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How to Make Cupcake Crunch for a Valentine's Classroom Snack

Jan 26, 2023 · Leave a Comment

Cupcake Crunch is a super easy snack to make for a classroom snack on Valentine's Day. Here's how to create this easy snack for your Valentine's party.

This cupcake crunch recipe is a snack mix that's both easy and very popular with young kiddos. Let me show you how to make it and give you a freebie so your class can make it in a center or in pre-made baggies.

What is cupcake crunch?

Cupcake crunch (or Cupid's Crunch) is a snack mix. Really, it can include whatever works for you and your classroom (considering allergies).

Think of a basic snack mix or trail mix recipe and add in pink or red items like seasonal m&m's or freeze-dried strawberries to bring out the colors associated with February and Valentine's Day.

How to Make Cupcake Crunch for a Valentine's Day Classroom Snack Ingredients

As a teacher, I like to use larger amounts of cereal, popcorn, and pretzel-type items since those are less expensive to buy in large quantities. The key is then to sprinkle in some of the other, sweeter ingredients -- just like we do at Halloween with our monster munch.

Cereal for Valentine's Day Classroom Snack — ^{Pick a Valentine-themed cereal (usually found starting in late January) to make the snack both filling and economical.}

Just remember to balance the sweet and salty factor so it's tasty. A trail mix-like snack is popular in kindergarten because they can help make it and often has lots of kid-friendly ingredients included.

How to make it

To make cupcake crunch, pick 4 or 5 items from this list to make your Valentine-y snack:

Cereal (Berry Cheerios, Chocolate Strawberry Cheerios, Froot Loops Sweethearts)
Plain or salted popcorn
M&M's or chocolate chips
Pretzels
Freeze-dried strawberries
Mini-marshmallows (pink or white)
Berry flavored yogurt melts (usually found in the baby food section) or yogurt-covered raisins

Here are some sample combination ideas:

Valentine's Day Classroom Snack Mix Pretzels Marshmallows Cereal

Cereal + Pretzels + Marshmallows + M&M's
Popcorn + Pretzels + Marshmallows + M&M's + Berries
Popcorn + Cereal + Yogurt Melts + M&M's + Berries
Cereal + Pretzels + Yogurt Covered Raisins + Marshmallows + Chocolate Chips
Popcorn + Yogurt Covered Raisins + Marshmallows + Chocolate Chips

Then pick a scooper to match the quantity of each ingredient you want in your mix.

Tablespoons, ¼ cups, handfuls, and plastic spoons all work nicely in kindergarten.

You, the teacher (or parent volunteer), create your own "recipe" by scooping set amounts into a baggie or container until you like the ratio.

Now - you can either prepare this as a center or station or pre-make baggies for students (or have a parent volunteer make it).

How to make the snack mix as a center activity

If you want to put out the ingredients and scoopers so students can make this on their own as a center or station activity for a Valentine's Day party, then here's what you do.

First, download these editable recipe cards. You agree to these terms of use by doing so. [downloading help] You'll need to open them in Powerpoint or upload them to Google Slides.

Valentine's Day Classroom Party Snack Center Activity for Room Moms

Then, copy and paste the clipart (the numbers and food ingredients) onto the page(s) you like the best. Duplicate any slides you like or need more of.

There are:

large table cards if you want to put one ingredient with one card like a buffet line.
a recipe card with a white background (as pictured above)
recipe card with gray lines for steps

Last, print the recipe cards, and students will count or scoop (based on your instructions) the items into a Ziploc bag, small plastic cup, or onto a napkin, or plate and shake, stir or mix it up before eating.

Easy activity and snack all in one!

How to premake the snack for a class party or gift

This snack mix is best when it is made fresh or the night before. That way dry things like pretzels and cereal don't have time to absorb moisture from any of the other ingredients and get stale.

If you're including marshmallows - wait until the last possible minute to add those since they can get rock-hard when mixed with other ingredients.

Simply use the ratio of ingredients you created for your "recipe" and place them into individual snack-size or sandwich-size Ziploc bags.

Print these cute printable cupcake crunch toppers for Ziploc bags to make these ready to go.

After you print them, cut the toppers out and fold them over the top of the filled, sealed baggie. Then staple in the middle to secure the topper on.

You can easily send this home since it's already all contained. It makes for a great gift too.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it. An easy snack mix that's easy and just right for February when you add a few Valentine-colored treats. I hope that directions for how to make it and the freebie make it a cinch to use as your Valentine's Day classroom snack.

Looking for more activities for Valentine's Day? Then check out these 21 Valentines Day Freebies for Kindergarten.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Kindergarten Teaching Ideas

Free Handwriting Lowercase Letter Strips

Nov 6, 2022 · 1 Comment

Give your kindergartners the opportunity to keep their handwriting skills sharp with these quick, printable lowercase letter strips.

I'm all about working smart in the classroom. It's the reason why I decided to teach handwriting based on letter formation using similar strokes as opposed to any other way.

These little letter strips are designed to help you work smart - to give students quick, focused practice after you've taught letter formation.

If you haven't taught handwriting this way, you'll want to start by reading: How to teach handwriting in kindergarten and grab these free handwriting strokes posters.

Let's jump into how these little letter strips work and how you can make them for free.

How they work

These handwriting letter strips are designed to give your students very quick practice forming a single lowercase letter.

They only have to write the letter a total of five times - but it is done in a way that increases the amount of formation they have to do on their own.

Here's how they scaffold the work for your kinders:

A starting dot tells students where to start. After a few attempts, students should start in the correct place on their own.
The outline of the letters creates a road or path to help keep their letters looking uniform and looking similar to the goal. The outline is taken away at the end of the strip to allow students to try it on their own.
Students visually discriminate the consistent shape of the lowercase letter in a variety of fonts. This teaches them to recognize the visual pattern/look of each letter, reinforcing the formation they just practiced in the spaces above.

The starting dot and the outline are two key components of teaching handwriting in a way that is age-appropriate.

Both features are extremely visual and provide the right amount of support where students need it: where to start a letter and how to form it.

This helps you teach effectively.

And, by grouping letters together that are formed in a similar way, you are teaching smart. For example, they can quickly learn to form a d or a q because they've already learned how to form other backwards circle letters like o, c and a.

If these letter strips aren't the kind of practice you're looking for, you may like these Free Scaffolded Handwriting Worksheets for Kindergarten: Lowercase a-z.

Here's how to complete a letter strip:

Kinders write their name in the gray shaded box at the top. They use the defined space to fit their letters into.
Students form the letter three times with full support - a starting dot and an outline. They can use a pencil or a crayon (use a different color crayon for each box).
Then they form the letter once with some support - with an outline but no starting dot. The goal is to start in the correct place.
Then they form the letter once on their own - with no outline and no starting dot. The goal is to use the repetition from the supported attempts above to start in the correct place and form the letter correctly.
Students highlight (by circling or coloring) the featured letter in multiple fonts in the last box.

Remember that in kindergarten, the placement on traditional handwriting lines isn't age-appropriate. The focus is on the starting place, the formation, and confining the shape to a defined space (each of the five boxes).

It's my hope these little letter strips help your kinders with this standard: K.L.1.a-4. Print all lowercase letters.

How to make them

Ready to make them?

Click to download the letter strips here. [terms of use] [downloading help]

Print the number of sheets you need for your student, group, or class. There are three strips per printed sheet.
Use a pair of scissors or a paper cutter to cut the strips apart.

Kindergarten Handwriting lowercase letter strips free worksheet

Some teachers said that they will run these onto the backs of scrap paper (previously used/copied one side paper otherwise that might just get recycled).

Other teachers have shared that they will laminate these to use with dry-erase or vis-a-vis markers (and rinse clean) to make a reusable set.

How will you use them? Let me know in the comments below.

Let's wrap it up

Now, keep in mind - these are a quick, review tool.

So use them to give your kinders a chance keep their handwriting skills sharp.

I hope these can help you work smart by reinforcing letter formation and helping your students gain the fluidity they need in handwriting. I only included lowercase letters at this time since those are the letters students use most in natural, open-ended writing experiences.

If your students don't really need to practice individual letters but need to work on their names, then you want these free name writing practice sheets instead.

Free Name Writing Practice Sheet for Kindergarten

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Handwriting in Kindergarten

What Does a Teacher Really Want for Teacher Appreciation Week?

Apr 19, 2022 · Leave a Comment

This year I wanted to ask other teachers to find out "What does a teacher really want for teacher appreciation week?" and I did.

Over 70 teachers responded and there are three running themes in their responses.

So, if you want to know what to get teachers for teacher appreciation week to show you share - then here are some great answers to get you thinking.

I hope these can help you decide how to show the teachers in your life you appreciate them, their time, and their dedication.

The classroom has needs

The first thing you'll hear from teachers is that they have classroom needs to be filled.

At this point in the school year supplies may be running low, a teacher may be trying something new and need materials to give it a go, or need something to prepare to usher in the end of the school year.

"I actually love gift cards from places where I can buy things for my classroom. There used to be some great teacher supply stores. I miss them!" - D.G.

"Gift cards to Walmart, Target, Amazon to help pay for things for the classroom. The other gift are great but I always wished for a gift card to buy what the class needed." - T.L.

So, find out what your teacher might need (don't be shy to ask in advance) or supply them with a gift card and a note with your hope that it will help them finish out the year strong with a better-stocked supply cupboard.

Gift cards are awesome

This one is much more personal to the individual teacher you're gifting for... but it can go a long way to show that you know the teacher and want to provide a little treat for themselves.

Teachers are generally pretty busy people and for someone else to buy a favorite treat, a meal for their family, or even bring a favorite drink (like a Diet Coke or hot tea) can speak volumes to let them know you were thinking about them and that their time is appreciated. Gift cards are a great way to do this for them!

Sooooooo many teachers simply said that gift cards were what they really wanted for teacher appreciation week.

"If you don’t already have a list of their favorite things, send an email and ask for specific things, like a favorite drink or sweet/salty snack. I always appreciate that." - M.W-L.

Similarly though, if you'd rather give them a tangible gift, then send a few of their favorite treats to show them you are thankful.

Thank you notes mean a lot

But of course, not every gift has to come with a price tag. Many teachers commented on how much it means to receive genuine thanks.

It can go a long way for someone to know that their hard work, time, and efforts are noticed. So, write a note that

"Last year a few parents just sent me a message telling me how much they appreciated me and what a blessing I was to their child. It meant more than any gift I have ever received." - K.P.

"Hand-written note from kids and parents saying Thank you" - L.F.

"Best gift I got was a beautiful thank you card from a parent." - P.B-C.

So, grab a card or simply jot a note of your sincere thanks and mention something specific that you've noticed and appreciate about the teacher's work, efforts or dedication.

Let's wrap it up

It seems that gift cards (for both classroom supplies and teacher treats) and hand-written notes are what teachers really want for teacher appreciation week.

One teacher even mentioned all three in her one response:

"Starbucks gift card, gift card towards stores I get school stuff from, lunch delivered, cards of thanks." - J.O.

So I think it's safe to say, that these are sure-fire ways of showing your appreciation this year.

Want to print out a thank you poem to attach to your gift card? It's perfect to jot out a hand-written note on the back {wink}. I wrote this poem personally - as a teacher, for other teachers - because I know what they do daily that can often go unnoticed.

Grab this free printable to go with your token of appreciation:

Free Printable Teacher Appreciation Poem

And if you're an administrator - in addition to your support - teachers really want more dedicated plan/prep time and fewer meetings. But you probably knew that already, didn't you?

Teachers, did those who answered get it right? Share your favorite teacher appreciation week gift in the comments.

Free Valentines Decomposing Teen Numbers Mail-a-Number Activity

Jan 25, 2021 · Leave a Comment

Work on decomposing numbers 11-19 by breaking numbers into groups of tens and ones.

Here is a free Valentine-themed printable workmat and matching number cards that you can use with your kindergarten class.

Let me show you how to use it, make it and give you some ideas on how to get the most from it.

How to use it

First, let's understand what decomposing numbers means.

In kindergarten, decomposing numbers means to break the number down into parts. And, most often, in kindergarten it means breaking down a number into it's groups of tens and ones.

Continue reading >> What is decomposing in kindergarten and why is it important

Now that we know what it means, we want to give our students lots of varied ways to practice breaking numbers apart - especially the teen numbers.

