Grade 2 and Up How to Create a Gigantic Paper Snowman for your Classroom and Home!

Start a new Holiday Fun tradition with this DIY gigantic snowman. It will be a big hit, guaranteed!

How do I know?

Because over the years I have built him several times in my classroom and home! Follow-up this collaborative project with songs and a snowman book, or use him as a backdrop for a "Photo Op" at your Holiday Party!

Take a close look at the image above. Do you see the embedded Christmas trees, jingle bells, snowmen and candy-canes? 

See here for a pre-made gigantic snowman kit.

Snowman Do it Yourself ...

***Please note that this collaborative snowman can be built by children of all ages. However, the younger the child, the simpler the snowflakes should be to make. For instance:

• KINDERGARTEN | BASIC SCISSOR SKILLS- Fold the paper twice (fold in half, and then in half again) before cutting out wedges on the folds, when creating the snowflakes. You may want to round off the edges to make a more circular snowflake.
• 2nd GRADERS AND UP | GOOD SCISSOR SKILLS- Fold the paper 3 times before cutting out designs. Watch this 2-minute VIDEO to see how to fold the paper before cutting out your snowflake design. (you can create your own design or let the kids make their own) If you pay close attention, you will also notice how I embedded a Christmas tree design right into the snowflake!

STEP 1 Classroom Snowman - Creative some paper snowflakes as in "LOTS" of them!

Watch video. (link in previous paragraph)

A tip for success is to remind your students not to completely cut out a fold line or else when they unfold the snowflake, they will end up with snippets of paper instead of a beautiful snowflake. (which has happened to me more than once:)

STEP 2 Classroom Snowman - Cover your wall space with dark paper

Why dark paper? Because... It will make your paper snowflakes POP!

First, think about how large you want to build your classroom snowman. Perhaps you want to make more than one? Cover your wall with some dark butcher paper or something similar.

OR, If you are doing this at home, an alternative is to build your snowman against the backdrop of a large glass window or door. At night, this will also produce the dramatic effect of making your snowflakes really stand out against the dark sky.

STEP 3 - Turn on some Holiday Music and arrange the Snowflakes

Take a look at the picture below for an idea of how to arrange the paper snowflakes. Of course, you can make him much taller. (The accessory cut-out ideas are in the next step.)

Do you have any leftover snowflakes? Hang them around your gigantic snowman, put them in your windows, or hang them from your ceiling!

STEP 4 - Cut out Accessories such as Eyes, Nose and Mouth, then affix to your snowman

You don't need to make it fancy, or you can if you want:) Here are a few examples. Your learners could even do these!

Don't forget to take pictures with your giant snowman!

Follow Up Fun...

How about having your students give the snowman a name, singing carols around your new snowman and/or reading a snowman book together?

Here are a few recommended books about a snowman.

• The Snowman by Raymond Briggs (It is wordless, but has great illustrations and is great to get children discussing what they understand from the pictures.)
• How to Catch a Snowman by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton (This one is sure to cause a few giggles!)
• The Biggest Snowman Ever by Steven Kroll and Jeni Bassett (Kind of goes with the gigantic snowman theme we have here!) It is a very simple but sweet story of two little mice that are in a snowman-building competition.

Also, make sure to invite the classroom next door, your neighbor, and friends to see your "biggest snowman ever"!

***As mentioned earlier, I have put together a printable PRE-MADE KIT that can save you time and includes really special snowflake templates with embedded designs in them. Scroll up to the image at the beginning of this post. See if you can find the hidden Christmas trees, candy-canes, jingle bells and snowmen. The kit is intended for grades 2 or 3 and up (depending on scissor skills).

Blessings, Annette

 

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Grade 2 and Up How to Create Beautiful Christmas Snowflakes

Traditional snowflakes, made from paper and scissors, create such magical holiday wonder displayed in a window, against a dark winter sky.

For the above patterns, take a closer look here!

Would you like to learn how to create your own snowflakes in just a few easy steps? Watch this video to create your own Christmas Tree snowflake.

 

I have been designing theme-based snowflakes for the last 10 years at least. I never know exactly how my idea will turn out until I unfold the snowflake, and that is the specialness of it all!

