If you’re an educator and you teach preschool, pre‑K or kindergarten, you know that counting is everywhere! It’s on your morning meeting board, in your math centers and woven into every “how many?” question your students ask. But counting isn’t just about reciting numbers. Real counting, I mean the kind that builds number sense, requires children to understand one‑to‑one correspondence and the idea that each object gets one number.

That really is a lot for a four or five year old brain to master! The good news is that with the right visuals and hands‑on activities, counting becomes concrete, playful and even joyful for young students. In this post, let’s explore why counting is a foundational math standard as well as how to teach it effectively and how counting‑based clipart can really be pivotal in making that happen!

The “Why”

First, let’s look at the “why.” In most early learning standards (including the Common Core for Kindergarten), counting and cardinality are the very first domains. Students must be able to count to 100 by ones and tens, count forward from a given number, and—most importantly—understand that the last number they say tells “how many.”

This concept, which we can call ‘cardinality’, is surprisingly kind of tricky. A child might count five blocks while touching each one, but once you ask them “How many blocks are there?” they may say “three” or even start counting again. That’s a sign that they still haven’t made the connection between counting and quantity. Teaching counting explicitly, with lots of visual support, can really help to close that gap!

Counting also builds the foundation for almost every other math skill. Addition and subtraction? That’s just counting on or back. When it comes to comparing numbers? That’s when we decide which set has fewer or more objects. Even place value relies on counting groups of ten. So when you spend time on counting activities, keep in mind that you’re not just teaching your students a single standard. You’re also building a mental toolbox that will serve your students for years to come.

So how do we actually make counting stick? Research and classroom experience both point to one answer: visuals and hands‑on practice. Young students need to be able to see, touch and manipulate objects or images as they count! Visual learning is just better! 

Abstract worksheets alone just isn’t going to cut it most of the time. That’s where high‑quality counting clipart becomes a game‑changer. Unlike physical counters (which roll away or get lost), clipart is a perfectly consistent and endlessly reusable resource! You can print it, laminate it, use it on a screen or add it to your digital assignments.

My Counting Clipart Collection was designed specifically for early childhood and kindergarten teachers. Each of these sets include bright, kid‑friendly images that make counting feel like a game.

Now let’s get practical. Here are three no‑prep activities you can build with these clipart sets tomorrow.

Activity 1: Counting Clip Cards. Print a set of cards showing a group of objects (3 apple trees, 7 french fry boxes, etc.). Students place a clothespin on the correct image. This builds fine motor skills while reinforcing one‑to‑one correspondence. You can make 20 different cards in minutes by arranging your counting clipart in any word processor or design tool. Laminate them, and you have a center that lasts all year.

Activity 2: Ten Frame Fill‑It. Give each student a blank ten frame mat (printable from my ten frame set) and a handful of small counters (real buttons or paper cutouts). Call out a number from 1 to 10. Students fill that many squares on their ten frame.

For a digital version, just use the same ten frame image in Google Slides and have students drag the counters. This activity builds subitizing (seeing quantity without counting) and place value understanding at the same time.

Activity 3: “Count and Compare” Mats. Print two mats side by side. On the left mat, place a set of clipart images (e.g., 5 butterflies). On the right mat, place a different set (e.g., 8 butterflies). Students count each set and then circle which one has more. You can also ask “How many more?” for advanced learners. This directly addresses the kindergarten standard of comparing numbers of objects.

Another powerful use of counting clipart is in your number of the day routine. Each day, focus on one number with your students. Display it within your classroom, in word form and with a ten frame. Then show multiple representations using clipart of your choice. Whether it be using fingers, dice, tally marks (if you have them) or different foods.

This repeated exposure across different visual formats helps solidify the meaning of each number for your students. Many teachers create a “Number of the Day” poster or anchor chart using clipart images, and then students complete a matching worksheet or digital slide.

Finally, don’t forget about assessment. Counting clipart makes it easy to create quick checks for understanding. Print a half‑sheet with three different groups of objects. Ask students to write the number for each group. Alternatively, you can show a ten frame with some boxes filled and ask “How many more to make ten?” Because the images are clear and consistent and you’re ultimately measuring math understanding.

Ready to stock your math centers with engaging, time‑saving counting resources? Browse my complete Counting Clipart Collection HERE!

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If you’ve ever looked at your grade-level science standards and wondered why life cycles appear year after year, don’t worry. You’re not alone here! From frogs and butterflies to beans and sunflowers, the concept of growth and change is a staple in kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms.

Teaching life cycles is actually one of the most powerful ways to introduce your young students to the wonders of biology, observation, and the natural world. I’d like to explore more why life cycles are a core K-2 science standard, what the research says, and how you can bring this topic to life with some of your own hands-on activities and high-quality visual resources. Keep reading to learn more!

1. The “Why” Of It All

First, let’s talk about the “why.” In most K-2 science frameworks—including the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)—students are expected to understand that all living things have predictable life cycles. The specific performance expectation under LS1.B (Growth and Development of Organisms) states that young learners should be able to describe patterns of growth and change in organisms, from birth to adulthood.

