Monday, June 7, 2010

Family Name Tracing Book

I've been meaning to make ER a version of this activity, ever since I saw it in my copy of Scrapbooking With Your Kids. I think it's a great way to practice letter formation in a meaningful way. After all what kid doesn't want to know how to spell their grandparents' names aka providers of much spoiling and cuddles?

I found, back in my classroom days, that kids are highly motivated to spell the names of people/characters important in their lives. By characters I mean of the cartoon kind, not implying that MY family is a bunch of characters...well on second thought...
This version is different from the one in the book because it's completely digital. I created templates on PS Elements and added my text and pictures. Then simply printed out on cardstock, laminated, hole punched, and put on a ring. Now we're ready to take these along with us, all we need is a dry erase marker. Since I saved the templates it will be simple for me to add names; I plan to add ER's little friends eventually.

If I'd wanted the photos to print out really nicely I could've sent them to Costco for developing but I figured printing out on cardstock on the High setting would be sufficient. It would also be easy to recreate non digitally, just use your best printing as a model for your child to trace and a small picture.I was thinking that if I was still in a kindergarten classroom, it would be fun to make sets with the students' names and put them in a beginning of the year center. The kids always loved looking at pictures of each other. At the start they could trace each other's names; later on it could be made harder by removing the printed names and just leaving a line to write on. Students could write in each other's name using seperate word cards to help them with the spelling and match names to photos.

Digital paper from Lindsay Riches kit Berry Delightful.

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22 comments:

  1. katie, this is just delightful!

    will be linking for Sunday.

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  2. I keep meaning to do this, and haven't followed through.

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  3. I love the idea! This would be perfect for Aiyana.

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  4. That is a fabulous project. Once my toddler gets a little older I might just have to try it out.

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  5. love love love it! too cute.

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  6. Wow what a great project! I've been working on spelling with my son and this would be perfect THANKS!

    Also thanks for the comment on my blog (summer fun container)! I am very glad to have found your blog, I am your newest follower :)

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  7. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

    -Kara
    http://littlelearnerslounge.blogspot.com/

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  8. This is one of those "why hasn't this occured to me before" moments! This is such a great idea and looks simple enough to pull off. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. I really love this idea. Lu is very interested in writing and this would definitely be a fun way to encourage her new passion.

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  10. What a lovely idea, you've set it up to be so portable, too!

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  11. What great idea Katie! I would like to know what's the font because the exercise would use for my homeschool :) Can you tell me where I can get it?

    And thank you very much for your nice comment on my blog. At the top of the left column I have a translator, but I tell you what I say in the post: That is a typical construction of my small State and serves to store the harvest, a tiny barn. That did my children and me with cardboard cereal box :)

    Hugs from Spain
    meni^-^

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  12. What a terrific project! I really love this idea and it's pretty easy to put together too!

    HUGS Katie!

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  13. Love it! Going to make it!!

    I'd love to see you on Socialize with me Monday til Sunday! Link Party

    http://simpsonizedcraftsandthensome.blogspot.com/2010/06/socialize-with-me-monday-til-sunday.html

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  14. Such a cute idea! I really like this. :)

    http://asinglegypsy.blogspot.com

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  15. That is such a great idea, you could do a similar thing for all sorts of themes too, like colours or animals or number words.

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  16. That is a great idea!!! Fun and educational!

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  17. Very clever idea. I like it!

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  18. What a great idea! Once my son gets to that point, I'll be sure to use this!

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  19. i especially love crafts that encourage learning :) gerat job! come link up to MMM!

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  20. Thanks for posting this idea. I'm linking up to you through my Reading blog for parents. www.onthelap.blogspot.com Drop by some time.
    Graciously,
    Aimee

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