Mrs. Jackson's Class Website Blog

Dr. Seuss Crafts-Books-Activities

2012-02-15T14:49:00.000-06:00

Dr. Seuss - Quotes

2012-02-15T14:37:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss-Happy Birthday Party March 2-Books-Crafts-Lessons-Activities-Quotes

2012-02-15T14:25:00.001-06:00

For More Resources for a Dr. Seuss Party-Unit-Lessons-Activities-Crafts-Quotes-Projects:

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/drseuss.htm

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T15:04:00.001-06:00

Kindness Week February - Activities-Ideas-Projects-Lessons

2012-02-11T10:36:00.001-06:00

Random Acts of Kindness Week
2012: February 13-19

http://www.kidactivities.net/category/Random-Acts-of-Kindness.aspx

More Random Acts of Kindness Projects-Ideas-Books-Activities-Quotes-Suggestions:

http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Mardi Gras Crafts-Books-Activities-Treats-Ideas-Games

2012-02-09T16:12:00.003-06:00

Mardi Gras - February 21, 2012

For More Resources, Activities, Ideas, Lessons, Crafts, Units: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/mardigras.htm

Presidents' Day Books-Crafts-Projects-Activities-Lessons

2012-02-08T10:22:00.004-06:00

For More Presidents' Day Idea-Activities-Lessons-Crafts-Theme Units-Projects go to: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/presidentsday.htm

February -Nellie Edge News-Ideas

2012-02-06T09:56:00.001-06:00

1. Give Your Children Delightful February
Love-Day Songs

Oh, My Darling Valentine
(To the tune of Clementine)
February is a short month
28 days or 29
In the middle is a love-day,
Won't you be my Valentine?
Oh, my darling
Oh, my darling
Oh, my darling Valentine.
In the middle is a love-day,
Won't you be my Valentine?
—Author Unknown

This “just right” song came to me from mentor, retired kindergarten teacher, Joanie Cutler. Clementine is a contagious melody, so you may find yourself repeating, “In the middle, is a love-day, won’t you be my Valentine?” over and over again. What a memorable way for children to learn about February calendar skills, the concept of “middle”, and cultural traditions of love and friendship!

Download: Oh, My Darling Valentine for your Poetry and Song (“I Can Read”) Notebook.

Sing and dance everyday in kindergarten: It’s how the brain learns best!

View our growing collection of songs and rhymes: February Themes of Love and Friendship

February 2012 | Click here to read this issue online.

IN THIS ISSUE: 1. Give Your Children Delightful February Love-Day Songs
2. Create the Optimum Kindergarten Writing Program: Summer Workshops
3. Begin Planning for Student-Led Parent Conferences: Video Clip & New Links
4. Download Chewy Yum Yums & Full-Color Play Dough Picture Recipe | 5. February Writing Ideas & New Curriculum Links
6. Children's Books that Say, "I Love You..". | 7. Salem Kindergarten Cadre: Professional Development Goals

This is the monthly newsletter from the Nellie Edge Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy site. For more information and resources visit www.nellieedge.com.

Phonics, Reading, and Spelling Lessons

2012-02-06T09:22:00.000-06:00

Phonics, Reading, and Spelling Lessons

One of the most difficult things to do as a teacher is to come up with fun lesson plans week after week. Take a look at how our staff has turned difficultly into fun for you!

1. Bubblegum Blends - This lesson will bring their attention to which consonants make up the blends within the new words they have been learning.

2. Clouds of Main Ideas - When it rains, it pours!

3. Cooperative Spelling - Students will have to be quick as they work together to figure out the correct spelling of any given word from their spelling list!

4. Fishing for Phonics - The game in the following lesson is a lot of fun and a long-time favorite with kids.

5. Jumping Syllables - The following activity is an excellent way to learn the concept of syllables, by helping students visualize the structure of words.

6. Lily Pad Letters - Incorporating game play with spelling words can make this lesson more exciting for students! Rhyming Word Relay - It's time to rhyme!

