One fascinating topic that never fails to capture the attention of elementary students is life cycles. Teaching life cycles provides a solid foundation for curiosity and discovery to flourish in our classrooms. If you are looking for life cycle activities for kids, you’re in the right place!
How do you teach kids about life cycle?
To kickstart your life cycle lesson, a great way to begin is with interesting and fun books like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and hands-on activities such as crafting life cycle diagrams.
You can also incorporate multimedia elements like videos and virtual field trips, providing a more dynamic learning experience for your kiddos. This multi-sensory approach ensures all students can appreciate the beauty of life cycles unfolding before their eyes! How cool is that?
Here are 3 life cycle activities for kids to do with your elementary students:
Want a fun activity for spring where the kids learn about the Butterfly Life Cycle and integrate symmetry by making a book that will make a lasting memory for them to share at home? I have you covered with these printables for creating a butterfly craft and writing options!
Are you looking for an engaging way to help students learning about the life cycle of a frog? These activities are great for centers, sequencing, and whole group learning! It includes a hat, writing activities, and sequencing printables.
Do you need a quick and easy way to teach students the life cycle of a plant? This Plant Life Cycle Wheel will keep your students engaged and create a keepsake for them to share with their parents.
What are your favorite ways to teach about life cycles? Let me know in the comments! If you want more spring activities for your elementary classroom, check out my post here!
Looking for some spring activities for kids? I have you covered!
As we gear up for the spring season, I wanted to share some fun and engaging ideas to infuse your classroom with a little burst of springtime sunshine.
What are some spring activities for elementary students?
Here are some ideas for some spring hands-on activities to get you started.
Life Cycles
Dive into the life cycles of plants and butterflies! Use simple props like egg cartons, art supplies, and pictures to create interactive displays. This hands-on approach will make learning about growth and change a memorable experience.
Want a fun activity for spring where the kids learn about the Butterfly Life Cycle and integrate symmetry by making a book that will make a lasting memory for them to share at home? I have you covered with these printables for creating a butterfly craft and writing options!
“This was so much fun! My students loved writing, coloring and creating their butterfly-they especially loved recreating the stages 🙂 Thanks so much!” -Jenny
Rainy Day Science
Embrace the spring showers by turning them into a learning opportunity! Set up a rain gauge and encourage your little scientists to measure and record rainfall. Discuss the water cycle and the importance of rain for our environment.
Are you looking for quick and simple rainbow crafts to display in your classroom? Look no more! These editable printables cover writing, math, and art! Just use paint, paint daubers, or color to make a rainbow. Add a little cotton to the clouds and you have a cheerful display!
“This was a great resource when discussing rainbows.” – Jared
Weather Watchers
Create a weather station in your classroom and have students take turns being weather reporters. They can observe and record the daily weather, noticing any changes that come with the arrival of spring.
This unit is loa with enough resources to stretch it out for two weeks, if needed! If you need to teach weather patterns, the water cycle, rainbows, and more, I’ve got you covered with engaging activities and printables to make your life easy!
“This unit was a great way to introduce the water cycle to my kindergartners!” – Rachael
What are your favorite spring activities to do in your classroom? Let me know in the comments! For more spring fun, check out my post here!
As elementary teachers, we know how important guided reading instruction is. The main goal of guided reading is to provide targeted, differentiated support to small groups of students who are at similar reading levels.
What is guided reading- really?
Guided reading allows teachers to address the individual needs of students, focusing on specific reading skills and strategies to help them become proficient and confident readers.
Here are the key components of guided reading:
Small Group Instruction:
Guided reading typically involves the teacher working with a small group of students, usually ranging from three to six, who are at a similar reading level. This small group setting allows for more personalized instruction and targeted support.
Text Selection:
Teachers select books that are at an appropriate reading level for each group of students. The chosen texts should provide a manageable challenge for the students, allowing them to apply and reinforce their reading skills while still being able to comprehend the material.
Introduction and Pre-Reading Activities:
Before reading the text, the teacher introduces the book, discusses the title, cover, and any relevant background information. Pre-reading activities may include activating prior knowledge, making predictions, or setting purposes for reading.
