Easter Magnetic Fun

In one of my other posts this month, I wrote about some tips and ideas for using Saint Patrick's Day magnetic sets with preschoolers and kindergartners.  I found the magnets at the Dollar Tree.  If you'd like, you can read about those ideas HERE.  In this post, I've added a sixth tip which is important if you're teaching preschoolers. 

I made another trip to the Dollar Tree to see if they had a similar product as the Saint Patrick's Day refrigerator magnets with an Easter or spring theme.  I found four new sets and they're just too cute!  I thought I would show you some photos along with tips and ideas for using them.
 

Some of the pieces sparkle!  Here are the tips for using them:

Tip # 1:  Keep the pieces at the children's eye level instead of an adult's eye level.  This way the children can manipulate the pieces easily and see the images.

Tip # 2:  Use a LARGE cookie sheet to set the pieces on if you are using them as a center station.  Young children have limited spatial planning abilities.  This means that children will struggle to fit the pieces on the cookie tray.  An oversized cookie tray provides an accommodation for children's spatial deficiencies.  Use a tray that is 11 inches by 17 inches or one that is slightly larger.

Tip # 3:  Provide children with a visual model of the completed image (the chick or the rabbit) when applicable.  The packaging material might have an image that can be cut out for that purpose.  (Some of the pieces in the sets were flowers and eggs.  I don't need a model for those pieces.)

Tip # 4:  Remove the pieces from the magnetic sheets carefully!  The cut-outs are perforated but they'll tear if you pull them apart too vigorously.  Use your scissors for pieces that don't come apart easily.  Remember that you only paid a dollar per set!

Tip # 5:  Keep your individual sets organized by labeling the backs with a white permanent marker.

Tip # 6:  If you're working with preschools and you have the pieces on a cookie sheet, they might not have the dexterity to pull the magnets off of the cookie sheet.  You can accommodate for this by adding a magnetic coin to each piece.  This raises the piece so that it is slightly off the cookie sheet allowing the child to have success at grasping the piece.

I used a package of adhesive magnetic coins that I purchased at the craft section in Walmart.

Activities:  One of the obvious activities that you can do with these sets is patterning.  I've created an ababab pattern with the blue and pink Easter eggs in the photo below.

Another thing that you can do is compare numbers as I'm doing with the eggs and the flowers shown below.

The objects can also be explored and manipulated on a cookie tray without a specified purpose.

A visual memory game can be played by showing the children three objects on the tray.  Then, one of the objects is removed without the children's eyes in view.  The tray is shown to the children again and they are asked to name the missing piece.

If you are scheduling an outdoor event for Easter or spring, the magnetic pieces (along with several cookie sheets) could be one of your outdoor stations.   

Cost of this station for 2 or 3 children to use at one time:   

Outdoor Area:  Free!
4 Sets of Spring Themed refrigerator Magnets:  $4.00 
4 Packages of Adhesive Magnetic Coins:  $8.00
4 Cookie Sheets:  $20.00 ($5.00 per tray at the Family Dollar)

Total Cost:  $32.00
Total Cost for Future Years:  $0.00
  
$32.00?  Yikes!  Maybe you can bring this down to $12.00.  You might be able to borrow cookie sheets from your school's cafeteria if it's not against division policies . . . and if the cafeteria uses cookie trays that attract magnets.  Be sure to get the proper permission first and promptly return the trays to the dishwasher!

Do you need another outdoor station idea for a spring themed event for preschoolers?  Check out my previous post HERE.  I can't wait to see what the Dollar Tree comes up with for a summer themed refrigerator magnetic set!  If you want the spring themed ones featured on this post, you better hurry over to your local Dollar Tree while supplies last!

  

That's all for now!

Molly, Lessons by Molly