In this BLOG post I will share the link to a FREE spider academic packet, share how to set up the activity and ways to differentiate academics for multi-age learners.
If you are looking for a fun and festive way to work on the alphabet, check this out! Not only it is it engaging for multiple ages, but it can be differentiated in SO many ways.
Learning doesn't only have to take place in a chair. By letting kids move and stretch and swat, we are providing their bodies with much needed input and helping them to strengthen connections in their brain.
Pairing movement with learning also helps kids to strengthen gross motor skills. Important skills such as running, jumping and crawling are all connected to our cognitive abilities. The more we can incorporate those skills into learning the stronger their focus and overall academic achievement will be!
Activities like this can also support self-regulation. It can be calming and quiet. It can be big and loud. It can be a safe way to release BIG emotions.
It truly can be anything you want it to be, but most importantly it is FUN!
Ways to differentiate this activity for multi-age learners:
Call out a color. Swat a spider that matches.
Call out a letter name, swat it!
Call out a letter sound, swat it!
Call out a vowel sound (short OR long), swat it!
Call out a word. Swat the beginning sound.
Call out a word. Swat the medial sound.
Call out a word. Swat the ending sound.
Show a letter. Swat the upper/lowercase match.
Say a letter, swat it. Have the child brainstorm a word that begins with that letter.
What is a vertical play?
Vertical play is moving an activity from the floor or table to a surface like the wall or an easel. Working on a vertical surface is helpful in supporting wrist stabilization, bilateral coordination, core strength, balance & coordination. It also allows for purposeful movement while children work.
What are the benefits?
Working on a vertical surface helps to strengthen:
Fine & gross motor skills
Wrist stabilization
Balance
Coordination
Hand-eye-coordination
Focus
Attention
Spatial awareness
Don't want to put it on your wall? That's ok! You can make a spiderweb on the floor with tape, as well. While they strengthen their phonics skills they can also work on motor skills by walking, tiptoeing, jumping of sliding across the web!
You can also skip the web all together.
Try these additional activities with the spider alphabet cards:
Hide them around your home. Search, find and identify the letter.
Mix the cards up and work together to put them in alphabetical order.
Print off two copies of the cards. Play Memory or GO Fish.
Put the cards in a dry sensory bin. Scoop, pour and explore!
You get to decide what is safe and manageable in your home. Always test surfaces before covering with tape.
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