THE GIVING BOOK

Mercy me!  What to do with all thoseadvertisements and catalogs! Here’s an idea you will love! And, it might encourage children to think about others rather thanthemselves.

Encourage yourstudents discuss why they like to give gifts to others.  How does it make them feel when they dosomething special for someone they love? Explain that they will each get to make a book of things they would liketo GIVE to others.  You can useconstruction paper or cut wrapping paper into 8 ½” x 11” pieces.  Lay two sheets of white paper on top ofa piece of wrapping paper.  Fold inhalf and staple.  Provide childrenwith catalogs and store advertisements. Let them cut out objects they would like to give others and glue them intheir “Giving Books.”  Encouragethem to label the presents with the recipient’s name.

 Adaptation:  Use a gift bag to make a givingbook.  Cut the front and back offthe bag.  Cut paper the size of thebag and give a sheet to each child. After children draw or cut out pictures of presents they would like togive, staple their pictures in between the front and back of the bag to make aclass book.

CHOIR OF ANGELS

This is an easyidea if you need a quick costume for a school program.  Cut the rim off a paper plate.  Attach a red construction paperbow.  Cut a slit so it can open andbe placed around the neck.  Now, your students can shine their halos!

FREE GIFT WRAPPING

Wrapping Paper –With tissue paper, paper plates, paint, and cookie cutters you’ll be all set tocreate your own wrapping paper. First, fold a paper towel and place it on a paper plate.  Pour paint on the paper towel.  Let children dip the cookie cutters inthe paint and print on the tissue paper.

*Let childrenpaint with pine boughs grocery sacks or newspaper to create wrapping paper.

*Use fruits orvegetable prints to create one of a kind wrapping paper.

 Gift Tags –You’ll need card stock, an ink pad, fine tip markers, and ribbon to make thesegift cards.  Cut card stock into 2”x 5” rectangles.  Fold inhalf.  Children press their thumbon the ink pad and then print on the front of the card.   Let them add details withmarkers.  Punch a hole and tie on aribbon.

 Greeting Cards  - Let children use fingerprints orhandprints to make “one of a kind” holiday cards.  They can also make a colorful collage by gluing bits of

wrapping paper toa blank card. 

A TASTE OF THE SEASON

Snowman Soup –You’ll need instant hot chocolate with miniature marshmallows, zip sandwichbags, wrapped candy canes, and red ribbon to make this treat. 

Put the package ofthe instant hot chocolate in the zip bag. Tie on a candy cane with these directions:

         Here’sa little snowman soup –

         Completewith stirring stick. 

         Addhot water, sip it slow.

         It’llwarm you up real quick!”

Hint!  This would be a great gift for schoolhelpers and volunteers.

Wreath Sandwich- You will need bagels, cream cheese, green food coloring, and fruit loops tomake this snack. First, dye the cream cheese green. Spread it on the bagel andadd red fruit loops for berries.

 Menorah Snack- Children will need asmall banana, pretzel sticks, and a piece of red licorice to make this menorah.Peel the banana and insert a piece of red licorice in the middle. Insert 4pretzel sticks (candles) on either side.

 ReindeerSandwich – You will need bread, peanut butter, pretzel twists, raisins, anda red M & M to make this yummy sandwich.  Cut the bread into two triangles.  Spread peanut butter on the bread and then decorate withraisin eyes and a red candy nose. Break pretzels in half and add for antlers.

Note!  If children have peanut allergiesspread with cream cheese or another topping.

WOE is me! 

A week ago Iwas invited to do a workshop at the Lehigh Carbon Community College in PA.  Several teachers gave me great ideas,but when I looked for my notes today they weren't in my suitcase!!   Idid find a few suggestions from my friend Mary Ann DiSapio who had attended aSMART Program in Minneapolis.  Sheshowed us some simple jumps, helicopter spins (arms out and spin around),pencil rolls (roll in the floor), balance beam, and crawling activities.  I definitely want to learn more aboutthis!  

Where are my notes?

DECK THE ROOM

How about usinghandprints to make a wreath or tree for your classroom door?  

