FLIP FOR A FLIP BOOK

Here's a peek-a-boo book that can be used in so many different ways.

 

Flip Books - https://bit.ly/drJFlipBks

Narrated version: https://bit.ly/drJFlipNar

 

1st.  Make a hotdog fold. (Fold in half.)

2nd  Make a hamburger fold. (Fold in fourths.)

3rd.  Make a juice box. (Fold in eighths.)

Open in half. Cut down each crease to the middle fold.

Fold in half to make four flips.

*Children also like to call this a “garage door” book.

Egg Chart - https://bit.ly/drJEggChart

Use for: 

sequence of a butterfly
story elements
letters and pictures that begin with the sound
opposites
before and after
parts of a plant
what’s inside an egg
mother and baby animals
sequence of your day
sets and numerals
riddles or questions and answers
four seasons
animals and their homes
spelling word – picture or definition

card (“Some gifts are large. Some gifts are small.

Some gifts are round. Some gifts are tall.
But a gift from the heart is the best gift of all!)

  

MERRY MATH

A package of pompoms, bows, erasers, or other small items from a dollar store and you're set for "merry math."

Materials: pompoms or other small objects

Sorting
Ask children to sort the pompoms. What was their sorting rule? Can they sort them another way?

Patterns
Use the pompoms for making patterns.




Estimating
Have children estimate the number of each type and then verify by counting.

Math Mat
Children place the correct amount on the trees.



Match Dot Cards
Pompoms are a perfect one-to-one activity for younger children.

Touch and Tell
Materials: foam numbers
Place numbers in a bag. Children reach in, feel a number and try to identify what it is. They can take it out to confirm and then write the number.


Number Hunt
Put numbers in a box of Styrofoam packing or sand. Children search through the Styrofoam packing and color off the numbers as they find them.

Stampers
Materials: stamp set
Stamp a pattern, stamp out math facts, or stamp a set.

JOHNNY APPLESEED

Another special holiday in September is Johnny Appleseed Day (September 26th) in honor of his birthday. Here's a finger play and story you can tell any day. Johnny (John Chapman) is remembered for planting apple trees throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. He was well known and liked for his kindness and generosity. Say “cheers” to him every time you eat an apple.

Apple Tree (You can say it or sing it to the tune of “This Old Man.”)
Way up high in the tree, (Point up.)
One red apple smiled down at me. (Hold up 1 finger and then smile.)
I shook that tree as hard as I could. (Pretend to shake a tree.)
Down came an apple, (Bring down one hand.)
Mmm! Mmm! Good! (Pat tummy.)

Variations:
Adapt the number of apples, or use other fruits:
Two yellow pears… (Hold up 2 fingers.)
Three purple plums… (Hold up 3 fingers.)
4 orange peaches… (Hold up 4 fingers.)
5 green limes… (Hold up 5 fingers.)

Make a flannel board from a file folder to use as a follow up for this rhyme.

And, here’s a story that I bet Johnny would have loved.

The Star
Materials: shopping bag or grocery sack
Apple (red delicious works best), knife

Directions: Put the apple and knife in the bag and have it on your lap as you begin to tell the story below. Insert children’s names in your classroom to capture their interest.

One day first child’s name went to visit grandmother. Grandmother said, “How would you like to go on a secret mission?” “Oh, I’d love that,” replied first child. So grandmother said, “I want you to find a little red house with no doors and no windows. There should be a chimney on top and a star in the middle.”

First child was so excited as he set off on his mission. As first child was thinking about what it could be, he ran into second child. “Do you know where I can find a little red house with no doors and no windows. There should be a chimney on top and a star in the middle.” Second child said, “I’ve never heard of anything like that, but would you like me to help you?” “Sure,” replied first child and off they went.

They walked on a little further until they saw third child. “Have you seen a little red house with no doors and no windows? There’s a chimney on top and a star in the middle.” “Gosh. I don’t know what that could be, but would you like me to help you?” replied third child. So off they went on their mission.

The story continues as more children join in the search.

