You donāt need a lot of space to create fun, engaging, and hands-on classroom centers. All you need is Altoids tins that you can repurpose. (You can also get Altoids-size tins on Amazon.)Ā
Here are three educational ideas for using Altoids tins in your classroom centers. If you want to replicate any of these, you can get our free labels right here. We hope this inspires you to think of other ways you can use Altoids tins for learning! Hereās a video showing how each of these ideas came together.Ā
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDolyH0aktY[/embedyt]
Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!
1. Tangrams TinĀ
Tangrams really help get your students thinking and processing. These miniature puzzles fit perfectly into tins, making them a great activity for students who finish their work early.Ā
What You NeedĀ
- ScissorsĀ
- Tin
- Tin label
- Tangram puzzle piecesĀ
What to DoĀ
Thereās really not much to it. Just cut up the different tangrams pieces, using our template here. You can also find your own tangrams puzzles to use for this project. Put all the pieces into the tin. Donāt forget to include a master puzzle template, too. Students just open the tin, pick a puzzle to create, and then find and arrange the correct pieces.Ā
2. See and Spell TinĀ
Whether youāre practicing sight words or spelling words, this is an easy activity to get your students working on their words. Plus, itās so easy (and cheap) to make.Ā
What You NeedĀ
- Pipe cleanersĀ
- Tin
- Tin label
- Spelling listĀ
- Letter beads
- ScissorsĀ
What to DoĀ
Cut your pipe cleaners into smaller pieces so theyāll easily fit in your Altoids tin. Then print your word list or spelling list and attach it to the inside lid of the tin. (You can also put several lists in there so students have a few to choose from. Donāt forget to laminate them first so they last longer.) Be sure to include the correct letter beads so students can make the words. All they do is slide the bead onto the pipe cleaner to practice each word!Ā
3. Shape Sort TinĀ
What You NeedĀ
- Permanent markerĀ
- Highlighters
- Tin
- Tin label
- Miniature craft sticks
What to DoĀ
Use your highlighters to color craft sticks so students can determine which sticks to use. Then write down the shape name on each stick within each color. (For example, color five sticks orange and write āpentagonā on each orange stick.) Place all the sticks into the tin and add your label. Now your students instantly have a shape-sort activity they can do right at their desks.Ā
Share your best ideas for using Altoids tins in the classroom. Submit your photo on ourĀ WeAreTeachers Chat groupĀ on Facebook.Ā
Plus, encourage math practice with this ping pong ball project.Ā