 **Note: From my experience, my snowflake patterns are best for grades 2 and up, but with some exceptions, if your learners are younger but have above average scissor skills. I once had a 2nd grader who was amazing and was able to cut out the challenging patterns. He insisted that I let him try like the bigger kids, and I am so glad I did! You never know, but as a rule I would go with grades 3 and up.

Snowflakes as part of art education lessons...

Designing snowflakes may seem like pure fun, but let's think about it a little. First of all, look at the radial symmetry it produces. In case you are wondering, radial symmetry means symmetry that is formed around a central axis, like a starfish or a tulip flower. A paper snowflake produces a radial symmetry effect.

Also, designing a snowflakes that is pleasing to the eye, requires the art concept of balance while creating the snowflake.

Lastly, these are what I consider one of the best examples of positive and negative space. Take a look at the images and see how the negative space, or the dark background, creates a beautiful image in itself.

So there you go, these are great as a part of your art education program!

 If you would like to see my entire inventory of snowflake patterns, including non-holiday, take a look here.

My Snowflake Journey...

When I was a classroom teacher and later a homeschool mom, one of my favorite holiday activities was making traditional paper snowflakes. I loved hanging them on the wall against a dark backdrop, on the window and even from the ceilings. It resembled a real-life snow flurry!

Now, many years later, I still create snowflakes, but with a different twist. I create themed snowflakes. What is that, you might ask? I embed designs inside of the snowflake. Take a look at my pictured examples to see what I am talking about. For example, I have embedded a Christmas tree, candy canes, jingle bells and a snowman inside of the snowflakes. I hope you give it a try. Maybe it will even become a new hobby of yours!

 Blessings and happy holidays! Annette

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Kinder and PreK Math Road to Success!

PreK / Kindergarten math sets the stage for math success later in a young one's academic journey. And, a child who learns to love math is much more inclined to excel in it. Here are 3 steps to naturally get kindergarteners and preschoolers on the right track to math mastery.

3 Step Pathway to Math Success

 

1. Preschool | Kindergarten Math- Do NOT Compartmentalize math, but naturally weave it throughout the day.

 

Math does not belong in a 20 minute time slot. In fact, it doesn't necessarily need to have a time slot at all. It can naturally weave throughout the school day.

As a former preschool and kinder teacher and later a homeschool mom, I learned this hard fact through experience.

Just because a child can write the number 4 does not mean that they understand the true meaning of the number four, that it means 4 items or 4 thoughts or 4 places. We need to take the abstract numeral 4 and bring it down to concrete terms for the 4 and 5 year old.

Math needs to be naturally worked into the school day, and integrated with other subjects for the best results.

For learners to truly grasp math concepts, here are a few ideas:

IN THE CLASSROOM-

When students line up, discuss the ordinal numbers, 1st- 2nd-3rd etc. Let your learners hold place cards with the ordinals written on them.

For counting practice, count the students as they walk out/in the door. Write the number on a card and place it on the wall, changing it as needed.

When grouping learners, talk about dividing groups into equal numbers for an introduction of fractions.

Create a graph on the wall every day, with criteria such as how many students are wearing pants, dresses or skirts. Or else create graphs about personal preferences.

For number sense, which is critical to math success, always use manipulatives with young ones to represent a number. That is how the abstract concept of a number becomes concrete in the mind of a little one.

 

AT HOME-

Buy your child a watch and count the minutes waiting in line at the post office or store.

Use cash instead of that credit or debit card all the time, and count up the change for a grocery transaction.

Label store items when you get home with price tags and play store for money sense.

Count out small items in bags and label them with numbers to practice number sense.

2. Preschool | Kindergarten Math - Ditch the worksheets as much as possible.

 

It is not about completing those two workbook pages every day. As an example, just because they complete those pages doesn't mean that they understand number sense.
Okay, I know worksheets have a place, but they should be used sparingly with the younger ones. Believe me, the rest of their schooling will have plenty of worksheets!
One exception here is when students are practicing their fine motor skills, such as when they are drawing a line from one point to the other, or learning to write a number.