Finally, the children had about given up when they ran into grandpa. He was on his way home from the store with something he had bought. “Grandpa,” the children said. “Grandma sent us on a mission. She told us to find a little red house with no doors and no windows. There’s a chimney on top and a star in the middle. What could it be?”

Grandpa laughed, “Well, I have the answer to your riddle right here in my sack.” And he pulled out an apple. (Pull the apple from your sack.) The children said, “How does that solve our riddle?” Grandpa said, “This apple is like a little red house. See, it’s round and the stem is like a chimney.” “But where’s the star?” wondered the children. Grandpa took a knife and sliced the apple in half. (Take the knife and slice the apple in half diagonally.) “And here’s the star!” The children were amazed to see that sure enough, there was a star in the middle.

Grandpa said, “You know people are like this star. We’re different sizes, colors, and shapes on the outside. But if you look inside, you’ll find a special star inside each person you meet!”




*Encourage each child to tell what makes him or her special.

*Talk about where apples come from. How many parts of an apple can the children name.

*Make a list of words that describe apples.

Note! I bet your families would love a copy of this story. You could also tell them how to make apple prints by drying the apple half on a paper towel. Dip into paint and press on newsprint or newspaper. Can you find the star?

SHOW ME NUMBERS AND LETTERS

This is a “quickie” activity that you can use when you’ve got five minutes before lunch or at the end of the day. It works with a large group or small group to reinforce skills.

Show Me Math
Make a set of “show me” cards for each child by writing the numerals 0-10 on 3” squares of heavy cardstock. Have children store these cards in a zip bag in their desk. When you have a few extra minutes, ask the children to get their cards and arrange them on the floor or table in numerical order from 0-10. Use the cards for some of the games below.
*Adapt the number of cards to the ability of your students.

How Many?
The teacher claps, snaps, or stomps a set. Children listen and then hold up the correct number.

*Show me how many toes you have? How many thumbs at your table? Show me how many days in the week?

*Make a set with felt pieces on the flannel board. Show me how many.

Mystery Number
I’m thinking of a number between 4 and 6. Show me. I’m thinking of a number two more than seven. Show me.

Math Facts
4 plus 2. Show me.
9 minus 3. Show me.

Number Stories
I had four pennies. I found three more. Show me how many I have in all.
*Let children make up math stories for their friends.

Fact Families
Call out numbers in a fact family. Can children write the equations in that fact family?

Number Bonds
How many ways can you make seven?

Base Ten
Put 3 in the tens spot and two in the ones spot. What’s the number?

Odd and Even
Sort the odd and even numbers.

Slap Happy Math
Children get a partner and place one set of show me cards on the floor between them. The teacher calls out different math problems. The first child to slap the correct numeral gets a point.

Hint! Put a line on the bottom of each card to help the children identify the direction they should go.

Here's where you can download number cards.

https://www.eduplace.com/math/mthexp/g1/visual/pdf/vs_g1_19.pdf


Show Me Reading

Make cards for letters and sounds you want to reinforce.

CVC Words
Call out individual sounds for children to select. Blend to say the word.

Onset and Rime
Make a rime and then add different “onsets” to put in front of the rime to make words.

Singular and Plural
Children make nouns with letters and then add “s.”

Note! You can make a frame to stand your letters up in similar to the one in Scrabble games. 

A GOOD REASON TO EAT POTATO CHIPS

Did you know that I LOVE potato chips? My family usually gives me a bag for Christmas, my birthday, and other special events. I try not to eat potato chips too often because I know they are not good for me, but I do love that salty greasy taste!!! 

Lay's Classic Gold are my favorites, but I do like Pringles - especially the cans that can be recycled into learning activities.. 


Line up chips 

Write numerals 1-25 (or however many students you have) on the chips with a permanent marker. Cut a slit in the top of the can. Pass out the chips. As you count from 1-25, children holding that chip come up and place it in the can.

Brain Sprinkles 

Cover the can with fancy paper. Put a tablespoon of rice in the can and glue on the lid. Explain that it’s “brain sprinkles” and pretend to sprinkle it over the children’s heads when you want them to introduce something new.

