Recap: November & December 2023

 Hi friends!

November was a bit busy (good busy but busy) and I couldn't start a blog post for it in time so here is I'm sharing all of the new stuff I shared over on Instagram and/or Facebook and TPT in this blog post and I'll also be adding December stuff as they come up until the month ends :)

1. { UPDATE ALERT! } 3D FIGURES

The 3D figures unit got a face lift and lots of new activities were added too!

You can see more of what's included or re-download the file to get the updated file if you already own it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/3D-Figures-for-Kindergarten-Hands-On-Centres-Printables-1520624

2. { UPDATE ALERT! } GRAPHING

Graphing unit was also updated! Apart from updated graphics and fonts, I also added a bunch of simpler, pre-filled graphing sheets (this was requested by many of you) AND I added an editable version as well so you can add your own questions and choices!

Again if you want to see more or re-download it to get the updated file if you already own it, you can do so here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Graphing-for-Kindergarten-Independent-Graphing-for-Emergent-Readers-2310141

3. HANUKKAH ACTIVITIES

You all loved the Diwali pack so much so I am hoping to do a whole new series of cultural celebrations/holidays! This month I was able to create Hanukkah and Kwanzaa!

You can see more of what's included in the product description on TPT here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Hanukkah-Activities-Lessons-Centres-10559902

4. KWANZAA ACTIVITIES

And here are some photos from the new Kindergarten Kwanzaa Activities pack!

Again, if you would like more info, you can see the product description and the preview for this resource here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Kwanzaa-Activities-Lessons-Centres-10606789

5. FREE SANTA LETTER TEMPLATES

I made these for my kids to fill out and send to Santa this last week and when I shared on stories (on Instagram) over 200 people said they wanted a copy too! So here it is :)

I made my own because I wanted a simple letter that:

1. Didn't have them checking off if they were nice or naughty

2. Made them think about something nice they have done this year/recently

3. Had them write a few things they wanted, but knowing they will only get one of these things (helpful hack for parents so if they say a puppy we will have a back up plan lol)

I couldn't decide so I added all 3 types of stamps I had, gingerbread man, candy cane and reindeer!

My oldest chose gingerbread man and my youngest chose candy cane :)

You can grab this Santa letter template for free here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K4vZnljMeTxjGxzDAZ2WQjqI18nDlPnW/view?usp=sharing or by clicking on the image below! I hope you enjoy these if you use it :)

6. TEACHER CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA + CARD FREEBIE

I made these to go with the gift cards I was giving T's teachers (I always loved gift cards the most as gifts as classroom teacher so that's what I always give to my kid's teachers) and some of you asked if I could share the printable so here it is!

I love including the kids and hearing what they say (I would enjoy this so I hope his teachers do to!)

You can grab this freebie here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WQGyTH46Lg6Krpw4Dyp0-NBxmGq1rxKN/view?usp=sharing or by clicking on the image below:

That's it for now! I hope you enjoy the freebies!

Yukari

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Recap: October 2023

Hi friends! I was playing catch up with the September post, so here is my October recap post! I'll add things to this post if I share anything else new on Instagram/TPT before the end of October, but I wanted to make sure I posted this before then since the freebie in this post is a Halloween one😉

1. PRE-WRITING LINES & SHAPES PRACTICE SHEETS

So I've shared in the past how my oldest is not a fan of pencil work and printing doesn't come easily to him. I was doing some research on teaching children how to print letters and learned that kids need to master 8 pre-writing lines and shapes before they can form letters! And children learn to write these pre-writing lines in a developmental progression.

So I created these pre-writing practice sheets to help my son practice mastering pre-writing lines/shapes and I hope they can help the kiddos in your class too!

The lines/shapes included are horizontal lines, vertical lines, circles, crosses, squares, diagonal lines, x shapes and triangles.