Hint!  Children could also dip their hands in green paint to make these decorations.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Do you know whattoday is?  Yep!  It’s November 25^th and thatmeans Christmas is just a month away. Over the next 12 days I’ll post art projects, gifts children can make,songs, recipes, and lots of FUN ideas so you can create some special memories thisholiday season.

Let's get started with "Holiday Hands" that you can use to decorate your classroom, make cards, etc.  You can trace aroundchildren’s hands and cut them out to make these designs.  Or, have children dip their hand inpaint and print.

*Use fabric paintand make holiday shirts with children’s handprints.

Note!  I know you haven’t even finished yourturkey leftovers, but as a teacher I know you need ideas sooner rather thanlater so you can collect materials and integrate them in your plans.

Thanksgiving Eve

My husband's at the Smithsonian with our grandson and my daughter and her husband had to take Kalina to the doctor due to a cough.

And...I have a few minutes before I need to start cooking.

 I was lucky to be invited to sing at K.J.'s school this week.  I am a grandmother and a "grandmother teacher."  I sing, dance, laugh, and tell them how precious and wonderful they are --and they I say, "Good-bye."

After singing with the kindergarten children I had a few minutes to sit and visit with one class.  I told them how my grandson liked to hear stories about when I was in kindergarten.  One of my favorite memories is the day I painted my legs.  Yes, I might have been a little like Junie B. and Ramona.

Next, I sang with the first graders and focused on their social studies theme of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  We sang songs children might have sung 100 years ago like "Coming Round the Mountain" and "Over the River and Through the Woods."  We talked about how things were different then and how they are the same now.  I had had found an old Sally, Dick, and Jane book when I was reading to K.J. so I read that to them.  "Go!  Spot!  Go!"  They all laughed and I was able to praise them for being much readers than I was when I was in first grade.   I told them to ask their grandparents to tell them some stories about when they were in first grade.  We ended with "May There Always Be Sunshine" because clothing, transportation, and housing may change, but the way families LOVE each other will always be the same.

I hope you will "feel the love" over the next few days!

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS

SAY THE BLESSINGAND PASS THE DRESSING!

This is a specialweek because I’ll be visiting my daughter and her family.  Being with K.J. and Kalina is thesweetest thing in our lives!

Each day this weekI’d like to ask you to think of something you are thankful for.  And each day, “Pay it forward,” bydoing a random act of kindness. Put the GIVING back in Thanksgiving, and you know you will be the one tobe blessed!   (I recentlyheard a brain expert on a radio talk show explain how generosity sparks the“feel good” center of the brain. Beats taking drugs!)

I am thankful forteachers like YOU who love your students and try to make each day full of happymemories.

Check back with meon Friday because the 12 Days of Christmas will start then.  I’ll have great ideas for gifts yourstudents can make, cards, decorations, songs, and more.

I wish you peace,a grateful heart, and a special time with those you love!

BOOKS ARE FRIENDS

One exciting projectthat my husband and I have been involved in is providing books for Habitat Homes. If you’ve never been involved in aHabitat building project, you’ve missed a great opportunity.  It’s a FEEL GOOD for sure!

I got the idea forputting books in new Habitat homes from the International Reading Association,and I thought it was such a fantastic idea that I suggested it to our local SeaIsland Habitat.  They have involveda local high school to build the bookshelves, and then we get the privilege ofdelivering books to the new homeowners. To most of you, the idea of not having books in your home seems asforeign as not having indoor plumbing. But, it’s a thrill to see the faces of the children when they open thebooks and make friends!

Indigo Books, a local book store, has created a great book list and gives us a nice discount.  I'd be glad to share the list with anyone who is interested.  


I also heard about a great project from another teacher this week.  She taught at a Title 1 school, so her students didn't have much to begin with.  However, they did a Christmas project for another low income school in their area.  The children all brought in old books and toys and then had a "Santa's Workshop" to clean them up, wrap them, and make cards.  The teacher said it was so heartwarming to see the enthusiasm of her children sharing what little they had.

LOVELY LEXINGTON

Yesterday I sharedideas from Tennessee, and today I have a few great ideas from Lexington,Kentucky.  Lexington has got to beone of the most beautiful cities in the United States with its white fences,pastures, horses, and stables. 

