Really Quick Fine Motor Play

By using shorter pieces of straws, this would also work exceptionally well with patterning (AB, ABA, etc.)

Get more information here.

Patterning With Beads and Straws

Before we left for the holidays, I let the kids make their own pattern necklaces. It was a great way to review AB, AAB, ABB, and ABC patterns using beads and cut colored straws.

I don't know why it took me so long to realize that dental floss is the perfect thing for stringing beads! It easily threads through the smallest holes, and it's strong enough to hold the weight!

Next Countdown...Easter Break!

Now that Spring Break is about over, when we return to the classroom, we're going to start our next countdown.  This time we'll be counting down (using our calendar and straws) to Good Friday and Easter break.

Some teachers count down the entire school year.  In a way, we do that as well (when we use our 100s chart).  But with Kinder kids, they can't quite grasp that long a wait.  It seems like FOREVER to them.  So I chop up the year into smaller increments - Labor Day (we start school in August), Halloween, Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, Valentine's Day, Spring Break, Easter break, End of School.

Hint: For every 10 days, rubber band the 10 straws together to give the class a visual reminder.