product. Please feel free to check them out. 

                            

Alligator Math - Digital/Interactive Power Point

Humpty Dumpty Alphabet - Digital/Interactive Power Point

Animal Habitat - Digital/Interactive Power Point

CVC Making Words - Digital/Interactive Power Point

Snowman Compound Words - Digital Power Point

Sort by Colors and Shapes - Digital/Interactive Power Point