Eyes on Me  (Neysa Puckett, South Irvine, KY)

Teacher says:  1,2,3, all eyes on me.  (Make goggles and point to self.)

Childrenrespond:  1, 2, eyes on you.  (Children make goggles around theireyes and look at the teacher.)

Scented Markers (Donna Laemmle)

Donna said theyalways read “The Kissing Hand” the first day of school and then drew a heartwith a scented marker on the children’s hands.

*Scented markerswould also be fun for drawing smilies, stars, letters, words, etc. onchildren’s hands - with parents’ permission, of course.

Cell PhoneReading (Amy Madon, Lexington, KY)

Let children useold cell phones to “read to a friend.” They can read the words, read the pictures, tell about a sight word theyknow, etc.  Great for oral languagedevelopment.

havefunteaching.com(Kari Seasor)

Kari said thissite has songs, videos, worksheets, etc. that her kids love.

Sketch toStretch  (Jenny Ianiero, PA)

Jenny sent me thispicture of a worksheet she adapted for her first graders.  What a meaningful way to buildcomprehension and Common Core State Standards. 

Yeah!  I know it's going in the wrong direction, but when I tried to flip it some of the picture disappeared.  You'll just have to turn your head to the side to read it! 

TERRIFIC TENNESSEE

Did you know thatI was born in Tennessee?  Maybethat’s why I have a special bond with the teachers there!  The Kindergarten Conference inNashville this week was TERRIFIC! I’m thankful some of the teachers wrote down these ideas I can sharewith you!

Bubble Words (AlysiaPitts, Woodbury, TN)

Use a bubble fontto make sight words and  place in aclear sheet protector.  Thechildren roll out play dough to make the words.  (If you don’t have a bubble font you can just create yourown words like I did below.)

*msalysiakindergarten.blogspot.com

Hannah MontanCheer  (Janelle Bush, TracyCity, TN)

(Tune:  “Best of Both Worlds”)

Hold hand like amicrophone and sing…”You did a good job!”

Justin BieberCheers  (Janelle Bush)

(Tune:  “Baby””)

Rock hands like acradle and sing a child’s name such as, “Kellie, Kellie, Kellie, oooh!”

“Eenie, meenie,minnie, mo.  You did a goodjob.  This I know!!”

Question of theDay  (Mary McCarroll)

First, do a drumroll by slapping hands on thighs.

Second, countbackwards from 10, 9, 8…0

Third, ask aquestion.  Put a T chart with “yes”and “no” on the board.  Childrencan place name cards or write their name under their answer.

Christmas CardPuzzle  (Bobbie Jean Hurde)

Cut up oldChristmas cards and place them in a brown bag or zip bag.  Children shake up the bag and then putthe puzzle together.

Ziploc BagQuilt  (Elizabeth McIntosh,Whiteville, TN)

Put 16 ziploc bagstogether with duct tape so the tops of the bags are still open.  Slip cards into the bags with skillsyou are working on.   Create asecond set of cards to match. Children draw a card and then use a fly swatter to swat the card thatmatches the one they selected.  Thesame quilt can be used for upper and lowercase letters, pictures and sounds, mathfacts, and so forth.

Reading StationPuzzle  (Mandy Collins,Rossville, TN)

You will needcardboard puzzles to create this center. Write sight words on the backs of the puzzle pieces.  Also write the sight words on thecardboard puzzle frame.  Childrenmatch words on the puzzle piece to the frame to complete the puzzle.

Word Bubble Map  (Linda Jo Kincaid)

Use bubbles tohelp children blend sounds and read words.  Make a bubble for each word family similar to the oneshown.  Write the answers on the back.

GOT MONEY?

There’s a littlelight shining in the academic world, and that’s the National KindergartenAlliance (nka.org).  They arededicated to preserving childhood and supporting teachers who care about thesocial, emotional, physical, as well as intellectual needs of all theirstudents. Liz Blek provides a fantastic newsletter quarterly for members withpractical and meaningful ideas. For those of you who need materials for your classroom or want to attenda conference, take a look at this list that Liz compiled.  This might be like opening a treasurechest for you!

KetteringFoundation

www.kettering.org

TheKettering Foundation studies the relationship between the public and theeducation system, exploring practices that can help regain a sense of growthin public schools.