Letter Cups 

Write letters of the alphabet on plastic bathroom cups. Stack them up and place in the can. Children can use these for making their names, sight words, alphabetical order, etc.

Number Cups 

Write numbers on the cups (1-20 or as high as your students can go). Children can use these for numerical order and other math games.


Eye Can

Cover the can with paper and then glue on googly eyes. If a child says, “I can’t” hand them the can as you say, “Eye can!”

Question Sticks 

Give each child a jumbo craft stick. They write their name on the center of the stick and then color one end green and one end red. Insert the sticks in the can with the green end on top. Ask a question, twirl the can around, and choose a stick. That child gets to answer the question (or they can phone a friend). After they’ve had a turn put the stick back in the can with the red end on top. When all the sticks are red, turn them over and start again.

Lucky Sticks 

Children write their names on a stick and decorate it. Place the sticks in the can. When you have a special job to be done, choose a stick and that “lucky” child gets to be yr helper. Put their stick in an envelope in your drawer after they’ve had a turn. When everyone has had a turn place the sticks in the can and begin again.

BIG SKY WRITING

Occupational therapists are some of the smartest people I know. I’m always picking their brains for ideas that will help children learn. One thing they’ve taught me is to practice making big strokes, shapes, and letters in the air before asking children to do it on paper. Think outside the box with these strategies to help children at all age levels.

Note!  Gosh, you could adapt these strategies to numbers, shapes, sight words, spelling words, etc!

Sky Writing (aka "invisible writing")
Keep arm stiff and extend index and middle fingers. Make lines, circles, slants, pushes and other strokes in the air.

Note! The teacher will need to reverse movements if doing it in front of the class.

Air Writing (Lisa Callis)
Go from large to small as you practice air writing letters, numerals, shapes, etc.
Stick out one arm and write with your finger.
Hold your shoulder with the opposite hand as you write with one finger.
Hold your elbow and write.
Hold your wrist and write.
Hold finger and write.


Writing Wand
Staple ribbon to a straw or tape tissue paper to a craft stick to make a writing wand.




Noodles
Cut swim noodles into 8” sections and let children use these to write in the air.

Tummy Writing
Have children lie on their tummies and extend their index finger above their head. Practice making shapes, letters, etc. on the floor. (This technique will help children start writing “at the top.”)

*Let children practice cutting, drawing, and reading on their tummies to give them control as they build upper body strength.


Body Parts
Let children suggest different body parts, such as elbows, noses, toes, etc. to write with.


Palm Pilot
Hold up one palm. Write on it with the index finger from the other hand. Be sure and “erase” in between letters!


Back to Back
Children stand in a circle and then turn right so they are all facing in the same directions. The teacher begins by making a letter, shape, numeral, etc. on the first child’s back. The first child draws the same thing on the second child’s back. Continue around the circle as every has a turn.


Wet Sponge
Let children dip a small piece of sponge in water and write with it on a chalk board.

Rainbow Writing
Make a large letter or shape on a chart. Children trace around it with different colors of crayons or markers.

P.S. You'll definitely want to download these free Letter Limericks that Mary Amoson created to go with the poems that my daughter wrote.

LETTER BEARS

LETTER BEARS
You will be able to get a lot of “mileage” out of these little bears. Cut 26 bears out of construction paper. Write upper and lowercase letters on all the bears. Mix up the bears and then sing this song to the tune of “Twinkle Little Star” as the letters are revealed:

Dd bear, Dd bear, what do you see?
I see Kk bear looking at me.
Kk bear, Kk bear, what do you see…

*Focus children’s attention while they settle down for a story or lesson with the letter bears. You could also use the bears as a transition activity. Dismiss children to line up, wash their hands, etc. when the letter that their name starts with appears.

Letter Bear Pattern
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljUjloN1BNSUxlOUU/view?usp=sharing


COLOR BEARS

*For younger children make color bears or shape bears.

NUMBER BEARS

*Use the bears to reinforce other skills, such as the numerals 10-20 or sight words.


