Trace, Cut and Paste Exercises

Example "The Birthday Cake" cut and paste.
Children under seven would be expected to
assemble this picture with instructions. They
would not be expected to cut it out accurately
 until age nine. Templates for each lesson are
 included with the post.

      Cut and paste, developmental learning activities are very popular lessons taught inside preschools, kindergartens and early learning centers. In the early learning center where I used to teach, students complete at least two of these kinds of exercises per week. The reason for this was obvious for those who have ever observed the fundamental learning that takes place during any primary school’s curriculum. All young students experience some difficulty in developing the levels of obedience, observation and productivity that are required of them in order to be successful in academic environments. These qualities should be developed over a few short years by a loving, patient, and creative team of teachers (or parents) in order for them to be properly prepared.

Typical objectives for cut and paste assignments:

• Students will learn to listen and follow directions in the order in which they are given.
• Students will learn to recognize shapes and use their correct names.
• Students will learn to recognize colors and to use their correct names.
• Students will learn about spatial relationships and differences between basic shapes.
• Students will learn how to paste elements in an organized fashion in order to create an image.
• Students will learn how to cut simple geometric shapes accurately with scissors.
• Students will also learn common words used as instruction in everyday language. Words like: under, over, next, beneath, left, right, repeat and circle
• Student will learn numerical words used in math instruction. Words like: first, second, third etc...

       Most young students will not be able to fulfill all of the objectives concurrently until they have practiced them over and over for many months. The ultimate goal of the exercise is: to teach little ones to perform perfectly together, all of the objectives within the context of the assignment, by the end of their kindergarten year, not by the end of the exercise.  
       Included with each lesson are stencils and sample directions. The teacher completes an example of the project in front of students prior to their own assigned exercise. The teacher should then tape the exercise to the wall where all of the students may view it as they complete the lesson. Teachers should then recite the directions listed above as his or her students progress through the exercise verbatim.
       Teachers should add or subtract from these directions and methods in order to adapt the lessons' level of difficulty for the age and abilities of each group of students/child.

Coming Soon:

1.  The Birthday Cake Cut and Paste
2.  Butterfly Friends Cut and Paste
3.  Castle Cut and Paste
4.  Fishy Cut and Paste
5.  Shape Man Cut and Paste
6.  Little Girl Cut and Paste
7.  Orange Tree Cut and Paste
8.  Red Bird Cut and Paste
9.  Rocket Cut and Paste

Related Activities:

•  Index for Coloring Shapes
•  Number Coloring Index