Mini Magnetic Boards

I'm always on the lookout for easy-to-make games and activities that both (a) teach my children, and (b) keep them busy. Mini Magnetic Boards are my latest creation. Part quiet book, part file-folder game, mini magnetic boards are easy to make, easy to store, and easy to travel with. Simply print, cut, laminate, magnetize, and voila - you're done!

To assemble:

1. Print on a standard size (8 1/2 x 11 in.) of card stock paper.
2. Cut along the solid line. Set aside the bottom half of the paper (the portion that contains white outlined shapes). Bubble cut the corresponding colored shapes.
3. Laminate the bottom half of the paper and the corresponding shapes and then cut again, leaving a small margin of laminate as reinforcement.
4. Apply magnetic strips to the back of each piece and to it's corresponding space on the board.
5. Tape a small envelope to the back of the board. Store shapes in envelope.

Animals (pdf)
Apostles (pdf)
Build-A-House (pdf)
Zoo Animals (pdf)

Fishing for Letters

Here's a fun way to include movement while teaching letter recognition:

Procedure:

1. Make a simple fishing pole by gluing and/or tying a piece of string or yarn to a wooden dowel. Glue a magnet to the end of the string.
2. Cut out the Alphabet Fish Cards (below) and attach a paperclip to the mouth side of each card.
3. Spread the cards over a blue sheet or blanket, which represents the pond.
4. Show the children how to use the fishing pole to pick up fish and place them in the bucket (challenge them not to use their hands)
   

Extensions:

• Make multiple copies of a particular letter or set of letters (it may be the letter you are currently studying or a group of letters). Place the same letter on the outside of the bucket and challenge the students to only collect those letters.
• For children practicing sight words or simple CVC words, give them prompts by asking them to pick up the letters that spell "the" or to find /c/a/t/.
  

Alphabet Fish Cards - Upper (pdf)
Alphabet Fish Cards - Lower (pdf)
Alphabet Fish Cards - Both (pdf)

Preschool & Kinder Letter "A" Activities

Here are some great activities to use when teaching the letter "A":

- - - - - - - - Apple Trees - - - - - - - -
(by Preschool Express)

Simply print out the template below for each child. Then supply them with a red ink pad and an "A" stamp. Show the children how to make letter A apples all over the top of their tree! An easy art activity for an afternoon.

Adaptations: (a) add a lower-case "a" stamp. Encourage children to place capital letters on one side of the page and lower-case letters on the other side, (b) enjoy some sliced apples as a snack.

Apple Tree Template (pdf)

- - - - - - - - "A" Puzzle - - - - - - - -

5-Piece Puzzle (pdf)
7-Piece Puzzle (pdf)
Puzzle Mat (pdf)
All (pdf)