7. Sight Word Go Fish - Don't see any sight words?

8. Spelling Shadows - Tracing words has been proven to be an effective tool for memorization.

9. A Story in Sequence - Remembering the order in which events happen is a large part of any story.

10. When They Were Young - Have your students ever wondered why certain story characters act the way they do?

Inspiring Teacher Quote
"In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years." Jacques Barzun

About Weekly Teacher Tips
This newsletter is brought to you by teach-nology.com

Valentine's Day Quotes-Poems-Verses

2012-02-03T18:58:00.000-06:00

Happy Saint Valentine's Day
~ the day we celebrate love ~

Wilt thou be mine? dear love, reply
Sweetly consent, or else deny:
Whisper softly, none shall know,
Wilt thou be mine, love? ay or no? - Written in 1415 by a Frenchman, Charles, the Duke of Orleans while he was in prison in the Tower of London to his wife.

l l l l l

To see her is to love her, and love but her for ever,
For Nature made her what she is, and ne'er made another - Robert Burns

l l l l l

Love has not gift so grateful as his wings. - Lord Byron

l l l l l

Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love. - William Shakespeare

l l l l l

Yet, my Heart felt a tug when you gave me a Hug.
I wondered if your Kiss would bring perfect Bliss.

l l l l l

Shall only you and I forbear
To meet and make a happy pair?
Shall we alone delay to live?
This day an age of bliss may give.

l l l l l

Love in the heart was not meant there to stay. Love is not love till you give it away

l l l l l

Written in Middle English 1100-1500

Throw it be alle other wyn
Godys blescing have he and myn,
My none gentyl Volontyn
Good Thomas the frere.

Translation:

Through it be all other wine,
God's blessing have he and mine,
My none gentle Valentine,
Good Thomas the friar

l l l l l

You may only be one person to the world, but you may also be the world to one person. - Peter Ustinov

l l l l l

Pray, never let us love divide,
In life or death to faith incline.
Then come to me, a lovely bride
To bless thy faithful Valentine.

l l l l l

Forgiveness is the final form of love. - Reinhold Niebuhr

l l l l l

Every time you look at me
My heart goes pitter-patter
But for heaven's sake
Don't look that way,
Unless I really matter - 20th Century

l l l l l

True love cannot be found where it truly does not exist, nor can it be hidden where it truly does - Sam Keen

l l l l l

Beneath the Rose a thorn is found,
Beneath love's smile, a dart,
May heaven grant, that neither wound
Thy young and guileless heart - 19th century

l l l l l

It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget some one.

l l l l l

Faith makes all things possible, love makes them easy.

l l l l l

A heart that truly loves is forever young.

l l l l l

There's nothing like a valentine,
To make a smile appear,
A heart-shaped card filled with kind words,
Sent from someone who's dear.
A friend or even a relative,
Who takes the time to say,
I like you just because you're you.
That's what is done this day. ~Martin Shaw~

l l l l l

Love so steady, love so fine,
Be my Valentine and I'll be thine.
If we love each other, rain or shine,
We'll be rockin' hand in hand
At a hundred and ninety-nine.

l l l l l

Love does not consist in gazing at each-other
but in looking together in the same direction.
~by Antoine de Saint-Exupery~

l l l l l

Love is a fruit in season at all times,
and within the reach of every hand. ~By Mother Teresa~

l l l l l

Love like paint,
can make things beautiful
when you spread it,
but it simply dries up when you don't use it.

l l l l l

The rose speaks of love silently,
in a language known only to the heart.

l l l l l

The sound of a kiss
is not so loud as a cannon,
but it's echo lasts a great deal longer.

See More at the Source: http://www.cherishyourday.com/valentinequotes.html

Valentine's Day Games for Kids

2012-02-02T07:43:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day Games for Kids

More Valentine Activities and Ideas:

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/valentinesday.htm

Steal My Heart Game

Celebrate Valentine's Day with a game of Steal My Heart!

