Repurposed for Learning - Ice Cube Tray Patterns

I have used an ice cube tray for several different patterning activities. This was one we did during our apple theme.

I used poker chips (dollar section at Target) as "apples" and placed them on a felt tree that I had cut out.

I also repurposed paint samples as pattern rule cards (see very bottom of picture) to help E complete the pattern on his own. He followed the cards saying "1 yellow, 1 red, 1 green....start over...1 yellow, 1 red, 1 green".

I played with him completing the side of the tray closest to me so that he could check his answers as well as see me modeling how to use the rule cards.

Theme - Apples

A popular theme for preschoolers this time of year is apples. We joined the masses and explored all things apples for a week or two. Below are a few of the activities that E worked on during both Tray Time and Table Time.

E dropped "apples" (pom poms) into the container based on the word cards we flipped over. For example, we did "little apples" and then dumped them out for a new turn where the next cards said "red apples". We continued this until all the classification cards where used.

E worked on patterns using Do-A-Dot paint and a print out we got from Making Learning Fun.

This is a reader we got from Making Learning Fun as well.

As a spin off the reader, I made strips that said "This apple is _____." plugging in color words so that E could pick out apples to place with the correct one.

E made "apples" whole with fraction tiles.