If you are interested in grabbing these for your students, you can find them here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pre-Writing-Lines-Shapes-Practice-Sheets-10283303 or by clicking on the image below:

2. DIWALI ACTIVITY PACK

This has been highly requested year after year and I FINALLY found time to finish it! I love how it turned out so I hope you do too, and I hope this makes teaching about Diwali and incorporating them into your centres easy :)

You can see more photos from this activity pack at the bottom of this Diwali post: http://www.apinchofkinder.com/2019/11/diwali-in-kindergarten.html or you can grab the pack on TPT here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Diwali-Activities-Lessons-Centres-10321372 or by clicking on the image below:

3. { UPDATE ALERT! } SYMMETRY UNIT

Next up on my math unit updates is symmetry! I love all of the new, hands on centres I was able to add to this one.

You can see a couple of the activities in the photos above or check out the preview on TPT to see more of what's included!

You can grab this unit here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Symmetry-for-Kindergarten-Hands-On-Centres-Printables-3099291 or by clicking on the image below:

4. { UPDATE ALERT! } NUMBER LINES UNIT

Another unit that got an update is the Number Lines unit! This was mostly an aesthetics update (updated clip art + fonts) but I also added a road version of the race to 10 game!

You can see more in the preview here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Number-Lines-for-Kindergarten-Hands-On-Centres-Printables-2395376 or by clicking on the image below:

5. NEW RESOURCE - AMERICAN COINS

This has been requested for years and I finally got to it this month, the American version of my popular Canadian Coins unit! You can check out my "Teaching Money in FDK" blog post here: http://www.apinchofkinder.com/2015/05/teaching-money-in-fdk.html to see how I use the Canadian version of these printables!

Here's also a few pages from the preview so you can see some of what is included:

You can grab this on TPT/wish list it for later here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/American-Coins-for-Kindergarten-Centres-Printables-More-10363624 or by clicking on the image below:

6. WELCHES "HALLOWEEN MIX" SORT & COUNT FREEBIE

Both of my kiddos are obsessed with Welches fruit snacks, so when I saw this Halloween edition, I knew I had to grab them! I made up a sorting mat for my oldest to sort on. You can have students record the number for each directly in the circle, or if they need some help you can provide them with the tracing strips to trace, cut and glue!

 

I know not all schools allow food (especially things with gelatin) but if you are able to have it in your class it would be a fun Halloween week activity!

My oldest loved this activity but he actually got 4 witches, 1 haunted house, 1 jack-o'-lantern, 1 bat and no ghosts so the tracing strip I made above didn't have all of the numbers he needed. So I made and included a second tracing strip option (0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4) and I also included a page with all the same number on each strip (students can just cut off what they need from each strip). Please choose and use whichever one fits best for your class!

Click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q1-Y5zHonJr7csnsfc3P8tf3gbSc8Kys/view?usp=sharing or on the button below to grab this freebie!

I hope you enjoy the freebie!

7. CO-CREATED WINTER DRESSING CHART

I realized I never shared what I did for teaching winter dressing routines the last time I was in the classroom, so I decided to finally share this month!

Here in Southern Ontario, we get snow pants weather as early as November and lasts it sometimes lasts until March!

I know how helpful it is when we teach out littles to get dressed as independently as possible, so I've tried a few different things over the years and this is what has stuck!

First, I introduce "The Winter Dressing Song". I project this page:

on the projector and we sing it together as I point to the pictures. I included two version (scarf then hat or hat then scarf). Scarf then hat works better if most of your students have tube scarves! Please use the one that works best for your class!

Next, we co-create our reference chart by having students gather their outdoor gear (I just choose names out of a hat and the chosen student can bring their snow pants, boots etc. to the carpet). We take a photo of each piece of clothing and I add them to the editable file and print them out (I included my sample in the file as an example, but it really is best to use your own student's gear! It adds so much student voice to your walls, the students remember it more if they make it with you and they love seeing their clothing in the chart :)

I also get a few of my fine motor experts to help me with the title for the chart (or you can use one of the tracing options included OR you can jusst print out the pre-made one!)

Once all of the pieces are made/printed and ready, we gather in the cubby area and put the chart up somewhere high so that every (or at least mot) students can see it.

