SEASONAL STANDARDS

Don't let standards be the Grinch and steal away your fun. Take a look a few more 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.

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?


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 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 describe its location.


Read, Read, Fast as You Can! You Can Do It! We Know You Can!
I saw this delightful bulletin board several years ago. What an engaging way to get children to read sight words!

Timeline – Give children long pieces of paper so they can make a time line of the “Gingerbread Man.” (I cut my strips from grocery sacks.)
*Read several versions of the “Gingerbread Man” and compare and contrast.

BATS AND SPIDERS AND MATH - OH MY!

You can take any seasonal objects like erasers, small toys, or natural items (leaves) and turn them into learning materials.  Here are some ways to use bat rings and spider rings this month for hands-on math.

                                             

Note! I took my scissors and snipped off the ring part to make them easier to manipulate. I also removed the skeleton rings because I thought some parents might object. (I just try to keep everybody happy!)

Sort 
Ask children to sort the rings. What was their sorting rule? Can they sort them another way? 



Sets 
Draw spider webs and label with numerals or number words. Children make appropriate sets. 

     

*Use bat rings in spooky trees. Let children roll dice and make the amount.

Guess and Check
Put different amounts of rings in bags or cups. Write letters on the cups (A, B, C...). Children count and then record their answers.  

                          

Addition and Subtraction
Children can work out math problems with the spider rings.

                                   
 
Fill the Cup (I learned this from Carolyn Kisloski.)
Two or more children can play this game. You’ll need cups, plastic toys, and dice. Children take turns rolling a die and then counting out that many objects and placing them in their cup. The first one to fill their cup is the winner. To extend the game, continue playing to see who can empty their cup first.

*Use two dice so the children can practice addition.

Estimate
Fill a plastic jar with plastic toys. Children estimate how many and then write it on a sheet of paper with their name. At the end of the day count the objects. Who guessed more? Less? Who was closest?

Patterns
Can children continue a pattern with the toy rings? Can they create an AB, or ABB pattern?

                    

Position
Give each child a spider ring. Can you put it above your head? Can you put it beside you? Can you put it between your knees? Etc.

Bats in a Cave
Make a cave from a disposable bowl by turning it upside down and cutting an arch as shown. Display a certain number of bats. Put some in the cave and ask children, "How many do you see? How many do you think are in the cave?"

TOTALLY MATH

Make math ACTIVE and FUN with these songs and movements.


1. Math Is Fun!
2. Number March
3. Five Little Crabs
4. I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a One
5. Chant and Write
6. Sing and Spell
7. Five Little Monkeys
8. Kitty Cat – Position Scat
9. Spy a Shape
10. Shape-a-Loo
11. Days of the Week
12. Months of the Year
13. Clock Rock
14. Found a Penny
15. Everybody Do a Pattern With Me
16. Fraction Pizza
17. Numbers You Should Know
18. Country Countdown 1-20
19. Odd and Even Number Bop
20. Techno Count to 100
21. Skip Counting
22. Addition Pokey
23. Fact Families
24. Granny’s Arithmetic
25. Growing Up