Warung Online

Sabtu, 31 Desember 2011

COOKING A HAM


Thinkingabout that ham you’re going to cook for New Year’s Day?  I thought this story might beappropriate as you think about 2012.

Oncethere was a newly married couple. The bride decided to cook her husband a ham.  She cut off the front of the ham and the back of the ham.  Then she put the ham in the pan and putit in the oven.  Her new husbandasked, “Why did you cut off the front of the ham and the back of the ham beforeyou put it in the pan?”  Shereplied, “Well, my mother always did it that way.”

Thehusband went to his mother-in-law and asked, “Why do you always cut off thefront of the ham and the back of the ham before you put it in the pan?”  She replied, “Well, my mother alwaysdid it that way.”

Thehusband went to the grandmother and asked, “Why do you always cut off the frontof the ham and the back of the ham before you put it in the pan?”  She replied with a smile, “My pan wasalways too small.”

Asimilar practice often underlies what we do as educators.  We don’t know why we do things –we justdo them because we’ve always done them that way.  Thinking about WHY you do certain things each day and HOWyou might improve instructional techniques is a challenge that makes our jobmore exciting.
Remember!  If you always do what you’ve alwaysdone then you’ll continue to get what you’ve always got!

Jumat, 30 Desember 2011

BUILDING BRIDGES IN 2012

Forthose of you who haven’t been to my July, 2012, website yet to find out whatthe PARENT POWER PAK is all about, this is a perfect time to take a peek.  Research continues to reinforce theimportance of involving families in their child’s education.  So I’ve got an activity calendar andreading calendar you can download each month to share with your families.  It’s FREE, simple, and can provide ameaningful way to engage parents with their children.  Talk about a super resolution for 2012!

I’vealso rewritten the introductory letter to parents:

DearFamilies,

I’mexcited about starting the New Year, and I’ve got some great ideas to make thisthe best year ever for my children and their families!  You’ve heard it before, and I’ll say itagain. YOU are your child’s first and most important teacher! Children todayneed the same things they have always needed. They need caring adults to talkto them, sing to them, read to them, play with them, and LOVE them. And thegood news is that the best things to do with children are FREE!

Eachmonth your child will bring home a “family fun calendar” with suggestions foractivities you can do at home. You will also receive a reading calendar eachmonth to record the special times you read together.

Iwant to do all I can to fill 2012 wonderful memories for you and your child!

Sincerely,

Kamis, 29 Desember 2011

GOOD NEWS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD

I empathize withstressed teachers all over the country. You have your curriculum goals and standards on one hand and those shinylittle faces who just aren’t ready on the other.  Skills are being pushed down at every grade level.  For bright children, this isn't aproblem.  However, for manychildren school is becoming a frustrating experience.  There needs to be a continuum of learning, rather thanexpectations for ALL students to master ALL skills in a particular year.

I always come backto the question of, "What's the point?"  In the long run of life...at the end of the day...does itreally matter if they learn something when they are five or when they areseven?  It seems to me the mostsuccessful people in life have a good attitude, can adapt to change, know howto get along with others, can deal with failure and start again, arecreative...the very things we used to stress in kindergarten and earlychildhood! 

The good news isthat I see the pendulum starting to swing back a little, and some of themomentum is coming from parents. Parents have political clout and can bear pressure on decisionmakers.  The more parents know, themore they will appreciate play, hands-on learning, and the importance of ahappy, well-adjusted, balanced child.

Have you heardabout the Early Learning Challenge Awards?
The focus is onPLAY!  Yeah! 

"You gottadance with the one that brung you" and you "gotta dance with the onethat fund you."  Shut yourdoor and sing a song, play a game, and keep a little sunshine in your room.

Wish I were incharge of the world!  Wish I coulddo more to help you than put a few fun ideas on my website and blog.  Try to remember that a spoonful ofsugar helps the medicine/skills go down!

Rabu, 28 Desember 2011

WINTER TIME WOES

Beat post holiday blues with one of these suggestions!

