Showing posts with label December. Show all posts
Showing posts with label December. Show all posts
Friday, July 4, 2025
DECEMBER HAPPIES
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Thursday, December 5, 2024
HOLIDAY HANDS
There's nothing quite as sweet as little hands and little feet! You can trace around your children's hands and cut them out, or let the children dip their hands in paint and print.
P.S. These hand and feet projects make great bulletin boards. The hand tree or wreath could be used on your door. The reindeer could be used for "Teacher's name Herd." Or, how about "Teacher's name Little Angels."
Hint! Use fabric paint and make holiday shirts with handprints and footprints.
P.S. These hand and feet projects make great bulletin boards. The hand tree or wreath could be used on your door. The reindeer could be used for "Teacher's name Herd." Or, how about "Teacher's name Little Angels."
Hint! Use fabric paint and make holiday shirts with handprints and footprints.
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
HO HO JOKES
How about some holiday jokes to make you smile? Write one on the board each day to use for choral reading, double meanings of words, and phonological awareness.
Knock, knock!Who’s there?
Holly.
Holly who?
Holly – days are here again!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Dexter.
Dexter who?
Dexter halls with boughs of holly.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Mary.
Mary who?
Mary Christmas to you!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Avery.
Avery who?
Avery merry Christmas to you!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Wayne.
Wayne who?
Wayne in the manger…
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Oakham.
Oakham who?
Oakham all ye faithful…
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Rabbit.
Rabbit who?
Rabbit up carefully – it’s a present.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Donut.
Donut who?
Donut open until Christmas.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Olive.
Olive who?
Olive the other reindeer.
Holly.
Holly who?
Holly – days are here again!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Dexter.
Dexter who?
Dexter halls with boughs of holly.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Mary.
Mary who?
Mary Christmas to you!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Avery.
Avery who?
Avery merry Christmas to you!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Wayne.
Wayne who?
Wayne in the manger…
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Oakham.
Oakham who?
Oakham all ye faithful…
Who’s there?
Rabbit.
Rabbit who?
Rabbit up carefully – it’s a present.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Donut.
Donut who?
Donut open until Christmas.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Olive.
Olive who?
Olive the other reindeer.
What’s red and white and goes up and down?
Santa Clause in an elevator.
What did the ghost say to Santa?
I’ll have a boo Christmas without you.
Who delivers presents to dogs?
Santa paws!
Who delivers presents to cats?
Santa claws!
Why did the elf go to school? To learn his ELFabet!
Santa Clause in an elevator.
What did the ghost say to Santa?
I’ll have a boo Christmas without you.
Who delivers presents to dogs?
Santa paws!
Who delivers presents to cats?
Santa claws!
Why did the elf go to school? To learn his ELFabet!
Why do rappers like Christmas so much?
Because of all the wrapping!
What did the reindeer say when he saw an elf?
Nothing. Reindeer can’t talk.
How do you scare a snowman?
You get a hair dryer.
What do snowmen eat for Christmas?
Frosted Flakes.
What goes, “Oh, oh, oh!”
Santa Claus walking backwards.
What do you call the wrapping paper leftover from opening presents?
A christ-MESS.
What Christmas carol is a favorite of parents?
Silent Night.
Why is it so cold at Christmas?
Because it’s Decembrrrrrr!
What is in December that isn’t in any other month?
The letter “D”!
What do the cows say on Christmas morning?
Mooooey Christmas!
What kind of money do elves use?
Jingle bills!
What does Santa do in his garden?
He hoe, hoe, hoes!
Because of all the wrapping!
What did the reindeer say when he saw an elf?
Nothing. Reindeer can’t talk.
How do you scare a snowman?
You get a hair dryer.
What do snowmen eat for Christmas?
Frosted Flakes.
What goes, “Oh, oh, oh!”
Santa Claus walking backwards.
What do you call the wrapping paper leftover from opening presents?
A christ-MESS.
What Christmas carol is a favorite of parents?
Silent Night.
Why is it so cold at Christmas?
Because it’s Decembrrrrrr!
What is in December that isn’t in any other month?
The letter “D”!
What do the cows say on Christmas morning?
Mooooey Christmas!
What kind of money do elves use?
Jingle bills!
What does Santa do in his garden?
He hoe, hoe, hoes!
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Monday, December 2, 2024
HOLLY JOLLY WRITING
Children will be more excited about writing with some of these tips.
Napkin Books
Materials: holiday napkins, paper, stapler
Cut paper the size of the napkin. Insert 4-6 sheets of paper in the napkin and staple at the top as shown. Place these in the writing center for creative writing.
