I BELIEVE!

I try to be professional on my blog, but every once in a while I’ve just got to speak my mind.  I am tired of people picking on Santa.  I LOVE Santa and I BELIEVE!  He represents love and hope and dreams and goodness.  Santa doesn’t say bad words or do drugs or hurt anyone.  He spreads happiness to children everywhere and wants to put a smile on their faces.  (Kind of like a lot of teachers I know!)

Call me Pollyanna, but I love the man!  Have you seen the Best Buy commercial where the lady makes Santa look bad and says.  “Game on, Santa!”  That’s not nice of her at all!

If you have ever bought a lottery ticket or put a quarter in a slot machine or looked for a prize in a box of Cracker Jacks…it’s the same as believing in Santa.  It’s all about wishful thinking.  It’s a dream and a hope for something better.  The anticipation of what will be under the tree or in your stocking is usually better than reality.  

As teachers, we are the dream makers and believers!  We give children dreams and believe in the power of making the world a better place one child at a time.

Langston Hughes was a lot like Santa when he wrote:

         Hold onto dreams,

         For if dreams die

         Life is like a broken-winged bird

         That cannot fly.

I was leaving the fitness center yesterday and I commented to the gentleman at the desk, “What a beautiful Christmas tree!”  He said, “It’s NOT a Christmas tree.  It’s a holiday tree.”  Well, it’s a CHRISTmas tree to me and I believe in Santa Claus, too! 

MAGIC WORDS

Manners go a long way in this world, but unfortunately many children don’t have parents who teach them this at home.  Super Teacher to the rescue!  This is a perfect time of year to talk about thanking others and what it means to be polite.  Here’s a simple song to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell” that will encourage children to use “magic words.”

         There are two magic words

         That will open doors with ease.

         One word is, “Thanks!”

         And the other word is, “Please!”

*Role play when to say, “please,” “thank you,” “you’re welcome,” and “excuse me.”

*Use puppets to demonstrate what children should say when they receive a gift.

*Teach children these signs and use them as prompts:

         Please               palm open on chest and circle around

         Thank you         fingers on chin and then down to palm

                 

*Sing and sign this song to the tune of “Happy Birthday” to thank school helpers and volunteers.  It would be perfect for thanking parents at your school party next week.

         We   (Make “w” and circle around.)

         Say (Index fingers by lips and move out.)

         Thank you  (Fingertips on chin and extend out.)

         To.  (Touch index fingertips.)

         You.    (Point.)

         (Repeat twice)

         We say thank you 

         For helping  (Open left palm and place right fist

         on it and bring up.)

         We say thank you to you!

Hint!  If you go to aslpro.com and click on dictionary you can see the signs

demonstrated.

I REMEMBER...

This is a nostalgic time of year when we remember special vignettes from our childhoods.  My grandson loves to hear stories about when we were little, and when I visit schools the children all “listen up” when I share stories of my past. 

A great homework activity might be to have the children “interview” their parents and grandparents about their Christmas/Hanukkah memories.  What was their favorite toy?  Do they remember any songs they sang?  What was their favorite treat to eat?  Wouldn’t it be fun to get their parents to draw pictures and write stories that you could turn into a class book?

When I was little I was allowed to ask for ONE thing for Christmas.  And I only got ONE thing.  And I was happy!  We would tack one of my dad’s socks near the door and in the morning it would hold an orange, some nuts, and a candy cane.  It makes me a little sad when I think about how we overwhelm children with “stuff.”

What do you remember?  Share a little of your past with your class today.  

GIFTS TO BE TREASURED

Here are a few more gifts that children can make. 

Paper Beads

These paper beads would be great to put in a center to keep kids busy.  They could make the beads for a week and then string them for someone special.

You will need:  wrapping paper, comics from the newspaper, glue, pencil, string

Directions: Cut the paper into ¾” x 7” triangles.  Starting at the wide end, roll around a pencil.  Glue the end and slip off.  When dry, you can string the beads on yarn, ribbon, or fancy cord.

Picture Frame

A picture is a gift that won’t end up in the trash.  Children could draw themselves or you could take a photo of the child. 

Hint!  One teacher brought in dress-up clothes for the children to pose in and then printed the picture in sepia.

You will need:  cardboard, puzzle pieces, glue, photograph

Directions:  Cut cardboard into 4” x 8” picture frames.  Let children glue puzzle pieces around the edges.  Tape a photo to the back.

Decorate with buttons and say “Cute as a button!”

Popsicle Stick Frame

You will need:  craft sticks, craft glue, photograph, cardboard (cereal box)

Directions:  Lay two sticks together horizontally.  Place two sticks together vertically on top and glue in place.  Cut a photograph to fit in the frame.  Glue a piece of cardboard to the back.

Golden Shoe

This project takes a little work, but it will be an heirloom for sure!

You will need:  old shoes, gallon of school glue, old paint brush, gold spray paint

Directions:  Ask each child to bring in one old shoe.  (Tennis shoes, party shoes, ballet slippers – they all work.)   Pour the school glue in a disposable container, and then let them paint the glue all over their shoe.  (Inside, outside, all over!)  Dry for several days on wax paper.  Have children paint glue all over their shoe a second time.  Dry.  Spray paint gold or silver.

Adaptations:  Stick a sprig of holly in the shoe or add this poem: 

Here is my little shoe. 

I made it just for you. 

When I’m grown and tall,

                             you can remember me small

GIFTS FROM THE HAND

Short on money for gifts?  Check out my December website for lots of projects your students can make for their parents.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Luggage Tag

Here’s a practical, simple, and easy gift even the youngest students can make.