Hot ChocolateFriday
I LOVE thisidea!  Ask each parent to send in abox of instant hot chocolate and an old coffee mug.  End your week by letting each child stir up some hotchocolate.  Read poems, say rhymes,and fall in love with language as you sip your hot chocolate together!

Game Day
This was on a blogseveral weeks ago.  Let childrenbring in games from home on Friday and play with their friends the last 30minutes on Friday.

Dress Up
We always lookedforward to dress up days.  Pajamaparties, beach day (Yes, in January!), what I want to be when I grow up, myfavorite book character, hat day, and silly sock day are just a few ideas.

LIFT
Crystal Ware ofAtlanta explained that their whole grade level gets together for 30 minutes ofLIFT every Friday.  LIFT stands for“Learning Is Fun Time” and I think it’s a wonderful idea for 2012.  It’d work well to put one class incharge each week and to relate songs, rhymes, stories, and games to standardsand themes.

Selasa, 27 Desember 2011

RAINY~SNOWY DAY GAMES

How about somegames for those rainy ~ snowy January days up ahead?

Four Corners
This was alwaysTHE favorite game in my classroom.
Number each of the corners in the room ~ 1,2, 3, 4.  Choose one person to be“it.”  “It” hides their eyes andslowly counts from one to ten as the rest of the class tiptoes to a corner inthe room.  When “it” says “freeze,”everyone must be in a corner.  “It”then calls out a number (1, 2, 3, or 4) and the children in that corner are outof the game.  They sit down in the“stew pot” in the middle of the room. (And vegetables can’t talk so they have to be quiet in the stewpot!)  “It” counts to ten again aseveryone moves to a new corner. The game continues until there is one person left.  That person becomes the new “it.”
Hint! As the game continues there will be fewer players and there might not beanyone in a corner called. 

Hint! Shorten the game by having “it” call out two corners at a time.
If there is no one in the corner, ask “it”to call out another number.

Countdown
Someone at theKindergarten Conference in Atlanta taught us this game that is similar to HotPotato. 
The class forms acircle.  The teacher points to onewho says, “One.”  The next child totheir right says, “Two.”  Continuearound the circle with each child saying the next number.  When you get to “ten,” that child hasto sit down.  Continue countingaround the circle and having the child who says “ten” sit down.  The last child standing gets to choosewho will start the next round.
Hint!  Count by tens and whoever says “100”has to sit down.
Practice countingby ordinals, “First, second, third…” The child who says “tenth” must sit down.

Quiet Touch
This is a great game to quiet children andbuild memory skills.  The firstchild gets up and touches an object and then sits down.  The second child gets up, touches thefirst object, then touches an additional object.  The third child touches the first object, second object, andadds a third object.  The gamecontinues as classmates touch what the previous children have touched insequential order and then add a new item. When a child forgets, simply begin the game all over again.

Silent Ball
You will need a small, soft ball for thisgame.  Explain that the object ofthe game is to see how many times you can toss the ball without talking.  Look at the person you are throwing theball to so they will be ready. Silently count how many times we can throw the ball without talking ordropping it.  If someone talks ordrops the ball, then the game begins all over again.

Snowballs

Eachchild takes a sheet of paper and writes a word wall word, spelling word, mathfact, etc. on it.  Children wad uptheir sheet of paper to make it a “snowball.”  Divide the class into two teams and have them stand about 20 feet from each other.  When the teacher says, “Let it snow!”children begin throwing their snowballs at the opposite side.  Children pick up a snowball andidentify the information on it before throwing it back at the other side.  The game continues until the teachersays, “Freeze!”  Count the numberof snowballs on each side.  Who hasmore?  Who has less?  In this game, the team with the smalleramount is actually the winner! Everyone gets another snowball and the game continues.

*Asa study review, have children write questions on the snowballs.  When children
openthem they must answer the question before throwing it again.

*A teacher in OKshared a variation of this game that she plays.  Write letters, words, numerals, etc. on paper to make yoursnowballs.  Write correspondingletters, words, numerals, etc. on index cards and put them in a sack.  The teacher chooses an index card andthe child holding that snowball has to sit down.

