Give yourself some grace and let go
Planning for classroom holidays doesn't need to be a stressful and overwhelming time. Find things that the kids will love and that will also make your life easier. We as teachers put alot of pressure on ourselves by holding ourselves to these expectations that only we know about. Give yourself some grace and let some of it go.
These St. Patrick's Day counting cube pictures are a step in the right direction whether you use them as a math center, St. Patrick's Day classroom holiday activity, beginning STEM for little ones, or an early finisher activity. If you've never tried them, I have a FREE picture mat for you to try further down in this post.
Give yourself some grace and let go
Teachers, I really need you to know that these snap cube building pictures are the easiest prep you can possibly have for the amount of learning that takes place.
How are they used?
Kids build 3D pictures by counting and snapping the cubes together to create the picture. Kids have to think critically to turn the cubes and snap them together so the object stays together.
Snap cubes, linking cubes, counting cubes, whatever you call them - kids love building these pictures. Here's the thing. Please don't think these math build-it counting cube mats need a worksheet. The minute your kids get a hold of them you will see them:
- counting
- problem solving as they turn cubes to make them work
- collaborating
- fine motor skills at work
- critical thinking
- working on symmetry
- spacial reasoning
- creativity
How are teachers and librarians using Counting Cube Pictures?
Teachers in grades Tk - 3rd have given an overwhelming response to how their kids absolutely love building the pictures and how the pictures have encouraged creativity. If you are wondering how teachers have used them in their classroom, here are a few ways they have mentioned.
- Morning tubs
- Early finisher work
- Math centers
- Fine motor tubs
- Holiday party activity
- Librarian uses as an activity after read aloud
- Makerspaces
- Paired with read alouds
You can also print multiples of the same mat and pair it with a book. I have used them in our Makerspace as an emergency sub activity for kids too.
If you love the linking cube activities you are seeing on this post, I think you and your kids will love this FREE resource with lesson plans for creating fidget spinners (spinning tops) with linking cubes HERE.
If you absolutely have to be over the top
Okay, if you absolutely have to be over the top when you and your kiddos celebrate holidays in the classroom, have you seen those rainbow colored pancakes with fluffy whip cream clouds and Lucky Charm marshmallows? OH. MY. WORD. but St. Patrick's Day falls on a Sunday this year (so I am told) and was curious if any of you take full advantage of that and just skip right over the holiday. Asking for a friend.
FREE Surprise Picture you can pair with any St. Patrick's Day Book!
You can get a FREE suprise St. Patrick's Day picture straight to your inbox. You will be able to pair it with any St. Patrick's Day book! All you need to do is click on the button below and subscribe.
Warm regards,
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