NAUGHTY OR NICE?

If you've been "nice" then maybe someone will give you the gift of going to a workshop in 2020. Can't wait to meet you!!!

January 7, 2020
Fort Worth, TX
The Learning Center of North Texas
www.link-ed.org
www.tlcnt.org

January 28, 2020
Jacksonville, FL
Early Learning Coalition of North Florida
elcnorthflorida.org

February 28 & 29, 2020
Pasadena, CA
Southern California Conference for Pre-K, TK, Kindergarten, and First
socalkindergartenconference.org

March 6, 2020
Atlanta, GA
Georgia Preschool Association
georgiapreschool.org  

April 4, 2020 Vicksburg, MS
Early Educators Conference
msullivan@vwsd.org

Wise, VA
April 18, 2020

Southwest Virginia Early Childhood Conference
scr5e@uvawise.edu

April 25, 2020
Mt. Vernon, IL
johnsonp@rlc.edu

LET'S BE BESTIES!!!!

HOW MANY SLEEPS?

It’s getting close to winter break! I wonder if the children know that you are even more excited than they are! Here are some math activities to keep them engaged over the next few days.

Magic Number 
Children stand in a circle and begin counting off. When you get to 25 (Christmas Day) that child must sit down. Continue counting until one child is left.
                      

Equations
How many different ways can they make 25?
20 + 5       5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5
1 + 24       19 + 6
25 + 0       10 + 10 + 5   (I could spend all day doing this!!!)

Mingle Jingle
Children tiptoe quietly around the room as they whisper, "Jingle, jingle." When the teacher calls out a number, they must form groups with that amount. Those students who are leftover can do a jumping jack or other silly movement. Continue having the children mingle and jingle and form different sets.
                                      


Shopping


Materials: advertisements from toy stores, grocery stores, or discount stores, paper, pencils, scissors, glue


Write questions similar to those below on a chart. Children fold a sheet of paper into fourths and then write a number in each section. Then they look through the advertisements and cut out an object that answers each question.

1. What costs less than $10.00?
2. What costs more than $100.00?

3. If you had $20 what would you buy for your family?

4. What would you like to buy for yourself? How much does it cost?


5. Draw a T-chart on the back.  On one side write "wants" and on the other side write "needs." Children cut out pictures (or write words) for things they actually need and things they'd like to have.

Seasonal Shapes
Take a walk around the school and look for different shapes in seasonal objects. Can they find a circle? Triangle? Rectangle? Square? Cube? Cone? Sphere?
*Let them make a shape collage by cutting objects out of advertisements and catalogs.

IT'S ALMOST PARTY TIME!

Need an idea for your holiday party?  These are easy to adapt for any event. For example, instead of playing pin the red nose on Rudolph you could play pin the carrot on Frosty's nose. Rather than using sweet treats you could use pencils, stickers, or another prize.

Hint!  Parents who are in charge of your party might appreciate these suggestions.

Pass the Parcel
This is actually a game a student from England taught me. Thus, “parcel” instead of “present.” My students LOVED this! Fill a box with sugarless bubblegum, pencils, small toys, or stickers. There should be enough for everyone in the group. Next, wrap the present over and over again with wrapping paper, tissue paper, or funny pages from the newspaper. Children sit in a circle and begin passing the “parcel” around as music is played. When the music stops that child gets to open one layer on the package. (If the package lands on someone who has already had a turn they pass it on to the person sitting next to them.) Continue the game until the gift is reached. That child then passes out the goodies to the rest of the group.

                            

Hide and Hunt
Children love to hunt for things, so if the weather is nice you can hide jingle bells, snowballs (cotton balls), chocolate gold coins, small toys, etc. on the playground for the children to find.
                                                  

*Divide the class in half. Let one group hide the objects for the others to find and then reverse roles.

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
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.

*This would be a nice gift to make for a nursing home or shelter.



Magic Number
Fill a clear jar or container with candy, cotton balls, or jingle bells. The person who guesses the closest amount is the winner.

Pin the Nose on Rudolph
Draw a reindeer on a poster or chalk board. Cut out red circles and have each child write her name on a circle. Put tape on the back of each circle. One at a time, blindfold each child and spin them around gently three times. Face them towards the reindeer and challenge them to put the nose on Rudolph. Who can get the closest?