Cupid's Tree Scavenger Hunt: Tiny little clues lead to great big fun

Easy Treasure Hunt: Take your child from dinner to treasure with tons of excitement along the way

Valentine Rap Game: Rap someone special's heart up in your love with this personalized rap song

Who Said That Game

See More at the Source: http://familyfun.go.com/valentines-day/valentines-day-games/

How to Make a Duct Tape Rose

2012-02-01T11:24:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day Butterfly Card and Ideas

2012-02-01T09:44:00.001-06:00

February Theme Units

2012-02-01T09:02:00.000-06:00

February Theme Units

100th Day of School

Black History

Endangered Animals

George Washington

Abraham Lincoln

Mardi Gras

Music

Sports

Valentine's Day

President's Day

Groundhog Day

See the Source for more ideas: http://www.edhelper.com/February.htm

How to Make a Duct Tape CD Case Picture Frame

2012-02-01T07:48:00.001-06:00

Dental Health Books and Poems

2012-01-31T15:50:00.001-06:00

Dental Health Month Books-Poems:

Albert's Toothache - Williams
Arthur's Tooth - Marc Brown
Crocus - R. Duvoisin
Dr. DeSoto - W. Steig
Franklin and The Tooth Fairy - Bourgeois

Going to the Dentist - Fred Rogers
Just Going To The Dentist - Mercer Mayer
Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth - Lucy Bates

Maisy, Charley, and the Wobbly Tooth - Lucy Cousins
Pulling My Leg - J. Carson

Show Me Your Tooth - Christine Ricci
The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist - Berenstain
The Bully Brothers Trick the Tooth Fairy - M. Thaler
The Mango Tooth - C. Pomerantz
Tooth Fairy - A. Wood

Brush Your Teeth

Brush your teeth,

Brush you teeth,

Give your teeth a treat.

Brush up and down and all around,

To keep them clean and neat!

Brush them once,

Brush them twice,

Brush three times a day.

Brush up and down and all around,

Keep cavities away!

Brush Your Teeth

(sung to "Row, Row, Row your Boat")

Brush, brush, brush your teeth, at least two times a day.

Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, fighting tooth decay.

Floss, floss, floss your teeth, every single day.

Gently, gently, gently, gently, whisking Plaque away.

Rinse, rinse, rinse your teeth, every single day.

Swishing, swishing, swishing, swishing, fighting tooth decay.

Author Unknown

Dental Health Month Activities-Lessons-Books-Craft-Ideas

2012-01-31T14:42:00.000-06:00

Classroom Planning Calendar-February

2012-01-29T21:09:00.001-06:00

February, 2012 Classroom Planning Calendar

Friday, January 20 -Wednesday 15

100th Day of school- date varies(continued from previous month)
TeachersFirst's 50+ Ideas (and more) for the 100th Day of School

Wednesday 1 -Tuesday 28

Black History Month
TeachersFirst's Resources for Black History

Wednesday 1 -Tuesday 28

Dental Health Month
TeachersFirst Resources for Dental Health

Thursday 2

Groundhog Day
TeachersFirst Resources for Groundhog Day

Monday 6

OK2Ask: Guided Wiki Walk Pt 2
OK2ASK FREE online teacher professional development. Description and registration available a month in advance.

Saturday 11

National Inventors' Day (Thomas Edison's birthday)
TeachersFirst's Resources for Inventors and Inventions

Tuesday 14

Valentine's Day
TeachersFirst's Valentine's Day Resources

Monday 20

Presidents' Day
TeachersFirst's Presidents' Day Resources

Source:

http://www.teachersfirst.com/calendar/

More February Resources-Lessons-Crafts-Books-Activities-Themes-http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

February Lesson Plan Ideas

2012-01-28T10:26:00.002-06:00

Teaching Tip: February Lesson Plan Ideas
Looking for some great ideas to include the theme of February in your lessons? We have a bunch.

1. February is African American History Month. Here are some lesson ideas.

2. February 2nd is Ground Hog Day.

3. February 4th is Rosa Park's birthday.

4. February 5th is Weatherman's Day. With most of North America experiencing a dry winter why not have students predict and track the weather? Then compare to the actual results. This can be a writing piece or a scientific method activity.

