My friend Sharon MacDonald
sent me this cartoon recently. I
know it’s Friday the 13th, but Pooh reminds us that every day is a
blessing and every day should be our favorite day.
Janice Vinci emailed me
five powerful words:
JOY ATTRACTS. BEING GROUCHY REPELS!
She added that we were
lucky to be in a profession where there is so much JOY!
I know your children are
loud and wound up this time of year, but put on your rose colored glasses today
and pretend you are a grandparent and they are all the greatest gift in the
world!
Here’s a simple song to
sing to the tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Let's all do a little ringing. (Pretend to ring bells.)
Let's all do a little ringing.
Let's all do a little ringing to spread holiday cheer.
Let's all do a little clapping...
Let's all do a little dancing...
(Let children suggest other movements.)
Let's all do a little smiling. (Lower your voice as you sing the last verse.)
Let's all do a little smiling.
Let's all do a little smiling it's the best time of year!
Last week a teacher in Florida taught us a game called
“Mingle.” Children walk around the
room softly saying, “mingle, mingle.”
When the teacher calls out a number they have to make a group with that
amount. The “remainders” go to the
front of the room and they have to cluck like chickens. Continue “mingling” and calling out
different numbers. When I was at
the North Carolina Kindergarten Conference Tuesday I changed the game and we
said, “jingle, jingle.” The
teachers thought it was great and I bet your children will as well.
Dean Williams taught us another great game called “Count the
Bells.” You’ll need a clear jar
and jingle bells. Count to ten as
you drop 10 bells in the jar. The
children listen and count as you drop additional bells in the jar. How many are there in all? Let children demonstrate how many using
two ten frames and cubes.
I love jingle bells as did the little boy in POLAR EXPRESS and
the little girl in WONDERFUL LIFE.
When I was in the classroom I would tie jingle bells to the children’s
shoes this time of year and they were delighted. Hmm! I think
I’ll tie some to my own shoes before I go to my exercise class today! You’re never too big or too old to hear
the bells!
Jingle all the way and make it your favorite day!