This has helped tremendously with the "What do I do first?" question, as we can refer the mto the chart. I also created a cut and paste song that the students can do as a centre or small group activity and then take home to encourage winter dressing practice at home as well!

I hope you enjoy this resource and that it helps make the pesky snow pants season a little bit easier! You can grab the file to make your own here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Co-Created-Winter-Dressing-Chart-Song-10392088 or by clicking on the image below:

That's it from me for October! I hope you found something that will help make your life a little bit easier :)

Yukari

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Recap: August/September 2023

Hi friends! I'm going to try to do a monthly recap of new things I'm sharing over on Instagram and TPT, since I know links can be hard to keep track of over on Instagram. So here are some things I shared in August/September!

1. FIRST WEEK FORMS + INITIAL ASSESSMENTS

This has been requested many times in the past, so this summer I put together my first week forms to share! It includes dismissal forms, student information forms and also a page with links to other freebies that I have offered in the past for the first week, including the editable Meet the Educators letter!

I also included my initial assessments so it's easy peasy to start assessing whenever you have a minute!

You can find these forms here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Forms-Assessments-for-Kindergarten-9938181 or by clicking on the image below:

You can also find it in my Back to School Bundle. You can find that bundle here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Back-to-School-Bundle-9909773

2. ALL ABOUT ME POSTERS

Another resource that was highly requested was an "All About Me" activity for the beginning of the year, so I created these this summer! I think it would be so cute as a bulletin board for "Meet the Teacher/Open House" and then made into a class book once you are ready to take it down :)

Here's mine with what I think Kindergartener Yukari would have said 😆

If you would like to grab this editable file, you can find it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-About-Me-Editable-Bulletin-Board-Display-or-Class-Book-9909615 or by clicking on the image below:

3. BEGINNING SOUNDS TRACING LINES

My own little guy (just turned 5) is working hard to improve his pencil skills. He isn't a big fan of pencil work, but these were such a big hit! 

Usually it's like pulling teeth having him sit down and practice any kind of pencil work so I was thrilled to see him enjoying these! He even asked for more when we were done!

If you are interested in grabbing these, they are now available in my TPT store. You can find them here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pencil-Control-x-Literacy-Beginning-Sound-Tracing-Lines-10107009 or by clicking on the image below:

3. BEGINNING SOUND MAZES

Two skills my son is currently working on is his pencil control and isolating and identifying beginning sounds in words, and he LOVES mazes, so I made up these for him to practice those two skills!

It was a just right activity for him as most of the pages he could do independently and a few pages he needed help figuring out the initial sound.

If you have kiddos who you think might enjoy this activity, you can find it in my TPT store here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pencil-Control-x-Literacy-Beginning-Sound-Mazes-10144759 or by clicking on the image below:

4. { UPDATE ALERT! } MEASUREMENT UNIT

Now that my oldest is back in school, I'm starting my math unit updates again! This past spring I decided to go back in and updated all of my math units, and so far Canadian Coins, Probability, Time, The Number Sense Centre Bundle, 2D Shapes, Sorting and Patterning were updated in the Spring/Early Summer.

And this month, Non-Standard Measurement was updated! Here's a look at some of the new/updated pages:

If you already own this measurement unit, you can get the updated version for free! Just click here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Non-Standard-Measurement-for-Kindergarten-Hands-On-Centres-Printables-2192857 and re-download the file to get the updated version!

5. FIND & TRACE FREEBIE

This is similar to the "Plate Detective" freebie I've shared in the past but when I found these Star Wars plates, I knew I had to grab it and make an activity for my Star Wars obsessed son! I used a silver Sharpie to write the letters and invited him to find the letters and trace them on the recording sheet.

I purposely included only letters with horizontal and vertical lines, as I wanted him to be able to do this one as independently as possible and build his confidence.

If you could use this freebie too, you can download it by clicking here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F0cEJyelSrP0FSLcTQm85GoMi2UpE3PF/view?usp=sharing

or on the image below:

- Yukari

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