Hint!  Tell the children that if they don’tknow the answer, it’s O.K. to ask a
friendfor help.

Senin, 26 Desember 2011

HO! HO! TO OH, NO!

It’s the day afterChristmas and time for leftovers and cleaning.  I hope you all have a special memory to treasure in yourheart.  It’s sad to put away thelights and the “merry” until next year, so here are a few (inexpensive) ideasto make yourself feel better today!
  1. Go for a walk or get some exercise.
  2. Call someone (yes, on the phone) you haven’t talked to in a long time.
  3. Read a book.
  4. Go to a movie.
  5. Make some hot chocolate or have a cup of tea.
  6. Take a bubble bath.
  7. Put on some favorite music and dance by yourself.
  8. Look at photos or videos of Christmas.
  9. Take an imaginary vacation on the internet.
  10.  Make a list of all the things you have to be happy about.

Say, these aresome pretty good ideas if I say so myself.  I might try a few before I get busy on the exciting ideasI’ve got coming up for you in the next few days. 

Kamis, 22 Desember 2011

I JUST HAD TO TELL SOMEONE!

Hi blog buddies!

I am so excited to be finished with the January Monthly Activity that I just had to tell someone!!!  I have been working weeks and weeks on "Vocabulary Vitamins" and it's finally finished.  Whew!  Well, I never really am satisfied with things, but it needs to go to my webmaster today, so I must stop.  Anyway, here's the preface, but you'll have to check out my website on January lst to get your "Vocabulary Vitamins" for the New Year.

Vocabulary is likeeverything else we do in early childhood. It’s not a one shot deal, but a myriad of experiences that create eachchild’s language tapestry.  And theyare all as bright and beautiful and colorful as the individual children thatyou teach!  I hope you willfind some vitamins this month to spark word ownership in the coming year!


My cup overflows with happiness, and I send a little to all of you!

Senin, 19 Desember 2011

One more thing...

I was going to take a vacation this week, but someone sent me this and it will put a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your hearts!  Aren't we lucky we get to work with children every day?


Enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ki8EcnVbd-Q 

Sabtu, 17 Desember 2011

SING, PLAY, AND BE HAPPY TO BE ALIVE!

Dear Friends,

I’m going tosing, play, and be happy to be alive, so my blog is going to take a vacationfor a week.  I’ll be back with lotsof fantastic ideas you can use to start the New Year on December 26. 

My daughter,Holly, sent this email several weeks ago, and I thought it might be ameaningful reminder to all of us this holiday season.  My wish for each of you is that every day for a few momentsyou can forget about the gifts, bills, cooking, and shopping and find time tosing, play, and be happy to be alive!

Wishing love,joy, peace, and hope to all of you! Dr. Jean

Tonight KJ and Idid his last week's homework together. He had to read a story and answer somequestions about it, trying to get to the theme or main idea, which I'mtotally in favor of since my college students struggle with this skill.However, the story was the old fable about the grasshopper and the ant, retold.On the back, the worksheet tells parents that the theme of the story is"Be sure to work hard and save up for bad times." Okay. No problem.But in the story the ant works all summer: "She did not have time to singand play." And what about the grasshopper? "He was happy to be aliveand spent every day doing all of the things he wanted to do... He sang hisgrasshopper songs and played in the summer rain..." What a beautifulthing! Shouldn't we all try to be a bit happier to be alive? Shouldn't we singand play more often? We work way too hard in this country, mostly to buy more stuff that wedon't need anyway. As KJ and I were reading this story together, itstruck me that our country is way too much like the ant--the anton overdrive! We've worked and accumulated so much stuff that wedon't have any time to play. And the poor grasshopper--the ant doesn't evenshare any of her food with him! How mean! Is that the kind of message I want togive KJ, that he shouldn't bother to help people who need help? That it'sprobably their fault anyway? So after he told me the "theme"--whichhe could do without blinking--we talked about how sad the story made me becauseI really like the grasshopper and I think we should all be happy to be alive,and I think we should help people when they need it. He said,"Yea--if the ant went to Disney World she probably wouldn't even goon any rides. She'd just be running around trying to find seeds andstuff and she'd get stepped on because there are way too many people atDisney World." And I thought that was pretty funny!  So here's to beinga little bit more like grasshoppers (especially in elementaryschool)!