The more hands-on, the better.

I love using ten frames the most to practice both composing and decomposing numbers, but for this activity, we're going to use base ten blocks.

Here's what students do:

1. Students will pull a number card and break it apart. They will figure out which numeral represents the number of groups of ten and which represents the ones.

2. They then show that using a group of ten (a base ten stick) and write the matching numeral (a one) on the mailbox to represent one group of ten.

3. They repeat the same thing using individual ones (base ten single blocks) and write the matching numeral on the envelope to represent how many ones there are in the number.

To check their work, they can count all of the blocks together starting at one, or they can start counting at ten (and touch the entire base ten stick) then keep counting on.

4. They clear their workmat of blocks, erase their written numbers and keep their stamp as a "point" to keep track of their work.

5. They repeat the activity and pick a new number stamp card to know what number to decompose next.

How to differentiate it

As it's created, this activity just focuses on numbers 11-19, which is the number range for this kindergarten standard.

You can however easily tweak a few things to make it more of challenge or give your struggling students more support.

To make it harder

To make this activity more challenging, use the blank number cards and add in numbers 0-10 and 20.

This is a really great way to see if students understand the lack of a group of ten in numbers 0-10 and the need for two groups of ten in 20.

If they can do this, then they are ready for more.

To make it an accelerated activity, use the blank number cards to make any assortment of numbers to 99. It's great for students who already can count and recognize numbers to 100 and can accurately decompose numbers to 20.

If you make either of those additional card sets, be sure to print off sets in different colors so it makes it easy for students to know which cards to use and clean up.

To give it more support

To give more support to this activity be sure to include a number chart to 20 so that students can count on the chart and find the matching number stamp and identify the number correctly.

You can also draw labels under the numbers that show tens and ones to help them recognize where to break the numbers apart. I use tens and ones labels with words and pictures. We use these labels all the time - especially during calendar binder math time - so students become very familiar with their meaning.

Another alternative to giving it support is to draw the solution on the back of the stamp so students can flip it over to check their own work.

How to make it

Now that you know how to use it and how to differentiate it for your students - let's make it.

First, download these free mail-a-teen-number sheets. [terms of use] [downloading help]

Then print your workmats either in color, black and white or on construction paper. Slip those workmats into a plastic protector sleeve or laminate them.

Print the number stamp cards 11-19 onto construction paper (or make the modifications we covered earlier) and either laminate or leave them as is. I find that construction paper often holds up well enough, I don't need to laminate.

If you're going to use differentiated sets, then consider putting the stamp card sets each into their own Ziploc baggies and labeling them so your students know which ones to use.

Place the workmat and cards together along with a dry erase marker, eraser (a tissue or baby socks from the Dollar Tree work awesomely), and some base ten blocks.

You're ready to use this with your class!

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - a free activity to work on decomposing teen numbers in kindergarten with a fun, Valentine's Day theme.

I hope this mail-a-number activity can come in handy as you work to give your students varied practice with composing and decomposing numbers.

Want more ways to help them practice? Try one of these:

Want more free Valentine things to do with your class? You might just love these 21 Valentines Day Freebies for Kindergarten.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

21 Valentines Day Freebies for Kindergarten

Jan 24, 2021 · 1 Comment

Let's plan fun Valentine's day activities for the kindergarten classroom. Here are free mini-projects, reading resources, sight word activities, and math mats - all with a Valentine's Day theme.

Don't feel like just because there are a lot of fun Valentine's Day ideas for the classroom out there that you have to do a lot.

It's my style to keep it simple - like just pick one or two things from this list and incorporate them into your normal daily routine.

You may also want to read: How to celebrate any minor holiday in kindergarten

So, let's start with some mini-projects since these may be "extra" activities and then jump into the resources and activities that would fit into your normal day.

These freebies are from various teachers so you'll need to follow the links in order to download them.

Mini-projects

Swap out your writing time or carve out a few extra minutes from your daily routine to insert one of these mini-projects for Valentine's Day.

Heart robot directed drawing

This directed drawing for a heart robot turns out really cute. Encourage students to completely color in the background - but you can add more valentine details too.

This is a great activity for the week of Valentine's Day as it will appeal to both boys and girls.

Candy comparison experiment

Let your students compare what happens to three different kinds of candy in small groups.

Kinders compare candy hearts, gobstoppers, and m&m's in water (or Sprite, depending on the candy) and record their observations.

Here's a video of the experiment so you can preview what'll happen in your classroom:

Conversation heart candy experiment

If you'd rather skip comparing candies (as in the experiment above) and just stick with one kind, then choose this candy heart experiment instead.

Your students will predict and compare what happens when the candies are placed in water, soda and vinegar.

Valentine headband/hat craft

Make a cut and paste Valentine hug headband with wavy arms. Your students cut the pieces from construction paper or color theirs if you use white paper.

Glue crinkly arms that move or wave like a big hug and hands onto the headband to give it a complete look.

Or, you may like this paper plate heart hat as an alternative. Both are cute.

What is love? Class book

Create a class book where every student contributes a page to complete the project. Students draw, color and write about what love is in this free "Love is..." class book.

Love Monster craft

source: scholastic.com and schoolisahappyplace.blogspot.com

When it comes to extending books you read aloud for Valentine's day, sometimes a craft is an easy choice.

Here is a trace, cut and paste monster craft that resembles the (affiliate) Love Monster book by Rachel Bright. You can let students choose their color of paper or make a fun glyph project out of it.

Cupcake crunch snack mix activity

Easy Valentine's Day snack activity center

Let your kinders make their own snack mix full of red, pink and white ingredients for a yummy directions-following activity. This is great for a Valentine's day classroom party too.

You can grab editable directions sheets so you can set it up as a center activity with your choice of ingredients and this mini-project is sure to go over big!

Those are fun activities to squeeze into the day or week of Valentine's Day. Now, let's dig into some reading and math activities that can easily fit into the normal daily routine of kindergarten life.

Reading resources

What can you do during your guided reading groups or during your phonics mini-lessons? Try one of these free reading resources.

CVC sounds

Snag some Valentine mini-erasers from the Dollar Tree and this Elkonin box printout. But - you could also use pennies, counters, or heart die-cuts.

Kinders put three or four manipulatives on the heart, then they slide one into each letter box as they say each sound in the spoken word. This will work for both CVC or CVCC words.

Emergent readers

Take this free Valentine's Day emergent reader and use it in your guided reading groups.

Trace the sight words as you work through the book and send it home with your students to read to their families.

source: littlemisskindergarten.blogspot.com

Or use this Valentine hearts emergent reader which features sight words: he, she, red, blue, white, yellow, green and purple.

I'm a little valentine poem

Use this sweet "I'm a Little Valentine" poem on February 14th. It's to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot." Circle the rhyming word pairs, highlight the sight words and all of the little bits your students know.

For example, your students probably know bits like:

th
sneaky e
ay (hiding in say, away)

Each student will end up with his or her own colored poem based on what they know.

But they'll be amazed at how much of the poem they can "read" based on how much of the text is colored!

More on: Teaching little bits in guided reading groups >>

Oh, my darling valentine poem

Or do this Oh, My Darling Valentine poem aloud with your class as a shared reading activity.

Things you could do:

Make a second copy of the poem in a different color marker and match the word cards on top of each other. Leave some cards out and clap on the missing words.
Use highlighting tape (or cut up translucent dividers) to find the bits you know, like the "I"m a little valentine" poem above, as a class.
Circle or underline the rhyming word pairs with Wikki Sticks and then jump when you point to the rhyming word pairs as you re-read the poem.

CVC short vowel roll-and-read games

Play this roll-and-read game with your level 3 / 4 (C/D) readers in guided reading groups. Kinders have to blend sounds to read CVC words and try to get four in a row.

They can play independently (by trying to get four in a single column) or in partners (by trying to get four words connected in a row).

Or give this activity another try with different CVC words instead.

Or, try this free V-day themed board game for CVC words instead.

Sight word activities

We often cover sight words in our daily life in kindergarten. Here are three different activities you could use on Valentine's day.

Shaving cream sight words

I call this "Valentine's Smoosh" - simply use shaving cream and food coloring in sealed Ziploc baggies. Here's the tutorial on how to make these DIY squishy bags.

Have students use it as a tactile place to do their sight words, word work or spelling words during your guided reading groups. No need to erase – just smoosh and start again!

Use fingers or a pencil top eraser to write with.

Sight word board game

Students roll a die and move around a trail of candy conversation hearts and take turns reading sight words. This free Valentine's sight word game is an easy game to use during guided reading groups.

Roll-and-write sight words

Put these editable roll-and-write-a-sight-word sheets into plastic sleeve protectors with a die and a dry-erase marker. You've got a free sight word activity that focuses on repeated practice.

Can they guess which word column will fill up first?

Now, let's look at some math mats you can use either whole-group or during guided math.

Math mats

Here are some mats to either laminate or place into plastic protector sleeves so you can get a lot of use out of them. Use any math manipulatives you have on hand to make them work.

Composing teen numbers

Print a set of number cards 11-19. Students pull a card and make the teen number in the ten frames. Use Froot Loops cereal or even any little Valentine-y manipulatives you have on hand.

You may also like this spin-a-teen-number Valentine's Day activity that is similar.

Decomposing teen numbers

Print numbers 11-19 onto construction paper "stamps" (or write in higher numbers if you've got more advanced students).

Students grab a stamp card and use base ten blocks to break down (decompose) the number into groups of tens and ones on these mail-a-number teen numbers sheets.

I added the "tens" and "ones" labels at the bottom to make them more kinder-friendly.

Or if you want students to match teen numbers shown in various ways, then grab these free love bug matching cards. You could use the cards as a memory game or set up a write-the-room activity.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it -- mini-projects, reading resources, math mats, and sight word activities - all free and just right for Valentine's Day.

Just because there are a lot of fun ideas, you don't have to do them all. Your students will have a wonderful day even if you keep it simple. So pick what you love and skip the rest.

Need a Valentine's class party idea? Here is my super simple solution that puts all the focus on the cards and makes a sweet take-home item too.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

12 Dental Health Videos for Kindergarten – Read, Move and Learn!

Jan 21, 2021 · Leave a Comment

Want to find kindergarten-friendly videos that hit the mark in time for learning about dental health? Here is a list of teacher-recommended videos for teaching about brushing teeth.

It can be fun to change up our normal routine in the classroom (or via distance learning) for February (when most teachers cover dental health) and add a video or two into our lesson plans.

For example, you just might need a learning video to supplement what you're teaching or a brain break video that can help get the wiggles out.

Whatever you need - here are dental health-themed books read aloud, brain break videos and some learning videos that can help you teach.

Dental health-themed stories

These stories are good read-alouds for learning about taking care of teeth. They are fun and nod to dental health while sticking to what is age-appropriate for kindergarten.

I’ll be sharing affiliate links and more information about each book in case you want to read a hard copy.

Just Going to the Dentist

See what going to the dentist looks like for a checkup in this classic Mercer Mayer book.

Sometimes seeing what a dentist visit can look like helps alleviate fear in our students. It's also a good book for starting a discussion about your students' own dentist visits before a writing prompt.

Get the book >>

Pony Brushes His Teeth

This book is a very quick read aloud that features a pony who does everything like his dad - as he is learning the steps to brushing his teeth.

Get the book >>

Brush Your Teeth Please

Kids will enjoy this pop-up book that shows fierce animals brushing and flossing their teeth.

Note: This version of the book has background music - but doesn't read it aloud so you'll have to fill in the text for your students.

Get the book >>

The Tooth Book

A classic rhyming and rhythm book when it comes to books about teeth.

Kids will learn about who has teeth (and who doesn't) and how they will eventually lose their baby teeth and grow a set of adult teeth.

Get the book >>

Brain breaks

Brain breaks give students the opportunity to break from focusing by moving to music in order to recharge.

Floss Dance: Brain Breaks

Okay, so we can have a little fun and stretch dental care to include flossing, right? Of course, we can!

Teach your students how to do the popular "floss dance" and give them a chance to giggle and move.

Pretend their hips are a tooth, they use a piece of imaginary floss to "clean" both sides of the tooth.

Brush Your Teeth Dance Along

This super-quick kids dance video practices brushing teeth up and down and side to side.

