free printables

Speech File Folder Game

February 28, 2015 By Valerie Mcclintick 2 Comments

There is just something so fun and simple about our Circle Punch Games

that I can’t stop making them.

Maybe it’s the fact that it’s so easy to get the game set up and ready to go…..

no more cutting of obscure shapes and bumps.

Maybe I’m just being lazy.

I don’t know, but today I put together this simple gameboard for children working on beginning blends sounds with the letter L.

You might remember that my son is ready to start pronouncing words correctly (even if I’m not.)

So I’ve made this game in hopes that he will practice, practice, practice

saying those blends as he plays.

In fact, the whole family can practice because

this game can easily be played as a multiplayer version as well.

Head on over to our sister site File Folder Fun to print and play this game too:

Printable Beginning Sounds Game

BTW- This game uses a 1/5″ circle punch, you can find out more here.

And the adorable clipart is from Ink N Things, Little Red’s Clipart and Graphics From The Pond

Pumpkins & Gourds Photo Matching

September 24, 2014 By Valerie Mcclintick 2 Comments

One of my favorite things about Fall is allÂ the beautiful pumpkins and gourds that start popping up at the stores.

I don’t know what it is about these bumpy squash that I love so much,

but my children love to dig in those big bins to find the most unusual ones.

Often these little pumpkins are on the expensive side,

so when I found these graphics I knew I had to get them and make a learning game to share with everyone!

Print Pumpkins & Gourds Game Here

This set includes 12 different pumpkins and gourds for children to match up.

I recommend printing two sets on cardstock,

one for your gameboard and one for playing pieces.

This would also make a fun matching game to take with you to the pumpkin patch,

and let children have a Harvest Treasure Hunt!

You might even bring a few home for a hands-on matchingÂ center

Find More Pumpkin & Harvest Printables Here:

Preschool Pumpkin Printables

Christian Pumpkin Crafts & Printables

Pumpkin File Folder Games

Pumpkin Bible Verse Cards

Thanksgiving Placecard Printables

November 24, 2013 By Valerie Mcclintick 2 Comments

Thanksgiving is almost here, and we’ve got some last minute printables for you!

I found the most adorable set of vintage clipart, and made a cute set of Thanksgiving placecards.

These are extra special because they come with an interactive question on the back such as,

“Tell a silly story about yourself” or “What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory.”

These would be great at the “kids table” or to use as a way to break the ice around your Thanksgiving table.

There are 8 different cards, each with a different graphic and question.

Even if you don’t label your place settings you can still cut out the questions and place them at each chair.

Vintage Placecards Page 1

Vintage Placecards Page 2

Just a fun way to get people talking around the table :)

I also made this cute littleÂ Vintage Thanksgiving Placemat

You can use this is a Thanksgiving craft or activity,

or make it a group effort by leaving it on the table with a pen beside it.

When complete mount to colored construction paper and laminate for durability.

Don’t forget we have a HUGE list of Thankgsiving Printables and Crafts here.

Valentine’s Day Printables

January 13, 2013 By Valerie Mcclintick Leave a Comment

Valentine’s day is coming!

It’s a fantastic time to share God’s love with your kiddos,
and I’ve just compiled all of our resources in an easy to find post!

Here is a link to a video of our Jesus Loves Me Lapbook
Most of the resources we used are found on our websites below.

Valentines Day Printables on Christian Preschool Printables

(these resources are geared toward K-5)

Valentine’s Day Resources on Bible Story Printables

Valentine’s Day File Folder Games

I also found these adorable “Jesus Loves You” conversation hearts at Oriental Trading!
If you’re looking for an easy to do craft,
these would be a great way to add a little flair to your Valentine’s Day projects!
They come with peel and stick backing which makes them even easier.

Valentine’s Day Preschool Bible Lesson on Preschool Post

Valentine’s Day Teacher Printables on Little Blots of Faith

Valentine’s Day Freebies from Around the Web:

Carisa has an adorable Love Theme Tot Pack

Jolanthe has a huge printable Preschool pack for Valentine’s Day
Jamerrill has posted lost of links to some fantastic Valentine’s Day Freebies this year too.

Happy Planning!

What’s That Bug? Notebooking Printables

August 22, 2012 By Valerie Mcclintick 4 Comments

So if you’ve been following us on Facebook this Summer,
you’ve been treated to a plethora of animal and bug photos.