Jumat, 16 Desember 2011

BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTS


For many of you,tomorrow is your holiday party and then the good times begin.  For others, you still have a few moredays next week.  Valium might benice for you today (just kidding!), but here are some beautiful thoughtsinstead.

Christmas wavesa magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and morebeautiful.  Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas,children, is not a date.  It is astate of mind.  Mary Ellen Chase

What isChristmas?  It is a tenderness forthe past, courage for the present, hope for the future.  It is a fervent wish that every cup mayoverflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may end in peace.  Agnes M. Pharo

I wish we couldput up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it everymonth.  Harlan Miller

The only blindperson at Christmastime is he who has not Christmas in his heart.  Helen Keller

Christmas isdoing a little something extra for someone.  Charles Schulz


God bless us,every one!  Tiny Tim

Kamis, 15 Desember 2011

BRING BACK THE BLOCKS


Finally!  The pendulum has swung about as far asit can in terms of pushing academics and I see a movement back to the basics ofchildhood.  You’ve got to read thisarticle in the NY Times.
         nytimes.com/2011/11/28/nyregion/with-building-blocks-
         educators-going-back-to-basics
Imagine parentswith all the money in the world taking a class to learn how to play with blockswith their children!  (Gee, I couldset up a model kindergarten class for those parents and call it a childhood spawhere they could pay $1000 to come and play!  Sounds like good therapy to me.)

I don’t know whocame up with the idea to remove blocks from kindergarten, but they should beashamed of themselves!  Froebelwould roll over in his grave.  Themore high tech and plastic our world becomes, the more children need naturalelements like wooden blocks.  Whenchildren play with blocks they develop motor skills, spatial awareness, mathconcepts, problem solving, language, social skills, creativity, and so muchmore.

Oh, the joy offinding wooden blocks under the tree this year!  Blocks don’t need batteries, won’t break, and can grow withthe child.  Last year after thegifts were unwrapped, K.J. went back to play with his old friends -the blocks!

Rabu, 14 Desember 2011

ODDS AND ENDS

Today is likegoing to the refrigerator and using up all your leftovers because I’m going toshare a few “leftover” ideas.

Fund Raiser
The school where afriend’s daughter goes in Charleston did this fund raiser last Saturday.  For $10, parents could drop their kidsoff at the school for six hours of babysitting.  They served the kids pizza, had a movie, had games, playedoutside, etc.  Talk about awin/win!!  The kids had a BLASTbeing with their friends and PLAYING and the parents had time to do theirshopping and errands.

Game Day
Margaret Carabbaand Alison Power from New Jersey have GAME DAY every Friday afternoon.  They set up stations with differentgames and then rotate the children through centers every 15 minutes.  They invite parents to come help playthe games, which is a great idea for the parents and the teachers.  (Or if you didn’t have parents thatcould help you might get a few 5th or 6th graders to cometo your classroom.)  Alison andMargaret relate games to standards. Just think of all the math skills, oral language, social skills, etc.children can develop with games.
*With cold andgloomy January and February coming up, I think this would be a super way to endeach week.

Upside DownDrawing
Lesley Falgiano ofVernon, NJ, shared this creative idea. Tape a piece of paper under each child’s chair.  The children lay on their backs underthe chair and color a picture.  Lesleysaid the children will be exhausted by the time they are finished and they willhave used lots of different muscles in their bodies.


Push the Wall
To build upper body strength while the children are waiting in line for lunch, PE, or whatever, have them put their hands on the wall and try to push it away.  It's almost as good as doing push ups!


Flashlight Tracking
Turn off the lights and let children use a flashlight to track print.  For example, they could point to the letters of the alphabet as they sing or they could read word wall words or a chart.

Selasa, 13 Desember 2011

GO DAWGS!