 

3. Preschool | Kindergarten Math - Use the grade level textbook more as a guide, and keep math activities engaging!

 

If you are in the classroom, of course, you need to adhere to the structure of the textbook. But don't get stuck sticking exclusively to the book. Make sure that you weave in some engaging assignments that will help your learners truly "get" the math concepts. A lot of times those engaging ideas can be found in the margins of the teacher edition of the textbook.
In a homeschool situation, I would recommend buying a used copy of a grade level textbook or guide to give you an idea of what should be covered during the school year. What is nice in this type of situation is that you can mix up the order of introducing concepts in many cases. A note here, don't be surprised if your Pre K or Kinder finishes the curriculum in record time, as some of my own children did. If so, just keep on going, as long as your child is enjoying it. A benefit of homeschooling to be sure.

A fun way to practice number sense, the building block of future math success...

Boost number sense with this matching game puzzle which I have created for your learners.

Free for you, no strings attached. Give it a try.

Not only will these puzzles help your learners practice their number sense, but they integrate life science, as all of the animals pictured are egg-laying creatures. Thus you can have a lively scientific discussion on animal classification with your students.

What is included in your complimentary puzzle set.

10 Black and White Egg-Shape #1-10 Puzzle Cards

10 Color Egg-Shape #1-10 Puzzle Cards

10 Blank Egg-Shape Template Option for DIY

20 Student-Size Egg-Shape Puzzles (color b/w)

Matching Game Ideas to Use in your Class/Home

Bonus Page- Themed number chart 1 - 100

Themed Stationary for Teachers and Learners

 

This is practically no prep. All you need to do is print and cut out the puzzles cards, and they are ready to use independently, at a learning center, or as a whole group counting lesson!

Learners will love to have their own smaller student-size sets to keep in their own space!

Preschool and Kindergarten math needn't be a chore. It can be fun! Find some cute stickers and create your own matching puzzles with these pre-made templates! Learners will also enjoy creating their own while internalizing important number sense skills!

Another idea... Use these as manipulative mats with counters. Label one side with a number, and let your learners place the right amount of counters on the other side! So fun!

Practice counting 1 - 100 with your learners, using this handy number chart, which is included.

Being an part-time doodler, I have created all of the clip art in this resource. (egg-laying critters, okay with a little help from my artist daughter) And so... I thought it would also be fun to create stationary with the clip art. Use these to write little notes to your learners or keep a list of things to do.

Please let me know if you have comments or questions.

Blessings, Annette

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Grade 2 and Up Animal Drawing and Science Self Paced Course Open Now!

Open now! This course includes 16 ANIMALS to draw and learn about. It is perfect for homeschool or after school fun. Being self-paced through the Outschool Teacher Marketplace, you have access to the course for 365 days! This class also comes with access to me, Ms. Annette, the teacher for the first 4 weeks. Take a closer look here.

Animals covered during the course...

GROUP 1 MAMMALS

Lesson 1: Sloth
Lesson 2: Kangaroo
Lesson 3: Red Panda
Lesson 4: Beaver

GROUP 2 REPTILES/AMPHIBIAN

Lesson 5: Axolotl Salamander
Lesson 6: Alligator
Lesson 7: Sea Turtle
Lesson 8: Komodo Dragon

GROUP 3 MARINE MAMMALS
Lesson 9: Blue Whale
Lesson 10: Dolphin
Lesson 11: Walrus
Lesson 12: Sea Otter

GROUP 4 BIRDS
Lesson 13: Flamingo
Lesson 14: Snowy Owl
Lesson 15: Turkey
Lesson 16: Emperor Penguin

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE COURSE FOR EACH LESSON...

1. Video narrated by me, all about the featured animal, including where they are from on the globe, as well as facts about their behavior, habitat, conservation and more. Students can follow along with their very own booklets that go with the video.
2. Suggested related videos so learners can see the animal in action, learn more about them and prepare the student for the drawing portion of the lesson.
3. Step-by-step video directed drawing lesson narrated by me.
4. Self-directed bingo game with printable prizes.

The course is a powerful way to learn about animal classification and drawing! Your students will learn many science concepts and new vocabulary, while learning to draw 16 fascinating animals. 

Classes are self-paced so your learner can complete them whenever it is most convenient, and last about 1 to 1 1/2 hours per day.