Note! The front of the napkin could also be used as a story prompt.
Sticker Story
Materials: holiday stickers, paper, pencils, pens
Let children choose a sticker and put it in the middle of a sheet of paper. Challenge them to write a poem or story or draw a picture around the sticker.
Giving Book
Materials: paper, rubber band, seasonal pencil, advertisements and catalogs, scissors, glue
Fold 3 sheets of paper in half. Punch 2 holes about 2 ½” down on the crease side as shown. Insert a rubber band in one hole and slide one end of the pencil through the loop. Slide the other end of the pencil through the other loop. Let children draw or cut out pictures of items they would like to GIVE to family members and friends.
Holiday Card Center
Materials: paper, pencil, envelopes, markers, crayons, stickers, scrap paper, etc.
Place the writing materials in a tub. Make a seasonal picture dictionary similar to the one shown. Add a class directory with students’ names and photos. Teach children how to fold a sheet of paper into fourths to make a basic card. Invite them to make holiday cards for family members and friends.
Note! You could also ask them to make cards for school helpers and volunteers.
Letters to Santa
Some of you may not be able to do this, but an open center where children could write letters to Santa might get them excited about writing.
Note! There are several free templates for these letters on the internet.
Napkin Books
Materials: holiday napkins, paper, stapler
Cut paper the size of the napkin. Insert 4-6 sheets of paper in the napkin and staple at the top as shown. Place these in the writing center for creative writing.
Note! The front of the napkin could also be used as a story prompt.
Sticker Story
Materials: holiday stickers, paper, pencils, pens
Let children choose a sticker and put it in the middle of a sheet of paper. Challenge them to write a poem or story or draw a picture around the sticker.
Giving Book
Fold 3 sheets of paper in half. Punch 2 holes about 2 ½” down on the crease side as shown. Insert a rubber band in one hole and slide one end of the pencil through the loop. Slide the other end of the pencil through the other loop. Let children draw or cut out pictures of items they would like to GIVE to family members and friends.
Holiday Card Center
Materials: paper, pencil, envelopes, markers, crayons, stickers, scrap paper, etc.
Place the writing materials in a tub. Make a seasonal picture dictionary similar to the one shown. Add a class directory with students’ names and photos. Teach children how to fold a sheet of paper into fourths to make a basic card. Invite them to make holiday cards for family members and friends.
Note! You could also ask them to make cards for school helpers and volunteers.
Letters to Santa
Note! There are several free templates for these letters on the internet.
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Saturday, December 10, 2022
BAKE COOKIES DAY
Need another idea to make through the week. Why not celebrate Bake Cookies Day with one of these activities.
Bake Cookies Day is December 16, but it's fun to bake cookies any day of the year. Here’s what holidayinsights.com says about today:
Play Dough
Put cookie cutters and play dough on a cookie sheet. Add a rolling pin (cylinder block), scissors, and plastic utensils.
Paper Ornaments
Put some cookie cutters, scissors, glue, and the scrap box out on a table. Let children trace around the cookie cutters, cut out their paper cookies, and then decorate with stickers or glitter pens. Punch a hole, tie on a string, and decorate the tree.
Graph
What’s your favorite kind of cookie? Do a bar graph and tally the results.
Recipes
Let children write their own “how to make cookies” recipes.
Descriptions
Give each child a cookie and ask them to draw what it looks like. Next, ask them to write 2-5 sentences describing their cookie. Finally, they get to eat the cookie!
What else? Read books or sing songs about cookies…or, just wait until a boring January day to do these things!!
'Ya gotta just love Bake Cookies Day.........
..... Christmas is for Christians
..... Hanukkah is just for Jews
.
.... Ramadan is for those of Islamic descent
..... Kwanzaa is for those of African origin
..... Native American Day is for American Indians
But, Bake Cookies Day is for EVERYONE!
Put cookie cutters and play dough on a cookie sheet. Add a rolling pin (cylinder block), scissors, and plastic utensils.
Paper Ornaments
Put some cookie cutters, scissors, glue, and the scrap box out on a table. Let children trace around the cookie cutters, cut out their paper cookies, and then decorate with stickers or glitter pens. Punch a hole, tie on a string, and decorate the tree.
Graph
What’s your favorite kind of cookie? Do a bar graph and tally the results.
Recipes
Let children write their own “how to make cookies” recipes.
Descriptions
Give each child a cookie and ask them to draw what it looks like. Next, ask them to write 2-5 sentences describing their cookie. Finally, they get to eat the cookie!