Now, that might sound pretty simple, but it’s actually a HUGE cognitive leap for your students. A five-year-old may not be able to automatically connect a tiny egg to a full-grown chicken. By explicitly teaching life cycles, we help children build a mental timeline of how living things change over time and build a better understanding of biology at the same time. This basic understanding sets the stage for later concepts like heredity, ecosystems, and even human development eventually!

2. Beyond The Standard

Beyond the standards, educating students about life cycles offers four major benefits especially for very young students.

The first is the development of observation skills. When children watch a tadpole grow legs or a seed push out a root, they are practicing careful, long-term observation. They learn to notice small changes, compare stages, and ask questions like “What happens next?” These are the same skills that real scientists use. Second, life cycles introduce rich academic vocabulary in a natural way. Words like larva, pupa, germination, seedling, and metamorphosis become meaningful when attached to actual pictures and sequences. Instead of memorizing definitions, children learn the words by using them to describe what they see.

Third, teaching life cycles helps cultivate respect for life and environmental awareness at an early age. When a first grader watches a caterpillar turn into a butterfly, something magical happens! They begin to see that even small creatures go through incredible transformations. This often sparks empathy, curiosity and a desire to protect nature. Many teachers report that life cycle units are when students start bringing in found insects, asking to plant a classroom garden, or begging for a class pet. That’s not a coincidence—it’s the curriculum working. Fourth, life cycles are naturally cross-curricular. You can easily integrate literacy (sequencing stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar), math (measuring plant growth and creating simple graphs), and art (drawing each stage). This makes life cycles a teacher’s best friend when you need to cover multiple subjects in one engaging unit.

3. Visualize It!

Now, here’s where visual resources come in to play! The most effective way to teach life cycles is through visuals and hands-on activities. Abstract descriptions don’t stick with young students, but bright, clear images absolutely do! That’s why I created a full collection of life cycle clipart sets designed specifically for K-2 educators.

Each set includes high-resolution PNG images of every stage, from egg to adult, plus arrows, labels, and optional backgrounds. For example, my Butterfly Life Cycle Clipart Set includes the egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa), and adult butterfly. I also have a more advanced Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle Clipart Set for more advanced teaching and higher grades!

You can use these images to create a classroom anchor chart, a sequencing center with laminated cards or even a life cycle “hat” where students glue the stages in order around a sentence strip. The Frog Life Cycle Clipart Set covers eggs, tadpole, tadpole with legs, froglet and adult frog. It’s perfect for interactive notebook foldables or a cut-and-paste worksheet.

And the Sunflower Life Cycle Set includes seed, sprout, seedling, young plant and flowering plant. Use it for labeling activities, a classroom display, or a student-created mini-book.

I also have a huge variety of more clipart sets that are not found here on Clipart 4 School. You can find my full collection of clipart sets over at Teachers Pay Teachers or by signing up for an Annual Clipart Membership Subscription for my full catalogue!

4. No-Prep Activity Ideas

Here are three no-prep activities you can build with these clipart sets. 

Activity 1: The Sequencing Station Print and laminate four to six cards showing the stages of one life cycle. Place them in a small basket with a simple instruction card: “Put the cards in order from beginning to end.” This becomes an instant science center that students can work on independently while you pull small groups. 

Activity 2: Interactive Notebook Foldable Print a set of stage images at a reduced size. Have students cut them out and glue them in their science notebook in the correct order. Under each image, they write one fact (or copy a word label). This creates a lasting reference they can review all year. 

Activity 3: Life Cycle Wheel Craft Give each student two paper plates. On the bottom plate, cut out a small window. On the top plate, glue the clipart images in a circle around the edge. Students attach the plates with a brass fastener so they can spin the top plate and reveal each stage through the window. It’s simple, memorable, and great for fine motor practice.

5. The Bottom Line

Teaching life cycles isn’t just about meeting a standard. It’s about sparking curiosity, building vocabulary, and helping children see the world as a place of constant, beautiful change. When you use clear, engaging visuals in your lessons, you make abstract ideas concrete. You give every student—regardless of reading level—a way to participate and understand.

Bonus: Free Clipart Set Below!

To help you get started, I’ve provided a Free Life Cycle clipart set below. 

Click here to download your free Lima Bean life cycle clipart set!

Happy crafting and may your classroom be full of growing things!

Ready to stock up on fraction-friendly clipart? You can find a variety of clip art sets in my shop HERE! You can also find more like these over at TPT!

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Okay folks, raise your hand if you’ve ever stared at a blank Google Slide and thought that it looked super boring.

Virtually raises hand.

Sometimes, we just don’t know where to start with our Google Slides and that’s okay! I wrote this to give those of us who feel stuck some ideas for your next assignment using Google slides.

When I moved to distant learning, I quickly realized just how difficult it can be to keep your students, especially very young ones, engaged through a screen. It’s just HARD. You can’t just put a block of text up there and hope for the best. You have to actually create something that they’ll want to look at and that’ll actually keep their attention.

