The Hanukkah cutting strips are a great option when it comes to fine-motor practice. And they’re perfect for your list of holiday activities for preschoolers.
The Hanukkah tracing pages are engaging for the children, and you can use them in so many different ways. They’re also super easy to set up using materials you already have on hand. That’s a teacher win in my book!
So scroll to the bottom of this post to grab your free copy of the Hanukkah fine motor strips. Then watch as the kids strengthen their fine motor muscles, and learn about Hanukkah, all while having fun!
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Related: Free Preschool Printables
Preschoolers and kindergartners get plenty of fine motor practice throughout their typical school-day routine. But it can be fun and meaningful to mix things up by introducing new fine motor activities with novel themes. These Hanukkah cutting strips are the perfect solution!
Hanukkah Cutting Strips
We often focus on Christmas activities for preschoolers, which is always a ton of fun! But I think it’s important to explore a wide variety of holiday traditions with the kids.
For some, Hanukkah will be a novel topic to explore and learn about. And for those who celebrate Hanukkah, it will exciting to see their holiday traditions represented in their classrooms.
How to Prep the Hanukkah Scissor Skills Printable
This activity is super low prep. As a teacher, that’s music to my ears! Start by gathering the necessary materials.
There are two main things you’ll need for this activity (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Free printable Hanukkah cutting strips (scroll to the bottom of the post for your copy)
- Printer
As I mentioned above, there are a few ways to use the Hanukkah picture strips. And your materials list will change based on how you use it. Either way, there aren’t too many additional materials. Here are a few other materials that will come in handy for the various activities:
The items on this materials list are just suggestions. You can use things that you have on hand or change the list based on the activity you choose.
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Related: Thanksgiving Cutting Strips
Once your materials are ready, it’s time to prep the Hanukkah cutting strips. Here’s what to do:
- Get the free printable at the bottom of the post.
- Save it to your computer.
- Open it in the most up-to-date version of Adobe Reader.
- Print out the fine motor strips you want to use.
- Cut the strips apart.
- Laminate or place them in dry erase pockets if desired.
And now you’re ready to share the Hanukkah fine motor fun with your students!
Using the Hanukkah Cutting Strips with Kids
To begin, I would recommend talking with students a bit about Hanukkah. Ask them if they celebrate Hanukkah, give a brief overview of the holiday, and explain how the images on the picture strips are representative of Hanukkah. And of course, read books together!
I suggest explaining the tracing strips to students in small groups. This will let you define expectations and model appropriate ways to use the printable. Then add the printable to your literacy center for independent practice.
Here are some ways you can use the picture strips with your students:
- Use them as cutting strips, as the name suggests. Model how to use scissors and assist the kids in using proper form.
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- Let the kids peel and stick Hanukkah stickers along the Hanukkah picture strips. Set out stickers that match the pictures on the strips. Challenge students to match the correct stickers to each Hanukkah strip.
- Using dry-erase pockets or laminated strips, let the kids use dry-erase markers to trace each pattern.
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Related: Fall Cutting Strips
- Have students roll out snakes with play dough. Then, let them use the snakes to trace over the lines on the strips.
- Encourage your students to use manipulatives and loose parts to trace over the lines from left to right. Elevate this activity by using items that represent Hanukkah or the season, like Hanukkah-themed confetti or small snowflakes.
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- Pair the Hanukkah tracing strips with a sensory writing tray using salt or sand. Then the kids can use their fingers to draw the patterns in the sensory material, using the strips as visual prompts.
Remember, these are just a few ideas to get you started with the Hanukkah cutting strips. You and your students might come up with even more ways to use these!
What are the Kids Learning with the Hanukkah Fine Motor Strips?
Aside from all of the fun that the kids will have, these Hanukkah cutting strips offer loads of educational opportunities. There are several early learning concepts kids can explore while using the Hanukkah tracing printable:
- Fine motor skills
- Left to right progression
- Hand strengthening
- Scissor skills
- Pencil grip
- Counting
- Patterns
So, as you can see, the cutting strips offer a wide variety of learning opportunities and practice.
On top of the early learning concepts, kids will also be learning about the traditions of Hanukkah. This may be a new concept for some students, while others will already know all about it. Either way, it’s always fun to learn about and share a variety of holiday traditions!
More Hanukkah Activities for Kids
The kids will learn so much about Hanukkah and practice some important prewriting skills with the pattern strips. Keep the Hanukkah fun going with even more activities to do with kids around Hanukkah:
- The wrapping presents activity was intended as Christmas pretend play but it can certainly be altered to fit a Hanukkah theme!
- Engage the kids’ senses with a whimsical Chanukah sensory bin.
- Children will learn all about Menorahs with this labeling the parts of a Hanukkiah Montessori-inspired activity.
- Get crafty with some Hanukkah activities, which include a beaded Star of David ornament, a dreidel game, and more!
- The kids will love the dreidel paint spinning process art activity.
I think each of these activities will compliment a Hanukkah theme well!
Winter Tracing and Cutting Strips
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Do you think the kids will benefit from the Hanukkah cutting strips? Keep the learning going all season with the winter fine motor tracing and cutting strips. This is a 60-page activity pack that includes 7 different winter themes (including Hanukkah)! Click on the image to learn more about this product.
If you want to treat yourself this holiday season, join The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101. Our members get access to our materials at a greatly reduced rate. Check out some of our other resources great for winter:
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Get a Copy of the Hanukkah Cutting Strips
This free printable is available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re a member, fill out the form below and the download links will be sent to your inbox. If you’re not a member, you can join us by entering your information in the form. Then you’ll receive the printable as a welcome gift!
Be sure to check out my printing FAQ page if you run into any issues.
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