 

W.M.Keck Foundation

www.wmkeck.org

Supportfor organizations providing civic and community services, health care, earlychildhood, and pre college education

  

Dreyer'sLarge Grant Foundation

www.nestleusa.com

Grantswill be given to K-12 public education schools and programs that help studentssucceed in core academic subjects and graduate to post secondary education and/orvocational training.

Teacher'sPet

www.jmsims.org

Thisgrant is geared specifically toward teachers' smaller projects

DeluxeCorporation Foundation

www.deluxe.com

DeluxeCorporation supports after-school academic enrichment programs across the UnitedStates.

www.dosomething.org/grants

www.donorschoose.com/grants

HELP!  If any of you have other resources,please email them and I will add them to this post.

Okeedookee!  Now that I've suggested how you might get some funds, let me tell you about the Early Childhood Summit at the College of Charleston this summer.  It's going to be AWESOME, and best of all you'll get to visit the NUMBER ONE TOURIST  CITY in the United States!  I'll be presenting along with Sharon MacDonald, Clarissa Willis, Lynda Weaver, and some outstanding faculty members at the College.  There's even a special session presented on outdoor learning.  They should have the website up with details in the next few days.  I'll keep you posted!

LETTER TIN

Place a set of magneticletters inside a cookie tin.   On the inside cover make three lines with a permanentmarker.  Have the children take outthe letters and place them around the lid in alphabetical order.  Call out a sound and have the childrenselect that letter and place it on the first line in the lid.  Call out a second sound.  Call out a third sound.  Blend the sounds and read the word.

Hint! Adapt the number of letters to the ability of the students.

It would be great if each child had her ownletter tin for large group

practice, take home activities, etc.  These would also work well for small

group instruction or individual tutoring.

*Use for otherphonics lessons.  “What other wordscan you make by changing the first sound?”  “Can you make a word by changing the end sound?”

*Younger childrencould use letter tins for identifying letters or making their names.

*Older studentscould use these for spelling words and other word games.

*Thanks to AliceBecket of Bellmawr, NY, for sharing this idea!

OVER THE RIVER

Overthe River – 4^th Thursday in November

(Traditional Tune– Happy Everything CD)

Over the river andthrough the woods       (Pretendto hold reins of a sleigh

To grandmother’shouse we go.                   anddrive as you bounce up and down.)

The horse knowsthe way                           (Puthands behind back and nod

To carry thesleigh                                    likea horse.)

Through the whiteand drifted snow.                 

Over the river andthrough the woods,       (Pretendto drive sleigh.)

Oh, how the winddoes blow.                       (Wraparms around self and shiver.)

It stings yourtoes and bites your nose       (Touchnose and point to toes.)

As over the groundwe go.

Through thecountry and cities far             (Pretendto drive a car.)
In sun or wind orrain.

We might go bytrain                                  (Pulldown on train whistle.)

We might take aplane.                               (Flyhand like a plane in the air.)

Or maybe a bus orcar.                                (Holdout right hand, then left.)

Through lowvalleys and mountains high         (Lookdown low and then up.)

Now, grandmother’shouse I spy.                  (Handover eyes.)

Hurrah, for thefun!                                    (Onefist in the air.)

Is the turkeydone?                                   

Hurrah for thepumpkin pie!                        (Cheerwith other fist.)

Comparisons – Usea Venn diagram to compare what it would be like to visit grandmother a longtime ago and how we visit now.  Howare things the same?

Graphs – Make a graph of how they will travel to their Thanksgiving dinner.  Car?  Plane?  Train?  Bus?  Boat?  Stay at home!

Family Celebrations – Holidays are a good time to talk about diversity.  Not all families celebrate Thanksgiving, but most families do celebrate something.  Ask children to bring in photos or celebrations they have in their home.  Put their pictures together to make a class book. 

THANKFUL BOOK

We Give Thanks

(Tune:  “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore” – HAPPY EVERYTHINGCD)

We give thanks forfood we eat.

Hallelujah.

We give thanks forfood we eat

Hallelujah.

We give thanks forfamilies…

We give thanks forfriends so dear…

We give thanks forall the earth…

Let childrensuggest other things they are thankful for and insert the words in the song.