Learning videos

These videos are meant to help you teach mini-concepts in the classroom. They focus on how to brush teeth, why we brush our teeth and knowing more about teeth in general.

Why Do We Brush Our Teeth?

Students learn how teeth need our care by covering important basics quickly (all in just over 4 mins) like tooth layers, bacteria and when to brush.

This is the perfect video to watch before you send home your free Colgate classroom toothbrush kit.

Tooth By Tooth

I think this book that compares different kinds of teeth that animals have is fascinating for kinders.

They can compare their own teeth and it's great to understand the different kinds of teeth we have in our own mouths.

This book read aloud by you is definitely better than this video recording (be sure to turn up the volume).

Get the book >>

Why It's Important To Brush Your Teeth!

Explore why it's important to carefully choose what we drink and why it's important to brush by watching this egg experiment unfold.

Students will see what happens to an egg (which represents our teeth) when it's placed in multiple solutions and then brushed.

You can even do this experiment with your class.

ABC Dentist: Healthy Teeth From A to Z

This is a much longer book and video. You might only want to select specific points to cover after you preview it.

I think students should understand how many teeth they have and the roots our teeth have (connect this to your growing plants unit). Most other videos don't cover these two mini-topics.

Here the time-jump links to those topics in this video:

Get the book >>

Crush It While I Brush It

What's a kindergarten video list without a Harry Kindergarten video?

To get kids moving - create a dance movement to match the repetitive part of the video - and then kids can squat and bounce or kneel while learning how to care for their teeth.

Brush Your Teeth | Kids Songs

This sing-songy video covers how to brush teeth and when to brush - all in just 2 minutes. It's a rhyming video so many students will catch onto singing along quickly.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - my list of dental health hygiene videos for kindergarten.

I hope that these books read aloud, dance videos, and learning videos can come in handy since it has been teacher pre-screened for you!

Tip! Show a video to your class without any hesitation with viewpure.com. It removes ads, comments and videos that pop up as suggestions afterward.

What videos did I miss that you love to share with your class for dental health month? Tell us in the comments.

5 Ways to Use a Worksheet So It's Not Just a Worksheet

Jan 7, 2021 · Leave a Comment

Find creative uses for worksheets in the kindergarten classroom - that don't stick to paper-and-pencil only practice.

Here is why I don't love worksheets in kindergarten (or any grade level for that matter) and five ways that you can still use your favorite worksheets in ways that are more age-appropriate.

Why I loathe worksheets

You've heard me say more than once that I loathe worksheets.

Why?

Well, because I think they literally do like nothing for our kids.

And while I've never been a fan of them, one summer day was turning point for me.

I remember the year that I opened our new Saxon math curriculum and my heart just sank.

I opened boxes, plural - boxes, of classroom sets of worksheets.

In that moment I knew I wasn't even going to use half of them... and then a new thought came into my mind.

What if I just didn't use any of them and I stashed them away for a year... what would happen?

And I decided in that very moment it was worth testing out.

Guess what?

No classroom police showed up, no parents complained about seeing not worksheets coming home every night, no administrators came knocking wondering where they were at.

Here's what actually happened:

We learned math anyways.

We drew in math journals twice a week, did math binders daily and played lots of games.

We learned in small groups and I knew everyone's math strengths and weaknesses.

Things changed drastically for me and you've probably heard me say I'd never go back to another way of teaching math.

Well, the same principle goes for me with using worksheets. When my heart sank I realized the worksheets, the fluff, wasn't going to cut it and I had to do something about it or I'd relive that sinking feeling every day pulling out the next set of worksheets.

I'm not saying that we can never use them, but I believe we should choose super carefully which ones we use and use them sparingly.

Would you believe me if I told you that my students maybe completed one worksheet a week?

How does that compare with what we see coming home in general from today's kindergarten classrooms?

Ways to use a worksheet

Now I understand there is value in practicing things in written form, so here are some ways I think you can take a worksheet and make it work harder for you in your classroom.

1. Put it onto a magnadoodle

Shrink a copy of your worksheet onto an overhead and cut it to fit into a Magnadoodle.

I made cards like these and they are much more fun.

Half-size overheads fit great (with the corners trimmed) to fit into the medium sized Magnadoodles.

2. Put it onto an overhead

Take your favorite worksheets and make them last.

Print them onto an overhead and let students use vis-a-vis markers with them.

Teach them to rinse them off and return them for the next student.

This is much less permanent than paper-and-pencil and feels different since you're working with a slipper texture.

3. Slide it into a plastic sleeve (or laminate)

Take a worksheet or make one and slide it into a plastic sleeve or you can laminate it.

Test it with your dry erase markers and keep baby socks or kleenex with it to make it a write-on, wipe-off workmat.

My most-used ones were my: sight word workmats, my handwriting mats and my decomposing number mats.

But I've also used this for name writing and trouble-shooting handwriting specific letters.

4. Turn it into a book

There is more value in reading and doing a little book than simply completing a worksheet.

So, can you take the content you want to cover and turn it into a book?

Here are some of my favorite examples from different content areas to get you thinking:

describing 2d shapes (math)
composing/decomposing numbers 11-19 (math)
pumpkin life cycle (science)
onsets and rimes (phonics)
measurement (math)

5. Skip it - Choose the game or hands-on version instead

If you can find a way to skip the worksheet and do something interactive instead - do it!

And I'm not talking about picking a cut-and-paste-let's-pretend-that's-interactive worksheet.

Here are some examples where I've chosen to replace worksheets in my classroom:

Make a memory game, bingo game, bump game, race game
Make workmats to use with playdough
Find activities to teach beginning sounds, rhyming, ending sounds
Use pokey pinning for additional sight words practice
Create a "points" game to blend CVC words (sorting nonsense and real words)

A Fun Way to Get Kinders Blending CVC Words - Roll and Read

Let's wrap it up

With all of those ideas, I hope you feel empowered to teach the way you want to.

If you ask me to sum up my feelings on worksheets, I'd say:

Be super-critical about which worksheets make the cut in your classroom. Save your favorites and toss (or stash) the rest. {wink}

But now you've got at least five ways that you can take the worksheets you want to keep and find a more interactive way to use them in your classroom.

More teacher ideas

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

22 Winter-Themed Activities for the Kindergarten Classroom

Dec 22, 2020 · Leave a Comment

When it's time to come back from winter break or Christmas break - it's time to hit the ground running in kindergarten. There is explosive growth that happens from now until the spring in both reading and math.

Let's capitalize on that learning-growth spurt and plan some great winter kindergarten activities.

Here are winter-themed math, science, and literacy-based activities, along with some art projects, crafts, and a set of free worksheets that I have found.

I hope they can be helpful to you as you make your January and February lesson plans.

Math activities

Here are two math resources that help you pick up where you left off in December and grow your learners.

Winter bump

free Wintertime adding bump game for kindergarten with 2 dice

Grab this free winter-themed math addition game for kindergarten. Your kinders will play "bump" using dice and linking cubes (or another manipulative) and work on adding numbers.

You'll love that this game includes multiple levels so it's already differentiated for you.

Frozen composing teens

Practice composing numbers 11-19 with this fun, Frozen-themed game. Students play on a printable game board, moving characters like Sven and Olaf after they make numbers using groups of tens and ones.

First one to the snow-capped village wins!

If you have a class that loves Frozen movies, you may just want to use this entire Frozen unit for the month of January.

Winter estimation

As students are learning larger numbers in the second semester, capitalize on seeing such numbers with this simple estimation activity.

All you need are fingerprints and cotton balls! So fun and perfect for winter.

I think it'd be a great tie in to using ten frames to predict how many and record their findings.

If you want to differentiate - just use the polar bear template laminated and use marshmallows to estimate. [Use mini-marshmallows for students who can count up to 100, regular-sized marshmallows for students working with numbers to 30, and jumbo marshmallows for students who can count to 20.]

Science activities

Let's dig into science with simple, standards-based activities.

Expanding snowman

Ziploc bag full of snow with hand-drawn snowman face — source: sciencekiddo.com

When the snow hits your area (or grab a bag of ice at Sonic or ice cubes and grind them in a blender) then you're ready to make an expanding snowman.

You can easily make this as a class, or the supplies are cheap enough for everyone to do the activity. Use brand-name freezer storage bags for best results.

Students watch Alka-seltzer interact with snow and you can observe and discuss what changes take place.

Snow slime

Did you know you could make this?

Penguin toy on top of white slime mountain — source: epicfunforkids.com

I think this super-strong snow slime recipe would make for the coolest writing springboard...

Let each kinder have a turn to create a scene - snap a photo and print it out for them to use as a book front cover or writing prompt illustration.

Go from science to writing in one awesome afternoon.

Here is a great alternative snow slime recipe that doesn't require hard-to-find ingredients.

Igloo STEM challenge

Igloo made from mini-marshmallows on styrofoam plate — source: makingmerrymemories.blogspot.com

Students plan and design how to make an igloo in small groups using simple supplies. Then they test out their plan by using the simple materials.

Grab some marshmallows, frosting, and use the empty frosting container - this could be fun!

Turn this into an individual STEM challenge by substituting mini marshmallows and a condiment cup or styrofoam cup as a base.

How do penguins stay dry experiment

Water droplets form on a crayon-resist colored penguin

Explore how penguin feathers help them to stay dry in the Antarctic waters.

I like this idea since it is really simple and uses materials that are easy to produce in the classroom. Each student can do this activity.

Another good activity that explores how arctic animals (including some penguins) stay warm is to make a blubber mitt. We did this every year as a whole group experience.

An alternative idea is to crease the paper down the middle and only color on one half of the penguin. That way students can see what would happen if the oily residue didn't exist on the penguins feathers.

Literacy-based activities

Let's connect reading skills to all things winter.

The Mitten easy reader

This is a free printable emergent reader that comes in four different levels. You can make a set to keep in your classroom or make one for students to take home.

This is based on the popular book, The Mitten.

Here are a few more resources and activities you my like based on The Mitten for kindergarten:

Sneezy the Snowman

Enjoy exploring these 5 clever Sneezy the Snowman kindergarten activities - they are awesome!

This story is hot on most kindergarten teachers' lists. It's a cute read aloud and these activities make it super simple to extend the story.

January kindergarten read-alouds

Read books! January is a great time to fit in extra read-alouds.

Here is a list of great read-alouds for January to go along with the winter theme (and many of these resources on this list).

Art activities

These art activities turn out beautiful. Each project focuses on the creative process and each kinder's creation turns out unique.

Winter mittens art - warm and cold colors

Warm and cold colors mitten art project — source: klassenkunst.com

These tissue paper mittens turn out beautiful. The warm and cold color contrast turns makes these stand out as a beautiful display.

Here's how to make it:

Cut warm colors of tissue paper and glue it onto a mitten outline. Cover it completely and past the edges.
Cover it with Modge Podge to make it shiny and everything lay flat.
While it's drying, paint a background piece of paper by dabbing on blue and white paint - mixing the colors with a sponge.
Add white snowflakes (maybe stickers, stamps, confetti or die cuts) on the blue background.
Cut out the dry mitten.
When everything is dry, glue (or hot-glue) a clothespin on to hang the mitten in front.

Pull-off polar bear paint project

Polar bear imprint left behind with paint around — source: playtolearnpreschool.us

Oh my goodness. I love this pull-off painting project with winter colors! Although - you could totally do it with any shape if you didn't want to do a polar bear...

Use a combination of strong fingerpaint paper, tempera paints in blue and white, and an artic animal cut from a piece of newsprint paper.

The process is rather simple, a little messy and the final product turns out awesome.

Oil pastel and watercolor snowflakes

Kindergartner painting with watercolors around a snowflake — source: wondersinkindergarten.blogspot.com

We did this and I loved it! {okay, my students loved it too}

Investigate how the shapes of snowflakes are unique (using your favorite books and videos) and then create a snowflake masterpiece.

Students will draw a snowflake using a pattern, outline it with white or gray oil pastels. Then by painting a background in shades of blue and purple watercolors, the final product is just as unique as each snowflake!

Snow crafts

Here are some snow-related crafts that are just right for the kindergarten classroom.

Snowman craft

Cut some simple shapes to make this snowman craft. The perspective of the snowman looking up to the sky is what makes this uber-cute.

You'll need construction paper, scissors and crayons or markers to make this one happen.

Planning for a sub this month? Stash this project away for them to work on with your class.