5. February 11th is National Inventors' Day. Perfect time for a science fair.

6. February 14th is Valentine's Day - We have 60 lesson ideas for you.

7. February 20th is Presidents' Day - See our Presidents' Day guide.

8. February is Love Your Pets Month - Have students write a thank you letter to their pets. More ideas can be found here.

9. February is American Heart Month.

10. Superbowl Sunday - include a football themed game to review your content. Each correct answer is worth 10 yards. An incorrect answer is a turn over. Make 10 slots on your board and break the class into 2 teams.

About Weekly Teacher TipsThis newsletter is brought to you by teach-nology.com

More February Resources-Lessons-Crafts-Ideas-Projects: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/februaryfun.htm

Valentine's Day Cards-Poems-Activities

2012-01-22T14:06:00.001-06:00

See more resources and ideas at http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/valentinesday.htm

Valentine's Day Party Ideas-Snacks-Games-Treats-Projects-Lessons

2012-01-22T13:48:00.001-06:00

See more resources and ideas at http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/valentinesday.htm

Valentine's Day Crafts-Activities-Projects-Ideas-Lessons

2012-01-22T13:38:00.000-06:00

See more resources and ideas at http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/valentinesday.htm

Valentine's Day Books-Poems-Lessons

2012-01-22T11:12:00.002-06:00

See more resources and ideas at http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/valentinesday.htm

Valentine's Day in Your Classroom-Lessons

2012-01-21T09:19:00.001-06:00

Valentine's Day in Your ClassroomHere are some great lesson plan ideas for Valentine's Day:

1. Box of Chocolate Adjectives - Love those mixed boxes of chocolates?

2. Compound Word Heart Match - Practice compound words with a neat matching activity and candy hearts.

3. Conversation Heart Bingo - An interesting twist on classic BINGO.

4. Friendship Poster - A positive lesson for all grade levels.

5. Heart Healthy Food Musical Chairs - A fun heart healthy activity.

6. Hearts in Motion - Get your students moving.

7. Hershey Kiss Paragraph - A favorite lesson for many teachers.

8. The Meaning of Flowers - Students learn about the age old art of sending messages through flowers.

9. Word Family Arrows - In this game, students have to match the correct arrows with their word family targets.

10. The Ultimate Valentine's Day Series- This wonderful series of lessons and reading comprehension worksheets helps students understand the ins and outs of Valentine's Day.

Source: http://www.teach-nology.com/newsletters/602.html

About Weekly Teacher Tips
This newsletter is brought to you by teach-nology.com

More Valentine resources: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/valentinesday.htm

Groundhog Day Books-Lesson Ideas-Plans

2012-01-17T16:28:00.000-06:00

More Resources-Crafts-Lessons-Activities-Poems-Books: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/groundhogday.htm

Groundhog Day Crafts-Snacks-Activities-Lessons

2012-01-17T15:45:00.003-06:00

http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/groundhogday.html
www.daniellesplace.com

More Resources-Crafts-Lessons-Activities-Poems-Books: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/groundhogday.htm

Teaching Reading Comprehension-Ideas-Tips-Lessons

2012-01-17T10:47:00.001-06:00

Teaching Reading Comprehension

"Reading comprehension is very important in a child's learning process. In order to understand and learn new things, students must be able to comprehend what they read, so they now how to obtain information and/or apply concepts to their learning process. Make reading purposeful with this quick guide to teaching reading comprehension.

Learn with ABCs
This is an activity where students work in groups to brainstorm ideas based on a particular topic that you give the entire class. Each group is assigned letters of the alphabet (e.g., ABCD - group 1, EDFG - group 2, etc.). Each group is to write down something they believe is associated with the topic that you give them. For instances, if you give the class the topic of "Ice Age," each group will come up with a word or phrase using each letter of the alphabet that you assigned to them. This works really well with helping students focus on their topic, rather than having to go through the whole alphabet by themselves.

