Welcome to my store and thanks for stopping by! I've been teaching in out-of-school settings for over 15 years. From helping children understand wriggling pythons as a zoo education officer (dream job!), to using historical objects as keys to unlock our past, my teaching experience has been far from typical. I'm currently a schools manager for a museum and art gallery, working with hundreds of children of all ages each year.
Welcome to my store and thanks for stopping by! I've been teaching in out-of-school settings for over 15 years. From helping children understand wriggling pythons as a zoo education officer (dream job!), to using historical objects as keys to unlock our past, my teaching experience has been far from typical. I'm currently a schools manager for a museum and art gallery, working with hundreds of children of all ages each year.
A fun, foldable cut and paste activity for exploring the life cycle stages of a corn (maize) plant. Use this cross between a craft and a worksheet for a science lesson, in an interactive notebook, or for a plants, growing, harvest, or autumn topic activity.
The template options
There are 4 similar templates so you can select and print the one that best suits your pupils’ needs:
Colour the corn and the stages of its life cycle. Match the words to the pictures, cut and fold.
As above but with a straight cutting edge.
Colour the corn and the stages of its life cycle. Sequence the stages, glue, and fold. There are 2 different label options for this - one with the life cycle stage names, the other with short descriptions.
As above but with the straight cutting edge.
Directions are provided as well as a folding guide with pictures.
Key vocabulary
The life cycle stage names used in this resource are seed, sprout, seedling, growing plant, flowers and mature corn.
What else is included?
Life cycle sequencing cards and arrows in colour and black/white. One way you could use these is to print them onto card and cut out each piece. Children could work in small groups to sequence the life cycle stages, using the arrows to link them together. Laminate for longevity.
Label the corn cut and paste activity.
Life cycle diagram (colour).
Facts about corn page.
Is this resource editable?
No, this 15-page PDF resource is not editable.
Introduce or review the life cycle of a dandelion plant with this fun, foldout activity. Pupils will colour the template, match or sequence the life cycle stages, glue, cut, and fold. Use as an alternative to a spring science worksheet, for a plant science lesson, or in an interactive notebook.
Benefits of this activity
-Low prep
-Children learn about the dandelion plant life cycle in a fun and hands-on way, that’s a bit different from a standard science worksheet
-Can be used to introduce the life cycle, or as a review/assessment to check understanding.
-Encourages fine motor/scissor skills, hand-eye coordination (folding), and sequencing.
-Differentiated options allow for multiple age ranges or abilities to do the same activity.
-Finished foldouts can be inserted into a science workbook where they can be referenced by children.
The differentiated templates
-Template 1: Colour the dandelion and life cycle stages, match the words to the images, glue, cut, and fold.
-Template 2: Larger template. Colour the dandelion and life cycle stages, sequence the stages, glue, cut, and fold. There are options to sequence with stage names, or with short descriptions. The outer dandelion is included with a circular edge and with a straight edge (for ease of cutting).
Is this resource editable?
No, this 10-page PDF resource is not editable.
Both US and UK versions of the file are included.
Introduce or review the life cycle of an apple by making these fun spinner wheels. This low-prep science craft allows KS1 or lower KS2 pupils to sequence 6 life cycle stages: seed, sprout, sapling, mature tree, flowers and fruit. Use for an autumn or Halloween lesson, in an interactive science notebook, or for a plant life cycles activity.
Options for this activity
There are 3 options to choose from: so you can choose which suits your needs best:
Option 1: Colour the pumpkin and life cycle stages, sequence the life cycle stages, and then assemble the spinner.
Option 2: Colour version. Children colour the life cycle stages, sequence the stages, and assemble the spinner.
Option 3: Use red or greeen card for the apple. Children colour the life cycle stages, sequence the stages, and assemble the spinner.
For each option, directions for pupils are included.
What else is included?
Life cycle diagram (colour)
Full-page description poster for each life cycle stage (colour). These could be printed or displayed on a screen to introduce the life cycle to children.
US and UK versions of the PDF
Is this resource editable?
No, this PDF resource is not editable
Introduce or review the life cycle of a pumpkin plant by making these fun spinner wheels. This low-prep science craft allows KS1 or lower KS2 pupils to sequence 6 life cycle stages: seed, sprout, vine, flowers, green pumpkin, and mature pumpkin. Use for an autumn or Halloween lesson, in an interactive science notebook, or for a plant life cycles activity.
Options for this activity
There are 3 options to choose from: so you can choose which suits your needs best:
Option 1: Colour the pumpkin and life cycle stages, sequence the life cycle stages, and then assemble the spinner.
Option 2: Colour version. Children colour the life cycle stages, sequence the stages, and assemble the spinner.
Option 3: Use orange cards for the pumpkin. Children colour the life cycle stages, sequence the stages, and assemble the spinner.
For each option, directions for pupils are included.
What else is included?
Life cycle diagram (colour)
Full-page description poster for each life cycle stage (colour). These could be printed or displayed on a screen to introduce the life cycle to children.
Word search with answers for early finishers. Words (x12) can be found across, down, and diagonally. Solution page included.