Snowman directed drawing

Row of kid-drawn snowmen — source: proudtobeprimary.com

This turns out so sweet! A snowman directed drawing art activity with step by step directions so everyone can do it

Sponge-painted snowflakes

Blue snowflake with glitter cutout — source: terrificpreschoolyears.blogspot.com

Cut a large, simple snowflake shape from blue construction paper to make these sponge-painted snowflakes.

Make splotches of blue and white paint and then dab to begin blending the colors together. Finish off with some glitter. Beautiful!

Other winter resources

Here are a few more worthwhile-mentions of winter-themed resources I didn't want you to leave without seeing.

Paper plate snowman

Snap a quick cute photo with this easy paper plate snowman craft. You can also skip the popsicle stick and print an enlarged photo of your students face in the hole.

This would make a great display piece to accompany a writing prompt of "if I were a snowman."

Winter worksheets

Oh man, you know that I loathe worksheets, right? But, I also know that a time comes when you need to pull one out or find one you like and want to use it in your centers as a rinse-off overhead.

So, if you need some worksheets to stash in your substitute folder for January - this printable worksheet set is just right for kindergarten standards.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - winter activities for a kindergarten classroom that are fun and hands-on.

I hope these can help you save time as you plan your lessons.

Need more for January? You might like these 17 Kindergarten Videos for January – Read, Move and Learn!

Woah, wait. Are you about to hit the 100th day of school? So many schools have their 100th day of school fall in January and February.

You may just want to read How to Plan a Not-So-Crazy 100th Day of School (or Any Minor Holiday) so you can use the daily classroom routine you've built to your advantage.

And here are 13 Free 100th Day of School Ideas and Activities for Kindergarten so you can pull off a fun, themed day with learning at the forefront.

More Themed Activities for Kindergarten

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

Distance Learning Lesson Plan Templates for Kindergarten

Dec 19, 2020 · Leave a Comment

When it comes to preparing online lesson plans for virtual teaching, distance teaching or eLearning - you guys really have become the experts.

Here is a set of digital lesson plan templates to help you organize your lessons for kindergarten.

Let me share with you how they work, what the layout differences look like (so you can find what you need), and what themes are available.

How they work

First, let me share that these templates are designed:

For kindergarten students to use with ease
For kindergarten teachers to create and organize quickly

This means that these templates make navigating through a list of daily tasks easier. It makes it uber-simple for kindergarten hands.

And you can easily customize it to make it even more kinder-friendly by adding images, screenshots, audio directions and more to make it easier for kinders to use without needing tons of adult support.

As the teacher, you already spend enough time scouring the internet for online activities and things kinders can do *almost* independently that putting them together for your students to access should be the easy part.

With these templates, now it is.

So here's how they work:

You pick a layout that matches your daily or weekly lesson planning needs.
You choose the order of the tasks and write directions.
Then you add links to internet resources, games, videos or websites as needed (or if needed).
You add any custom tweaks that you want (like images or you reading the directions aloud) to support your beginning readers.
You share it with your students as a presentation link.
All of the content and links you put into the template are now kinder-friendly and ready for them to click on and follow your directions.

I will totally lay out how do do each of these things for you.

I've got your back.

Just started using this this week as my school made the sudden switch from in-person to distance learning. I am so pleased I found this resource!
It is simple enough to edit and fit to your needs once you get the hang of it (the how-to video was very helpful!), and the clickable linked numbers are a lifesaver for Kindergarten!
Although (as with anything tech) my kids (and parents, haha!) are taking a little while to get the hang of using it, I think with some more practice this will be a very helpful tool for them.
My favorite part of it is that I can put all my assignments for a week in this presentation and the students have all the resources they need linked right to the presentation. My head no longer feels like it's spinning from trying to keep track of a million things in distance learning and I have had several parents express a similar feeling.
This definitely helps simplify the process of communicating assignments and the ability to record yourself is so Kinder friendly. Well worth the few dollars for peace of mind and organizational happiness!! 🙂
Elizabeth H.

Layout differences

Every teacher has different needs when it comes to planning lessons for virtual teaching. I've made several different layouts to support these needs.

Here is a quick video to show you the differences:

You might want the basic template if...

For example, if you teach a hybrid class, you may only need to plan one or two days worth of online learning for your class while you teach the other half of your class in-person.

In this case, you might like the basic or extended layout.

There are three different main buttons (think subjects or categories) and you can link either three or six activities or directions to each main button.

See BASIC template sample

See EXTENDED basic template sample

You might want the full template if...

If you need to teach online four days a week, or need to break up your content into four topics, then you might like the full and full extended layouts.

See FULL template sample

See EXTENDED full template sample

You might want the weekly template if...

If you are doing this online thing every day - you will most likely want to go straight to the weekly layout. With five buttons on the homepage, it makes it easy to assign 6 tasks for each day of the week.

See WEEKLY template sample

Each layout has flexibility

Remember! You can also use this Google Slides template as your main place to organize lessons - but it doesn't mean you're limited to only using the slides in the template.

Let's pretend for a moment that you're teaching online full time right now and plan to use the weekly template, but six tasks are just not enough for one day.

No problem! Here's where you can use your routine to your advantage.

Let's say that you like to do three things for word work each day. You want them to review, learn something new, and then practice with a family member. But, you don't want those three things to take up three different task buttons in your template. So, what do you do?

You create a set of Google slides with those three things and link to them, creating your own three-step activity for your students. Then you're only using up one of your activity links in your template, yet they have three parts to complete when they go to that linked activity.

>> Click here to see how to make a multi-page set of activities

Problem solved!

Available themes

Do you want to make your lesson plans fun and change it up every few weeks? I've got your back on this one.

Each of the templates comes in multiple themes. That way you can pick a theme and reuse it week after week (just make a fresh copy each time) or pick a new one when you're ready for it.

Here are the themes available.

Click the theme below and choose the layout that works for you!

If you love the weekly layout (which is the most popular) you may just love this bundle. New themes get added to it and you pay nothing for the upgrade!

Let's wrap it up

There you have it. Digital lesson plan templates to help you organize your lessons for kindergarten - now in lots of themes (and potentially more to come).

Now you know you how they work, what the layout differences look like (so you can find what you need), and see what themes are available.

I hope these are valuable time-savers for you when it comes to building your virtual kindergarten lesson plans.

More teaching virtually in kindergarten

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

Math

I think that Harry Kindergarten is best known for his math videos.

There are some tricky standards we cover in kindergarten (like decomposing teen numbers) - and having a catchy video can make covering the tough topics easier.

Here are my classes' favorite math videos:

When You Subtract With a Pirate

This subtraction-story video helps reinforce the concept that "you always get less" when subtracting. Thes pirate theme makes it a hit with both boys and girls.

This video walks students through six different subtraction scenarios with equations.

Add 'Em Up

Go through an interactive question-and-answer video using ten frames and counters. This video focuses on adding one to ten and shows the equations too.

It goes through the content twice - the kids should join in on the second time through.

Numbers in the Teens

This video teaches what the teen numbers look like - and it is one of the most catchy videos on this list. It's a great reinforcer to review how to make numbers 11-19.

If you use this video, just be sure that you're also teaching why teens have a one.

If your class catches onto this video quickly, then you'll also like Numbers in the Twenties (They Start With a 2)

3D Shapes that I Know

When it comes to learning 3D shapes, seeing real-world objects is helpful. This video lists out good examples of 3D shapes to a super-catchy tune that all kinders will be clapping and grooving along to.

And if your class is working on 3D shapes then you may also want to use this interactive 3D shape hunt video: Secret Agent Shapes.

Now, these next two are newer videos that I haven't personally tested in the classroom but I think the standard covered is great and would definitely add to my lesson plans.

I Like to Make 5

Some students just need repetition when it comes to learn skills like building fluency within 5. This super-quick video uses a five-frame and colors to reinforce how equations work when making 5.

How Many More to Make Ten?

While not super-catchy, this video is a good interactive question-and-answer video.

It can be tricky to teach students how to see or find the missing addend.

This video uses a ten frame to go through all of the combinations 0-10 and gives students time to think, picture, and answer.

Literacy

Now, let's jump into literacy-related videos. These videos can help students with reading skills starting at the alphabet, to sounding out words and recognizing sight words.

These videos are designed to be interactive - or at least a call and response - to help kinders stay engaged while watching.

I Know My ABCs!

This rap-feeling video will practice naming letters and introduce beginning letter sounds. It will quickly introduce using letter sounds to make CVC words before giving students the chance to call out both the lowercase and uppercase letter names.

This video is almost 6 minutes long, so be sure you have a good chunk of time to commit unless you just want to watch the first 2:04 minutes as an alphabet review.

Do They Rhyme?

This interactive video has students show if word pairs rhyme by giving a thumbs up or a thumbs down. It will run through 26 examples in just under 3 minutes - which is why I like it.

It's meant to help students hear oral rhyming words and if your students like it, they may also want to play the next rhyming game video too: Do They Rhyme [Version 2].

The Sight Word Song

This video is a simple concept - students listen and watch lowercase sight words spelled out on the screen and they get the chance to call out the correct word.

The words in this video are: like, play, home, this, is, it, in, we, can, see, are, and, the, you, am, my, come, here, mom, dad.

If your kids get into this type of learning, you may want to consider using the Sight Word Song [Version 2] video too.

CVC Word Song

This three-letter-words song video will quickly run through blending letter sounds to make CVC words before giving students the chance to call out the completed word.

It moves pretty quickly through 21 words so the focus is on building CVC fluency.

And if you're kinders need more practice you could add The CVC Word Song [Version 2] video to your lesson plans too.

Let’s wrap it up

There you have it – favorite Harry Kindergarten videos that I loved using in my kindergarten classrooms - and many that my students loved too.

I hope that these learning videos are helpful as you teach.

If you're looking for videos on a specific topic then here are more handpicked videos you may like for your classroom:

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

8 Books Kindergartners Ask for Over and Over Again

Sep 21, 2020 · Leave a Comment

In kindergarten, we read books aloud every day. It's one way we grow readers and teach a love for learning. Here are top books kindergarten teachers say their class begs for them to read almost every day.

These read-aloud books are all recommended by real kindergarten teachers!

You know it strikes a chord with five and six-year-olds when they ask for the same book over and over again.

Most often these books have "just right" kid humor or a decent amount of repetition that we as teachers can appreciate too.

I’ll be sharing some video previews my take on each book and affiliate links so you can check things out for yourself.

The Book With No Pictures

While this book does indeed have no pictures, the reader must say all sorts of silly things. This book proves that books can indeed be much more about words than just pictures.

Video preview:

You've got to read this book using silly voices and with lots of intonation - but your students will love that you have to read exactly what it says. *Classroom warning: contains the word "butt"

Get the book >>

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas

This fun rhyming book is short. It's about a fruit-and-veggie-eating piranha who tries to convince his fellow people-eating piranha friends to try what he likes.

This book is a wonderfully short read for the classroom. You can read it pretty quickly and students will enjoy the rhyme and conversation between fish. Students will get a kick out of the piranha bum-eating preference.

Get the book >>

The Day the Crayons Quit

A little boy finds a letter from each of his missing crayon colors. Read each crayon's letter and then see how Duncan tries to solve the problem at the end of the story.

This book has a lot of text, but kids can relate to the coloring issues and humor. They will find the peach crayon with peeled paper especially humorous towards the end of the book.

It's not a quick read aloud, so save it for when you have a good chunk of time to read. And if your class loves it there are more crayon books to follow up with.

Get the book >>

Dragons Love Tacos

Find out how to make a dragon happy and make dragon friends by throwing a taco party - because dragons love tacos. But watch out - see just what happens if you accidentally feed dragons hot, spicy salsa on their tacos.

Kindergartners will enjoy this light-hearted tale of tacos and tummy troubles. The ending, when the dragons start breathing fire will definitely be the favorite part of the story.

It's a mid-length read-aloud that features dragons of all shapes, sizes and colors. And if your class loves it there is a Dragons Love Tacos 2 book to follow up with.

Get the book >>

The Wonky Donkey

Find out something new about a three-legged "wonky donkey" on each page in this rhyming-sing-songy tale.

Here is the song version of the story so you can hear the rhythm and use it to your advantage when you read it aloud to your class.

