Paper Plate Nests

I hope you all had a very Happy Easter. We had a beautiful Easter weekend filled with lots of eating and catching up with family and friends. I thought I would share with you a simple nest idea that I made with my class. I like to come up with new ideas every year and try to create activities that the children can do on their own. I must admit that this year I wasn't as prepared as I normally am with regard to making Easter baskets as gifts, so I had to keep it quick and simple!!!

Here it is...

Turn a paper plate upside down. (Small paper plates are the perfect size.)

Cover it with white glue (PVA).

Tear brown craft paper into squares and cover the entire plate.

When dry cut down about 6cm in a cross.

Fold the edges in and overlap as you go and staple.

Fill with shredded paper, add a bird and some eggs.

I know Easter is over but I thought you could pin this idea for next year.

Niccola

Easter Sensory Activity

Everyone has a set of these little plastic eggs that you get from a discount store. They are great to use in all areas of the classroom to hide little treasures in, to discuss and match colours, to count, to write on......the possibilities are endless.

I took them outside and used them in the sensory tub with rice and oats.

The children used scoops to fill half the egg with the rice and oats mixture, looked for the matching colour and joined the two halves together.

The eggs turned into lovely little shakers!!!

They also enjoyed cracking them open and emptying the contents out.

This kept the children busy for a long time and they absolutely loved it.

If you do this activity outside like I did,  you have minimal cleanup!

Happy Easter!!!

Niccola

Paper Bag Easter Nests

I first made these little nests years ago but they are so cute and easy that I thought I would make them again this year. In case you haven't seen them before, I thought I would show you how simple they are to make.....

You need some brown lunch bags.

Roll down the top of the bag.

Glue some sticks and or some string to make them more realistic.

Add some eggs..... Or rocks!!

What about adding some numbers to the nests to challenge the children. They can add the correct number of chicks or eggs to the nests. I attached leaves to pegs and pegged them to the nests.

Have fun!!

Niccola

Alphabet Ideas

Alphabet posters are great in the classroom but why not fill your classroom with alphabet activities and ideas that will encourage all children to explore and learn the alphabet through hands on activities.

Alphabet Magnets....

Put them on tins, trays, cake moulds...not just the fridge!!

Foam Alphabet....

Make alphabet soup.

The Alphabet in Playdough....

 Outdoor Alphabet Weaving....

Alphabet Sorting....

Natural Alphabet

Pasta Alphabet....

Alphabet Bunting....

Leave me a comment with your creative alphabet ideas.

Niccola

Seven Sensational Snake Ideas

Here are seven snake ideas that I have done with different groups of children over the years. Snakes are super easy to draw and make, so there is no excuse!!

1. Pipe Cleaner Counting Snakes

Theses are super easy and great for counting and developing fine motor skills.

2. Seed Pod Snakes

The children really enjoyed painting these seed pods to make curly snakes.

3. Mosaic Snake Mural

I made this mural with children from 4 to 11 years of age. We made the tiles, painted them and then attached the mural to the wall to decorate a courtyard in the school.

Bark Painting

We were talking about Aboriginal Art and therefore experimented with painting on bark and used earthy colours.

Making Patterns On Snakes

I drew a snake on paper and attached it to the light table. The children made patterns with natural materials and crayons.

Snake Geoboard

This is one of the favourite activities in my class. The children use rubber bands to make patterns and shapes on the snake.

Spaghetti Snakes

Every time I put spaghetti in the trolley for the children to cut, manipulate and play with, they always refer to it as 'snakes'. It was a bit of a stretch but nevertheless made the snake ideas list!!

Of course you can always make playdough snakes as well, they are always easy and fun!

I hope you are inspired to make or try one of my snake ideas.

Niccola