Monday, April 25, 2011

Ideas for Teaching the Months of the Year, a new unit, FREE download, and Giveaway

This month I wanted to focus on the "12 Months of the Year" with my preschool class and children. I really wanted them to understand what a month was, and what makes each month of the year special. Besides our normal calendar routine where we discuss the months of the year, I wanted to be able to fit in other fun, learning moments to go along with this topic. In searching on the Internet and at Teacher Resource Stores, I found that there is not a lot out there to help teach about the months of the year. There are a lot of resources that cover the 4 seasons, but I wanted my student to visually be able to read each month of the year, as well as hear it's name out loud.

So, I came up with this very exciting 40 page "12 Months of the Year Activity Pack" that I have just added to my Learn and Grow Etsy Store.

Today I am going to share with you some ideas for teaching the months of the year, as well as share with you what comes in this exciting educational unit. Of course at the end I am going to give you a FREE download for my "12 Months of the Year Book" that my students' as well as my own little girls LOVED doing. I hope that you will enjoy making this book with your children or students.

Plus, at the end of the post I will share with you wonderful Children's books you can read to go along with this topic, as well as an exciting giveaway. So, keep reading! I promise, it will be worth reading through this some what lengthy post.

This is the first activity included in the packet, a "12 Months of the Year Picture Memory Game". These pictures were taken of my little girls and I playing the memory game together. Both my preschooler and my Kindergartner had so much fun playing this game, and we had a great discussion about what happens each month of the year. It is hard to see in the picture, but each card that goes along with this, "12 Month's of the Year File Folder Game", has a circle that contains a design that represents that particular month. File Folder games are great for introducing as well as reviewing skills learned. I printed off these "12 Months of the Year Tracers and Play-Doh Mats" for my students and made them into a book. They were so proud of how well they traced the months, and it was great fine motor practice. Another fun thing to do with the tracers is laminate them, and then using play-doh cover up each letter of the month. What a fun way to learn how to spell and say each month. These are pictures of Little Blonde and Little Red putting together the "12 Months of the Year 3-Part Puzzles". It is funny, they dumped all of the pieces on the floor, and had a race to see who could put the most puzzles together. Update: I added the month's names to each 3 part puzzle. That way when your child or student puts the puzzles together, they will spell out the month as well. I have included a "12 Months of the Year Song Chart" as well as "Birthday Activity" page in the packet. I love using the song "Sing Through the Year" by Twin Sisters, as well to teach the month of the years. It is a little bit slower pace, but my students have been practicing signing it all month, and most can tell you the months of the year. The unit includes a "12 Months of the Year Coloring Page" that is great for reviewing the months, as well as a page that gives you more ideas for using the resources included in this unit. Here are the "12 Months of the Year Titles" you will receive. I give you different ideas for using them, such as putting the title cards in order starting with January. For older kids you could also have them put the month titles in alphabetical order. Now for one of my favorite parts of the unit that I am sharing with you today. My "12 Months of the Year Book". This book is awesome and can be used for so many different ages. You as a teacher, mother, grandmother, father, uncle, etc. could even use it for yourself. CLICK HERE to download your copy of my "12 Months of the Year Book".

There are SO many DIFFERENT ways you can USE this BOOK such as:
You can write down a favorite memory for each page, you could illustrate something that happens each month of the year, you could glue a photo onto each page that was taken during that particular month, you could use it as a sticker book and put stickers on each page that go along with the holidays of the month, you could practice writing the months of the year on each page, you could list birthdays of your family members, or classmates on the corresponding month page, you could make a mini paper craft and glue it onto each page, etc.

Have fun creating memories!


You will receive the "12 Months of the Year Book" in color & in black and white. I gave each of my girls and my students a bunch of different stickers that went along with each month. They then placed the stickers on the corresponding pages as well as added illustrations to each page. Here are a few of the books that we have enjoyed reading while learning about the 12 Months of the Year:Now time for the giveaway. Two lucky My Shae Noel Blog readers will receive this entire 40 page "12 Months of the Year Learning Unit" for FREE. That's not all. The two lucky winners will also be able to choose two more items of their choice (not including the scrapbooking kits) from my Etsy Store, LearnandGrow.etsy.com. This giveaway is open to everyone, and the winner will receive all three of the items sent to them digitally through their e-mail address. Please make sure that I have a way of contacting you by either leaving your e-mail address in your comment or a link to your blog/website in your comment. This giveaway is not for a hard copy of the items, but for a digital copy. The giveaway ends on Sun., May 1st, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 2nd.