Students will enjoy the repetition and growing-list of features to describe the donkey. It's a mid-length read-aloud that will have students enjoying the absurd.

Get the book >>

Favorite series read-alouds for kindergarten

Now, those read-alouds listed above are stand-alone books.

However, in so many classrooms students fall in love with a character (or set of characters) and will fall in love with more books in the same series.

Teachers agree almost any book from these lists can quickly become a class favorite in a given year.

So here are the top series read-alouds for kindergarten.

Pete the Cat

Pete the Cat is a famous blue cat that takes over the hearts in your kindergarten classroom. Kinders love the books' repetition, rhyme and bright, simplistic illustrations.

You'll find the most popular books are more likely to be a hit with kindergarten kids at the beginning of the year.

Like these:

And then you can sprinkle in other Pete books, like these, throughout the rest of the school year:

If your class loves Pete, you may want to check out these 87 Cool Pete the Cat Freebies and Teaching Resources.

No David

David is a character who resonates with kids - he's loud, most often naughty, but has a tender heart.

There are four main "No David" books that are just right for the kindergarten classroom.

Read the David series books within the first school semester to connect with your kindergarten audience the best.

If your class loves David, you may want to check out these 21 No David Activities and Quick Freebies.

The Pigeon

And it wouldn't be a kindergarten-favorites list without mentioning the pigeon.

The Pigeon is a beloved character by Mo Willems who is a lot sassy, continuously inquisitive, often excuse-ready, and sometimes demanding.

But, most of all the Pigeon draws upon their love of silliness.

Page excerpt from Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

My two favorite pigeon books are:

Which we use as springboards for this Don’t Let the Pigeon… Extension Writing Activity.

But other highly-popular pigeon books for kindergarten include:

These books are excellent books to read anytime in the school year, but will definitely be a big hit during the second semester when kindergarten students have matured a little more but still love silliness.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it – stories ready to read aloud to your class that they most likely will ask for on a regular basis - so read at your own risk.

Thanks to all of the kindergarten teachers who chimed in to share their favorites on the KindergartenWorks facebook page!

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

15 Kindergarten Videos for Halloween - Read, Move and Learn!

Sep 16, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Want to find kindergarten-friendly videos that hit the mark in October? Here is a list of teacher-recommended videos for Halloween.

It can be fun to change up our normal routine in the classroom on a holiday and add a video or two into our lesson plans.

Classroom Kindergarten Videos for Halloween – Read, Move and Learn

For example, you just might need a learning video that can help bring the level of excitement down from a holiday party or a brain break video that can help get the wiggles out.

Whatever you need – here are Halloween-themed books read aloud, brain break videos, and some learning videos that can help you teach.

Halloween-themed stories

These stories are good read-alouds for Halloween. They are fun and keep the holiday age-appropriate.

I’ll be sharing affiliate links and more information about each book (in case you want to read a hard copy) so you can check things out for yourself.

Big Pumpkin

My personal favorite Halloween read-aloud is Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman.

This book is fantastic and if you can play the audio version for your party while you hold up the book (or have a parent volunteer do it) - even better!

Get the book >>

The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything

The most classic Halloween read-aloud is probably The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything.

It's a great pattern-based story that will have kids chiming in. Plus it's easy to add motions for the repetitive parts to help keep the wiggles under control during a sugar-filled-kind-of-day.

Get the book >>

Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete?

We're all fans of Pete the Cat in kindergarten. So, why not Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete?

This read-aloud video is super quick - so if you only have a few minutes for a transition or while waiting for something - show this one.

Get the book >>

Spookley the Square Pumpkin

Spookley the Square Pumpkin could also be considered a pretty classic story to read to your class. The lesson about learning to not judge is a sweet one and be great to tie into the funny pumpkins project.

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Crankenstein

If you want to read something that feels Halloween-related but refreshingly isn't - go for Crankenstein.

Because... we all feel a little cranky sometimes and you can call in what they learned in this book on the day they come back after Halloween {wink}

Get the book >>

Ten Timid Ghosts

Go full-on Halloween with Ten Timid Ghosts. It's quick, cute and full of classic, Halloween-y things without being scary.

Get the book >>

These books are also pretty good read-aloud books kindergarten teachers read to their classes:

Brain breaks

Brain breaks give students the opportunity to break from focusing by moving to music in order to recharge.

Halloween Stomp

This movement video is designed to get kids moving and done in under 3 minutes. Students move like a monster, witch, skeleton, werewolf, spider, zombie, ghost, and vampire.

Students "move" in place to replicate the movements in the video.

But you might also like this "Halloween Stomp" version -

This stomp song is more directed for students to follow. They will like the costumes and the dance moves. This one is just a bit over 3 minutes so it's still perfect for a brain break.

If You're a Kid... Halloween Remix

What would a video series be without a Harry Kindergarten video? {wink}

Students listen to the directions and move to match the description with a free-dance break in between each set of directions.

Halloween Freeze Game

Students listen to the Halloween-themed directions and move until they hear "Boo!" and then they freeze. In just over 2 minutes students fly, march, shake, tiptoe, and crawl.

Monster Moves

This Go Noodle-style song has a "let me see your monster moves" repetitive section and then simple dance moves that students can do while staying in place. It's just over 3 minutes.

Learning videos

These videos are meant to help you teach mini-concepts in the classroom.

Trick or Treat - What Types of Food?

If you're trying to teach about food choices in connection with Halloween - this song quickly covers good, sour, and sweet foods. It's a quick video (less than 2 minutes) so you can use it as a springboard for discussion.

Five Little Ghosts - Subtraction

This Five Little Ghosts video is just like the Five Little Ducks fingerplay many of us are familiar with. Use this to talk about taking away one and using subtraction.

Let students show how the numbers change using a five frame and little ghost marshmallow cereal manipulatives (available around Halloween time) or drawing the story out on whiteboards. You can model the subtraction sentence in between each section of the video.

Count to 10 Halloween

This video uses groups of ten Halloween characters to practice counting to 10. Count witches, ghosts, monsters, vampires, and werewolves.

If your class is beyond counting objects one-to-one up to ten, I would pick a color for each group of characters and model how you can count by tens.

Draw a ten frame for each group and then use a bingo dauber (dot maker) to quickly show how many. Then count by tens (to fifty) to show how you can quickly count all of the Halloween things together.

Alphabet Halloween ABC Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m01RvnRM7Yg

See a list of Halloween things from A to Z while listening to letter sounds. This quick alphabet song is very kid-friendly (except I don't think most kinders will know who the Addams family or Uncle Fester is... the selections for Aa and Uu).

But it's a fun way to review letter sounds with some Halloween fun.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it – videos that teachers are using for Halloween in their kindergarten classrooms.

I hope that these books read aloud, exercise videos, and learning videos are helpful as you teach.

Thanks to all of the kindergarten teachers who chimed in to share their favorites on the KindergartenWorks facebook page!

Are you ready to explore kindergarten activities for Halloween?

Easy Halloween Activities for Kindergarten

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Kindergarten Ideas and Activities

Free Highlight-a-Letter Alphabet Sheets for Kindergarten

Jun 19, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Work on letter identification and visual discrimination with these alphabet sheets. Here is a set of free letter worksheets for students to highlight the letter and name it.

Highlight-a-Letter Alphabet Pages for Kindergarten

I would use these letter sheets whenever a student was really struggling to name a specific letter. Most often, it was a quick activity we did during guided reading groups.

These highlighting sheets are a fun way to practice naming the letter while strengthening the students' visual discrimination skills. They include cute characters from the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Let me show you how to use them and how you can make them. Plus, I'll give you the free download so that you can use them in your classroom too.

How to use

To use these sheets, pick the letter that a kindergarten student is having the most difficulty naming.

Have the student write their name and use an alphabet chart to sing the ABC's until they land on the letter that matches the focus of their worksheet.

So, if they are struggling with d, have them sing until they get to the letter Dd, then stop.

Have them identify the letter in the large circle by naming it out loud.

Now the student will work through the rest of the sheet finding and highlighting all of the matching letters.

But this isn't just a jump-all-over looking for the letters worksheet.

Find the letter maze bingo dauber dot maker activity sheets

They must work from left to right and top to bottom and touch each letter (or picture) with their finger as they move through the page.

And when they come to the matching letter, they must say the letter name out loud.

If they forget the letter name, they should re-sing the ABC song until they get to that letter again.

If they make a mistake, have them identify that and cross it out.

Materials needed

You can have students use highlighter markers or simply a bright yellow marker.

My favorite way was to use (affiliate) bingo daubers or dot makers. Students love to use these and they make it a high-interest activity.

Find the matching letters worksheet with dry erase markers

But you could also use (affiliate) see-through bingo chips to cover up the letters or dry erase markers. This way you can easily re-use any sheets for multiple students.

How to make it

You can make this activity to use in your classroom too. Here's how:

Download these highlight-a-letter alphabet pages. [terms of use][downloading help]

Then print the pages that you need and you can laminate if you want to reuse them or slip them into plastic page protector sleeves.

Then they are ready to use!

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - a set of free letter worksheets for students to highlight a letter they are having difficulty naming and name it.

I hope that these sheets help your students learn some of those letters that are tricky for them more quickly.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

You may also like this Free Naming Letters Activity: I Spy Jungle Letters.

Free Naming Letters Activity for Kindergarten I Spy Jungle Letters

More Kindergarten Activities

Free Letter Name Game for Kindergarten: Treasure Quest

Jun 18, 2020 · 1 Comment

Work on naming letters with a simple alphabet game for kindergarten. Print this free pirate-themed treasure quest card game to practice naming the letters of the alphabet.

Since I like to play games in my small groups during guided reading time, this one is definitely in the rotation when it comes to working on recognizing letters.

Let's take a look at how to play and how to make it so you can grab the free download to use it in your classroom too.

How to play

Here's how to play Treasure Quest - the letter name game.

Place all of your letter cards and special cards into a shuffled draw pile - face down.

Students take turns drawing a card.

If it's a lowercase or uppercase letter, the student names the letter out loud.

Alphabet Treasure Quest Boom Card Game for Kindergarten

Students keep the letter cards in a pile in front of them. And the play continues with the next player. Think of these cards as their treasure and their points.

Play continues until all the cards are drawn. The player with the most cards, aka treasure points, wins!

If students need support, I recommend having an alphabet chart nearby so that they can sing the ABC song to find the match and name it out loud correctly.

Special cards

If students draw one of the special cards, here's how those make it extra fun:

If they draw the pirate sword, they lose their turn. No card is kept as points.
If they draw the treasure map, then that player gets to take one card from one other player. This means they get two cards to add to their pile - the treasure map card and the extra one they took.
If they draw the treasure chest, then that player gets to take all of the cards from all of the other players.

How to make it

Here's how to make this game.

First, download a set of cards. [terms of use] [downloading help]

Print the cards onto construction paper or colored paper and laminate. Then cut the cards apart.

You can easily store this game in a small sandwich-sized Ziploc bag.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - a free pirate-themed treasure quest game to practice naming the letters of the alphabet.

I hope that it's quick to teach and fun for your students to work on their letters.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

Free Highlight-a-Letter Sheets for Kindergarten

More Kindergarten Activities

Free Naming Letters Activity: I Spy Jungle Letters

Jun 15, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Go on an alphabet search and play I-Spy. Here is a free naming letters activity for kindergarten that encourages students to find and name letters in the alphabet.

Free Naming Letters I Spy Activity Jungle Letters

Playing I spy is fun and can be adapted for the classroom. This printable activity has students use a magnifying glass to look for miniscule letters on a colorful background.

When the find the letters, they say the letter name aloud and record their find!

My students would play this during a guided reading group session, usually while I was doing some one-on-one assessments.

How to play

Here's how to play "I Spy" jungle letters.

Students lay the jungle background on the table or on the ground and go over it with a magnifying glass.

I Spy Letters Free Jungle Activity for Kindergarten

They use the magnifying glass to spy letters of the alphabet that are hidden in a really small font.

When they find a letter, they say the name aloud and mark it on their recording sheet.

If the don't know the name of the letter they found, they can find the match on the recording sheet then sing the ABC song to determine the name and then say it out loud.

Students repeat this until they have found all ten of the hidden letters.

You can ask the student to read their list (to you or a friend) and they earn a checkmark at the bottom if they can name all of the letters. This is great documentation to send home.

How to make it

Here's how you can make this activity to use in your classroom.