Going By the Clock
Use this interesting activity to time students on thoughts and ideas about a story or topic they recently read. The first step is to pair students as partners. Give each pair 1 minute to write down ideas they gathered from their reading. When the time is up, the students have 10 seconds to find a new partner and gather new ideas that are not already on their paper. You can continue doing this for 10 to 15 minutes. When the class is back in order, go over the results and have a discussion time with the class.

Concept Maps
Since some students learn best with visual representations, using concept maps (graphic organizers) will help them grasp ideas much more proficiently. When students have completed reading a passage from a book or just learned about a topic in your class, give them the opportunity to compare plot, setting, characters, etc. with Venn diagrams, flow charts, or comparison-contrast graph. You can find many examples of these concept maps on the Internet that you just need to print.

The K-W-L Chart
This is a popular worksheet used by many teachers to help students with reading comprehension. The "K" means Know, the "W" means Want, and the "L" means Learned. The purpose of the chart is to have students list the things they already know ("K") about a topic that you present. Then they are to list the things that they want ("W") to know about the topic. The last step is to list the new things that they learned ("L") about the topic once you are done teaching. Teachers use these charts to assess the students' understanding of the topic, and if enough material was covered about the topic.

Author on Target
Use this activity to help students answer questions about what the author wrote. The idea is to have the students think beyond what they read and try to understand what the author intended for them to learn. Have students read a paragraph or passage from a book (not a whole chapter), and then stop to answer these questions:

What is the author telling me here?
Why is the author telling me this information?
Is the author clear about what he telling me?
What other way could the author have said this passage more clearly?
I would have said this instead…

By answering these questions, students will be able to identify how well they understand what they are reading, as well as think of ways that the author could have improved on clarity, content, and organization."

Remember you matter, educators make the world go around!
Cynthia Hughes & Carol Bailus (Newsletter Editors)
Worksheet Library Newsletter-Week of January 19, 2012
Source: http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/teachingtips/teachingreadingcomp.html

See more resources, ideas, lesson plans, activities, teacher tips: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Ben Franklin-January 17th Birthday

2012-01-16T15:25:00.003-06:00

Benjamin Franklin's Quotes and More

Money
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Teacher
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
Time
Doesn't thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
Health
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
Helping
He that won't be counseled can't be helped.
Love
If you would be loved, love, and be loveable.
Life
Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.

See more resources, lesson ideas, activities, crafts, units at http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/benfranklin.htm

Happy Friday the 13th Card and Wish

2012-01-13T10:28:00.003-06:00

Celebrate 100 Days of School-Crafts, Lessons, Projects, Activities

2012-01-10T23:39:00.001-06:00

100th Day of School- Book Ideas, Lesson Plans, and Activities

2012-01-10T23:03:00.004-06:00

Book Titles

Cuyler, Margery, 100th Day Worries -- gr. K-2
Franco, Betsy., Counting Our Way to the 100th Day!
Firth, Michael, I'll teach my dog 100 words -- Reader.
Harris, Trudy, 100 Days of School -- Gr. K-2
Haugen, Brenda., The 100th Day of School.
Kasza, Keilo, The Wolf's Chicken Stew -- PreK-2.
Maccarone, Grace, The 100th Day -- PreK-2 - Hello Reader
McMullan, Kate, Fluffy's 100th Day of School -- Reader.
McNamara, One Hundred Days -- PreK-2 - Reader.
Medearis, Angela Shelf ., The 100th Day of School -- Hello Reader
Pinczes, Elinor, 100 Hungry Ants --K-3
Rockwell, Anne, 100 School Days -- PreK-1.
Rogers, Jacqueline., Kindergarten Count to 100.
Ryan, Pam., 100 is a Family -- PreK-2
Schiller, Melissa., 100th Day of School.
Slater, Teddy ., 98,99,100! Ready or Not, Here I come! -- Gr. K-2
Slate, Joseph., Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten
Sloat, Teri, From one to one hundred -- PreK-2.
Szekeres, Cyndy., I can count 100 bunnies- and so can you! -- Prek-2
Walter, Virginia., Are we there yet, Daddy? -- gr. PreK-2
Wells, Rosemary, Emily's First 100 Days of School -- gr. PreK-2

More 100 Day Resources: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/onehundredthday.htm

100th Day of School Ideas

2012-01-08T09:23:00.003-06:00

There are lots of ways to note the 100th day of school. Many of these activities will challenge both lower and upper elementary students as they build better number sense for "100." Enjoy!

