I have always been the biggest fan of using what I have to make learning fun. Several years ago I started turning worksheets into centers because hands-on learning gets me the engagement and mastery I’m hoping for.
This is the easiest way to make centers with things you already have!
Let me show you how I took one of my turkey worksheets and made it a fun sensory bin letter matching activity!
1. I made a few extra copies of the worksheet on colorful cardstock. I picked yellow, orange, and red for fall colors.
2. Cut out the items from the colorful pages. Leave the original page for a matching mat.
3. Add to a fun sensory bin! I like to use simple reusable sensory bin materials that are not messy. Fabric decor leaves work great for Fall!
Now, you have a matching game with fun colors and materials that keeps kids more engaged and giving them more practice than just a worksheet. You can even give them the worksheet as a closing activity to use what they practiced in the center.
I left the instructions on this worksheet so you can see how this page was intended to be used. I turned it into a numbers matching. You could even color the correct number of feathers on each of the pieces you cut out to add that counting skill in there.
I hope this gives you an easy idea to try in your own classroom!
I love a little end of the year gift to let my students know I have enjoyed them this year, that I am so proud of them, and that I will miss them as they move up.
My gift selection for the year usually depends on what I can find on a good enough deal to buy for the entire class. Here are some of my favorite end of the year gift ideas PLUS free editable tags you can download. {I will throw some links in where I can to make it easier to find everything you need. Some links will be my special affiliate links.}
1. BOOK WITH A NOTE
A book with a sweet note to your student is a great treasure for kiddos to keep forever. I love to talk about a special characteristic/personality trait they have that I have enjoyed during the school year. I also add in how I am so proud of them and how I know they will do big things. This is where I will mention something they are really good at, interested in, or want to be when they grow up. You can usually find good deals on book collections in the scholastic book orders or their website. I either pick a book that I think they will love, or I pick a book that we really enjoyed that school year. If you can’t find a book, a card with this note works just as well. I love finding sets like 5 Pete the Cat books for $21. You will have to connect to your school or teacher account to see that deal. But you can also find Pete the Cat sets 2 for $11 in the scholastic regular shop menu. Pete the Cat is always a big hit through the year, so I pick that when I can find it at the right price. Any book your kiddos liked this year will work though.
2. SUNGLASSES WITH A TAG
Sunglasses with a Summer-y tag. I can normally find a class set of glasses for around $15 like these Neon Sunglasses and print the cute tag for them. Heart shaped glasses cost a little bit more, but they are super cute.
This is one that I only do when I can find really good deals on sand pails with mini shovels. Inside I put some simple items like sidewalk chalk and bubbleswith tissue paper for looks. I usually take two pieces of chalk and tie them together with a thin ribbon.
You may not have in-person kiddos this year thanks to the pandemic. There are ways around this. I drove around and hand delivered (or left on door steps) my end of the year gifts and binders last year. It took me a few days and several hours of driving, but was totally worth it to see my babies one last time for the year. You could always set up a school pickup line though. That would make it way easier on you. My kids’ teachers did this and it worked well. They just set an hour or two that they would be standing at the school entrance and we got to drive by, see their sweet teachers, and pick up gifts and belongings.
You may notice the binders I send home with students. Those are scrapbooks I put together throughout the year by saving a craft for each holiday or special day at school, plus I add the alphabet crafts we do so they have a special alphabet book to read through. I will put together a post for that one day.
I hope this helps you find a good idea to send your students off with love this year! Summer is almost here!!
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Learn Through Play Prek - Play Based Preschool 