First, download this free jungle I spy mat and recording sheet. [terms of use][downloading help]

Then, print the mat and laminate it or slip it into a page protector sleeve.

Then print the recording sheet (of your choice) on the back of scrap paper or any paper you want and cut them apart.

Recording sheets for I spy jungle letters — Three recording sheet options are included

Put the mat and recording sheets with a magnifying glass so it's ready to use.

This activity stores really well in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. I've added a label for you to organize it.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - a fun adapted I spy activity for the classroom.

I hope this printable activity with a magnifying glass engages and encourages your students to find and name the letters in the alphabet.

If you love I spy activities, I have more versions available and they include sight words and CVC words too. They are included in my small group materials themes.

Free Letter Name Game for Kindergarten_ Treasure Quest

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Kindergarten Activities

Go Away, Big Green Monster! Art Project for Kindergarten

Jun 2, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Make a big green monster with your kindergarten class. This fun art project is a way to extend Ed Emberly's story Go Away, Big Green Monster!

Go Away Big Green Monster Craft Project for Kindergarten

This is a project that came from Krissy Miner. She was a dear blogging friend who shared this on her own site once upon a time.

This activity will require a few basic supplies you probably already have stashed away. So if you're looking to make a craft or art project to go with the book - here's where you can get the directions to make it happen.

First, read the story

Okay - so Go Away, Big Green Monster is a short, but unique story. It's easy to read aloud.

Now, if you're not familiar with the story, here is a preview of the book.

But you definitely want to read the real, physical book to your class.

There's almost something just magical about how the monster disappears part-by-part as you turn each page during your read aloud.

Go Away Big Green Monster Read aloud with art Project for Kindergarten

And kinders love it.

Then, when you're ready to do an extension activity for this book - it's time to get out the art supplies.

How to make it

First, you'll want to download this Big Green Monster facial features printable from KizClub. You only need to print the first page with the eyes, hair, nose, mouth, and ears. Print a copy for each student.

And you'll also want a piece of black construction paper for each student.

Go Away Big Green Monster Painting Art Project for Kindergarten

Other materials you'll need:

Green paint
Crayons or markers
Scissors
Glue
Pencil or white crayon

Step 1 - Make the face shape

In the first part of the project - you want to create the green monster's face.

Every student folds their black construction paper in half width-wise (hamburger-style). And they write their name on the back - in the middle (on the fold) with a pencil or white crayon.

Then you pour a blob of green paint in the middle of their paper. They refold the paper and push to rub the entire thing with their fingers to spread out the paint.

No messy fingers this way.

Then they can open the folded paper and see the symmetrical-shaped face they've created.

Set these aside to dry.

Go Away Big Green MonsterSymmetry Project for Kindergarten

Step 2 - Add the facial features

Now it's time to work on the facial features. You can do this while you're waiting for your faces to dry or you can do this on a separate occasion.

Give each student their facial features template you printed. They use crayons or markers to color the parts to match the book.

Color the:

eyes - yellow
mouth - red (teeth - white)
nose - turquoise/aqua
hair - purple
ears - green

Then students cut out the pieces.

Step 3 - Assemble

When the face has dried, the teacher or students can cut around the face in a general circle-shape but leaving some black as a border.

Then students glue their colored face parts onto their monster face.

Classroom display for Go Away Big Green Monster Art Project for Kindergarten

If you want to turn this into a display with student names (like if you're working on names at the beginning of the year) then have students write their name on this "Go away" template.

Big Green Monster Art Project for Kindergarten to display in the hallway

Alternative ideas

If you're like me and want to make it more of a project than a craft - here's what you do.

Simply let students pick the color paint (and therefore the color of the monster face) from a few choices.

You could also have students draw and cut their own eyes, nose, ears, and hair without using a template. Be sure to outline the parts with a black crayon, marker, or sharpie for definition.

Check out this "Go Away, Big Color Monster" idea for inspiration.

Let's wrap it up

These "scary" big, green monsters actually turn out rather fantastic. Don't you think?

There you have it - an extension activity for this classic read aloud. I'm so glad Krissy shared this with the teaching world.

I think this fun project is perfect to leave for a substitute teacher in your pre-made emergency sub plans - all about monsters! The supplies are pretty minimal and easy to prep ahead of time.

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

Free Lucky Rainbow Addition Bump Game

May 29, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Work on addition skills with a free set of rainbow-themed bump-style gameboards. Teach your students to play bump once and use it all year for varying levels of difficulty.

Kindergarten Lucky Rainbow Addition Bump Game Printable

In kindergarten, students should have strong counting skills and be working to develop a strong understanding of addition.

I find that using games during our guided math time is an excellent way to get in the amount of practice students need to work on skills without feeling like a drill sergeant.

So here are four rainbow-themed gameboards that your students can play to practice counting skills and work towards developing that strong understanding of addition. You can save these for St. Patrick's Day but I say use them anytime your class is ready.

Let me show you how to play, explain the different levels of gameplay that comes in this set, and give you the directions so you can make it yourself.

How to play

In this set of bump gameboards that you can download below, there are four different skill levels.

The rules for each of the games is almost identical, though.

To play this game in your classroom you’ll need ten linking cubes (or other counters) each in two colors and two dice.

The end goal is to have all of your linking cubes placed on the gameboard first.

Students can play in partners or by themselves.

Directions for Free Lucky Rainbow Bump game for Kindergarten

Instruction sheets that are picture-based to support non-readers are included for both styles of play and all levels.

Single-player

If playing by themselves, the student rolls the dice and either counts or adds.

Then they find the matching number circle on the game board and cover it up with their color linking cube.

They continue to roll, subtract and cover until all of the linking cubes have been placed onto the board. Then they win the game.

Two players

If playing in partners, students will take turns.

On their turn, the student rolls the dice either counts or adds.

Then they find the matching number circle on the gameboard and cover it up with their color linking cube.

Now – here’s where it gets fun. This is a bump-style game.

If a circle with that number is open on the gameboard, simply put your linking cube on.
If a circle with that number is covered by someone else’s linking cube, you bump it off. Their linking cube must go back to them and your piece now covers the space.
If a circle with that number is covered by your own linking cube, you snap a second linking cube on top and lock the space. The other player cannot bump off the linking cubes. No more cubes can be added on top.

They continue to take turns rolling, adding, and covering (or bumping and locking) until all of their linking cubes have been placed onto the board.

Whoever gets all of their pieces onto the board first, wins the game!

Different levels included

Now, this is where the fun as the teacher comes in. You teach this game once and they learn the basic rules for bump-style games.

Then you simply swap out the gameboard for a higher-level skill (or a different theme) and they still understand how to play... you don't have to reteach that. You simply explain the new skill involved to put pieces on the gameboard and off they go!

The first game in this free download is called lucky numbers. It's for counting one-to-one to six and recognizing numerals 1-6.

free rainbow addition bump game for kindergarten with 1 die

Students only need one die for this game. I wouldn't say this is truly an "addition" game but it teaches the basics of how to play the game and works on some basic skills.

This starter gameboard feels very similar to my beginning numbers roll and color dice game.

The next gameboard requires two dice. Kindergarten students will be counting one-to-one (or adding) to 12 and recognizing numerals to 12.

free St. Patrick's Day adding bump game for kindergarten with 2 dice

This game is great to teach the "counting on" strategy. So teach them to say the larger number out of the two rolled and keep on counting as they touch the dots on the second dice.

The third type of gameplay is for when you want to work on developing some automaticity with composing teen numbers.

free Composing teen numbers lucky rainbow bump game for kindergarten with ten frame dice

You'll need to create a special ten frame die for this game, but I've got your back on that one. I've got a template that is perfect to fit the standard-sized dice you've already got in your classroom. Simply convert one into a ten-frame die for this game.

Students roll the two dice, add and find the matching numeral 11-16. You'll want to encourage the "counting on" strategy again here.

The last gameboard is for kindergartners who need a challenge. Now when you take a look at this gameboard you may be thinking, what's so challenging about counting one-to-one using three dice?

free Lucky rainbow addition bump game for kindergarten with 3 dice

But at this level, students shouldn't just be counting every dot on the dice in order to add. This level of gameplay is designed for students to put groupings together to add.

For example, if they roll the dice... can they see that 3+1+6 also is 4+6? Can they subitize groupings? Can they use that to add more efficiently?

Students roll 3 dice, add and find the matching number 3-18 on the gameboard for this last level of play.

If you want to provide additional support for this level of play, draw two ten frames onto the gameboard (before laminating) so students can draw in the number of dots with a dry-erase marker and use their composing numbers skills to see the teen number sum more easily.

How to make it

Now that you know how to play and have checked out all of the levels included, it's time to make this game for your classroom.

First, download your free lucky rainbow addition bump. [terms of use] [downloading help]

St. Patrick's day-themed adding dice game board for kindergarten

Then print the gameboard(s) on colored paper or in color. You can print the directions sheets on the back of the game or print them separately. There are instructions included for both single and two-player gameplay.

Laminate the game board mat or slip it into a plastic sleeve protector for longevity.

Add the correct number of dice and 10 linking cubes in two colors and you're all set.

Each game will store beautifully in a gallon-sized Ziploc baggie.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it – a free rainbow-themed printable bump game set to improve students’ addition fluency skills. I hope that your class finds these games fun and that you like what they’re learning.

You may also want to check out this dinnertime subtraction bump game that is free too.

Free Ocean Subtraction Game for Kindergarten

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Kindergarten Math Games

Free Wintertime Addition Bump Game

May 29, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Work on addition skills with a free set of bump-style winter-themed gameboards. Teach your students to play bump once and use it all year for varying levels of difficulty.

Kindergarten Wintertime Addition Bump Game Printable

In kindergarten, students should have strong counting skills and be working to develop a strong understanding of addition.

I find that using games during our guided math time is an excellent way to get in the amount of practice students need to work on skills without feeling like a drill sergeant.

So here are four gameboards that your students can play to get those counting skills and work towards developing that strong understanding of addition.

Let me show you how to play, explain the different levels of gameplay that comes in this set and give you the directions so you can make it yourself.

How to play

In this set of bump gameboards that you can download below, there are four different skill levels.

The rules for each of the games is almost identical, though.

To play this game in your classroom you’ll need ten linking cubes (or other counters) each in two colors and two dice.

The end goal is to have all of your linking cubes placed on the gameboard first.

Students can play in partners or by themselves.

Directions for Free Wintertime Bump game for Kindergarten

Instruction sheets that are picture-based to support non-readers are included for both styles of play and all levels.

Single-player

If playing by themselves, the student rolls the dice and either counts or adds.

Then they find the matching number circle on the game board and cover it up with their color linking cube.

They continue to roll, subtract and cover until all of the linking cubes have been placed onto the board. Then they win the game.

Two players

If playing in partners, students will take turns.

On their turn, the student rolls the dice either counts or adds.

Then they find the matching number circle on the gameboard and cover it up with their color linking cube.

Now – here’s where it gets fun. This is a bump-style game.

If a circle with that number is open on the gameboard, simply put your linking cube on.
If a circle with that number is covered by someone else’s linking cube, you bump it off. Their linking cube must go back to them and your piece now covers the space.
If a circle with that number is covered by your own linking cube, you snap a second linking cube on top and lock the space. The other player cannot bump off the linking cubes. No more cubes can be added on top.

They continue to take turns rolling, adding, and covering (or bumping and locking) until all of their linking cubes have been placed onto the board.

Whoever gets all of their pieces onto the board first, wins the game!

Different levels included

Now this is where the fun as the teacher comes in. You teach this game once and they learn the basic rules for bump-style games.

The first game in this free download is counting one-to-one to six and recognizing numerals 1-6.

free Wintertime addition bump game for kindergarten with 1 die

Students only need one die for this game. I wouldn't say this is truly an "addition" game but it teaches the basics of how to play the game and works on some basic skills.

This basic gameboard feels very similar to my beginning numbers roll and color dice game.

The next gameboard requires two dice. Kindergarten students will be counting one-to-one (or adding) to 12 and recognizing numerals to 12.

This game is great to teach the "counting on" strategy. So teach them to say the larger number out of the two rolled and keep on counting as they touch the dots on the second dice.