Here is a link to run off the above book. 
drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2007/11_Nov/1booksNov/weGiveThanks.pdf

Thankful Books –Make blank books for the children so they can draw pictures of what they arethankful for.  You could use paper plates or napkins for the cover of the books.

Family Quilt – Involve your families in making a “Thankful Quilt.”  Give each child a 10” square of heavy paper.  Let them take it home and decorate it with photos or drawings of things their family is thankful for.  As the children return their squares, punch holes in the corners and tie the squares together with yarn to create a quilt.  Hang in the classroom. (At the end of the month, take the squares apart and make a book for your classroom.)

Food Drive – Plan a food drive at your school and distribute the canned goods to a local food bank.

TIMMY TURKEY'S TALE

Someone sent an email asking about this story.  Here it is!  You can make it in about 15 minutes today and enjoy telling it to your class tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day....

TimmyTurkey File Folder Story

 Directions:  Cut theshape of a turkey out of the front of a file folder. Insert colors of construction paper inside the file folder according tothe story. (brown, blue, red, green, yellow, purple, and multi-color)  Glue the words to the back of thefolder so you can read and remove one sheet of paper at a time.

*Encouragethe children to join in on the chorus!

Onceupon a time there was a beautiful brown turkey named Timmy.  One day as he strutted down the road heheard a bluebird say:

                  Ha,ha, ha!  He, he, he!

                  You’rethe funniest turkey I ever did see.

TimmyTurkey replied:

                  Oh,dear, oh, dear!  Oh, me, oh, me!

                  Whyam I the funniest turkey you ever did see?

Thebluebird answered:

                  Youshould be blue like me.   It’ssuch a peaceful color.

SoTimmy went home a dyed himself blue. (Remove the brown paper to reveal a blue turkey.)

Thenext day as Timmy strutted down the road he heard a red hen say:

                  Ha,ha, ha!  He, he, he!

                  You’rethe funniest turkey I ever did see.

Timmyreplied:

                  Oh,dear, oh, dear!  Oh, me, oh, me!

                  Whyam I the funniest turkey you ever did see?

Theredbird answered:

                  Youshould be red like me.  It’s such abright color.

SoTimmy went home and dyed himself red. (Remove the blue paper to reveal a red turkey.)

Thefollowing day as Timmy was strutting down the road he heard a green frog croak:

                  Ha,ha, ha!  He, he, he!

                  You’rethe funniest turkey I ever did see?

Timmysadly replied:

                  Oh,dear, oh, dear!  Oh, me, oh, me!

                  Whyam I the funniest turkey you ever did see?

Thefrog croaked:

                  Youshould be green like me.  Green isthe color of life!

Sowhat do you think Timmy did?  That’sright!  He went home and dyedhimself green.

(Removethe red paper to reveal a green turkey.)

Timmywas strutting down the road a beautiful shade of green the next day when heheard a yellow cat say:

                  Ha,ha, ha!  He, he, he!

                  You’rethe funniest turkey I ever did see!

Timmyanswered:

                  Oh,dear, oh, dear!  Oh, me, oh, me!

                  Whyam I the funniest turkey you ever did see?

Thecat laughed and said:

                  Whoever heard of a green turkey? 

                  Youshould be yellow like me.  It’ssuch a happy color.

Yes,you’re right!  Timmy went home thatnight and dyed himself yellow. (Remove the green paper to reveal a yellow turkey.)

Thenext day Timmy was strutting down the road again when he heard a purple parrotsquawk:

                  Ha,ha, ha!  He, he, he!

                  You’rethe funniest turkey I ever did see!

Timmysaid:

                  Oh,dear, oh, dear!  Oh, me, oh, me!

                  Whyam I the funniest turkey you ever did see?

Theparrot squawked:

                  Yellow’sno color for a turkey. 

                  Youshould be purple like me.  Purpleis the color of royalty.

Timmywent home immediately and dyed himself purple.  (Remove the yellow sheet of paper to reveal the purpleturkey.)

Onceagain Timmy was walking down the road when he heard his turkey friendslaughing.  They said:

                  Ha,ha, ha!  He, he, he!

                  You’rethe funniest turkey we ever did see!

