Our kids love learning about trees. Greg helped me construct a free printable tree that we used to do a simple art activity which incorporated counting and left to right orientation for reading. We also used it for sight word recognition.
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You will need:
- Free printable Tree (click link to access printable)
- Do-a-Dot Markers, crayons, markers, circle stickers, paint and paintbrush, or pen to write sight words
- Paper to write sight word list for matching if doing sight words
I admit that I thought the instructions I gave the Sugar Snaps for the first activity were quite simple. Start from the top and count in rows from left to right: 1-1,2-1,2,3 etc. It turned out that though I have encouraged the left to right orientation when practicing reading skills, this activity was a challenge for them. When counting, they are used to continuing rather than stopping and starting. They had the tendency to say 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on rather than beginning again at each row. We practiced several times before they got the hang of it. Once, they understood the activity, I had them use the dot markers in rows starting from the top, going from row to row from left to right. Alternatively, you could have your children fill in the rows from left to right using crayons, markers, circle shaped stickers or paint applied with a paint brush. Use whatever you have on hand
We have also been working on matching sight words. I filled the tree in with sight words and had them find the matching sight words that were written on a separate piece of paper. Older children could fill in the tree by figuring out which sight words had the appropriate amount of letters to fit the spaces.
I hope you find these activities useful with your children or students. Follow the hashtag #playfulpreschool across social media to access all the free lesson plans from our team of blogger educators.
Love the printables. I really like that you can practice math and literacy concepts with it!
Thank you Danielle.
It is amazing how many things you can do with a simple template.
: 0 ) Theresa
This is a really awesome idea, I always try to combine fun with learning.
Thank you Nicole.
Me too. If learning is fun, it inspires them to love learning.
: 0 ) Theresa
This is sooo cute. My dot markers finally died out last month after 4 years old use! I need to get some more soon!
That is such a cute idea! My little ones would love all of those.857
Thank you Amanda.
That is awesome that your markers were so well loved that they finally died out. We are working on remembering to put the caps on all our markers. If I forget to check, we end up losing some.
: 0 ) Theresa
Thank you Pennypinchingpeach.
I hope your little ones get the chance to try this out some time.
: 0 ) Theresa
Your blog is quickly becoming my go-to for awesome preschool crafts! This is adorable – thanks Theresa!
Thank you so much Jess.
That makes me happy to hear that!
: 0 ) Theresa
What a fun idea! We will have to try this!
Cute ideas for the little ones. My daughter still loves the do-a-dots. They are her favorite and she is 6.
Hi Andria.
Thank you. I hope your family enjoys it.
: 0 ) Theresa
Hi a49erfangirl.
I can see why your 6 year-old enjoys it. I have to admit I enjoy doing do-a-dots right next to the kids (along with crayons and other crafty things). It can be kind of relaxing.
: 0 ) Theresa
Great! Thanks for the resource! I like these type of activities that don't require too much prep time.
Hi Ai LTM.
Me too. It nice to be able to just pull something out and get started. I hope you enjoy it.
: 0 ) Theresa
What a fun and easy way to practice counting and sight words!
Thank you Growing Book by Book.
We had a lot of fun with it and we can continue to use the template which is nice.
: 0 ) Theresa
I love the 'playful preschool' concept, and this is a great idea that can be used for so many learning activities. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Tarana.
I think when learning is playful for kids or adults, it is a lot of fun. I think we all learn better when we are enjoying it.
: 0 ) Theresa
Love the printables and a great way to teach left to right for writing and reading.
Thank you Cerys.
: 0 ) Theresa
What a cute idea.. thanks for the printables.. my daughter loves those dot painting things right now!
Thank you Working Mom Magic.
I hope your daughter has fun with the tree.
: 0 ) Theresa