Blog
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Domino Math
Dominoes are fantastic for teaching all kinds of math concepts in pre-k: counting, one-to-one correspondence, subitizing, addition and so on. This Domino Math freebie from Recipe for Teaching features several different domino-themed math tools. Today we are using the blank, oversized domino canvas, which helps preschool kiddos practice all of the aforementioned concepts in one.
We used this page a little differently than it is demonstrated on the RfT site. First, we slid the blank domino sheets into plastic page protectors for use with dry erase markers (laminating works as well). We die-cut a supply of small black circles, and provided a dry erase marker, eraser, die and a “dice containment cup” for each kid.
We asked each kiddo roll their die, determine the number (subitizing!), count out that number of black dots (counting! one-to-one correspondence!), and place them on one side of the domino. Then we asked them to write that number on the corresponding space below. Then, they repeated the process for the second side. After they completed the two sides, then we asked them to finish the (addition!) equation.
This activity also helped with following multi-step directions, working independently and problem solving, and they LOVED it!
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Shorter and Longer: Measurement, Cutting and Sorting Activity
The Shorter and Longer freebie from Kindercraze is one of our early school-year favorites. Incorporating measurement, sorting and cutting, it gives the kiddos hands-on control over how they want to complete the activity.
To start, we provide our kiddos with a stash of precut construction paper strips (about 3/4 in x 4 in long), glue sticks and scissors.
We ask them to select whatever color strips they want and to cut each strip into two unequal pieces and then to sort and glue the pieces on the appropriate sides. They love that they get to pick the colors and number of strips, and they get to cut the strips wherever they want.
We generally don’t have any readers yet at the beginning of the year, so after we give our kiddos the instructions, we also draw a short line under the word “shorter” and a long line under the word “longer” to help them remember which side is which.
This is a great assessment vehicle not just for sorting and comprehension of the measurement concepts of longer and shorter, but also for multi-step direction following.
Let us know what you think of this freebie in the comments!
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Create A Rainbow Sensory Bin For Colorful Exploration
As it gets warmer in the spring and summer, a lot of our themes celebrate the beauty of nature, and one of the many ways we do that is by examining what makes a rainbow. Our rainbow sensory bin accompanies a whole-classroom rainbow theme and lesson plan.
(This post contains affiliate links. Purchase through these links supports Preschooligans.) Our kiddos love the scooping, pouring, observing, exploring, touching, feeling and creating that comes with enjoying sensory bins. This one is a particular favorite because of its bright (but not overwhelming) colors and the great variety of touch experiences that it provides.
Rainbow Sensory Bin Ingredients:
- 5-pound bag dry, white rice (alter depending on the size of your container/class)
- Blue liquid watercolor (we used Colorations blue watercolor, purchase on Amazon)
- Length of rainbow-patterned 3/8-inch grosgrain ribbon (purchase on Amazon)
- Cotton balls
- Sparkly pompoms in rainbow colors (purchase on Amazon)
- Recycled laundry detergent caps and scoops
- Optional: Plastic glitter in clear, white and/or silver
Directions: To color the rice, we poured it in a large tray and mixed in the watercolor to coat all of the rice well. Then we let it sit to dry. We stirred periodically over the course of the few days it took to dry.
The watercolor fades to a lighter shade as it dries, so what started out as dark blue rice, faded into a pretty sky blue by the time the rice was dry.
Once dry, we mixed in rainbow-colored items — red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple sparkly pompoms in various sizes and some 3-4 inch cuts of rainbow ribbon. We also threw in a few shakes of clear, white and silver glitter for a little extra sparkle. Then we topped it off with some fluffy cloud-like cotton balls.
For scoopers, we recycled laundry detergent caps and scoops (clean thoroughly before use). We ask our parents to bring in these items as they are done with them.
Other fun items you could add to your rainbow sensory bin:
- Rainbow-colored buttons in assorted shapes
- Rainbow-colored beads
- Ribbon strips in each of the colors of the rainbow
- Plastic vase fillers in rainbow colors
- Strips and crumples of tissue paper in the colors of the rainbow
- Paper shreds or basket fillers in rainbow colors
- Plastic gold coins
Our kiddos love sensory bins, and when we’re done with the unit, we simply pack the contents up into a large ziptop bag and save it for the next time.
For more rainbow-related fun, check out our way cool Rain Cloud Science Experiment!
Tried this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
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Book Review & Lesson Plan: Bear Snores On
(This post contains affiliate links. A purchase through these links supports Preschooligans at no additional cost to you and helps us continue to provide free educational resources. Thank you!) We all have our favorite books — those stalwarts we always try to work into our lesson plans throughout the preschool year. Bear Snores On (pick this book up at your local library, or purchase from Amazon) is one of those books for us. Whether we’re studying animals, friendship, hibernation or winter, we always manage to squeeze in a few readings of this adorable modern classic from author Karma Wilson and illustrator Jane Chapman.
There’s so much to learn from this story about Bear, who is asleep in his cave while a winter storm howls outside. An assortment of wildlife gathers in his warm cave and holds a party right under his nose. Chapman’s charming illustrations highlight a story that teaches valuable lessons about kindness, friendship amongst diverse individuals, and the importance of not prejudging someone based on their looks. The bouncy rhyming prose opens up the opportunity to talk about words that sound alike, and numerous challenging vocabulary words expose preschool kiddos to words that may be new to them.
We love this book for 3s and Pre-K
Watch Liz Loves Books reading Bear Snores On on Youtube.
(Below please find a list of reading comprehension questions and vocabulary words. This list is not exhaustive, and it may spark additional questions from your kiddos. As always, we recommend that you scaffold based on your age group and the wigglies of your kiddos.)
*Downloadable/printable copy of lesson plan below
Reading comprehension questions:
Before reading: Show the cover. What do you think this story is about? Why do you think Bear is sleeping? Explain concept of hibernation and that some animals hibernate during colder months. What do you think the other animals on the cover are doing?
After reading title: Have you ever heard someone snore? Can you snore? What does it sound like?
As you read: What do you think Hare means when he says “Long time, no see!” to Mouse? Why do you think the animals look so scared when Bear wakes up? What do you think the animals were thinking at that moment? What do you think will happen once Bear is awake, what do you think he will do?
After reading: Were you surprised at what Bear said and did when he woke up? How did you think he would react? Why did you think he would react that way? How did his new friends make him feel better? Why do you think Bear couldn’t sleep at the end of the book? Why do you think his friends were so tired?
Vocabulary:
- lair
- wee
- spark
- coals
- hare
- scuttles
- divvy
- mutters
- gnarls
- blubbers
- blustery
- tall tales
Enrichment & Small Group Activities:
Small group activity: Spedtacularly Au-Some offers a cute and free Bear Snores On set for story retelling.
Art project: School Mum features a free tutorial on how to make a simple and very cute origami bear that looks just like Bear in the story!
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Roll, Add & Build a Skyscraper City Math Game
We love to use dice games in math small groups with our Pre-K kiddos, and our Roll, Add & Build A Skyscraper City game is one of our favorites. We created it after a student noted how the side-by-side stacked cubes resembled New York City skyscrapers! Indeed they do.
You’ll need two dice per child, and a whole slew of linking cubes or small blocks that can be stacked. Then turn those kiddos loose to add, subitize, identify numerals, connect numerals to quantity and strengthen their one-to-one correspondence skills.
Ugh, isn’t it just like us teachers (and parents) to make everything fun a learning experience?
Get the free download below and let us know how your kiddos enjoy it!