What else? Read books or sing songs about cookies…or, just wait until a boring January day to do these things!!
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Monday, December 5, 2022
TIS THE SEASON TO SING!
People sing because they are happy and they are happy because they sing! Let's do a little clapping and singing with these songs.
Use this link to download these books and songs free:
Use this link to download these books and songs free:
http://www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2013/12_Dec_css/
Holiday Cheer (Tune: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas")
Let's all do a little clapping,
let's all do a little clapping.
Let's all do a little clapping
to spread holiday cheer.
Let's all do a little jumping...snapping...blinking...laughing (Let the children suggest different movements. Tie in with the concept of VERBS.)
End by singing:
Let's all do a little smiling,
let's all do a little smiling.
Let's all do a little smiling,
and be kinder this year.
Jingle Bells
Chorus:
Jingle bells, jingle bells, (Pretend to hold bells and shake.)
Jingle all the way.
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh. Hey! (Fist in the air.)
Jingle bells, jingle bells, (Pretend to jingle bells.)
Jingle all the way.
What fun it is to ride and sing
In a one horse open sleigh.
*Have children sit on the floor facing the same directions. Demonstrate how to hold the person’s waist in front of you. As you sing the song sway forwards and backwards to the beat as if riding a sleigh.
S A N T A (Tune: “BINGO”)
There is a jolly bearded man (Put arms out in front of you
And Santa is his name-o. like Santa’s tummy.)
S – A – N – T – A,
S – A – N – T – A,
S – A – N – T – A,
And Santa is his name-o.
Holiday Alphabet
Deck the room with letters and sounds,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la.
Read and use them all year round,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la.
Listen up and then you’ll know,
How the letters and sounds do go.
Start with A and end with Z.
Happy holidays for you and me!
A for angels, /a/ /a/ /a/,
B for bells, /b/ /b/ /b/ /b/ /b/ /b/
C for candles /c/ /c/ /c/ ...
Holiday Cheer (Tune: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas")
Let's all do a little clapping,
let's all do a little clapping.
Let's all do a little clapping
to spread holiday cheer.
Let's all do a little jumping...snapping...blinking...laughing (Let the children suggest different movements. Tie in with the concept of VERBS.)
End by singing:
Let's all do a little smiling,
let's all do a little smiling.
Let's all do a little smiling,
and be kinder this year.
Jingle Bells
Chorus:
Jingle bells, jingle bells, (Pretend to hold bells and shake.)
Jingle all the way.
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh. Hey! (Fist in the air.)
Jingle bells, jingle bells, (Pretend to jingle bells.)
Jingle all the way.
What fun it is to ride and sing
In a one horse open sleigh.
S A N T A (Tune: “BINGO”)
There is a jolly bearded man (Put arms out in front of you
And Santa is his name-o. like Santa’s tummy.)
S – A – N – T – A,
S – A – N – T – A,
S – A – N – T – A,
And Santa is his name-o.
He lives at the North Pole… (Clap instead of saying “S.”)
His wears a suit all red and white… (Clap for “S” and “A.”)
He makes toys for girls and boys… (Clap for “S,” “A,” “N.”)
He drives a sleigh with 8 reindeer… (Clap for “S,” “A,” “N,” “T.”)
He’ll visit you on Christmas Eve… (Clap for all letters.)
*Write the letters S A N T A on paper as shown. On the back of each sheet draw a hand. Turn over the hands as you sing.
My Dreidel
I have a little dreidel, (Pretend to hold out palm with a dreidel.)
I made it out of clay;
And when it’s dry and ready,
Then dreidel I shall play.
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, (Clap as you dance in a circle like a top.)
I made it out of clay.
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
Now dreidel we shall play.
His wears a suit all red and white… (Clap for “S” and “A.”)
He makes toys for girls and boys… (Clap for “S,” “A,” “N.”)
He drives a sleigh with 8 reindeer… (Clap for “S,” “A,” “N,” “T.”)
He’ll visit you on Christmas Eve… (Clap for all letters.)
*Write the letters S A N T A on paper as shown. On the back of each sheet draw a hand. Turn over the hands as you sing.
My Dreidel
I have a little dreidel, (Pretend to hold out palm with a dreidel.)
I made it out of clay;
And when it’s dry and ready,
Then dreidel I shall play.
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, (Clap as you dance in a circle like a top.)
I made it out of clay.
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
Now dreidel we shall play.
Deck the room with letters and sounds,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la.
Read and use them all year round,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la.
Listen up and then you’ll know,
How the letters and sounds do go.
Start with A and end with Z.
