google.com, pub-8985115814551729, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Free Printable Lesson Plans: special education
Showing posts with label special education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label special education. Show all posts

DIY Sand and Water Table alternatives for homeschool and classroom


 Hello fans of my Omschool blog. I've been a licensed general and special education teacher for 37 years and part of my career work was spent homeschooling our four children. Now, I'm Omi--grandma--to 9 going on 11 and am continuing the homeschool traditions I began, with the second generation as Omschool (Omi's school). Lesson plans are designed with cheap to free materials, many of which are reused, repurposed and recycled. 

For today's lesson plans, we'll create a DIY sand and water table for preschool, special education and lower elementary learning centers. This sand table alternative was developed in our homeschool and works well for small spaces. As budgets are usually tight, whether in public, parochial or homeschool, this is a low cost alternative as well. 

Instead of the expensive sand and water table purchased from school supply companies, I've used a repurposed child's sandbox such as the enclosed Little Tikes turtle sandbox or Step 2 brand sandboxes. The turtle sandbox is washable, portable and covered. It moves easily indoors or out. For an even more budget friendly alternative, get a small plastic wading pool. I've found these as cheap as $7 from Dollar General. Inflatable kiddie pools will work too however they aren't as durable. 

The last sand table alternative is a low sided plastic box or tub with lid. This works very well when space is limited. When learning center activities are done, simply close the box with media and manipulatives inside and stack in the storage area. Here's my blog post on homemade sand toys for the sand table. 

These preschool learning center activities worked very well for our homeschool. I could allow the  youngest children to explore independently while instructing the older children. The DIY sand and water table wasn't just for preschool learning center activities either. The older kids could use it to practice and explore mathematical concepts such as measurement, geometry (volume) and science (sing various media). Sand tables provide excellent sensory experiences. More on sand table filler alternatives later! 

I'm sorry I don't have an image of how this sand and water table fit in our homeschool. But let me assure you the even in our tiny 10x10 room, it fit well! I've linked the picture to Amazon. This small reasonably priced Step 2 sandbox would work perfectly. 

Free Printable Clocks, Telling Time Lesson Plans

Telling time using an analog clock is one of the most difficult concepts to teach. It's hard to explain to children how clock hands moving around a dial mark hours and minutes. It helps to use interactive telling time worksheets and hands-on clocks to make time math lessons easier. Here are free printable clocks, clock faces and telling time worksheets.
Have Fun Learning has several free printable telling time worksheets, time math lessons with clocks with fill-in-the-blank numbers. Some are numbered in hours and minutes already. There are real-life applications story problems to teach telling time plus printable telling time games. Lucy Learns is a great website with all sorts of free printable lessons and activities. The section on clocks and telling time has over 15 free printable clock faces with all sorts of styles. Free printable clocks, clock hands and clock faces make excellent hands-on time math lessons for teaching children to read a clock. Print one clock for each student.
has cute blank and partially numbered free printable decorated clock faces. Great for young children and preschool. K-3 Teacher Resources has several free printable clock faces in different styles, plus free printable telling time math lesson. Senteacher has several free printable clocks, clock face printables, cut and paste clocks and clock lesson plans. Print Free offers basic free printable clock faces with hands to cut out and attach (use a paper fastener).

Donna Young's website is find of the day! Chock full o' clocks, there are free printable cut and paste clocks, clock face activities and telling time worksheets and lesson plans. Enchanted Learning is always a great teacher resource website, Enchanted Learning probably has more free printable educational lesson plans, crafts, cut and paste, coloring pages, activity booklets and teacher resources than any other website. You can print free, or pay a $20 donation and get complete member services and banner free printables. The telling time page has free printable clock faces,cut and paste clock activities and telling time worksheets. A-Z Teacher Stuff has dozens of free printable telling time math lessons and activities, including free printable clock faces.

Free Printable File Folder Games

March is National Reading Month. Here's a great lesson plan to teach reading with file folder games. Students can learn just about any subject using file folder games to reinforce content and practice skills. Here are free printable file folders games online. Besides reading, teach math, reading, spelling, grammar, phonics, science, social studies and more. Print games for all ages and ability levels: preschool, kindergarten, elementary, special needs, middle school. Use for homeschool, too.
File Folder Fun has over 100 free printable file folder games in content areas across the curriculum. Search by age, grade level, theme and subject. File folder themes include animals, foods, flowers, weather, ocean life, circus. Themes teach math, reading, science, social studies, phonics, spelling, math, ELA (English Language Arts) history, music and other preschool and elementary school subjects. Click the games you want. The click "download." And voila, a screen appears with game background, pieces, cards, all materials you need, free.
File Folder Farm has gobs of free printable file folder games for math, English, reading, writing, spelling, science, social studies and more. Games can be used with varied ages. Click the game you want. The print, cut out and and assemble. Or better still, print in black and white. Have students color, cut and paste and assemble. You get two activities--craft, lesson plan and game--all in one!
Cindy's Autistic Support has free printable math file folder games. Use to teach counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division file folder games. You can make individual games for each math fact (times table) family.
To make file folder games:
Print game board and glue to inside of file folder. Write instructions on outside. Laminate or cover with contact paper. Make a spinner by drawing a circle. Divide like a pie. Label segments with game advancement options. Place paperclip on paper fastener (brad). Poke fastener through center of circle. Spin paper clip.

Store game cards or pieces in zippered plastic bag or envelope stapled to folder. File folder games store upright in filing cabinet or drawer. Get extra craft mileage from free printable file folder games by assigning students make them.