While you're out shopping this weekend, stop at the Dollar Store and pick up some holiday "treats" you can use for learning centers and games.
Materials: stickers or gift cards, heavy paper cut in 3 1/2” squares
Attach 2 of each different sticker to the squares. Younger children can use these as a matching game.
Fit Like a Puzzle
Materials: puzzle and frame, marker
Write an uppercase letter on each puzzle piece and a lowercase letter on the shape in the frame. As children match up letters they will complete the puzzle.
*Use for math facts, synonyms, number words, and other skills.
*Use for math facts, synonyms, number words, and other skills.
Foam Letters
Materials: gift bag, foam letters, paper, pencils
Place foam letters in the gift bag. Children draw a letter, write the letter, and then draw something or write a word that starts with that sound.
*Hide the letters in the classroom for children to find. Can they get with a friend and make a word with their letters?
Silly Glasses
Materials: silly glasses, paper, pencil, clipboard
Children walk around the room and write words they can read.
*Can they find a word for each letter of the alphabet?
*For a partner project let one child wear the glasses. The friend takes a pointer and points to words for their friend to read.
Materials: gift bag, foam letters, paper, pencils
*Hide the letters in the classroom for children to find. Can they get with a friend and make a word with their letters?
Silly Glasses
Materials: silly glasses, paper, pencil, clipboard
Children walk around the room and write words they can read.
*Can they find a word for each letter of the alphabet?
*For a partner project let one child wear the glasses. The friend takes a pointer and points to words for their friend to read.
Book Presents (Danielle Underwood)
Wrap holiday books up like presents. Randomly choose a name out of a popsicle tin and let that child unwrap the present. After reading the book, display it for the children to look at during free time.
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.
Here's a video I did several years ago where I demonstrate the activities for December:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT6ZaiWeiVs
Wrap holiday books up like presents. Randomly choose a name out of a popsicle tin and let that child unwrap the present. After reading the book, display it for the children to look at during free time.
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.
Here's a video I did several years ago where I demonstrate the activities for December:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT6ZaiWeiVs