The third type of gameplay is for when you want to work on developing some automaticity with composing teen numbers.

free Composing teen numbers wintertime bump game for kindergarten with ten frame dice

Students roll the two dice, add and find the matching numeral 11-16. You'll want to encourage the "counting on" strategy again here.

The last gameboard is for kindergartners who need a challenge. Now when you take a look at this gameboard you may be thinking, what's so challenging about counting one-to-one up to 20 using three dice?

free Wintertime addition bump game for kindergarten with 3 dice

At this level, students shouldn't just be counting every dot on the dice in order to add. This level of gameplay is designed for students to put groupings together to add.

For example, if they roll the dice... can they see that 3+1+6 also is 4+6? Can they subitize groupings? Can they use that to add more efficiently?

Students roll 3 dice, add and find the matching number 3-18 on the gameboard for this last level of play.

If you want to provide additional support for this level of play, draw two ten frames onto the gameboard before laminating so students can draw in the number of dots with a dry-erase marker and use their composing numbers skills to see the teen number sum more easily.

How to make it

Now that you know how to play and have checked out all of the levels included, it's time to make this game for your classroom.

First, download your free wintertime addition bump. [terms of use] [downloading help]

Winter-themed adding dice game board for kindergarten

Laminate the game board mat or slip it into a plastic sleeve protector for longevity.

Add the correct number of dice and 10 linking cubes in two colors and you're all set.

Each game will store beautifully in a gallon-sized Ziploc baggie.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it – a free winter-themed printable bump game set to improve students’ addition fluency skills. I hope that your class finds these games fun and that you like what they’re learning.

You may also want to check out this lucky rainbow addition bump game set that is free too.

Free Lucky Rainbow Addition Game for Kindergarten

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Kindergarten Math Games

Free Grinchy Subtraction Bump Game

May 29, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Work on subtracting within five with a free printable game. Grab this free subtraction bump game to build your students' subtraction fluency skills.

Free Grinchy Kindergarten Subtraction Game

In kindergarten, students should be able to add and subtract fluently within five. This easy-to-play game focuses on that skill and makes it fun.

This Grinchy subtraction game is perfect to use in December. It has Christmas bulbs as placeholders on the gameboard - but look out! The all-too-familiar hand of the Grinch looks like he's about to steal Christmas once again. But you can easily bring it out for Read Across America in March too.

Let me show you how to play it, how to make it, and give you the free download so you can use it in your classroom.

How to play

To play this game in your classroom you'll need ten linking cubes (or other counters) each in two colors and two dice.

The end goal is to have all of your linking cubes placed on the gameboard first.

Students can play in partners or by themselves.

Directions for Free Christmas Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten — Instruction sheets that are picture-based to support non-readers are included for both styles of play.

Single-player

If playing by themselves, the student rolls the dice and subtracts the smaller number from the larger number.

Then they find the matching number Christmas ornament on the game board and cover it up with their color linking cube.

They continue to roll, subtract and cover until all of the linking cubes have been placed onto the board. Then they win the game.

Two players

If playing in partners, students will take turns.

On their turn, the student rolls the dice and subtracts the smaller number from the larger number.

Free Grinchy Theme Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten

Then they find the matching number ornament on the game board and cover it up with their color linking cube.

Now - here's where it gets fun. This is a bump-style game.

If a bulb with that number is open on the gameboard, simply put your linking cube on.
If a bulb with that number is covered by someone else's linking cube, you bump it off. Their linking cube must go back to them and your piece now covers the space.
If a bulb with that number is covered by your own linking cube, you snap a second linking cube on top and lock the space. The other player cannot bump off the linking cubes. No more cubes can be added on top.

They continue to take turns rolling, subtracting, and covering (or bumping and locking) until all of their linking cubes have been placed onto the board.

Whoever places all of their linking cube pieces on the board first, wins the game.

Now technically this is a "subtracting-within-six game" because the dots on a die go up to six, but statistically speaking most of the time students will be rolling to subtract within five.

Now that you know how to play, let's look at how to make it.

How to make

First, download the game. [terms of use] [downloading help]

Then, print the gameboard on colored paper or in color.

You can print the directions sheets on the back of the game or print them separately. There are instructions included for both single and two-player gameplay.

Free Christmas Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten

Laminate the game board mat or slip it into a plastic sleeve for longevity.

Add two dice and ten linking cubes each in two different colors.

If you want to give additional support to students, print the gameboard that has a ten frame built-in. This way students can use a dry erase marker to find the difference.

Grinchy Subtraction with Ten Frame Support

They draw dots to represent how many rolled on the larger number dice and then cross out the number of dots that match the smaller number dice.

Next, put all of your pieces together and store them together in a gallon-sized Ziploc baggie.

This game is perfect to put into rotation in your math games and activities center.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - a free Christmas printable bump game to improve students' subtraction fluency skills. I hope that your class finds this game fun and that you like what they're learning.

You may also want another free bump game to use next month. Consider grabbing this free dinnertime! subtraction bump game.

See all: Kindergarten math tools, activities and ideas

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Free Dinnertime! Subtraction Bump Game

May 29, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Work on subtracting within five with a free printable game. Grab this free subtraction bump game to build your students' subtraction fluency skills.

Free Fishy Kindergarten Subtraction Game

In kindergarten, students should be able to add and subtract fluently within five. This easy-to-play game focuses on that skill and makes it fun.

This dinnertime subtraction game was inspired by Mrs. Wills Kindergarten. It has fish as placeholders on the gameboard - but look out! The all-too-hungry shark looks like he's about to enjoy dinner.

Let me show you how to play it, how to make it, and give you the free download so you can use it in your classroom.

How to play

To play this game in your classroom you'll need ten linking cubes (or other counters) each in two colors and two dice.

The end goal is to have all of your linking cubes placed on the gameboard first.

Students can play in partners or by themselves.

Directions for Free Ocean Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten — Instruction sheets that are picture-based to support non-readers are included for both styles of play.

Single-player

If playing by themselves, the student rolls the dice and subtracts the smaller number from the larger number.

Then they find the matching number fish on the game board and cover it up with their color linking cube.

They continue to roll, subtract and cover until all of the linking cubes have been placed onto the board. Then they win the game.

Two players

If playing in partners, students will take turns.

On their turn, the student rolls the dice and subtracts the smaller number from the larger number.

Free Ocean Theme Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten

Then they find the matching number fish dinner on the game board and cover it up with their color linking cube.

Now - here's where it gets fun. This is a bump-style game.

If a fish with that number is open on the gameboard, simply put your linking cube on.
If a fish with that number is covered by someone else's linking cube, you bump it off. Their linking cube must go back to them and your piece now covers the space.
If a fish with that number is covered by your own linking cube, you snap a second linking cube on top and lock the space. The other player cannot bump off the linking cubes. No more cubes can be added on top.

They continue to take turns rolling, subtracting, and covering (or bumping and locking) until all of their linking cubes have been placed onto the board.

Whoever places all of their pieces on the board first, and has none left - wins the game.

Now technically this is a "subtracting-within-six game" because the dots on a die go up to six, but statistically speaking most of the time students will be rolling to subtract within five.

Now that you know how to play, let's look at how to make it.

How to make

First, download the game. [terms of use] [downloading help]

Then, print the gameboard on colored paper or in color.

You can print the directions sheets on the back of the game or print them separately. There are instructions included for both single and two-player gameplay.

Free Ocean Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten

Laminate the game board mat or slip it into a plastic sleeve for longevity.

Add two dice and ten linking cubes each in two different colors.

If you want to give additional support to students, print the gameboard that has a ten frame built-in. This way students can use a dry erase marker to find the difference.

Dinnertime Subtraction with Ten Frame Support

They draw dots to represent how many rolled on the larger number dice and then cross out the number of dots that match the smaller number dice.

Next, put all of your pieces together and store them together in a gallon-sized Ziploc baggie.

This game is perfect to put into rotation in your math games and activities center.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - a free shark and fish printable bump game to improve students' subtraction fluency skills. I hope that your class finds this game fun and that you like what they're learning.

You may also want another free bump game to use this year. Consider grabbing this free off-road subtraction bump game.

Free Monster Truck Subtraction Game for Kindergarten

See all: Kindergarten math tools, activities and ideas

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Kindergarten Math Games

Free Off-Road Subtraction Bump Game

May 29, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Work on subtracting within five with a free printable game. Grab this free subtraction bump game to build your students' subtraction fluency skills.

Free Monster Truck Kindergarten Subtraction Game

In kindergarten, students should be able to add and subtract fluently within five. This easy-to-play game focuses on that skill and makes it fun.

This off-road subtraction game was inspired by Mrs. Wills Kindergarten. It has monster trucks as placeholders on the gameboard.

Let me show you how to play it, how to make it, and give you the free download so you can use it in your classroom.

How to play

To play this game in your classroom you'll need ten linking cubes (or other counters) each in two colors and two dice.

The end goal is to have all of your linking cubes placed on the gameboard first.

Students can play in partners or by themselves.

Directions for Monster Truck Rally Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten — Instruction sheets that are picture-based to support non-readers are included for both styles of play.

Single-player

If playing by themselves, the student rolls the dice and subtracts the smaller number from the larger number.

Then they find the matching number monster truck on the game board and cover it up with their color linking cube.

They continue to roll, subtract and cover until all of the linking cubes have been placed onto the board. Then they win the game.

Two players

If playing in partners, students will take turns.

On their turn, the student rolls the dice and subtracts the smaller number from the larger number.

Free Monster Truck Theme Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten

Then they find the matching number truck on the gameboard and cover it up with their color linking cube.

Now - here's where it gets fun. This is a bump-style game.

If a vehicle with that number is open on the gameboard, simply put your linking cube on.
If a vehicle with that number is covered by someone else's linking cube, you bump it off. Their linking cube must go back to them and your piece now covers the space.
If a vehicle with that number is covered by your own linking cube, you snap a second linking cube on top and lock the space. The other player cannot bump off the linking cubes. No more cubes can be added on top.

They continue to take turns rolling, subtracting, and covering (or bumping and locking) until all of their linking cubes have been placed onto the board.

Whoever gets all of their pieces onto the board first, wins the game!

Now technically this is a "subtracting-within-six game" because the dots on a die go up to six, but statistically speaking most of the time students will be rolling to subtract within five.

Now that you know how to play, let's look at how to make it.

How to make

First, download the game. [terms of use] [downloading help]

Then, print the gameboard on colored paper or in color.

You can print the directions sheets on the back of the game or print them separately. There are instructions included for both single and two-player gameplay.

Free Monster Truck Subtraction Within 5 Game for Kindergarten

Laminate the game board mat or slip it into a plastic sleeve for longevity.

Add two dice and ten linking cubes each in two different colors.

If you want to give additional support to students, print the gameboard that has a ten frame built-in. This way students can use a dry erase marker to find the difference.

Off Road Subtraction with Ten Frame Support

They draw dots to represent how many rolled on the larger number dice and then cross out the number of dots that match the smaller number dice.

Next, put all of your pieces together and store them together in a gallon-sized Ziploc baggie.

This game is perfect to put into rotation in your math games and activities center.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - a free monster truck printable bump game to improve students' subtraction fluency skills. I hope that your class finds this game fun and that you like what they're learning.

You may also want another free bump game to use this year. Consider grabbing this free Grinchy subtraction bump game.

Free Grinchy Subtraction Game for Kindergarten

See all: Kindergarten math tools, activities and ideas

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

More Kindergarten Math Games

Free 3D Shapes Hide-n-Seek Pirate Treasure! Game

May 25, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Practice describing 3D shapes with this fun hide-n-seek game for kindergarten. Students will describe a shape using vocabulary to look for hidden pirate treasure.

3D Shapes Hide-n-Seek Pirate Treasure Game for Kindergarten

This free hide-n-seek game is designed to play whole group or small group in kindergarten.

Let me show you how to play and give you the free download so you can play it in your classroom too.

How to play

It's important to learn to describe 3D shapes using specific vocabulary.

In this game students will describe a shape based on color, faces, edges, vertices, and sometimes size.

So here's how you play Hide-n-Seek Pirate Treasure!

Lay out all of the cards in a grid - just like you would for a game of memory. Make rows and columns with the 3D shape cards.

Hide pirate treasure under 3D shapes game

Hide the pirate treasure chest behind one 3D shape cards in the grid without students seeing where it has been placed.

You can also hide the lost pirate paraphernalia cards behind other 3D cards to make the game more fun.