Go Dawgs! 
Cindy Conley ofHarris Elementary in Duluth, GA, shared this idea when I was at the GAKindergarten Conference a few weeks ago. She adapted a favorite cheer of the GA Bulldogs to reinforce letters andsounds.
Goooo dawgs!  (Circle fist in the air.)
Woof!  Woof!  Woof! Woof!  (Shake fist.)
Go A!  (Circle fist in the air.)
Apple  /a/ /a/ /a/ /a/ (Shake fist.)
Go B!  Bounce /b/ /b/ /b/ /b/
Go C….

Ribbon Ruler  Gina Skinner, Gwinnett County, GA
Ribbon with dots,frogs, or other objects.  Glue theribbon to paint sticks or large craft sticks and use like a ruler to measure.

Paper PlateNames  (Jennifer ?)
Write children’snames on paper plates and then scatter them around the room on the floor.  Sing this song to the tune of “IfYou’re Happy and You Know It.”
         Ifyour name is on a plate, pick it up.
         Ifyour name is on a plate, pick it up.
         Ifyour name is on a plate, pick it up and give a smile.
         Ifyour name is on a plate, pick it up.
*This would begreat the beginning of the school year for name recognition.
You could alsoadapt this by writing letters, words, numerals, etc. on the plates.  “If you can read a word, pick it up….ifyou know a letter pick it up…”

ClassPictionary
Each day choose adifferent letter of the alphabet and write it on a large sheet of paper.  Let the children cut out objects ordraw pictures of things that start with that sound.  Be sure and label their pictures.   After introducing all 26 letters, put the pagestogether to make a BIG BOOK PICTIONARY for your classroom.  Don’t forget to add a page forillustrators and the publisher (school, city, and state).  You could also let the childrendedicate the book and make a page that says “The End.”

Senin, 12 Desember 2011

OKLAHOMA IS O.K.


Hand Hug
Here’s a newhandshake that Christy Wheeler from Norman, OK, taught me last week when I wasin Oklahoma City.  You put rightpalms together with your partner and then wrap your thumbs around the side ofyour partner’s hand as you say, “Ahhhh!” 

O U Did a GoodJob!
This is a newcheer that you can do in any state. 
Oh  - Circle hands above head to make theletter O.
You – Put hands inair to make the letter U.
Did a good job! –Clap your hands on each word.
Oh – Circle handsabove your head.
S – Turn sidewaysand curve one arm and one leg to make the letter S.
You – Put hands inthe air to make the letter U.
Did – Fists in theair as if cheering.

Todally AwesomeCheer
Squat down like afrog and say, “Todally.”
Jump up with armsin the air and say, “Awesome!”

Golf TeeWriting
This is a greatidea someone shared to develop small muscles and writing skills.  Children spread play dough to make apancake and then write on it with a golf tee.

Once Upon aTime
Here’s a coolT-shirt idea for your school from Rori Hodges at Bridge Creek Elementary.


Websites
havefunteaching.com has some fantastic alphabet videos - and it's FREE!

Minggu, 11 Desember 2011

WHISPER WEDNESDAY


Yes, I know todayis Sunday, but I wanted to put this little bee in your head for this week.  Is the noise level escalating in yourclassroom as you near the holidays? Try “Whisper Wednesday” and it will be like a day at the spa.  (Well, not exactly, but it willsurprise you how soothing it can be.)

Before thechildren leave Tuesday explain that tomorrow will be “Whisper Wednesday” andthat you will only use whisper voices in your classroom all day.  (I might make up a little story aboutan elf telling me to do that because he has such big ears and loud noisesreally bother him!)  Make a signfor your door that says “Welcome to Whisper Wednesday.  Please put on your whisper voice beforeentering today!”  Greet thechildren at the door by whispering, “Good morning!  I’m so glad you’re here today!”  Sing, talk, read, and whisper through the day. 

You might enjoyWhisper Wednesday so much you will want to continue doing it every Wednesday inthe New Year. 

Sabtu, 10 Desember 2011

I BELIEVE!


