DECORATE THOSE STANDARDS

Don't let standards be the Grinch to steal away your fun this month. Take a look at some of these ideas I’ve got for you! 

Sight Words 

Each day let children write a high frequency word on a strip of paper and glue the ends to make a link in a chain. They can practice reading over previous words each day as they add a new word and link. 

*Adapt these for Hanukkah or Kwanzaa colors. 

Snowman Math

Give children the outline of a snowman similar to the one shown. They can take buttons or other manipulatives and place sets in the top two sections. Join them together in the bottom circle to make the sum. Ask students to write the equation. 

*Give children a certain number of buttons. How many different combinations can the make on the snowman to come up with the same sum? 

 

Candy Cane Vocabulary 

Take a square sheet of paper and color red around the edges on all four sides. Roll up diagonally, bend one end, and you’ll have a candy cane. Use a web to brainstorm descriptive words for candy canes. 
                              


Descriptive Writing

Fold 2 sheets of paper in half and staple to make a book for each child. Children think of a title for their books and add their name as author and illustrator. Have them write and complete the following statements on each page: 
     My (holiday) smells like… 
     My (holiday) looks like… 
     My (holiday) sounds like… 
     My (holiday) feels like… 
     My (holiday) tastes like… 

*For younger children run off the sentences and let them dictate sentences. 

Preposition Elf Hide an elf (Elf on the Shelf or one of his friends) or similar seasonal toy in a different place in the room every day. Encourage children to use complete sentences as they describe where the elf is. 

*Let children take turns hiding the toy and calling on friends to explain its location.


Holiday Brain Breaks (Sharon Smith)
Have the children stand and in place and..

      Melt like a snowman…
     Waddle like a penguin…
     Twinkle like a Christmas tree…
     Prance like a reindeer…
     Laugh like Santa...
     Smile like an elf...

*Adapt for different seasons and themes.