*Hide the bears around the classroom or playground for the children to find and identify.

*Each month make a similar game using seasonal cutouts. Adapt to different skills you are working on each month.

 

You'll definitely want to check out these patterns that Alex May created for you!

Letter Bears YouTube - https://bit.ly/drjLetterBears

Letter Bears - https://bit.ly/drjLetterBears

Letter Bears Colors - https://bit.ly/drjLetBearsColors

NUMBER MARCH & ADDITION POKEY

Number March (“The Ants Go Marching”)

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah. (Hold up 1 finger.)
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah. (Put fist in the air and cheer.)
They all were red and the first one said:
“You’d better catch up, I’m way ahead.”
And they all went marching one by one by one.

The spiders go crawling two by two hurrah, hurrah… (Crawl 2 fingers.)
They were side by side and the second one cried,
“I wish I had someone to give me a ride.”
And they all went crawling two by two by two.

The birds go flying three by three hurrah, hurrah… (Hold up 3 fingers and
Their feet were bare as they flew through the air and pretend to fly.)
The third one said, “I’d like shoes to wear.”
And they all went flying three by three by three.

The rabbits go hopping four by four hurrah, hurrah… (Pretend to hop 4 fingers.)
They hipped and hopped and bounced and bopped—
The fourth one got tired and down she plopped.
And they all went hopping four by four by four.

The horses go galloping five by five hurrah, hurrah… (Gallop 5 fingers
The fifth in line said “I feel fine; tapping them on your thigh.)
“I love to gallop all the time.”
And they all went galloping five by five by five.

The fish go swimming six by six hurrah, hurrah… (Pretend to swim 6 fingers.)
Their tails went swish and the sixth one wished
He wouldn’t end up as a tasty dish.
And they all went swimming six by six by six.

The mice go creeping seven by seven hurrah, hurrah… (Creep 7 fingers up the
The seventh was meek, he let out a squeak: front of your body.)
“I can’t see a thing; I’m afraid to peek!”
And they all went creeping seven by seven by seven.

The worms go wiggling eight by eight hurrah, hurrah…(Wiggle 8 fingers.)
The eighth one thought, “It’s awfully hot—
I’d like to rest in a shady spot.”
But they all kept wiggling eight by eight by eight.

The monkeys go swinging nine by nine hurrah, hurrah… (Swing 9 fingers.)
The ninth one called to one and all,
“I hope you’ll catch me if I fall!”
And they all went swinging nine by nine by nine.

The kids go walking ten by ten hurrah, hurrah… (Hold up 10 fingers and
The tenth one knew they were so cool, pretend to walk.)
‘Cause they were on their way to school.
And they all went walking ten by ten by ten.

Activities: Let children take different verses and illustrate them. Put their pictures together to make a class book.

Watch Video

Addition Pokey 

Put 1 finger in. (Hold up finger on right hand.)
Put 1 finger more. (Hold up 1 finger on left hand.)
Shake them altogether (Roll around.)
And then lay them on the floor. (Place on floor or table.)
Add them both together, (Bring hands together.)
And you don’t want to stall.
Now you have 2 in all.

2 fingers…3 fingers…4 fingers…5 fingers

*Do “Addition Pokey” with other facts.

Click to watch video

TOTALLY MATH

Make math ACTIVE and FUN with these songs and movements.


1. Math Is Fun!
2. Number March
3. Five Little Crabs
4. I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a One
5. Chant and Write
6. Sing and Spell
7. Five Little Monkeys
8. Kitty Cat – Position Scat
9. Spy a Shape
10. Shape-a-Loo
11. Days of the Week
12. Months of the Year
13. Clock Rock
14. Found a Penny
15. Everybody Do a Pattern With Me
16. Fraction Pizza
17. Numbers You Should Know
18. Country Countdown 1-20
19. Odd and Even Number Bop
20. Techno Count to 100
21. Skip Counting
22. Addition Pokey
23. Fact Families
24. Granny’s Arithmetic
25. Growing Up

JUST FOR FUN!

