GENIUS Pre-K Christmas Math Activity: Magnetic Tile Tree
Are you ready for Christmas break? AKA “there are no more teaching ideas in my brain! how will I possibly make it any more days?!” This Pre-K Christmas math activity is the perfect solution to all of your math and its-almost-Christmas needs!
What you need for a Magnetic Tile Tree:
- Large paper
- Magnetic tiles
- Colored markers
- Tape
- Large cookie sheet or magnetic surface
These PicassoTile Magnetic Building Blocks are perfect for toy rotation, centers, learning stations, and free play. They are affordable, lightweight, and the colors are super vibrant. These long-lasting and durable magnetic tiles will be a classroom favorite for many years to come!
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3 steps to prep this Pre-K Christmas math activity
First off, this is low-prep and EASY! In just a few minutes, you’ll have your Magnetic Tile Tree ready to go.
- Use your large paper and cut out a tree shape (or just draw a large tree outline)
- Trace your magnetic tiles onto the tree with colored markers
- Tape it to any magnetic surface in your classroom. A refrigerator door or large cookie sheets work great.
Ding, ding! It’s DONE!! Your students will be hands-deep in interactive learning before you know it.
The quick assembly of this activity and high student engagement is the best classroom duo!
Free play with this activity is a great option, but why stop there? Take it one step further and target Pre-K math skills, social-emotional skills, and more while you differentiate learning for your little learners during play.
Target Pre-K Skills
Math Skills
Number Sense
Begin play by counting the total number of tiles and answering “how many?” based on the last counted tile.
Help little ones develop number sense skills by counting the magnetic tiles up to 5 or 10. Differentiate your expectations based on each child’s abilities.
Introduce the concepts more/less/same with groups of tiles. Start by comparing groups of tiles then count or match items to expand this skill. Little ones may compare by only looking at groups and not counting at first. Comparing by counting items will come later one!
Algebra and Functions
Target preschool algebra and functioning skills by demonstrating how to sort and classify magnetic tiles by color or shape. Work on recognizing, extending, and creating patterns during play too!
Geometry
Practice geometry skills by matching, identifying, and describing the basic shapes of each tile before placing it onto the tree.
Expand shape knowledge by putting different tiles together to create new shapes AKA the tile tree!
Target spatial thinking while exploring attributes of the tiles. Help little ones identify different positions the tiles are on the tree.
>>>top, middle, bottom, beside, next to, above, below, left, right<<<
Depending on the skill levels of your little ones, you may provide explicit instructions on where to place the tiles. Gestures and visual cues are helpful in adding a little more support for these positional words.
Mathematical Reasoning
Preschoolers begin to learn reasoning skills as they must adapt and change the steps to their plan during play. They will consider questions like “how many do I need now?” and “what other shape might fit?”. Provide gentle guidance as they begin to work through these skills on their own.
Social-Emotional Skills
Little learners will have countless opportunities to explore responsibility, self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-control while participating in this group activity.
Promote friendship by expanding relationships with peers during play. Preschoolers will also practice longer attention to tasks as they work to find matching pieces, count and describe pieces, and take turns with classmates.
& More!
Preschoolers will begin to learn about cause and effect and properties of magnets during play with this preschool Christmas activity. They will improve motor skills while manipulating the tiles.
Play with magnetic tiles is also rooted in STEM learning! YAY!
Celebrate Wins!
Have fun and celebrate wins during play and learning. Building self-confidence in your little learners is arguably just as important as mastering academic skills (or maybe even more important!)
Praise your preschoolers for sharing with peers, finding the correct shape, and trying again when something doesn’t go as they planned. Model positive self-talk and encourage your little ones to cheer each other on as well!
All standards mentioned above are in reference to California’s Preschool Learning Foundations.
You might also be interested in this post:
2 SIMPLE Pre-K Christmas Crafts
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