Sunday, April 18, 2010

Rainbow Activities - Part I

Here's the first batch of rainbow-y activities I put together for James. Really they're not so much about rainbows as they are just really colorful! :)

Numbers:
Lego counting. This is an oldie but goodie; one that I created ages ago. You can download my template here, if you're interested.

Lacing number beads. (These are awesome - you can buy them here.) It's amazing how kids change in what seems like a blink of the eye. A few months ago James was either unable or unwilling to do any kind of lacing. Now he's a lacing machine! He has spent a good 20 minutes here and there working on these. He says "I knitting!" whenever he does it. He sees me knitting all the time and often asks to learn - I can't wait to teach him in a couple of years.

Bead counting. I used a paint tray and those little magnetic numbers you can stick on the fridge. My lovely friend, Karen, sent me these (and the tray!) from Puerto Rico!

Counting fish. Click here to read more about these fun little fish I made.

Letters:
Alphabet puzzle. I put this out because James loves it - he knows the sequence of the alphabet, so it's not as though he's learning anything new, but I'm a believer in repetition and let's not forget that puzzles are great for improving fine motor skills!

Memory/match game. I found a pack of these Noah's Ark calendar inserts at a local teacher's supply store. I use calendar inserts all the time because they're so versatile. In this case, I wrote James' name in both capital and lowercase letters. He'll have to flip them over to find the matches and then arrange them to spell his name. I think he'll do fine with the letter matching, but the name spelling may be a challenge. We'll see!

We used our rainbow playdough to spell out the word 'rainbow'. These letter cookie cutters were money well spent - we use them all the time! You can buy a set here.

Tracing the alphabet with colorful pencils. I think James is really going to like this. We've already worked with tracing letters in a sand tray, and since I don't have metal insets at my disposal (yet!) I'll have to make due with this. I love the Lyra colored pencils in the roll-up case I made. A bit pricey, but trust me - they are so much nicer to work with than regular ol' colored pencils.

And just a little shout-out: be sure to visit Confessions of a Homeschooler for TONS of 'R' rainbow-themed letter and number printables!

Books:
Let's Paint a Rainbow, by Eric Carle is a simple, but cute book. I think it's out of print though - I found it at the thrift shop.

Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister. James really liked this book and I was pleased to find out it has been adapted into an educational series with topics on counting (available in Spanish, too!), opposites and colors.

Planting a Rainbow, by Lois Ehlert. This is lovely book and a must have for anyone.

Eating the Alphabet - another Lois Ehlert book (we love her!) - this one inspired me to create this...

A rainbow of fruit muffin tin meal! Strawberries, oranges, pineapple, kiwi, blueberries, grapes and some pink lemonade! :) As the last two books point out, nature is FULL of rainbows!

Click here for Part II of our rainbow activities.

17 comments:

Mrs Addams said...

i had never noticed that ROYGBIV & Rainbow had the exact same number of letters! thanks for that:)

i especially love the rainbow of fruit tray! i would love to make a rainbow shape out of all that fruit!

Deborah Stewart said...

Wow - you have quite an amazing collection here!

Alone in Holy Land said...

Great rainbow activities! I like especially the one with the legos and I'm going to to it with Maya. Also, I'll "steal" your sensory tub ideas...

Анна said...

Thank you for your wonderful ideas! I like them very much!

Jen said...

How sweet that James said he was knitting.
I love the bowls you used for the beads and legos, I assume you made it too?!
The tracing tray looks really inviting. I agree with you that Lyra pencils are the best. I just wish I had your homemade pencil case for mine... (hint-hint)!
Your muffin tin meal looks delicious.

tracey (aka rainbowmummy) said...

Hi. I don't know if you'll remember me, you sent me a lovely email after reading a moan fest of a blog post I posted. Anyway I have decided that I am going to make more of an effort to post comments on blogs I love.

So pretty. I love rainbows too, obviously ;)

You could stick those puzzle pieces into that sensory tub :)

Evelyn / 2 Pequenos Traviesos said...

Mari-Ann! This is all so BEAUTIFUL! Here's a little secret:
I'm always impressed by your posts. You're the BEST MONTESSORI MAMA ever! (It's not fair.. How come she got ALL the talent and left none for us...jajaja)
BIG HUGS

Theresa Mezo said...

I am so glad you posted about the lacing beads, I have kept them from Aidan since he didn't care for them a few months ago.. I'll have to get them out again! :)

Anonymous said...

What a super fun set of activities! I love the playdough! I need to make a new batch! I also love that lunch! That would be Sammy's most favorite meal ever!

Daren Redekopp said...

Great ideas!

Mommy Moment said...

Beautiful as always! Thanks!

Jody

Unknown said...

I love the lego idea! I printed it out for Carrot Top! He would love that! We are just starting counting with him! Thanks!

Tan Family said...

Wonderful post! I especially the love the multi-colored fruits idea. Nice to meet you via Etsy. I love your blog. --Jennifer syrendell.blogspot.com

Karen said...

Hi Mari-Ann!!!, Great activities as always!!! love the legos, The Puertorrican Count And Counters!!!lol, the fruits!!!!lol Thanks for your lovely ideas!!

Big hugs,
Karen

Creating Nirvana said...

Great ideas. I also took advantage of all the colors of nature in my activity The Colors of Spring that can found here http://creatingnirvanatoday.blogspot.com/2010/04/colors-of-spring.html

Counting Coconuts said...

Thank you all for your comments!
Mrs. Addams - LOVE your idea of creating a rainbow shape out of the fruit!
Jen - nope, I didn't make those particular bowls, but one on the knitting needles right now!
Rainbowmummy - of course I remember you! Great idea about the puzzle pieces, James would get a kick out of that.
Ms. Nirvana - I just checked out your post, thanks for sharing it! I wanted to leave you a comment, but your comment form doesn't appear to be working. I would've sent you an email, but it's not listed on your profile. Just wanted to say I enjoyed looking through your blog (your recipes look divine!) and thanks for stopping by!

Deb Chitwood said...

Fun times revisiting your posts again, Mari-Ann! I featured your post and photo in my Free LEGO Printables and 70+ LEGO Learning Activities post at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2013/06/20/free-lego-printables-and-70-plus-lego-learning-activities/

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