I had a friend that used to say: "We didn't come for a long time; we came for a GOOD time!" That should be one of the pillars when we work with children. We can't control many of the things in their lives, but we sure can give them a GOOD time at school!

At the end of the day, KIDS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!!! You'll have fun singing and dancing with your children with the songs on this recording.

1. Kids Just Wanna Have Fun
2. We’re Great!
3. Alphabet Train
4. Letter Tales
5. The Vowel Family
6. Zero the Hero Number Stomp
7. Going Over the Sea
8. Dinosaur Boogie
9. Granny at the Fair
10. Miss Mary Mack
11. Yogi Bear
12. In the Woods There Was a Tree
13. A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea
14. Pizza Hut
15. Five Little Hotdogs
16. Read a Book
17. What a Wonderful World

ALPHABET IN MY MOUTH & SPELLING NUMBER WORDS

The Alphabet in My Mouth
(Tune: “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”)
I’ve got the whole alphabet in my mouth,
I’ve got the whole alphabet in my mouth.
I’ve got the whole alphabet in my mouth
and I can read!
I’ve got A - /a/ /a/ in my mouth
I’ve got B - /b/ /b/ in my mouth
I’ve got C - /c/ /c/ in my mouth
And I can read!
I’ve got D…Z
I’ve got all the sounds in my mouth and I’m ready to read!

Hint! Make sign language letters as you sing.

Your children will LOVE making this book to go with the song. First, take a close up digital photo of each child with their mouth wide open. Enlarge the picture and glue it to a sheet of paper. Next, cut letters out of construction paper and glue to the tongue on their picture. Write words for each page to go with the picture, such as “I’ve got D /d//d/ in my mouth.”

*If you don’t have 26 students, then use the principal, secretary, custodian, etc. to complete the letters in the alphabet.

Letter Baby

What fun for your kids to use "Letter Baby" to spin the wheel around and display the letters as they sing! Click to view video.

Download Letter Baby Here

SPELLING NUMBER WORDS
(Tune: “Farmer in the Dell”)
Z - e - r - o spells zero. (Hold up fist.)
Z - e - r - o spells zero.
Zero is our hero.
Z - e - r - o spells zero.

O – n – e spells one. (Hold up 1 finger.)
O – n – e spells one.
Spelling numbers is such fun.
O – n – e spells one.

T –w –o spells two. (Hold up 2 fingers.)
T –w –o spells two.
I can spell and so can you.
T – w – o spells two.

Three – It’s as easy as can be….

Four – I can spell even more…

Five – I can spell and I can jive…

Six – Number words are a trick…

Seven – We’re so hot we are sizzlin’…

Eight – We are smart. We spell great…

Nine – Spelling good and feeling fine…

Ten – You’ve spelled “ten” and that’s “The End”…

Click to view

*Make a class book where children illustrate the set for each number word.

*Give children flash cards of number words to hold up as you sing.

Say, Spell, Write, Read
Here’s a little formula to help children remember words.
1st Say the word.
2nd Orally spell the word.
3rd Write the word. (You could do this in the air or on your palm.)
4th Read over the word.

SING TO LEARN

Writing these blogs is like a trip down memory lane for me. I remember taking this picture in my garage as if it were yesterday. My first three recordings were just fun songs to sing because in the 70's and 80's we were all about the WHOLE child and giving them happy experiences. When the academic push started I felt compelled to share some songs where children could have fun and develop skills at the same time. I still maintain that children can learn anything through music and movement!

Take a look at all the songs for phonics, sight words, math, social studies, and science.

Oops! Bill Clinton was President then. You'll have to make your own version with Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden!

Songs on this recording include:

1. Color Farm
2. Alphardy
3. Rime Time Song
4. Phon-ercise
5. Gumball
6. Sing And Sign
7. Tooty Ta (Open Version)
8. Macarena Math
9. Numeral Song
10. The Shape Song
11. Hickory Dickory Dock
12. Continents
13. Oceans
14. Directions
15. The United States
16. The Presidents
17. Good-bye Song

SHOW ME

*Think of all the possibilities with this game using letters, sight words, colors, shapes, etc.!