Timmycried and said:

                  Oh,dear, oh, dear!  Oh, me, oh, me!

                  Whyam I the funniest turkey you ever did see?

Theother turkeys replied:

                  Whoever heard of a purple turkey? 

                  Youlook so silly!

Timmyslowly walked home and as he walked he thought to himself, “I have dyed myselfblue, red, green, yellow, and purple, and I have pleased no one.”  Then he got a brilliant idea!  He got all the bottles of dye and madeall his feathers different colors. (Remove the purple sheet of paper to reveal the turkey with the colorfulfeathers.

Thenext day as Timmy Turkey strutted down the road everyone laughed and cheered!

                  Ha,ha, ha!  He, he, he!

                  You’rethe most beautiful turkey we ever did see!

                 

Andthat’s why you always see turkeys with beautiful tail colors!

THANKSGIVING STORY BRACELET

Every year Ireceive requests for the “Thanksgiving Story Bracelet.”  You will need to purchase the beads andpipe cleaners and demonstrate how to make the bracelet before asking thechildren to do it.  Practicereading the poem several times as children touch each color.  Encourage the children to tell thestory of the first Thanksgiving independently using the beads as a clue.  Send home a copy of the poem so thechildren can share it with their families.

^{Withthis bracelet you will know   (Start with a pipe cleaner.)}

^{Thefirst Thanksgiving that was long, long ago.}

^{ThePilgrims set sail from far away}

^{Onthe Mayflower with tall white sails.   (Insert a white bead.)}

^{Theysailed many days across the ocean blue. (Add a blue bead.)}

^{Theseas were rough, but the ship came through.}

^{Atlast they spotted land so green. (String on a green bead.)}

^{Theywere so happy they cheered and screamed.}

^{Thefirst year was so hard and black. (Now a black bead.)}

^{Manydied and wished that they could go back.}

^{Butthe Native Americans gave them a hand}

^{Andhelped them survive in the strange new land.}

^{Theydecided to celebrate in a special way}

^{Andthat became the first Thanksgiving day.}

^{Theyprepared a feast with turkeys brown (Add a brown bead.)}

^{Andred cranberries that they had found.   (Time for a red bead.)}

^{Yellowcorn that they had learned to grow (Insert a yellow bead.)}

^{Andorange pumpkin pies, don’t you know!   (Last an orange bead.)}

^{Butbefore they ate the turkey and dressing,}

^{Theyall held hands for a thankful blessing. (Twist the ends of the}

                                                ^{pipecleaner to make a bracelet.)}

 

SIGN WITH ME!

Sign Language Center

You can make this simpleSIGN LANGUAGE CENTER with a pocket folder.  Glue a copy of manual signs for letters on the inside of thefolder.  (Download this at aslpro.com.)  Write alphabet letters onindex cards and place them in the pocket. Children choose a card and then try to reproduce that sign.  For older children, write highfrequency words or spelling words on index cards for them to practice spellingmanually.

Signing Songs

Learn to sign simple songs using manual signs.  "Old MacDonald" or "I Know an Old Lady" would be a good place to start because you could just sign the animals for each verse.  Alphabet songs, "The Color Farm," "Days of the Week," and other concept songs could be enriched with sign language.

Classroom Management

Tired of talking and having your students ignore you?  Try teaching them the signs below and you'll be surprised how the noise level in your classroom decreases.  (Go to aslpro.com to watch video clips.)

Pay Attention            palmspointing towards face

Stand Up                  2fingers standing on palm and then point up

Sit Down                   2fingers sitting and then point down

Walk                         walkfingers

Wait                         handsto side and wiggle fingers

Stop                         chophand on palm

Restroom                  make“t” and wiggle 

Water                      make“w” with fingers and place near your mouth

Use sign language as a quick review.  You can ask questions and all the children can quietly respond with:

Yes                          wigglefist up and down

No                           indexand middle finger down to thumb

Understand              wiggleindex finger near brain

Don’t Understand     shake head “no” as youwiggle index finger

Reinforce manners with these signs:

Please                        palmopen on chest and circle around

Thank you                  fingerson chin and then down to palm

Sorry                        makefist and rub on chest in circular motion

And here's one of the best signs of all!

I LOVE YOU!