Paper Mosaics

Continuing on with the theme, I grabbed my square punches and let the girls "punch" from scrap paper.

I like this Fiskars one because it uses a grip instead of a thumb pointer motion.

Here is the other one.

Peek a Boo!

I showed them an example:

Then let them do it completely by themselves.

I loved what they came up with.

 This kept them so busy, I was able to balance the books without interruption!

It was a perfect thing to do with each age group.

Try it! It is so simple, uses scraps, and uses fine motor skills they need for handwriting.

Valentines - 1

Busy gettin' our Valentine's on!

My son (and me) made these cute things!

The teacher made the pink hearts with numbers so the class only had to write their OWN names on the Valentines. We incorporated into the valentine.

Original Idea found HERE

We just did our own version using paper I had on hand, and some punches I had here too.

The army guys were found at the penny section at Michaels.

So - $0.01 for 18 Valentines. Not to Shabby!

Winter Break Activity #3 - ART - Torn Candy Canes

We had some friends over and decided to do our art project with them.  Each kid tore red and white paper and then glued them into candy cane shapes. We did this while my husband was making lunch (it was a snow day)

aaaaaand here they are!

Just something simple and fun and stress free to break up the break.  Another option would be to do finger prints in lieu of torn paper. We had 6 kids here so I stayed away from the paint, but you totally could use paint!

Homemade/Kidmade Flowers - Daffodils 3

Mom or Dad cut an egg carton into cup shapes.

Then paint orange.

Then get all of the other supplies ready.

A Sharpie, Green construction Paper, Yellow Cardstock and tape.

Roll the green paper into tubes and then tape.

Once they are taped cut the tubes into different lengths.

Next, draw a 5 point flower and cut out.

Yes, both kids can cut on the lines! SCORE!

Then glue all the pieces together.  We taped ours and they look CUTE!

Easy fun and cheerful!

Teaching Shapes to Toddlers - 4

Shape Scapes!

I started by cutting several sizes of the different shapes I was doing and then let them glue a city or an ocean.

Then they went at it, giggling at the shapes they had picked.

Here they are all finished - minus 2 that were too wet to hang.

I added faces and a tag with name, date, title of project.

Cute and colorful! :)

If you wanted to make this more advanced you could trace shapes and have them cut them out themselves.

Teaching Shapes to Toddlers - 1

Tot School Shape Activity #1

Most of these kids know their shapes so why not reinforce it with 2 weeks of focus just to make sure! :)

I had Square, Rectangle, Oval, Circle and Diamond and Triangle.

Here is the first thing we did.

Rectangle Robots!

I cut out several different sizes and types of Rectangles.  Then I glued the body on a paper and let them decide how their robot would look.

It was interesting to watch each kid decide on each individual piece.

 They all really liked this project.

 My favorite thing about art projects is no matter what it is - using the same supplies - everyone comes up with something totally different.

Each kid got to pick an eye or two from the eye box and then I added a smile and a tag of what it was and the date.  They look adorable!

Stick Puppet Show

I love activities that are made from recycled stuff and that are great for any age.  This is one of those activities.

Here is what you need.

Empty Box of Crackers, Skewers not Depressors (shown), print outs, crayons and tape.

These are MUCH BETTER!

Print this stage HERE

And these puppets HERE and HERE
Illustrations by Kayanna Nelson

Then while the kids are coloring. You can make the stage.  I taped it to the box after cutting the top off. Then cut the box in the hole and then let them color the stage.

While they are coloring the stage tape the puppet to the sticks, and then all around that. and don't forget to make them upside down so when the kids stick them in it is right side up...

See?

Then I made up the words and the kids had to make up the motions like " Mr. Dog decided to JUMP over little girl Nadia." Then they had to do it.  then we switched.  It was great fun and I hope you all will try it!

The best part is that it is its own container! :)

The next time I pull this out I will make copies of the kids and put them on the sticks so "they" can really participate. :)

Scratched Cows

We talked about our Farm Trip.

And what the farmer told us about what cows do for us.  We had a glass of milk and proceeded with our project! :)

I used this as our outline for the cow.  Cut it out.

Gave the kids forks so we could give the cows a scratched texture, because the farmer said that their skin was like feeling scratchy fabric. So paint it brown and then scratch it up with forks.

Here it is - I over edited it so you could see it.

We then added hay and a word strip so we wouldn't forget what the farmer told us about cows.

If you are guessing that we are making a book about the Farm...YOU ARE RIGHT!

Scrapped Farms

This is a really fun activity if you just want to get out aggression! LOL

First tear up a bunch of red paper.

L loved this. B was trying to keep it neat...I wonder where she gets it.

More tearing.

With the glue make a barn shape and then add the torn paper.

See?

I laminated it and then we added some grass and of course the wood slats.

Cute right?

We talked about farms and barns and what they do and who lives in them.

It was really neat to hear what they were coming up with. L was set on telling me that puppies live on a farm.  I think she is right!