You will need:  pipe cleaners, alphabet beads, decorative beads

Directions:  Let children select alphabet beads for the name they wish to put on the luggage tag.  String alphabet beads along with decorative beads.  Twist the ends to make a circle that can be attached to a luggage handle.

Paper Bookmark

Anybody would be thrilled to get a handmade bookmark.

You will need:  wrapping paper scraps, construction paper, scissors, glue, self laminating sheets, yarn, beads

Directions:  Make bookmarks by cutting the construction paper into 2” x 8” rectangles.  Let children decorate with wrapping paper scraps and personal drawings or a photo of themselves.  Cut self-laminating sheets into 2” x 8” rectangles and seal to the bookmarks.  Punch a hole and attach a piece of yarn decorated with beads.

Personalized Note Cards

Parents or relatives will be thrilled with these note cards.

You will need:  card stock, children’s drawings, black crayon or marker, ribbon or yarn

Directions:  Give children a 5 ½” x 4 ¼” piece of paper and ask them to draw a picture of themselves or their family.  Make two copies of their design and glue to the bottom of another sheet of paper as shown.  Run off 5 copies on cardstock.  Cut down the middle and fold in half to make note cards.  Tie together with ribbon or yarn.

Adaptations:  Add envelopes to go with the cards.

Hint!  Do a class design and give sets of cards to school helpers and volunteers.


I GOT IT!  I caught a little Christmas spirit!  We heard the Charleston Gospel Chorus sing last night and it was AMAZING!  I think we become so immune to the sounds of the season because they are piped in every place you go.  A live performance stirs the heart and rekindles the magic of the season.  Shut your door and SING LOUD!

SOCK, CRACKER, POP!

Sock Snowman

Here is an adorable idea you can make with your class or with your own children.  This would be also be a great gift idea for grandparents.

You will need:  white tube socks, fiber fill, rubber bands, markers, felt scraps, wiggly eyes, and other craft accessories

Have children fill the bottom of the sock with 3 large fists of fiberfill.  Put a rubber band around this section.  Put two fists full of fiberfill in and then put a rubber band around the middle section.  Put one fist full of fiberfill in to make the head and put a rubber band.  Pull the top cuff of the sock over the head to look like a hat.  Decorate with wiggly eyes, felt scarf, yarn hair, etc.  Draw on a mouth and buttons with markers.

Crackers

These won’t really crack, but they are lots of fun to make or give to friends.  They can also add a special touch to a special holiday table.

You will need:  cardboard rollers, wrapping paper, candy, small toys, curling ribbon

Directions:           Cut the cardboard rollers into 5” sections.  Fill with candy and little toys.  Roll in wrapping paper, twist the ends, and tie with curling ribbon.

Holiday Napkin Rings

Your children can help you spruce up your holiday table with these napkin rings. 

You will need:  paper towel rolls, stickers, yarn, lace, fabric, buttons

Cut the cardboard roll into 1 ½” sections.  Cut the wrapping paper into 2 ½” x 6” rectangles.  Spread glue on the back side of the wrapping paper and then wrap it around the cardboard roll.  Tuck in the top and bottom to make your napkin ring.

*You can also use stickers, yarn, fabric, or lace to decorate your napkin rings.  Insert a holiday napkin for a special touch. 

TWO MORE SONGS!

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.

My dreidel is so playful,                (Pretend to hold dreidel in palm)

It loves to dance and spin;

A happy game of dreidel,

Come play, now let’s begin.

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,         (Clap and twirl around.)

Come play now, let’s begin!

And when it gets all tired

It drops and then I win.               (Fall gently to the floor.)

 www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2007/12_Dec/1booksDec/MyDreidel.pdf

Dreidel Snack – You will need large marshmallows, pretzel sticks, and chocolate icing to make an edible dreidel.  Insert the toothpick in the marshmallow.  Dip one end in icing.  Twirl it in your mouth.

Kwanzaa – December 26-January 1

(Tune:  "Go Tell It On the Mountain")

Chorus:

Kwanzaa is coming                                    (Clap hands.)

We’ll celebrate with gifts and lights.

Kwanzaa is coming

For seven days and nights.

We’ll unite and come together                  (Hold hands as a class.)

With people everywhere.

We’ll work and help each other

To show how much we care.

Chorus

We’ll celebrate the harvest                      (Pretend to pick fruit and

And all the earth’s first fruits.                  put it in a basket.)

Black, red, and green

Are colors that we’ll choose.

Chorus

            www.drjean.org/html/monthly_act/act_2007/12_Dec/pg00.html

Kwanzaa Friendship Salad – Ask each family to send it a fruit.  Let the children prepare the fruits in bite size pieces.  Put all the fruit in a large bowl and stir to mix.  Serve each child a portion in a cup.  What would happen if we had just eaten the fruit that we brought?  Would it be as good?  How is our classroom like that fruit salad?

Friendship Chain – Give each child a strip of construction paper 9” x 2”.  Have them write their name on their strip and decorate with designs.  Ask children to sit in a circle with a strip.  One at a time staple their strips together to make a chain.  What happens when one strip of paper breaks?  (Gently pull the staple on one to demonstrate this.)  What will happen if one person in our room does not cooperate and be a part of our team?

Cymbals  - Give each child 2 paper plates to decorate with markers or crayons.  Encourage them to use the Kwanzaa colors.  Let the children keep the beat of the music with these as you sing the song.