I try to beprofessional on my blog, but every once in a while I’ve just got to speak mymind.  I am tired of people pickingon Santa.  I LOVE Santa and IBELIEVE!  He represents love andhope and dreams and goodness. Santa doesn’t say bad words or do drugs or hurt anyone.  He spreads happiness to childreneverywhere and wants to put a smile on their faces.  (Kind of like a lot of teachers I know!)
Call me Pollyanna,but I love the man!  Have you seenthe Best Buy commercial where the lady makes Santa look bad and says.  “Game on, Santa!”  That’s not nice of her at all!

If you have everbought a lottery ticket or put a quarter in a slot machine or looked for aprize in a box of Cracker Jacks…it’s the same as believing in Santa.  It’s all about wishful thinking.  It’s a dream and a hope for somethingbetter.  The anticipation of whatwill be under the tree or in your stocking is usually better than reality.  

As teachers, we are the dreammakers and believers!  We give children dreams and believe in the power of making the world a better place one child at a time.

Langston Hugheswas a lot like Santa when he wrote:
         Holdonto dreams,
         Forif dreams die
         Lifeis like a broken-winged bird
         Thatcannot fly.

I was leaving thefitness center yesterday and I commented to the gentleman at the desk, “What abeautiful Christmas tree!”  Hesaid, “It’s NOT a Christmas tree. It’s a holiday tree.”  Well,it’s a CHRISTmas tree to me and I believe in Santa Claus, too! 

Jumat, 09 Desember 2011

MAGIC WORDS


Manners go a longway in this world, but unfortunately many children don’t have parents who teachthem this at home.  Super Teacherto the rescue!  This is a perfecttime of year to talk about thanking others and what it means to be polite.  Here’s a simple song to the tune of “TheFarmer in the Dell” that will encourage children to use “magic words.”
         Thereare two magic words
         Thatwill open doors with ease.
         Oneword is, “Thanks!”
         Andthe other word is, “Please!”

*Role play when tosay, “please,” “thank you,” “you’re welcome,” and “excuse me.”

*Use puppets todemonstrate what children should say when they receive a gift.

*Teach childrenthese signs and use them as prompts:
         Please               palmopen on chest and circle around
         Thankyou         fingerson chin and then down to palm
                 
*Sing and signthis song to the tune of “Happy Birthday” to thank school helpers and volunteers.  It would be perfect for thankingparents at your school party next week.
         We   (Make “w” and circle around.)
         Say(Index fingers by lips and move out.)
         Thankyou  (Fingertips on chin and extendout.)
         To.  (Touch index fingertips.)
         You.    (Point.)
         (Repeattwice)
         Wesay thank you 
         Forhelping  (Open left palm and placeright fist
         onit and bring up.)
         Wesay thank you to you!

Hint!  If you go to aslpro.com and click ondictionary you can see the signs
demonstrated.

Rabu, 07 Desember 2011

I REMEMBER...


This is anostalgic time of year when we remember special vignettes from ourchildhoods.  My grandson loves tohear stories about when we were little, and when I visit schools the childrenall “listen up” when I share stories of my past. 

A great homeworkactivity might be to have the children “interview” their parents andgrandparents about their Christmas/Hanukkah memories.  What was their favorite toy?  Do they remember any songs they sang?  What was their favorite treat to eat?  Wouldn’t it be fun to get their parentsto draw pictures and write stories that you could turn into a class book?

When I was littleI was allowed to ask for ONE thing for Christmas.  And I only got ONE thing.  And I was happy! We would tack one of my dad’s socks near the door and in the morning itwould hold an orange, some nuts, and a candy cane.  It makes me a little sad when I think about how we overwhelmchildren with “stuff.”

What do youremember?  Share a little of yourpast with your class today.  

Selasa, 06 Desember 2011

GIFTS TO BE TREASURED


Here are a fewmore gifts that children can make. 