1. Jump rope 100 times.
2. Build the tallest house of cards you can using 100 cards.
3. Flip a coin 100 times. Make a graph showing the number of heads and tails.
4. Roll a pair of dice 100 times. Create a chart showing how many times each number came up. Make a graph based on the chart.
5. Find someone who is at least 100 years old. Ask them what life was like when they were your age.
6. Find out which weighs more - 100 nickels or 100 quarters
7. Have everyone in your class try to throw a tennis ball 100 yards. Measure each throw. Calculate the average throw.
8. Count by 100s to 10,000
9. Recite multiplication facts up to 100 (10 x 10) with your eyes closed!
10. Guess how much 100 jelly beans weigh. Then weigh them and give a prize to the closest guess. Don't eat the jellybeans!
11. Separate 100 jellybeans by color. What percentage of the total is the most common color? What percentage of the total is the least common color? Don't eat the jellybeans!
12. Without using a calculator, figure out how many jellybeans each student would get if you divided 100 jellybeans equally among all the students. Don't eat the jellybeans.
13. Blindfold a student and have him/her pass out the proper number of jellybeans. What is the probability that the first jellybean handed out will be the most common color? (Think about this one!) EAT THE JELLYBEANS!!
14. Measure the height of your classroom ceiling. How many classrooms that size could you fit into a structure that was 100 feet tall?
15. Measure the space required for a student's desk and the aisle around it. How big would your classroom need to be to hold 100 desks with the same spacing?
16. Weigh the classroom dictionary. If postage costs $3.50 a pound, how much would it cost to mail 100 dictionaries?
17. Count backwards from 100 to 0 by sevens. See who can do it most quickly.
18. Count from 0 to 100 by fours. See who can do it most quickly.
19. Make a list of 100 words that end in "-ly"
20. Name 100 birds.
21. List 100 boys' names.
22. Name 100 American cities.
23. Name 100 cities NOT in America.
24. Estimate the length of a row of 100 nickels. Measure a row of 100 nickels to check your estimate.
25. Have everyone in the class close their eyes. Start a stopwatch and ask students to say "now" when they think 100 seconds has passed. Prizes to the winner!!
26. See if you can hold your breath for 100 seconds!
27. Figure out what a 100 second Super Bowl commercial would cost if broadcast time sells for $2.3 million per minute.
28. List 100 things that had not been invented 100 years ago.
29. See which student can walk the greatest distance (laps around the gym??) backwards in 100 seconds.
30. Try to do 100 sit-ups or push-ups!
31. Separate students into pairs standing 15' apart. See how many can toss a tennis ball back and forth 100 times without dropping it.
32. Collect 100 cans of food for a local food bank.
33. Write a story that is 100 words long.
34. Build a structure using 100 toothpicks or popsicle sticks.
35. Figure out the date that is 100 days after your birthday.
36. Use 100 seconds to make as many equations as possible that equal 100.
37. Bring in a recipe from home. Adjust the quantities to feed 100 people.
38. Write a story about what you would do with $100.
39. Write a story about what your community will be like in 100 years.
40. See if you can bounce a tennis ball on a tennis racquet 100 times.
41. Learn to say 100 in as many languages as possible.
42. Find a town or city that is 100 miles away.
43. Find the height of a stack of 100 pennies in centimeters.
44. Estimate how far 100 students would reach lying head-to-toe on the floor.
45. Figure out about how many days there are in 100 hours.
46. Estimate how much popcorn 100 kernels would make. Pop them to see whose estimate is closest.
47. Build a project using 100 Lego blocks.
48. Figure out how many of each denomination of bill would be required to total $100.
49. Estimate the cost of 100 gallons of root beer, bought in 2-liter bottles that cost $1.10 each.
50. Figure out about how big a patio you could make with 100 paving stones that are 2 feet by 3 feet.

