Gross Motor Activity Alphabet Cards

Snow days and too-cold-to-go-outside days can add up to kids who just need to get some energy out, but it can sometimes be hard to come up with movement activities that are OK to do inside.

From ABCs to ACTs has a great collection of printable alphabet cards with actions on them, such as:

Fly through the air like an airplane
Twirl like a ballerina
Catch like a football player
Waddle like a duck

They are free to download and you can print them on card stock, laminate them if you like, punch a hole and clip them on a binder ring or leave the stack so you or your child can pull out a card at random.

You could also do an action game where they do the actions that spell their name, or close their eyes, spin around and the first thing they see gives them the letter of the card they do next. Or just let them play however they want.

These will definitely come in handy throughout the winter months.

[Photo via ABCs to ACTs.]

Next Plan Idea:

Religious and Acts of Kindness Advent Calendars

Learning about Hanukkah is important for people of all faiths as a reminder that December isn’t just about Christmas and that their are many other important holidays that happen during this time. Hanukkah unit studies can give you ideas for incorporating the holiday into your holiday studies that happen in December, or to use at home for learning about people of different faiths.

Homeschool Superfreak has a lot of basic ideas for how to build a Hanukkah unit study, as well as FAQs about what Hanukkah is and why it is celebrated. This list is a good stargint point but doesn’t include all the details you’ll need. For example it says you can play the dreidel game but doesn’t explain how to do that or why it’s important. (If you need that information, this post from Mama Smiles is a good source.)

Teachers Pay Teachers has lots of great lesson plans and activities if you’re willing to pay a little bit to get some good content. Two I really like are this Hanukkah PowerPoint presentation from Shelia Melton, which provides a good overview of traditions, food and the history of Hanukkah; and a virtual field trip to Jerusalem from MagiCore, which includes lots of videos showing the city and activities like playing dreidel, drawing a menorah and making latkes. It’s a Google Drive folder and also includes writing activities and more for kids in second to fifth grade.

Kids Activities Blog has some simple printables with facts about Hanukkah and things kids can color in like a Star of David, sufganiyots (jelly doughnuts) and a menorah. These are great for learning the basics.

Homeschool Giveaways has a printable ebook about Hanukkah complete with questions kids can answer after they read. This would be a good one for older kids with good reading comprehension.

NurtureStore’s Hanukkah unit study includes a printable mini book, tons of crafts, as well as math and writing activities. I love the dominoes game that’s part of the unit.

And check out our previous posts for more Hanukkah crafts and learning activities!

Next Plan Idea:

Have you read?

Leave a Reply