US and UK versions of the PDF
Introduce or review the life cycle of a pumpkin plant and an apple tree by making these fun spinner wheels. This low-prep KS1 or lower KS2 science craft allows pupils to colour and sequence 6 life cycle stages, before assembling their spinner.
Use this cut and paste resource for a plant life cycles lesson, autumn science, or to compare the life cycles of a pumpkin and an apple.
Vocabulary
The life cycle stage vocabulary in these activities is as follows:
Apple life cycle: seed, sprout, sapling, mature tree, flowers, fruit
Pumpkin life cycle: seed, sprout, vine, flowers, green pumpkin, mature pumpkin
Options for this activity
For each life cycle, there are 3 options to choose from so you can choose which suits your needs best:
Option 1: Colour the pumpkin/apple and life cycle stages, sequence the life cycle stages, and then assemble the spinner.
Option 2: Colour version. Children colour the life cycle stages, sequence the stages, and assemble the spinner.
Option 3: Use coloured card. Children colour the life cycle stages, sequence the stages, and assemble the spinner.
For each option, directions for pupils are included.
What materials are required?
Printed templates
Glue
Scissors
Pencil crayons
Paper fasteners
What else is included?
Full-page diagram for each life cycle (colour)
Full-page description poster for each life cycle stage (colour). These could be printed or displayed on a screen to introduce the life cycle to children.
Pumpkin word search with answers for early finishers. Words (x12) can be found across, down, and diagonally. Solution page included.
US and UK versions of the PDF
Is this resource editable?
No, the PDFs are not editable
Introduce or review the life cycle of a snail in a hands-on way with this fun spinner wheel craft activity. Use this low-prep resource as part of a snail/bugs/minibeasts topic, or as part of a garden nature lesson.
The templates
There are 2 options to choose from - one where students color the snail (template 1) and the other with a pre-colored snail (template 2). For both templates, children will color the life cycle stages, arrange them in order on the template, and assemble their spinner.
What you need
Templates printed on A4 card
Directions for pupils
Life cycle stages printed on A4 white paper
Pencil crayons
Scissors
Glue
Paper fasteners
What else is included?
The activity is supported by additional printables to further explore the life cycle and features of a snail:
Life cycle diagram (colour).
Full-page description poster for each life cycle stage (colour). These could be printed or displayed on a screen to introduce the life cycle to children.
Life cycle writing page - pictures of the 4 life cycle stages with space to write next to each one (some own research may be required for this).
Label the snail cut-and-paste activity with 6 body parts (head, eye, shell, upper tentacle, lower tentacle, foot). Colour and b/w options.
Compare and contrast a snail and a honey bee cut-and-paste activity.
Snails ‘can, have, are’ worksheet.
US and UK versions of the file are also included.
Is this resource editable?
No, the PDF is not editable.
Introduce or review the stages of carving a pumpkin or making a jack o’lantern with this fun, foldout activity. A mix of craft and worksheet, this low-prep activity can be for learning about pumpkins at upper KS1 or lower KS2, or to practice sequencing or writing directions.
The templates
There are 4 template options to allow for differentiation. Choose from cut and paste, or writing directions.
Template 1: Colour the 4 images, sequence them in order on the template (first, next, then, last), cut around the template and jack o’lantern, glue, and fold.
Template: As above but with 6 stages to sequence.
Template 3: Colour the 4 images, write the directions for each stage of carving a pumpkin on the template, cut around the template and jack o’lantern, glue, and fold.
Template 4: As above but with 6 stages.
Each template also has an easy-cut jack o’lantern with a straight cutting edge (rectangle around the pumpkin) for less confident cutters.
Benefits of this activity
Hands-on and low-prep
Opportunity to practice following directions and fine motor skills
A FUN alternative to a worksheet
Differentiated options
Suitable for interactive notebooks
Is this resource editable?
No, this PDF resource is not editable.
Start the school year by getting to know your new class with this fun sun craft. Children create a sun with rays to share the special things about themselves. Designed to be used during the first week of school, this activity will help upper KS1/lower KS2 children reflect on what makes them unique - a sweet way to boost self-esteem and confidence.
The templates:
There are 4 options for the centre of the sun, all of which are included
2-to-a-page:
Ready to shine in year two
Ready to shine in year 3
Ready to shine in year 4
Ready to shine in my new class
The 6 prompts on the rays (which can be changed) are:
Positive words to describe me
Things that make me smile
I would like to learn about
My favourite subjects
I’m good at
Something I want to get better at
Is this resource editable?
This resource is partially editable. You have the option to change any of the text prompts on the sun’s rays by using the included PowerPoint or Google Slides template. All other parts of the resource are not editable.
What are the benefits of this activity?
Low-prep
Hands-on craft that allows pupils to share about themselves at the start of a new school year
Use the completed suns to create a back-to-school display
Children practice following directions
Develop fine motor and writing skills
Help build self esteem and self confidence
A great alternative to an ‘all about me’ worksheet
What do children need to complete this activity?
Printed sun centers and rays
Pen/pencil
Scissors