Number Show Me

Make a set of “show me” cards for each child by writing the numerals 0-10 on 3” squares of heavy cardstock. Have children store these cards in a zip bag in their desk. When you have a few extra minutes, ask the children to get their cards and arrange them on the floor or table in numerical order from 0-10. Use the cards for some of the games below.
*Adapt the number of cards to the ability of your students.

How Many?
The teacher claps, snaps, or stomps a set. Children listen and then hold up the correct number.

*Show me how many toes you have? How many thumbs at your table? Show me how many days in the week?

*Make a set with felt pieces on the flannel board. Show me how many.

Mystery Number
I’m thinking of a number between 4 and 6. Show me. I’m thinking of a number two more than seven. Show me.

Math Facts
4 plus 2. Show me.
9 minus 3. Show me.

Number Stories
I had four pennies. I found three more. Show me how many I have in all.
*Let children make up math stories for their friends.

Fact Families
Call out numbers in a fact family. Can children write the equations in that fact family?

Number Bonds
How many ways can you make seven?

Base Ten
Put 3 in the tens spot and two in the ones spot. What’s the number?

Odd and Even
Sort the odd and even numbers.


Letter Show Me
Here are activities with letter cards. It would be best to use 5-10 letter cards at a time.



Note! Use the cards with upper and lowercase for letter recognition games.
Use the single letters for making words.

*Scavenger Hunt – The teacher calls out a letter and the children match that letter with something in their room or in a book.

*Phonics - Show me the sound you hear at the beginning of ___?
What sound do you hear at the end of ___?

*Spelling - Call out CVC word, a sight word, or spelling word for children to make with their letters.

Plastic plates or laminated white card stock are also great substitutes for white boards.

Yes – No Show Me Cards
You will need two index cards. Write “yes” on one and “no” on the other. Children place them on the surface in front of them. As the teacher asks questions, the children hold up the appropriate word.

NUMBER SENSE

I've got some "old" ideas for you today, but they will be a "new" way to help your kids learn.

NUMBER SENSE
Write the numerals 1-100 on 2” foam squares and place them in a lunch sack. Each day choose 2 squares and count forwards from one number to the next. Next, count backwards. Which is greater? Less? Which has 3 tens? Can you show it with money? Which is odd? Even?
Hint! Adapt the numbers in the bag to the age and level of your students. 

MAKE, DRAW, TELL, DO
Here’s a way to help children “see” math and integrate writing. Fold a sheet of paper into fourths and do the following in each section.
Make: 4
Draw: O O O O
Tell: I have 4 cookies.
Do: 2 + 2 = 4 1 + 3 = 4 (Children use manipulatives to create different ways to make a number and then write the equation.)

ODD AND EVEN
(Tune: “Old MacDonald”)
There was a teacher who had some numbers
And ODD was their name-o.
1, 3, 5, 7, 9
1, 3, 5, 7, 9
1, 3, 5, 7, 9
And ODD was their name-o.

There was a teacher who had some numbers
And EVEN was their name-o.
0, 2, 4, 6, 8…

GIANT HUNDREDS CHART
Make a giant hundreds board on a shower curtain liner. Let children toss a beanbag and identify the number. What comes before? After? What’s greater than? Less than?

NUMBER GRID GAME
Make a grid similar to the one shown and write numbers 1-6 at the top. Roll a die and color in a box on the grid for that number. Which number will win? 

*Children can play this game independently, with a friend, or with a small group.

ADDITION SONG
(Tune: "Farmer in the Dell")
1 plus 1 equals 2
1 plus 1 equals 2
Hi - ho - adding we'll go.
1 plus 1 equals 2

NUMBER PLEASE
Here’s a super idea for classroom management. Put a number on each chair with a sticky note. Put the same numbers in a bag. Children draw a number and then find the seat with that number on it. That is their seat for the day, week, whatever. You can also use the numbers to line the children up.
*Write numbers on seasonal cutouts, such as snowflakes or hearts.