Giveaway Rules:


1. Mandatory Entry- Leave a comment on this post.


2. Optional Entries (leave a new comment for each entry):


*Become a follower of My Shae Noel - All Things Wonderful Blog and let me know you have done so. If you are already a follower, thanks, and let me know that as well.


*Become a follower of www.facebook.com/myshaenoel page by CLICKING HERE. Leave me a comment to let me know if you are already a follower as well.

*Post this giveaway on your blog, and let me know that you have done this.


*Check out my Etsy Store, LearnandGrow.etsy.com, and let me know what items you would choose if you are one of the 2 lucky winners.


Good luck!


Don't forget to CLICK HERE to be taken to my other giveaway, where I am giving away 21 Preschool/Kindergarten Learning Materials. This giveaway ends on May 1st as well.

95 comments :

Kristen said...

First commenter again! I just LOVE this packet! I am really excited about the free download as well. I appreciate you including the black and white as well as printing in color is not always an option. :)

Kristen said...

I just started following your blog via Google Reader!

Kristen said...

I looked at your Etsy shop, and I would definitely choose the Zoo Matching File Folder Game, as that is my kids' favorite place to go. And the Shape Fun Activities would be our other choice. Thanks again!

Unknown said...

I would love to get this Curriculum for my son!!! Thank you for this giveway!! jaslinn77(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

In your Esty shop---I love the 40 pc card making/scrapbooking!! Thank you!! jaslinn77(at)yahoo(dot)

Unknown said...

Following you on FB!! Thank you!
jaslinn77(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tim, Allyson, and kids said...

Thanks so much for the chance to win this!

a_heart4home at yahoo dot com

Tim, Allyson, and kids said...

following via gfc
Thanks so much for the chance to win this!

a_heart4home at yahoo dot com

Tim, Allyson, and kids said...

I'd choose shape fun and the circus theme pack (I think). Great looking products.

Thanks so much for the chance to win this!

a_heart4home at yahoo dot com

A Stable Beginning said...

This looks great! Thanks for sharing this with us!

A Stable Beginning said...

GFC follower

A Stable Beginning said...

FB fan

A Stable Beginning said...

If chosen, I would pick the All about Me book and A-Z Handwriting practice sets. Thanks or the chance to win!

Duskwind Farm said...

We are just starting homeschooling and this would be a fantastic addition! Our little girl is so excited for school!
Jennifer
JDuskwind at gmail dot com

Duskwind Farm said...

If chosen I would choose the Shape Fun and All About Me. Wonderful!
Jennifer
Jduskwind at gmail dot com

pw2005 said...

I would love to win this!!

pw2005 said...

I am a follower on GFC

pw2005 said...

I am a follower on FB

pw2005 said...

I put a link to the giveaway on my FB!

MamaHen said...

This sounds wonderful! Please enter me.

MamaHen said...

I follow via GFC

Leo and Christy Marez said...

I would love this giveaway. Thank you!

Leo and Christy Marez said...

I am a follower of your blog!

Leo and Christy Marez said...

I just started following your FB page. :)

Sara said...

Thanks for the download and the chance to win!

semicciche at gmail dot com

Sara said...

I'm a follower of your blog.

semicciche at gmail dot com

Sara said...

I'm a follower on facebook too.

semicciche at gmail dot com

Sara said...

Just looked at your etsy and my top two picks (and it was hard to narrow it down to two) would be the shape activities and the pirate theme.

semicciche at gmail dot com

Andrea said...

Thank you! This would be great to teach my daughter - she has been asking questions about days and months. Perfect timing!!

Andrea
drewlove1234@yahoo.com

Andrea said...

I follow you on FB

Andrea
drewlove1234@yahoo.com

Ambra said...

How cool! I'd love to win!

Ambra said...

I'm a new follower!

Ambra said...

I just "liked" your Facebook page!

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

Thanks for joining WMCIR with this fantastic package. Your preschoolers are very lucky to have such a creative teacher. Perhaps I win the book :)

Z Fam said...

I am following you blog.

Z Fam said...

I am following on FB.

Z Fam said...

I would love to get these.

hippiechick said...

Awesome giveaway! Thank you!

kaos2me at gmail dot com

hippiechick said...

I follow your blog on facebook.

kaos2me at gmail dot com

hippiechick said...

I follow your blog.

kaos2me at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Wow what a great collection. Would love this to use.

audra.gustafson@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I love this! I teach first grade and some of my students still don't understand the months of the year. This would be perfect.
candymandi@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I already follow your facebook page

Unknown said...

I already follow the blog

Mandy said...