Puzzle Pairs
Take old greeting cards and cut them in half like a puzzle. Give each child one half. Have them close their eyes while the other half is hidden in the room. Children tiptoe around the room until they find their matching puzzle piece and sit down.

                                                                          

Pantomime and Name That Tune
Children love to perform, so they always enjoy playing “Guess who I am?” with seasonal objects or toys. They can also take turns humming seasonal songs for their friends to identify.

Word Games
Write a seasonal word on the board. How many words can they create using the letters in the seasonal word?
Hint! Pair children for this activity to enable all children to feel successful.

Holiday Four Corners
You will need four seasonal pictures to tape in each corner of the classroom. For example, a snowman, bell, candy cane, and candle. One child is “it.” “It” hides her eyes and counts to ten as the rest of the class tiptoes to a corner. “It” then calls out one of the objects. The students in that corner are out and must sit in the “stew pot” (center of the room). “It” counts to ten again as the students tiptoe to a new corner. The game continues until one child is left. That child becomes the new “it.”

NOT "BORED" WITH BOARD GAMES

All I want for Christmas is for parents to give their children board games!   I wonder if parents realize all the benefits of playing games WITH their children.  

Hint!  Put this information in a newsletter, blog, tweet, etc.  

You might also suggest that instead of giving a teacher gift that parents give a board game to the class!!!

                            

Why?
The most important reason to play games with children is because it’s enjoyable and fun for everyone in the family. Research studies also suggest that when children play games they develop academic as well as social and emotional skills, such as:

*number concepts, counting, shapes
*colors, letters, words
*eye-hand coordination and small motor skills
*visual memory
*following rules
*taking turns
*self-regulation - controlling impulses
*improved attention span
*planning ahead and problem solving
*persistence – never give up

Winners and Losers
One additional reason I like games is because it teaches the children how to lose gracefully. Yes, learning to lose is something all children need to learn how to do. Model appropriate behavior and how to lose. Demonstrate how to open your palms and say, “Oh, well!” when something doesn’t go your way.

Helpful Hints!
Follow the child’s lead. Never force children to complete a game or play a game. Remember, it’s suppose to be FUN! It’s perfectly fine to adapt games and rules for younger children to keep their interest. As they get older they will be ready to “play fair” and follow the rules.

Choosing Games
How do you choose games just right for a child's age and stage? Games that are too difficult will frustrate children, and games that are too easy will lose their interest. Most games have a suggested age range on the box. The internet is full of suggestions, but talking to other parents with children your child's age might be the best resource.

Game Day Is Coming
January and February can always be challenging times for teachers. Why not plan a “game day” every Friday afternoon? Invite children to bring games from home. Divide children into groups of 4 and rotate them through 10-15 minutes of each game. Have parent volunteers or upper grade students help monitor the games.

It’s only a game, but it’s a WIN-WIN at home or at school!  

 

HO - HO - HO - HOLIDAY JOKES

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.                          

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.

 

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!
                                  

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 cris-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!

HOLIDAY BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP

Let's get cooking with some of these recipes!

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!”

                                     

Hint!  This is a great gift for school helpers and volunteers.  Get a holiday mug at the dollar store and you've got a winner!

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.

                                                  

Reindeer Sandwich 

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.

*You can also sprinkle on cinnamon sugar for a sweet snack.

                     

IT'S A WRAP!

Save money on wrapping paper and cards with these "artsy" ideas.

Wrapping Paper – With tissue paper, paper plates, paint, and cookie cutters you’ll be all set to create your own wrapping paper.  First, fold a paper towel and place it on a paper plate.  Pour paint on the paper towel.  Let children dip the cookie cutters in the paint and print on the tissue paper.

*Recycle paper grocery sacks to use as wrapping paper.

*Let children paint with pine boughs on newspaper to create wrapping paper.

*Use fruits or vegetable prints to create one of a kind wrapping paper.

Gift Tags – You’ll need card stock, an ink pad, fine tip markers, and ribbon to make these gift cards.  Cut card stock into 2” x 5” rectangles.  Fold in half.  Children press their thumb on the ink pad and then print on the front of the card.   Let them add details 

with markers.  Punch a hole and tie on a ribbon.

Greeting Cards  - Let children use fingerprints or hand prints to make “one of a kind” holiday cards.  They can also make a colorful collage by gluing bits of wrapping paper to a blank card.