Self-Paced Animal Directed Drawing Class FAQs

CAN LESSONS BE COMPLETED IN ANY ORDER?

YES! While I suggest that your learner work with one group of animals at a time, for example, marine mammals, the lessons can be completed in any order at any time and last about 1 to 1 1/2 hours apiece. Animal groupings listed above.

HOW MANY WEEKS IS THIS CLASS?

I find that 4 weeks is optimal. If your learner completes one animal group a week, or 4 lessons, they will be done in 4 weeks. However, with this self-paced format, the student is able to stack lessons and finish much sooner if they wish. On the other hand, you can space the lessons out more than 4 weeks, for example if you want to use these as a reward or a change of pace once a week. Your choice!

HOW LONG DOES MY LEARNER HAVE ACCESS TO ME, THE TEACHER, FOR COURSE HELP?

Your learner has access to me, the teacher, for the first 4 WEEKS, starting from the date you register for the class. For example, if your learner would like to show me their artwork for friendly feedback, or if they have questions or comments, I am available every weekday for the first 4 weeks. I will usually reply within the day, except weekends.

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS. HOW CAN I GET IN TOUCH?

Feel free to leave a question in the comments:)

**A VERY SPECIAL NOTE… this course collectively took me over 300 hours to assemble! I know, I can't believe it myself! I do have to say I enjoyed every minute of preparation as I love both life science and art. Take a peek here for more details.

BONUS FEATURES ALSO INCLUDED PRINTABLE OPTIONS TO ENHANCE STUDENT LESSON/COURSE EXPERIENCE (attached to lessons)

1. Explorer Passport card for students to keep track of which lessons they have completed
2. Individual Animal Achievement certificates attached to each lesson color or black and white
3. Entire course (16 animal lessons) color certificate for completion of course- Certificate attached to each lesson, but you only need to print one.
4. Follow-along booklets that go with the "5 Fabulous Facts" video for each animal
5. Art maps that go with each animal for future fun!
6. Featured animal color page for each animal to help with learner differentiation or preference
7. Cut and paste habitat elements that go with each animal
8. Bingo card for each group of animals (There are 4 groups of 4 animals in this course: Land Mammals, Reptiles/Amphibian, Marine Mammals and Birds) The bingo cards are attached to each lesson, however, you only need to print one for each "group". On the bingo card, learners can choose from many animal related tasks. When they have completed 4 in a row, whether going up, sideways or diagonal, they have earned a prize!
9. Bingo prize for each group of animals, see #8. Prizes are attached to each lesson, however, you only need to print one prize for each group as they are the same. For example, the printable prize for getting 4-in-a-row on the Marine Mammal bingo card is a Polar Bear art lesson, and it is attached to each of the marine mammal lessons for convenience.

***STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY :

***For students who may have trouble drawing but would really like to participate in the class and learn about these animals, there is also a coloring page option (a printable black and white master of the featured animal that students can color and cut out, as well as a cut-and-paste habitat accessories page to use for the habitat).

***Lessons are all narrated by me and do not require reading skills. Students who have difficulty reading may need some help reading the bingo card. 

What Parents have to say about my Directed Drawing & Science classes...

Such an awesome and rich class! I was just sharing with some parent friends how wonderful this class was, so now I’ll share with you! This class checks so many boxes for little animal lovers who love to draw! Miss Annette made it so fun! She had bingo, five interesting facts about each creature, a cool YouTube video for each one, certificates and info sheets you could download. She also gave incredible instructions on drawing each animal with tips they can carry with them throughout other projects! Thank you!

-Amanda

My daughter really enjoyed the class. She enjoyed the flexible schedule. She absolutely loved watching all the videos.

-Angela

Great Class! Ms. Annette is wonderful and very patient with my daughter and she loved the class. Will be looking to book for classes with Ms. Annette.

-Nancy

Fun class and educational

-William

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Please feel free to ask questions through the comments below.

Blessings,  Annette

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Teacher Clip Art Sample Featuring a Turkey, Rooster, Goose and a Duck!

 

 

Featuring 4 farm bird clip art including a duck, goose, rooster and a turkey, offered in high quality png form, color and black/white.