Happy holidays for you and me!
A for angels, /a/ /a/ /a/,
B for bells, /b/ /b/ /b/ /b/ /b/ /b/
C for candles /c/ /c/ /c/ ...
Kwanzaa – December 26-January 1
Chorus: Kwanzaa is coming
We’ll celebrate with gifts and lights.
Kwanzaa is coming
For seven days and nights.
We’ll unite and come together
With people everywhere.
We’ll work and help each other
To show how much we care. (Chorus)
Chorus: Kwanzaa is coming
We’ll celebrate with gifts and lights.
Kwanzaa is coming
For seven days and nights.
We’ll unite and come together
With people everywhere.
We’ll work and help each other
To show how much we care. (Chorus)
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Saturday, December 3, 2022
HOLIDAY HANDS
There's nothing quite as sweet as little hands and little feet! You can trace around your children's hands and cut them out, or let the children dip their hands in paint and print.
P.S. These hand and feet projects make great bulletin boards. The hand tree or wreath could be used on your door. The reindeer could be used for "Teacher's name Herd." Or, how about "Teacher's name Little Angels."
Hint! Use fabric paint and make holiday shirts with handprints and footprints.
P.S. These hand and feet projects make great bulletin boards. The hand tree or wreath could be used on your door. The reindeer could be used for "Teacher's name Herd." Or, how about "Teacher's name Little Angels."
Hint! Use fabric paint and make holiday shirts with handprints and footprints.
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Friday, December 2, 2022
HOLIDAY BAKE OFF
Let's get cooking with some of these recipes! Even if you can't cook in your classroom, I bet parents would appreciate these ideas. How about your children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews???
Snowman Soup
Hint! This would be a great gift for school helpers and volunteers.
Wreath Sandwich
Menorah Snack
*You can also sprinkle on cinnamon sugar for a sweet snack.
Snowman Soup
You’ll need instant hot chocolate with miniature marshmallows, zip sandwich bags, wrapped candy canes, and red ribbon to make this treat. Put the package of the instant hot chocolate in the zip bag. Tie on a candy cane with these directions:
Here’s a little snowman soup –
Complete with stirring stick.
Add hot water, sip it slow.
It’ll warm you up real quick!”
Wreath Sandwich
You will need bagels, cream cheese, green food coloring, and fruit loops to make this snack. First, dye the cream cheese green. Spread it on the bagel and add red fruit loops for berries.
Menorah Snack
Children will need a small 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 4 pretzel sticks (candles) on either side.
You will need bread, peanut butter, pretzel twists, raisins, and a red M & M to make this yummy sandwich. Cut the bread into two triangles. Spread peanut butter on the bread and then decorate with raisin eyes and a red candy nose. Break pretzels in half and add for antlers.
Note! If children have peanut allergies spread with cream cheese or another topping.
Reindeer Oats - Put a few tablespoons of butter in a flying pan. Add a few cups of Cheerios and stir over low heat. Sprinkle with salt.
Reindeer Oats - Put a few tablespoons of butter in a flying pan. Add a few cups of Cheerios and stir over low heat. Sprinkle with salt.
*You can also sprinkle on cinnamon sugar for a sweet snack.
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Thursday, December 1, 2022
HO-HO-HO! HOLIDAY JOKES
NO JOKE! IT'S OFFICIALLY DECEMBER TODAY!
Here are some holiday jokes to make you smile. Write one on the board each day to use for choral reading, double meanings of words, and phonological awareness.
Hint! Each day write one of these riddles/questions on a piece of paper and tape it on your door. Discuss the answer at morning meeting.
Who delivers presents to dogs?
Santa paws!
Who delivers presents to cats?
Santa claws!
Why did the elf go to school? To learn his ELFabet!
Santa paws!
Who delivers presents to cats?
Santa claws!
Why did the elf go to school? To learn his ELFabet!
What’s red and white and goes up and down?
Santa Clause in an elevator.
Santa Clause in an elevator.
Why do rappers like Christmas so much?
Because of all the wrapping!
What did the ghost say to Santa?
I’ll have a boo Christmas without you.
What did the reindeer say when he saw an elf?
Nothing. Reindeer can’t talk.
How do you scare a snowman?
You get a hair dryer.
What do snowmen eat for Christmas?
Frosted Flakes.
What goes, “Oh, oh, oh!”
Santa Claus walking backwards.
What do you call the wrapping paper leftover from opening presents?
A christ-MESS.
What Christmas carol is a favorite of parents?
Silent Night.
Why is it so cold at Christmas?