Paper Beads
These paper beadswould be great to put in a center to keep kids busy.  They could make the beads for a week and then string themfor someone special.
You willneed:  wrapping paper, comics fromthe newspaper, glue, pencil, string

Directions: Cutthe paper into ¾” x 7” triangles. Starting at the wide end, roll around a pencil.  Glue the end and slip off.  When dry, you can string the beads onyarn, ribbon, or fancy cord.

Picture Frame
A picture is agift that won’t end up in the trash. Children could draw themselves or you could take a photo of thechild. 
Hint!  One teacher brought in dress-up clothesfor the children to pose in and then printed the picture in sepia.
You will need:  cardboard, puzzle pieces, glue,photograph

Directions:  Cut cardboard into 4” x 8” pictureframes.  Let children glue puzzlepieces around the edges.  Tape aphoto to the back.

Decorate withbuttons and say “Cute as a button!”

Popsicle StickFrame
You will need:  craft sticks, craft glue, photograph,cardboard (cereal box)

Directions:  Lay two sticks togetherhorizontally.  Place two stickstogether vertically on top and glue in place.  Cut a photograph to fit in the frame.  Glue a piece of cardboard to the back.

Golden Shoe
This project takesa little work, but it will be an heirloom for sure!

You will need:  old shoes, gallon of school glue, oldpaint brush, gold spray paint

Directions:  Ask each child to bring in one oldshoe.  (Tennis shoes, party shoes,ballet slippers – they all work.)   Pour the school glue in a disposable container, andthen let them paint the glue all over their shoe.  (Inside, outside, all over!)  Dry for several days on wax paper.  Have children paint glue all over their shoe a second time.  Dry.  Spray paint gold or silver.

Adaptations:  Stick a sprig of holly in the shoe oradd this poem: 
Here is my little shoe. 
I made it just for you. 
When I’m grown and tall,
                             you can rememberme small

Senin, 05 Desember 2011

GIFTS FROM THE HAND


Short on money forgifts?  Check out my Decemberwebsite for lots of projects your students can make for their parents.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Luggage Tag
Here’s apractical, simple, and easy gift even the youngest students can make.
You will need:  pipe cleaners, alphabet beads,decorative beads

Directions:  Let children select alphabet beads forthe name they wish to put on the luggage tag.  String alphabet beads along with decorative beads.  Twist the ends to make a circle thatcan be attached to a luggage handle.

Paper Bookmark
Anybody would bethrilled to get a handmade bookmark.
You will need:  wrapping paper scraps, constructionpaper, scissors, glue, self laminating sheets, yarn, beads

Directions:  Make bookmarks by cutting theconstruction paper into 2” x 8” rectangles.  Let children decorate with wrapping paper scraps andpersonal drawings or a photo of themselves.  Cut self-laminating sheets into 2” x 8” rectangles and sealto the bookmarks.  Punch a hole andattach a piece of yarn decorated with beads.

PersonalizedNote Cards
Parents orrelatives will be thrilled with these note cards.
You will need:  card stock, children’s drawings, blackcrayon or marker, ribbon or yarn

Directions:  Give children a 5 ½” x 4 ¼” piece ofpaper and ask them to draw a picture of themselves or their family.  Make two copies of their design andglue to the bottom of another sheet of paper as shown.  Run off 5 copies on cardstock.  Cut down the middle and fold in half tomake note cards.  Tie together withribbon or yarn.

Adaptations:  Add envelopes to go with the cards.

Hint!  Do a class design and give sets ofcards to school helpers and volunteers.


I GOT IT!  I caught a little Christmas spirit!  We heard the Charleston Gospel Chorus sing last night and it was AMAZING!  I think we become so immune to the sounds of the season because they are piped in every place you go.  A live performance stirs the heart and rekindles the magic of the season.  Shut your door and SING LOUD!

Minggu, 04 Desember 2011

SOCK, CRACKER, POP!


