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Independent and Low-Prep Back to School Centers

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. View our full disclosure policy here.
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Centers are a HUGE part of a Pre-K and Kindergarten classroom. They allow students to work on a variety of skills in a fun and meaningful way. While I personally love students to be out of their seats working with other kiddos during centers, sometimes we may need an option for independent centers that can be done at their seat (or even at home) when teachers might be in a teaching season of social distancing or distance learning. These Independent and Low-Prep Back to School Centers are perfect for just that!

*Grab the full pack of Back to School Box Centers or grab our Box Centers GROWING Bundle for even more box center fun (including our Back to School Set) at a big savings!

These low-prep Back to School Centers for Pre-K and Kindergarten encourage independence and practice for a variety of skills in a fun and meaningful way!

Independent and Low-Prep Back to School Centers

I’ve been wanting to create centers that could be used in many different ways and would be easy-prep. I also want them to use a minimal amount of supplies. Lastly, they must be effective at strengthening important Pre-K and Kindergarten skills. Enter, Box Centers – these are low-prep centers that can also be done independently. I know what you’re thinking…if every student has their own center, that’s A LOT of materials!

Well, the idea behind Box Centers is that students can use one set of simple supplies (think alphabet or number cards) and have multiple game options! A new pack will be released for each month of the school year. So this means your independent centers will always be timely and engaging.

These Back to School Centers can be printed in color, or to save ink, you can simply print them on colored cardstock.

There are so many options with box centers that I love! Print the centers in color, or to save ink, you can simply print them on colored cardstock. Laminate game mats or put them in a sheet protector. Then give your students a dry erase marker and they can play the games over and over again.

These centers are designed for ease which also makes them the perfect solution for any teaching scenario.

Match the crayon number cards to the corresponding ten frame crayon box on the game mat.

Independent Centers Still = Choice!

Sometimes independent centers are needed. But even if a student has to be in their seat (or even at home), I still want my students to have choice! This makes Box Centers the perfect option, because with one set of manipulatives, students can choose from four different activities!

Each activity works on a timely and important skill. So this means that you know whatever they choose, your kiddos are practicing key concepts.

These centers are a great way to let students have choice and also have some fun with limited supplies and movement.

Pick a crayon number card and fill in the matching ten frame on the Crayon Count recording sheet.

Back to School Freebie!

I’m so excited about this new center option! I want to give you a freebie from our Back to School Centers.

These crayon box back to school centers are just one of four amazing sets that are included in the Back to School Box Centers pack!

With one set of crayon cards, students can work on number recognition, ten frame number recognition, number tracing, counting, and filling in a 10 frame!

With one set of crayon cards, students can work on several number recognition and counting activities.

Grab Your FREE Copy of Crayon Back to School Box Centers

Ready to grab your FREE set of Crayon Box Centers from our Back to School Centers Pack? Click the large, yellow download button at the very end of the post!

Or, save big and grab our Box Centers GROWING Bundle (which includes our Back to School Set) for even more independent and low-prep fun with box centers!

Want unlimited access to even MORE of our activities and resources?

Then be sure you request your invite so that you can be the first to hear when the doors open again for our Print and Play Club!

JOIN hundreds of teachers inside the Print & Play Club. A Club created by a teacher, for teachers! With BRAND NEW monthly centers planned and ready to print and play, in addition to exclusive access to hundreds of seasonal, themed and anytime of the year printables!

With instant access to hundreds of printables by topic and skill (no more scouring the internet!), every TKC resource, a digital games vault, β€œSuper” Sunday Surprises, and much more – your planning time just got easier.

Request your invitation below for more info!

JOIN hundreds of teachers inside the Print & Play Club. A Club created by a teacher, for teachers! With BRAND NEW monthly centers planned and ready to print and play, in addition to exclusive access to hundreds of seasonal, themed and anytime of the year printables!
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The Kindergarten Connection
The Kindergarten Connection
Alex and the TKC team work together to bring you the best resources and activities for Pre-K and Kindergarten. It is our hope that this content helps you stress less and gain confidence in your classroom. Visit Alex on Instagram @thekindergartenconnection for more content and behind the scenes.
The Kindergarten Connection
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Filed Under: Back to School, Distance Learning, Numbers and Counting

Previous Post: « Editable Sight Word Games and Centers for Pre-K & Kindergarten
Next Post: Back to School Roll and Graph Math Activity »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michelle

    August 7, 2020 at 11:59 am

    This is exactly what I am looking for! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Michelle

      August 7, 2020 at 2:05 pm

      You’re so welcome! Enjoy! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. Patricia Bustamante

    August 7, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    Great resource! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Michelle

      August 8, 2020 at 5:50 am

      You’re so welcome! Have a great day! πŸ™‚

      Reply
    • Desiree

      August 9, 2020 at 8:17 pm

      Where did you find those cute little boxes?

      Reply
      • Michelle

        August 10, 2020 at 7:25 am

        Hi Desiree,

        I grabbed these containers at my local dollar store. They usually are found in the food storage area. I also use travel soap boxes from the dollar store. They are perfect for our box centers! πŸ™‚

        Reply
        • Desiree

          August 10, 2020 at 9:29 am

          Thank you Michelle!

          Reply

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