Making a Web

We read the story by Eric Carle The Very Busy Spider

After reading the story we had a class discussion on why do spiders build webs?

The children came up with some amazing things on why, but during the discussion a very curious child wanted to know how long does it take a spider to weave its web.

Not knowing exactly how long it takes a spider we decided to give a web a try so that we would understand how long and how hard it is for a spider to weave its web.

 First we placed the children in a large circle and the teacher demonstrated how we will cross the circle with the yarn and hand it off to another friend while still holding the yarn in our hands.

 As the web got going it became more challenging for the children to cross the circle.  so they had to crawl under to make it across.

Once all of the children and staff had a turn, they discovered that it takes the spider a long time to weave its web and that the spider needs to cross over many times to make the weaving tight enough to catch its meal.

 The following day some of the children wanted to give it a try on their own.  They decided on chairs and masking tape to hold the yarn.

 This little adventure of theirs took team work and problem solving skills to make it all come together.

In the end they did it!

Spider on the Fence

We had our 1st Family Fall Festival this week and it was a huge successes.  I wish I would of been able to take pictures during the event, but I was way too busy.  I was able to take a picture of the children's spiders that we displayed on the fences for the event.

Aren't they the cutest things.  

Monthly Madness Planning Link Party

What will you be doing for the Month of October.

Take a sneak peak at what I have planned for all of my little ones.

I will be staring off the month with this fabulous book Pumpkin Heads by Wendell Minor. 

Before reading the book we will be having a shred reading discussion

If you had a pumpkin what would you do with it?

If you carved a pumpkin what would yours look like?

For the first two weeks I will be blinding in the two lesson plans Scarecrows and Pumpkin Patch that can be found on TPT and TNB 

I will also be adding the Scarecrow art that I found on Katherine Maries Blog.  Hop on over to her blog and you will not be disappointed with all of her cleaver ideas.

I will also be using Pumpkin on the Move for a movement activity by Leah Perry.  You can find it on her TPT store.

For the last two weeks of October I will be using the units Math Fun with Spider and Monster Mash Lesson Plan these can be found on TPT and TNB

I will also be adding these cute little scrap monsters from Katherine Maries Blog.  

I will be reading this 5 Little Monsters Hiding Under the Bed by 123 Learning Curriculum

 What will you be planning for the month of October?  Join in the fun of sharing ideas with other by linking up with a link to your post below.

Paper Plate Web with Spider

Children first painted a white paper plate black and gave it a little glitz by sprinkling glitter onto the wet paint.  

Once the plates were dry children cut slits around the edge of the paper plate.  Next they wrap yarn around the paper plate and trough each slit.  When finished they attached the end of the yard to the back of the plate with tape.

Children then went to the spider making station where they created a spider out of apple carton circles.  Children colored the top of the apple carton black, purple, or blue and punched four holes around the edge with a hole punch.  The last step was for them to thread the pipe cleaner through the holes and twist for the legs and also glue on eyes.

Math Fun with Spiders

Math Fun with Spider

Spiders are a fun way to get children interested in counting and playing fun math games. 

How Many Spiders

How Many Spiders

With these spider cards make copies onto card stock and laminate for durability.  Let children pick a card and have them identify how many spiders are on their card.  Once they have identified the amount have them write that number in the square with a dry erasable marker. 

Spider Addition Math Mats

Spider Math Mats

With these math cards, set out a supply of small spider counters and dry erasable markers.  Give each child a math mat, one dice and one dry erasable marker.  Have children roll the dice and identify the number on the dice.  Next have the children count out that number of spiders and place them in one of the spider web.  Once the children have placed their spiders on the spider web with the right amount of spiders have them roll their dice again and do the same thing with the second spider web.  Once both of the spider webs are full have them add the two together and write the amount in the square.

Laminate the math cards so that the children can write and wipe on them.

For more spider math fun go to Teachers Pay Teachers and get the whole 47 page booklet Math Fun with Spiders.

Your students will be counting and recognizing the numbers 1-20 before you know it with these fun spider math centers.

Booklet Includes

Spider Number Cards 1-15

Spider Number Pocket Chart Story

Number Pattern Pocket Chart Cards or Calendar

Spider Math Grid Boards

Spider Counting Cards 1-20

Spider math addition cards

Say It, Count It, Write It Math Mat

Number Recognition and Order Numbers 1-20

Writing Numbers 1-20

Sample Images

Spider Fine Motor Skills

Here are some free resources to help with those fine motor skills and what better way to do it then with spiders. 



Spider Cutting Skills

Have children cut on the line and stop at the spider.

Write Skills Work Sheets 

Prewriting Skills Sheet

Have the children draw on the dotted line to the spider web.  You can make copies or you can laminate and use with dry erasable markers.

Original Clipart is by Lettering Delights

Spider Cutting Skills Work Sheet

Spider Math

The children at school have been talking a lot about spiders and all the creepy things that they have been seeing at the store. So since they have such an interest in these things I thought I would come up with some fun math games, maybe spiders would keep them engaged in the activity.


Spider Web Number Count

I made large spider webs and copied them onto a sheet of card stock. I also made a set of number cards for the children to turn over and identify the number. Once the child identifies the number they count out that amount of spiders and place them on the web mat. Children keep playing until all the number cards are gone.



Ice Tray Spider Game

Give each child an ice tray and a dice of choice. Children take turns rolling the dice and identifying the number on the dice. Child then counts out the appropriate amount of spiders and place one spider in each ice tray hole. Game is over when all children have filled the ice tray.



Graphing Spiders and bones

Each child gets an ice tray, cup of spiders and bones along with a set of number dice.

Children place the contents of the cup into the ice tray.  Placing spiders and bones into different rows of the ice tray.  Once the children have all the contents of their cup sorted into the ice tray they figure out which one has more and less.  Next they use the number dice to identify the number of items in each row.