Sock Snowman
Here is anadorable idea you can make with your class or with your own children.  This would be also be a great gift ideafor grandparents.
You will need:  white tube socks, fiber fill, rubberbands, markers, felt scraps, wiggly eyes, and other craft accessories

Have children fillthe bottom of the sock with 3 large fists of fiberfill.  Put a rubber band around thissection.  Put two fists full offiberfill in and then put a rubber band around the middle section.  Put one fist full of fiberfill in tomake the head and put a rubber band. Pull the top cuff of the sock over the head to look like a hat.  Decorate with wiggly eyes, felt scarf,yarn hair, etc.  Draw on a mouthand buttons with markers.

Crackers
These won’t reallycrack, but they are lots of fun to make or give to friends.  They can also add a special touch to aspecial holiday table.
You will need:  cardboard rollers, wrapping paper,candy, small toys, curling ribbon

Directions:           Cutthe cardboard rollers into 5” sections. Fill with candy and little toys. Roll in wrapping paper, twist the ends, and tie with curling ribbon.


Holiday NapkinRings
Your children canhelp you spruce up your holiday table with these napkin rings. 

You will need:  paper towel rolls, stickers, yarn, lace,fabric, buttons

Cut the cardboardroll into 1 ½” sections.  Cut the wrappingpaper into 2 ½” x 6” rectangles. Spread glue on the back side of the wrapping paper and then wrap itaround the cardboard roll.  Tuck inthe top and bottom to make your napkin ring.

*You can also usestickers, yarn, fabric, or lace to decorate your napkin rings.  Insert a holiday napkin for a specialtouch. 

Sabtu, 03 Desember 2011

TWO MORE SONGS!


My Dreidel

I have a littledreidel,                  (Pretendto hold out palm with a dreidel.)
I made it out ofclay;
And when it’s dryand ready,
Then dreidel Ishall play.
Oh, dreidel,dreidel, dreidel,         (Clapas you dance in a circle like a top.)
I made it out ofclay.
Oh, dreidel,dreidel, dreidel,
Now dreidel weshall play.

My dreidel is soplayful,                (Pretendto hold dreidel in palm)
It loves to danceand spin;
A happy game ofdreidel,
Come play, nowlet’s begin.
Oh, dreidel,dreidel, dreidel,         (Clapand twirl around.)
Come play now,let’s begin!
And when it getsall tired
It drops and thenI win.               (Fallgently to the floor.)
 www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2007/12_Dec/1booksDec/MyDreidel.pdf

Dreidel Snack– You will need large marshmallows, pretzel sticks, and chocolate icing to makean edible dreidel.  Insert thetoothpick in the marshmallow.  Dipone end in icing.  Twirl it in yourmouth.

Kwanzaa –December 26-January 1
(Tune:  "Go Tell It On the Mountain")

Chorus:
Kwanzaa is coming                                    (Claphands.)
We’ll celebratewith gifts and lights.
Kwanzaa is coming
For seven days andnights.

We’ll unite andcome together                  (Holdhands as a class.)
With peopleeverywhere.
We’ll work andhelp each other
To show how muchwe care.
Chorus

We’ll celebrate theharvest                      (Pretendto pick fruit and
And all theearth’s first fruits.                  putit in a basket.)
Black, red, andgreen
Are colors thatwe’ll choose.
Chorus
            www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2007/12_Dec/pg00.html


KwanzaaFriendship Salad – Ask each family to send it a fruit.  Let the children prepare the fruits inbite size pieces.  Put all thefruit in a large bowl and stir to mix. Serve each child a portion in a cup.  What would happen if we had just eaten the fruit that webrought?  Would it be as good?  How is our classroom like that fruitsalad?

FriendshipChain – Give each child a strip of construction paper 9” x 2”.  Have them write their name on theirstrip and decorate with designs. Ask children to sit in a circle with a strip.  One at a time staple their strips together to make achain.  What happens when one stripof paper breaks?  (Gently pull thestaple on one to demonstrate this.) What will happen if one person in our room does not cooperate and be apart of our team?

Cymbals  - Give each child 2 paper plates todecorate with markers or crayons. Encourage them to use the Kwanzaa colors.  Let the children keep the beat of the music with these asyou sing the song.

 

Earth Day Copyright © 2012 Fast Loading -- Powered by Blogger