Hide lost pirate loot for a fun 3D shapes game in kindergarten

Students get called on or take turns describing the shape's characteristics of the card they want to look under for the treasure.

They should describe the color of the shape, the number of vertices, number of faces and number of edges. In the case of two shapes being the same color, they should describe the size too.

For example, a student wants to look behind the green cylinder card to see if that's where the treasure is.

They should say something like, "Look under the green shape that has 0 vertices, 2 flat faces and 1 curved face."

They could also add other information like: "it rolls and stacks" or "it looks like a pop can..." based on what you've been practicing in class.

Continue to play the game until the treasure is found

If a student only provides you with partial information - you can prompt them by asking them a question about the parts they left out or explain there are multiple cards that fit the description - can they tell you more?

Then, when the student has described the shape adequately for you to know which one they are describing verbally - take the card out of the pocket chart or flip it to see if the pirate treasure is underneath.

If nothing is under a card or a lost pirate piece is found, the game play continues. Simply put the card back and let the next player take a turn.

If the treasure is found, they have won the game! Let them come up and hide where the treasure will be for the next round of play.

Note: Some students may need to hold a physical shape in order to be able to count the vertices, faces, etc. Give them a box with 3D shape blocks so they can feel and count the shape they want to describe until this support is no longer needed.

How to make this game

Are you ready to play this in your classroom? Here's how to make this game.

First, download this free set of shape cards. [terms of use] [downloading help]

Next, print each page of 3D shape cards onto a different color piece of paper. You can use bright copy paper or construction paper.

Then, print the lost pirate items cards too. I like plain paper for these to make them stand out, but you can choose any color.

Laminate the cards before cutting if you wish to play regularly or simply cut out all of the cards if you will only play a handful of times.

The card set will store easily in a sandwich-sized Ziploc bag.

Let's wrap it up

There you have it - a fun and easy game to practice describing 3D shapes for kindergarten.

I hope this free printable activity will save you time and help your students learn this skill fast. (You can even use it to just have students name the 3D shapes if you're not ready for describing yet.)

You may also want to play describing 3D shape bingo with a mix of plain shapes and real-world objects.

3D Shape Bingo for Kindergarten (Free download) with both real world examples and basic 3D shapes

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

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Free Printable Reward Bracelets for Kindergarten

May 18, 2020 · 5 Comments

Reward positive behavior in kindergarten with a free printable bracelet set. Let students feel proud to show off their great choices in the classroom with these printable reward bracelets.

Part of my classroom management plan is to reward positive behaviors. Often times verbal praise, high fives and encouragement are sufficient.

But sometimes a kindergarten teacher needs a way to reward specific behaviors instantly. That's where these paper bracelets come into play.

If students have had difficulty with a specific rule in our room, I try really hard to catch them following that rule (even if just for a brief instant) and rewarding them with the matching bracelet right away to hopefully encourage that behavior more.

Let me tell you what rules they positively reinforce, how to make them and share an easy way to organize them.

A bracelet for each classroom rule

One bracelet is for each of the four basic classroom rules. The bracelets each state what the student has done to earn them.

For students who keep their hands, feet, and objects to themselves, they earn a great bracelet with sparkles and pencils.

Classroom rules turned into matching reward bracelets for kindergarten

When students are recognized for following directions the first time, they can get an awesome bracelet with stars.

There is a super bracelet with smiley faces for choosing to be an active listener .

Lastly, I made an excellent bracelet with polka dots for students who stay in their spot.

I definitely give out "following directions the first time" the most so I print tons of those. That's because this rule pretty much covers everything else.

How to make the bracelets

Are you ready to make these for your classroom? Here's how.

First, download the printable bracelets here. [terms of use] [downloading help]

Next, you'll want to print the bracelets. You can print them on white or color paper.

Last, you'll want to decide how you want students to put them on - will you use tape, a stapler or lickable glue?

If you want students to use tape or a stapler - then cut out the bracelets on your paper cutter - and you're done.

Printable bracelets to encourage positive classroom behavior

If you want your students to be able to put these on independently, then you might want to consider lickable glue.

I wanted to tell my students they could go get the bracelet they earned by saying something like, "You just chose to stay in your spot for the entire story. Wow! You deserve an excellent bracelet. Go pick out a green bracelet and wear it to show everyone how you stayed in your spot. I expect you to do that every time we are on the rug."

Then I really wanted them to go get it, put it on, and feel super special without any further attention from me.

I need to be able to have this reward not take me away from whatever the class is doing, whenever possible.

So, I found a recipe for this glue-like substance that will remind you of the stuff to seal envelopes.

Lickable glue recipe included in the free download

You make the glue and brush it onto the end of the bracelets (over the rule icons) and let it dry. Then you can take the bracelets to your paper cutter and you're done.

When they earn a bracelet - the glue is already on the bracelet - and they lick it to activate the stickiness.

I teach students how to lick the glue and wrap it around their wrist (or ask a friend to help hold it in place as they wrap) so they can put them on independently.

Teach them to pinch the bracelet (at the sticky point) while counting to 10 or 20 to ensure it gets a chance to dry and adhere.

How to store your bracelets

Now, let's talk about organizing the bracelets and making them accessible to students.

I don't really want to stop what I'm doing to have the student be able to follow through with receiving the reward, so I make them accessible and teach them how to put them on without my assistance.

You can use whatever you like to organize the bracelets - a small space in a drawer, a container or you could use a coupon organizer.

Dollar store coupon organizer for organizing classroom rewards bracelets — Use a coupon organizer to store bracelets

I've included labels for each bracelet if you want to keep them separate and organized.

That way you can make a whole stash upfront and use whenever - all year long.

Store classroom reward bracelets in a coupon organizer for cheap organization — Use included labels to organize bracelets if needed

There are matching icons for each classroom rule and those icons are on the bracelet to help students know which one to grab when they look for the icon that matches their good behavior choice.

Let's be real

Now, as fun as these bracelets are, let's be real for a minute.

Here is my disclaimer: if you want these bracelets to turn your class into angels, they won't.

I have been known to make batches of lickable glue that don't turn out as well as others {I've yet to figure out why} and the bracelets won't last all day long for kinders who play with them or pick at them...

Yet, they still work for accomplishing the goal of recognizing positive student behaviors!

I still let them take their broken bracelet home as proof of their good choice.

I also teach them how to use the tape dispenser independently to make needed repairs. {wink}

Make kindergartner-sized bracelets for small wrists to reward behavior — Bracelets are sized for small wrists

I think it's important to find opportunities for kinders to receive positive recognition that makes them feel apart of the classroom behavior system, even if they are on their own individual behavior plan (which applies to those super-tough cases).

But I don't just use one idea until it dies... I will use multiple ideas that fit into our classroom management plan.

I find it helps keep my students on their toes.

For example, I can easily use smelly spots and behavior bracelets at the same time and improve the results I want from my students.

When I keep classroom rewards simple and age-appropriate, I find that I get the best results.

Does everyone get one?

This question came in from a reader:

"How do you handle, “but I was ... too!”(said with Bambi eyes)? I feel like I would get roped into bracelets all day."

So let me share that my philosophy behind this is that this isn't a reward for every kid doing every right thing.

So, my response is that you 1) verbally congratulate those who are doing the right thing if they balk or ask when someone else gets a reward and not them... 2) and tell them - "We'd never get any learning done if all I did was give you bracelets every time you did the right thing!"

Because we know that's true no matter what type of reward you give in the classroom - stickers, clipping up colors, Dojo points or anything. Am I right?!?

And because these are children in the real world we're teaching - they need to know that not everyone gets the same thing all the time. Let's be real about that.

3) I'd follow up with a statement like, "These are just a sometimes reward. Sometimes you may get one and sometimes you may not. But you can be happy for the kid who got one and be proud to know you're also doing the right thing (just like they are) and you might get noticed next time."

Yes, it is nice to recognize kids when they are doing the right thing, but these are not to recognize everyone everytime they do the right thing.

Here's the kicker - I try to use the bracelets to my advantage. I personally used them a lot upfront at the beginning of the school year and taper off their use so they don't lose their power as the year goes on.

If there's a specific behavior I really want everyone to adopt, that's when I go to finding someone doing the desired behavior and rewarding them.

Then, I can look for someone else doing it the next time to reward someone different (and also verbally affirm or mention other kiddos by name who are doing it too - or kiddos who quickly change their behavior to the desired one).

Conclusion

There you have it - how to reward positive behaviors in kindergarten with a free printable bracelet set.

Students will feel proud to show off their great choices with one of these reward bracelets on their arm. I hope you enjoy using them in your classroom.

If you want to learn the simple and age-appropriate classroom management approach for kindergarten, you just may want to learn the truth about kindergarten classroom management.

The Truth About Kindergarten Classroom Management - classroom management for normal teachers

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Free Name Writing Practice Sheet for Kindergarten

May 16, 2020 · 3 Comments

Work on students learning to write their names with a free name writing practice sheet. This worksheet is editable so that you can type in your students' names.

Free Name Handwriting Worksheet for Kindergarten

It's my hope these free sheets can help you quickly produce individual worksheets for your students to use.

Let's look at why name practice is important, some alternative ideas for making these feel less worksheety, and how to make the worksheets with your students' names.

Why writing names "the kindergarten way" is important

At the beginning of the year, we work really hard in kindergarten to learn how to properly write and spell our names.

It's important for students to learn to use an uppercase only at the beginning. (Yeah, I'm looking at you preschool teachers who still teach them to write the entire thing in uppercase letters)

I simply taught that this is learning to do it the kindergarten way.

So, we need multiple ways of practicing names that focus on seeing, using, and writing our names with just an uppercase letter at the beginning.

This worksheet can be one easy way to get practice.

But, you may also want to try things like this pokey pinning name activity or make this class book to work on names at the beginning of kindergarten too.

How to make them not feel so much like worksheets

You don't have to just use these as worksheets.

Here are some ideas on how to use these for handwriting practice without making it plain paper-and-pencil work.

Because after all, I pretty much loathe worksheets.

Alternative ideas to using these just as worksheets would be to:

laminate and use with watercolor paints (wipe and dry when done)
slide it into a dry-erase sleeve and use with dry-erase markers
print it onto an overhead and use it with a vis-a-vis marker (rinse and dry when done)
print it onto an overhead (trim the corners) and use it on a large Magna Doodle

There's a bonus in it for you

There are also two bonus pages in the free download. It's a letter hunt for students who need to work on discriminating the letters in their name.

You can print these to use with crayons but I think these pages are perfect to re-use by laminating and writing with a dry-erase marker.

Find the letters in your name worksheets

Students find-and-trace or find-and-color the letters in their names, but you could also have them use a bingo dauber (dot maker) and stamp on each letter that's in their name too.

Here's how to make it

So, let's take your class list and make a name writing worksheet for each student. Here's how to make this for your class.

First, download this freebie name writing practice sheet. [terms of use] [downloading help]

You can use it in Powerpoint or upload it to Google Slides (although you can't use the same tracing font I recommend if you are using Google Slides).

Next, you'll need to download and install this best handwriting font for kindergarten onto your computer.

Now, open the freebie and duplicate the pages with student names (slide 1 or 2) for the number of students in your classroom. One option has a crayon box, the other has a cool cat.

How to make editable name handwriting worksheets for kindergarten

Change the text to each of your students' names.

Make the font size smaller if a student has a really long name.

Then go to print. Be sure that the "color" setting is selected if you're using Powerpoint so that the background will be printed. (It doesn't mean you'll be printing in color, it's just a setting change to make the background shows)

Then students will use a pencil, marker, or crayon to complete these sheets. They will write their name three times and then color the letters in their name.

I picked only lowercase letters for students to color since that is the majority of what they see in their names. They should find the matching lowercase to their uppercase letter and color that too.

Let's wrap it up

When it comes to students learning to write their names at the beginning of the year, I hope this free name writing practice sheet helps you make produce individual worksheets quickly.

If you need a specific letter for students to practice more, you may love these free scaffolded handwriting worksheets for kindergarten.

Free Scaffolded Handwriting Worksheets for kindergarten lowercase a-z

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.

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1. Put it onto a magnadoodle

2. Put it onto an overhead

3. Slide it into a plastic sleeve (or laminate)

4. Turn it into a book

5. Skip it - Choose the game or hands-on version instead

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