So here’s the secret weapon that a lot of teachers may or not be aware of: Clipart.

When used correctly, clipart can be used as a visual cue, a brain break and a engagement magnet for your young students.

Whether you’re building a virtual classroom, designing some new drag-and-drop activities or just jazzing up your morning messages, this beginner’s guide will show you how to utilize clipart in your Google Slides like a pro.

I admit. This might be a little biased, but grabbing graphics right here from Clipart 4 School is the great place to start! All of my graphics can be used commercially and personally. No extra license needed! You can learn more by reading my site TOS.

Why Bother with Clipart?

Before we get to the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” In a distance learning environment:

• Visual Cues Help Non-Readers: A picture of a notebook next to “Task 1” tells a student what to do without them having to read the words. That and just keep in mind, many students are just visual learners by nature.

• It Creates Consistency: Using a specific clipart style that’s bright and eye-catching (sort of like this set), it makes your classroom brand recognizable, comforting and entertaining!

• It Makes Space for Fun: Learning for young students is hard. A cute animal peeking in the corner or a brightly colored bouncy ball makes the screen feel less like a prison and more like a classroom.

Step 1: Finding and Uploading Your Clipart to Google Slides

First thing’s first—you need to find some clipart to use!

If you’re looking for unique, pretty and high-quality clipart, you can find all of that in my shop. You can search my entire catalogue HERE.

Once you’ve downloaded your files (they usually come in a ZIP folder), here is how to get them into Slides:

1. Unzip the folder: Right-click the downloaded folder and select “Extract All.”
2. Open Google Slides: Go to Slide > Change Background (for a full page image) or just start a new slide.
3. Upload to Drive (The Pro Tip): Instead of uploading the image every single time, open your Google Drive, click New > File Upload, and select all your clipart images. Now they live in your Drive forever!
4. Insert the Image: In Google Slides, go to Insert > Image > Drive and find the clipart you just uploaded.
5. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the image right in to the slide, but again, you’ll have to upload it again every single time if you plan to use it again.

Boom! Now you’re ready to start designing.

Step 2: The “Virtual Classroom” Hack

This was the trend that took over Pinterest back in the day for a reason. Building a virtual classroom makes students feel like they are walking into your space.

How to do it:

1. Find a background image (a simple classroom shelf or room).
2. The Fun Part: Start adding clipart!

   • Put a bookshelf clipart in the corner.

   • Add a plant on the shelf.

   • Place a whiteboard clipart on the wall.

   • Add your bitmoji sitting at a desk clipart.

Pro Tip: Make it interactive! Hyperlink the books on your bookshelf clipart to a reading website, or link the whiteboard to the day’s assignment. When students click the picture, they go to the lesson!

Step 3: Creating Drag-and-Drop Activities (The Magic of PNGs)

So, good news! All of the clipart available in my shop is in PNG format and comes with a transparent background. This is HUGE for creating interactive activities in general.

Example: A Sorting Game
Let’s say you’re teaching living vs. non-living things.

1. Create a slide with two columns labeled “Living” and “Non-Living.”
2. Insert a bunch of clipart images: a dog, a rock, a tree, a car, a flower, a pencil.
3. Push the “Assign” button in Google Classroom (make sure to select “Make a copy for each student”).
4. Now, students can click and drag the clipart images into the correct columns!

Why clipart is better than photos here: Children need simplicity when they’re learning, plain and simple! Clipart just simplifies the image so that your students can better process what they’re looking at on the screen. It removes distracting background details and focuses the student on the concept.

Step 5: Digital Stickers for Feedback

One of the hardest parts of distance learning is missing out on the tangible rewards—the smiley face stamp on the hand ot the sticker on the shirt.

Fix it with clipart!
When grading student work in Google Slides, don’t just type “Good job!”. Make your students feel like they’ve earned something by using this method below:

1. Keep a sidebar of small clipart images copied and ready to go.
2. Paste a star clipart, a rainbow, or a cute animal giving a thumbs up right onto their work.
3. Resize it and place it in the corner.

It takes two seconds but makes a world of difference in boosting student morale!

Step 6: Locking it Down (So Students Don’t Move Your Stuff!)

You’ve spent all this time making a beautiful slide with your selected clipart. The last thing you want is for a student to accidentally drag the sun into the ocean and mess up the whole slide. 

There really isn’t an official way to lock images, but there are some workarounds that you can use to make sure things stay in place.

Here’s how to protect your work:

1. Design your “background” or “template” slide with all your clipart and text boxes that shouldn’t move.
2. Select all of the elements you don’t want to be moveable.
3. Right-click on them and then “Group” them together.
4. You can also “Lock” images by using them as a background as well, but I prefer the grouping method.

Ready to Fill Your Google Drive with Cuteness?

Your Google Slides are the window to your classroom. Make them bright, welcoming, and effective.

Ready to stock up on graphics that are perfect for resizing, moving, and dragging?
Browse my educational clipart collection HERE!

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