Guided Reading Session:
During the guided reading session, students read the selected text independently or in a whisper voice. The teacher observes, supports, and provides guidance as needed. The focus is on applying specific reading strategies, such as decoding unfamiliar words, making connections, and understanding the meaning of the text.
Discussion and Comprehension:
Following the reading, the group engages in a discussion facilitated by the teacher. This discussion aims to deepen students’ comprehension, promote critical thinking, and allow them to share their thoughts and interpretations of the text.
Skill Instruction:
Throughout the lesson, the teacher explicitly teaches and reinforces specific reading skills and strategies. This may include phonics, vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension strategies tailored to the needs of the group.
Assessment and Monitoring:
Guided reading provides an opportunity for ongoing assessment. Teachers monitor students’ progress, identify areas for growth, and use this information to plan future guided reading sessions and provide additional support as needed.
Needless to say, it’s important!
If you are looking for a guided reading activity that your students will enjoy and be fully engaged in, you’re in the right place.
Check out this Mega Bundle for year-long instruction and activities! Get all 5 (Comprehension, Vocabulary, Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, and Fluency) year-long programs bundled in one easy-to-purchase download for a huge savings!
Pick and choose what you want to use for review, extended activities, homework, and early finishers, or use the step-by-step suggested plans for each yearlong resource. 5 year-long resources are included in each area!
View each resource included in this Mega Reading Bundle!
This is made specifically for K-1 students, but great to use as an intervention program for 2nd-3rd grade struggling readers when you need to fill in the reading gaps.
Suggested Weekly Lesson Plans for each Program (If you are using them all at the same time, I was able to hit all 5 areas in a 90-minute block with centers.)
You can pick your own favorite trade books to complement the lessons.
What are your favorite ways to teach this subject? Let me know in the comments!
Easter is rapidly approaching and if you are looking for Easter activities for kids or Easter activities for elementary school, you’re in the right place!
How do you make Easter exciting for kids?
There are so many ways you can make Easter exciting for kids. With bunny or egg-themed Easter activities, Easter worksheets, Easter crafts, and Easter games for kids, the possibilities are endless.
Additionally, you can have a small Easter party for your elementary students! This gives your kiddos something eggcellent and fun to look forward to and adds a much-needed break for fun and celebration during the day.
How do you throw an Easter party for kids?
Simply! Your party doesn’t have to be elaborate to be a blast for your students. Here are some simple but impactful ways to have a fun classroom Easter party.
Include some Egg-citing Games:
Plan classic activities like an Easter egg hunt, bunny hop races, and “Pin the Tail on the Bunny.” These not only entertain but also promote teamwork and physical activity.
Create a Crafty Corner:
Set up a crafting station for decorating Easter eggs and making bunny masks. Let kids get creative, and display their masterpieces for everyone to enjoy.
Try some Tasty Treats:
Organize a cookie decorating station or a “Build Your Own Bunny Sandwich” corner. Make the preparation part of the fun, and consider healthier options like a fruit kabob station.
What activities do you do during Easter?
There are so many things you can do that your students will love and appreciate. If you’re looking for some easy Easter activities for kindergarten, first, second, or even third grade that are fun and educational, here are some spectacular ideas!
Looking for a simple and easy craft for your party? Try these Bunny Rabbit Mask & Headband crafts. There are two writing papers included too. (intermediate lined and primary)
Need a good Easter writing activity? I have you covered with these interactive, editable Google Slides to easily have students copy and paste movable parts to design their own Easter Bunny trap. Then, they will write a narrative, persuasive, or opinion paper about how they plan to catch the bunny.
Need some engaging bunny crafts and writing activities? Try these printables to easily create different bunny crafts! They make great centers and bulletin boards too!
5 Crafts with Photos
4 Spring Writing Papers (Primary and Intermediate Lined
Make a Headband, Bunny Candy Bag, Writing Craftivity, or Letter Art
What are your favorite ways to celebrate Easter in elementary? Let me know in the comments! For more Easter fun, check out my post here.