We’ve been visited by many NEW and interesting creatures this Summer,
and most of them we’ve needed help in identifying.

As handy as the internet it, sometimes it’s hard to look up a bug by description.
We use these sites quite often, they are the best we’ve found:

What’s That Bug
What Bird
Animal Track Guide
Printable Animal Track Identification Guide
Another Printable Animal Track Chart

But, we have come to realize that’s it’s much more efficient to simply post the photo to Facebook.
Within a few minutes we have gotten some very interesting and often accurate identifications.

It’s gotten to the point that directly after we catch a new critter,
my son says, “Post that to facebook so we can find out what it is!”
So I must say a BIG Thank you wise Facebook Followers for all your help!

You have made my job as Mommy/Biologist so much easier.

Just to prove I’m thankful, I whipped you all up a few identification printables.

What’s That? Notebooking Printables

There is a sheet for Bugs, Birds, and Animals.
These would be great to have on hand as your children come to you with their backyard discoveries!
I’m a big supporter of impromptu research sessions, and these will help guide young children through the identification process.

It’s Child-led learning at it’s finest.
I’m convinced that this is one of the best, easiest, and longest lasting styles of teaching.
You simply capitalize on their excitement,
and milk it for every educational drop you can get out of it.

So next time your little kiddos come to you with something crazy looking like this:

or this…

or even one of these…

Stop what you’re doing and take them on a learning adventure!
They will love you for it!

Can History be Engaging?

July 23, 2012 By Valerie Mcclintick 2 Comments

Warning: Soapbox Post Ahead
The printables and Free Curriculum Offers are at the bottom, scroll if you must.

So, what do you think?

CAN History be engaging?

If you would have asked me that 20 years ago,
I would certainly answer that with a big fat,

NO!

In fact,
I can even go further and tell you the specific night
that I decided that I HATED History.

H.A.T.E.D.
I would use a milder word,
but it really wouldn’t convey my actual (10 year old) feelings about History

(and yes, if you do the math that makes me 30)

Ahem…..

So, it was 20 years ago and
I vividly remember sitting in my uncomfortable wooden chair,
with my gigantic 5th grade (public school) History book propped on it’s spine.
The tendons between my thumb and pointer finger ached from holding
this monster of a book upright.
It was massive.

I was tired.
It was late,
Homework was due,
and I had more pages to read then I cared to count.

I tried my best to read. I willed myself to focus.
Self motivation kicked in; “You can do this!”
With heavy eyelids I read a full page.

Great!
Until I realized,
I hadn’t a CLUE what I just read.

(ever done this?)

Giggling at myself,
I started to read again…..this time outloud.

An hour passed, until I just couldn’t stomach any more.
I had no idea who these “historical” people were.
I had no personal frame of reference for where they were at in the world,
or even what period of time they existed in.
There were dates and numbers and facts,
graphs and arrows and lists of accomplishments.
I had no connection to any of it.

My brain was jumbled.

That was the moment I realized my complete ~~hate~~ disregard towards History.
(yes, I was a moody young girl and my feelings quickly swept from hatred to apathy)

I closed my book,
went to bed and
took an incomplete on my lesson the next morning.
No Joke.
Big fat ZERO.

And, now that I’ve written that all out,
It is almost sad to remember how much
I actually loathed History lessons.

I know better now.
I’ve actually become quite fond of History over the past few years,
Mostly from reading His-Story from an entirely different perspective,
but also out of a necessity to teach it to my own children.

I want my children to actually connect with the people and stories they read about.

This is one reason we will be using many living books
from our Heritage History Curriculum.

PSSST…..
If you are making a purchase at Heritage History use
coupon code: valerie7
It will give you the Spanish Empire Library FREE
with any Curriculum CD purchase! Ends 10/31/12Click Here for more details

So mostly I’ll be assigning these living books during independent reading time,
but for some of the titles I’ll be following up the reading time with
actual assignments. It is for those times that I made a set of Notebooking pages:

And of course I couldn’t wait to share them with you too!
If you use living books or any kind of chapter book as part of your weekly lessons,
you’re going to love this 5 day spread of self-guided notebooking assignments.

You can read all about each daily assignment and print the free notebooking pages here.

TIP: Print up an extra set and keep them in a folder
for one of those “mom is sick, everyone pick a book” moments.

Happy Notebooking!