You are very talented...this looks great! We would love to win.

mandy55404@yahoo.com

Mandy said...

I am a new follower of your blog!

mandy55404@yahoo.com

Mandy said...

I follow you on Facebook!

mandy55404@yahoo.com

Tara said...

I would love to win, thank you!

tarakelley05@yahoo.com

Tara said...

I *follow* your site

tarakelley05@yahoo.com

Tara said...

I *like* you on FB

Laura said...

This looks wonderful! I would love to win it.
lauraruth73@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I would love to win this!

Tess said...

Would love to win this one for my little kiddos. GB!

Tess said...

I'm a new follower of your blog now. Thanks for being a blessing to other homeschool moms.

Tess said...

Also your new follower in FB...

Shannon said...

Thanks for this giveaway!

Shannon said...

From your etsy shop I would pick the Pirate themed learning pack - looks like soooo much fun! And my daughter's already said she wants a pirate birthday party next year. :)

Anonymous said...

This looks so great! I've been wondering how to teach my oldest about the months. Thanks for hosting this giveaway...

Mandy said...

I would love to win this.

goldfuss1 [at] frontier [dot] com

Mandy said...

I follow your blog.

goldfuss1 [at] frontier [dot] com

Mandy said...

I like your fb page.

goldfuss1 [at] frontier [dot] com

Mandy said...

From your etsy shop, I'd probably choose the Magic Hat (love that book) and worms units. They look like a lot of fun.

goldfuss1 [at] frontier [dot] com

Katherine said...

This looks great!

Melanie said...

I love it! What a great idea. I would love to win!!

Melanie said...

I just became a follower of you blog :-)

Brandi said...

This would be wonderful...thank you for the chance to win.

brandimbeavers(at)yahoo(dot)com

Brandi said...

I follow your blog!

brandimbeavers(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katie said...

I really like this pack, thanks for offering to share it.
Katie
aclassofherown(at)gmail(dot)com

"The Kids Place" Home Daycare and Preschool said...

You are right. It is so hard to find material in teaching the months. We would love this giveaway for our home daycare. Thanks for all your work!
thekidsplaceabc@yahoo.com

Krafty Max Originals said...

very cute!! just amazing idea!!

Hop'pin by from 'Handmade Love Thursdays'. I'm following your blog now, wont you please come and follow me back?? ~KM

Krafty Max Originals

Angela W. said...

This packet looks fabulous! Hope I win!

Angela W. said...

I'm already a follower of My Shae Noel - All Things Wonderful Blog.

Angela W. said...

I'm a FB follower of My Shae Noel - All Things Wonderful Blog

Angela W. said...

I would choose shape fun activities and the circus unit.

Life's Littlest Blessings said...

I would like this

lynn.hiddema@gmail.com

Learning Through Play said...

Love your blog! This unit would be perfect for my 3 year old!

Learning Through Play said...

I visited your shop and I would love to purchase your "Under the Sea" and your "Shapes" Unit! Both would be great for my son!

learningthroughplaycj@gmail.com

sbswtp said...

What a great giveaway!!!
Sarahsherman at hotmail dot com

sbswtp said...

I am a follower through GFC

sbswtp said...

I am a fan on facebook :-)

Anonymous said...

That is such a wonderful idea. Thanks for linking up with Fun for Kids Friday.

Heather @ www.localfunforkids.com & www.PreschoolBuddy.com

Unknown said...

Great Packet! I would love to win!
alklong at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

GFC Follower!
alklong at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Facebook Fan!
alklong at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Great stuff at your etsy store! I would choose the Magic Hat Unit and Worms Unit!

kwally said...

So glad to find you. I can't wait to follow you and check out your Etsy shop.

Jen said...

What a fantastic idea!! Thanks for linking up! :)
Cheers!
Jen

Laura said...

Can't wait to see if I win. :) Great job girl!

Laura said...

And I like you on Facebook. :)

sweet and lovely crafts said...

OH MY GOODNESS, how have I never seen this blog before now? I love it. I'm sure that I'll spend nap time today digging into the archives!

Thanks for visiting sweet and lovely crafts!

Unknown said...

Shauna, you are awesome! This is fabulous. I will be teaching my daughter for preschool next year. I'm keeping this one on hand! I love it!

Thanks for sharing at For the Kids Friday! You're featured this week (posting tomorrow), and I'm off to share this on my facebook page as well. Stop by and grab an A++ button, and be sure to link up again!! :)

Anonymous said...

This is awesome ! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing !

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing. It's really helpful.

Unknown said...

Thankyou for sharing.