Hello, I am Annette! Thank you for stopping by. I am a former classroom teacher and homeschool mom, yes both!

My family and I have always enjoyed doodling and so it seemed very natural to turn our doodling into clip art!

 You are welcome to use my clip art as a design element in what you create, but not as a stand-alone product such as a mug, t-shirt or coloring page. Commercial rights included. Please see terms of use attached to the clip art for specifics on this.

Please do not share any of the images you see here on the internet, as many times the copyrighted clip art is ultimately stolen and that can hurt my small business:(

You may be interested in this also ...

Young Children Clip Art here.

Butterfly Clip Art with Moveable Rights here.

Migratory Animal Clip Art here.

Blessings, Annette

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Teacher Clip Art Matching Puzzle Templates AND Popular Ways to Use Them

4 Puzzle Clip Art Templates featuring Egg Shapes. Black and White pngs included

This free clip art is part of a larger set available here.

A Few Ideas on What to Create with your Puzzle Clip Art Templates...

There are so many ways you can use your puzzle templates. You may already have something in mind. If not, here are a few ideas to help get you started…

1. NUMBER SENSE PRACTICE PUZZLE-

Write a number on one side of the puzzle, then the correct number of items to match.
Little kiddos, and most of the rest of us big kiddos too, learn best through repetition.
For me, if I don't reread or repeat something I learn, later down the road when I encounter it again, sometimes it is as if I am learning something new for the first time again!
Sometimes it is inconsequential. But for number sense, which is a foundational skill in math, it is a skill that is beneficial to understand as quickly as possible.
If you are creating these for your own personal use, use stickers to count quantities. Kids love them. If you are planning to sell your puzzles, then clip art is king.

2. SCIENCE ACTIVITY PUZZLE-

For these puzzles, draw or find clip art of different animals for one side of the puzzle. On the other side, draw or find a clip art of the home or habitat of that animal. For example, a bird and a nest.
Other examples include weather on one side of the puzzles, and clothing you would wear for that weather on the other. Or perhaps, seasons on one side of a puzzle and a changing tree on the other.

3. COMPLETE THE PUZZLE ACTIVITY-

Leave one side of the puzzle blank for the learners to fill in themselves. This way they are making their own puzzle sets as their assignment. For example, write the color word “red” on one side, then have your kiddos draw something red for the other side. 

4. READING PRACTICE PUZZLES-

Draw or find a clip art with a noun, for example, a tree. For the other side, write the word. This can also work with short sentences instead of nouns.

You are welcome to use my clip art as a design element in the resources you create. You are also allowed to sell these resources. See terms of use attached to the puzzle templates for more clarification.

Please do not share any of the images you see here on the internet, as many times the copyrighted clip art is ultimately stolen and that can hurt my small business:(

You may be interested in this also ...

Young Children Clip Art here.

Butterfly Clip Art with Moveable Rights here.

Enjoy! Annette

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Grade 2 and Up Color by Code Haunted House Math Fun!

Color by Code Mystery Pic Haunted Tree for Halloween or for any other "spooky event"! Math skills reviewed include even/odd to 100. Perfect for early finishers, learning centers or simply Halloween fun! Click here or on the picture below for your free Haunted Tree Color by Code..

Your learner's will hardly notice that they are practicing their math skills (even/odds to 100) as they are working on this activity.

Haunted Tree Color by Code includes:

--Color by Code Pages: (Code pages available in black/white as well as a gray color which hides the code a bit more)

--Review Even/Odd Activity

--Colored answer key for easy reference

--Student size number chart 1-100

--Build your own color by code (for students and/or educators)

--Halloween stationary for you, the teacher

--Halloween happy notes for you and your learners

Challenge your Learners with this Color by Code in this way...

... not telling them it is a haunted tree before they begin working on it! Let them discover the mysterious tree as they are filling in the grid, and slowly uncovering it one square at a time. It will make the activity even more fun!

More Halloween Color by Codes...

Take a look at this set of 8 Color by Code Halloween Mystery Pics product here that contains several other Halloween favorites, including the Haunted Tree: 

Spiders

Ghost

Spider Web

Black Cat

Boo Bats

Jack O Lantern

Witch's Cauldron

Haunted Tree

 Enjoy,

Annette

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