Because it’s Decembrrrrrr!
What is in December that isn’t in any other month?
The letter “D”!
What do the cows say on Christmas morning?
Mooooey Christmas!
What kind of money do elves use?
Jingle bills!
What does Santa do in his garden?
He hoe, hoe, hoes!
I’ll have a boo Christmas without you.
What did the reindeer say when he saw an elf?
Nothing. Reindeer can’t talk.
How do you scare a snowman?
You get a hair dryer.
What do snowmen eat for Christmas?
Frosted Flakes.
What goes, “Oh, oh, oh!”
Santa Claus walking backwards.
What do you call the wrapping paper leftover from opening presents?
A christ-MESS.
What Christmas carol is a favorite of parents?
Silent Night.
Why is it so cold at Christmas?
Because it’s Decembrrrrrr!
What is in December that isn’t in any other month?
The letter “D”!
What do the cows say on Christmas morning?
Mooooey Christmas!
What kind of money do elves use?
Jingle bills!
What does Santa do in his garden?
He hoe, hoe, hoes!
Holly.
Holly who?
Holly – days are here again!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Dexter.
Dexter who?
Dexter halls with boughs of holly.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Mary.
Mary who?
Mary Christmas to you!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Avery.
Avery who?
Avery merry Christmas to you!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Wayne.
Wayne who?
Wayne in the manger…
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Oakham.
Oakham who?
Oakham all ye faithful…
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Rabbit.
Rabbit who?
Rabbit up carefully – it’s a present.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Donut.
Donut who?
Donut open until Christmas.
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Olive.
Olive who?
Olive the other reindeer.
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
Monday, November 28, 2022
JOLLY HOLLY WRITING
Today you'll find some books to "entice" children to write. I know some schools don’t allow “holidays,” so I tried to focus on a “winter” theme as much as possible. I mean, who can object to winter????
WINTER WRITING
Napkin Books
Materials: holiday napkins, paper, stapler
Cut paper the size of the napkin. Insert 4-6 sheets of paper in the napkin and staple at the top as shown. Place these in the writing center for creative writing.
Note! The front of the napkin could also be used as a story prompt.
Sticker Story
Materials: holiday stickers, paper, pencils, pens
Let children choose a sticker and put it in the middle of a sheet of paper. Challenge them to write a poem or story or draw a picture around the sticker.
Giving Book
Materials: paper, rubber band, seasonal pencil, advertisements and catalogs, scissors, glue
Fold 3 sheets of paper in half. Punch 2 holes about 2 ½” down on the crease side as shown. Insert a rubber band in one hole and slide one end of the pencil through the loop. Slide the other end of the pencil through the other loop. Let children draw or cut out pictures of items they would like to GIVE to family members and friends.
Holiday Card Center
Materials: paper, pencil, envelopes, markers, crayons, stickers, scrap paper, etc.
Place the writing materials in a tub. Make a seasonal picture dictionary similar to the one shown. Add a class directory with students’ names and photos. Teach children how to fold a sheet of paper into fourths to make a basic card. Invite them to make holiday cards for family members and friends.
Note! You could also ask them to make cards for school helpers and volunteers.
Letters to Santa
Some of you may not be able to do this, but an open center where children could write letters to Santa might get them excited about writing.
Note! There are several free templates for these letters on the internet.
WINTER WRITING
Napkin Books
Cut paper the size of the napkin. Insert 4-6 sheets of paper in the napkin and staple at the top as shown. Place these in the writing center for creative writing.
Note! The front of the napkin could also be used as a story prompt.
Sticker Story
Materials: holiday stickers, paper, pencils, pens
Let children choose a sticker and put it in the middle of a sheet of paper. Challenge them to write a poem or story or draw a picture around the sticker.
Giving Book
Fold 3 sheets of paper in half. Punch 2 holes about 2 ½” down on the crease side as shown. Insert a rubber band in one hole and slide one end of the pencil through the loop. Slide the other end of the pencil through the other loop. Let children draw or cut out pictures of items they would like to GIVE to family members and friends.
Holiday Card Center
Materials: paper, pencil, envelopes, markers, crayons, stickers, scrap paper, etc.
Place the writing materials in a tub. Make a seasonal picture dictionary similar to the one shown. Add a class directory with students’ names and photos. Teach children how to fold a sheet of paper into fourths to make a basic card. Invite them to make holiday cards for family members and friends.
Note! You could also ask them to make cards for school helpers and volunteers.
Letters to Santa
Note! There are several free templates for these letters on the internet.
Find many of my songs easily on iTunes and Amazon!
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