See more ideas for the 100th day of school.
TeachersFirst keyword search
Source: -http://www.teachersfirst.com/spectopics/100thday.cfm

More Resources: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/onehundredthday.htm

Chinese New Year Literature-Books-Ideas

2012-01-06T13:22:00.001-06:00

Children's Literature
"Celebrating Chinese New Year by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith.
Holiday House, 1999.
Ryan and his family prepare to celebrate Chinese New Year in their home and community of Chinatown in San Francisco. Pictures show the shopping for symbolic foods and flowers, a trip to the cemetery to honor ancestors, the gathering of the clan, preparing meals, attending the parade, and more. Grades K-4

Chinese New Year's Dragon by Rachel Sing. Aladdin, 1994.
A little girl tells the story of her modern middle class family's Chinese New Year celebration. The girl cleans the house in her jeans, but she wears traditional clothing (with red sneakers) for the family party. The magical happening is a tiny, dreamy moment when the girl feels she's back in ancient China, watching the celebration from a dragon's back. The pictures show a world in which tradition intersects a nontraditional world: the New Year's fireworks explode against an urban skyline. Grades 3-5

Chinese New Year by Catherine Chambers. Raintree/Steck Vaughn, 1997
This entry in the “"World of Holidays"” series describes the traditions, ceremonies, and foods associated with the celebration of the Chinese New Year. The rites and rituals the Chinese use to celebrate their New Year include no washing or baths on New Year's Day, firecrackers, charms made of peach wood, poems written on red paper, drums, dancing lions, and lighting lanterns. Grades 2-5.

Chinese New Year by Alice K. Flanagan. Compass Point Books, 2003
This book explores the history, customs, and symbols of Chinese New Year. Learn how Chinese New Year has changed over time and how it is celebrated around the world. Flanagan’s illustrated history is also filled with interesting and unusual facts about the holiday such as what foods can be found on the Tray of Togetherness and why the color red is important.

The Chinese New Year Mystery (Nancy Drew Notebooks, No 39) by Carolyn Keene. Aladdin, 2000.
The third-grade classes at Nancy's school are learning about Chinese culture, and they will celebrate the Chinese New Year with a special parade. The highlight of the parade will be a dragon costume that Nancy's class is making out of feathers, sequins, gold tassels, and red silk. But right before the big day, the dragon disappears! Grades 2-5

The Dancing Dragon by Marcia K. Vaughan. Mondo, 1996.
The Chinese New Year is about to begin. There's lots to do--tie strings of firecrackers outside, hang up red scrolls, bake special cakes, and sing New Year's songs. And when family and friends are gathered together, it's time for the parade to begin. Grades K-4

Gung Hay Fat Choy by June Behrens. Children's Press, 1989.
This nonfiction book is good for introducing the traditions of Chinese New Year. It has photographs of parades, families celebrating the holiday, and the traditional Lion Dance (dragon dance). Grades K-4

Happy New Year! Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts'Ai: Kung-Hsi Fa-Ts'Ai by Demi. Dragonfly, 1999.
Children examine the flurry of activity associated with the Chinese New Year. Includes descriptions of everything from heavenly beings to candied coconut. Children will also find their own animal sign of the Chinese New Year based on the year of their birth. Chinese and English. Grades K-4

Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan's Chinese New Year by Kate Waters and Madeline Slovenz-Low. Scholastic, 1991.
On the Chinese New Year, six-year-old Ernie will perform his first Lion Dance. The book provides an intimate look at a Chinese household as the family shares a proud moment with Ernie. This is an NCSS Notable Book. Grades K-4

Long-Long's New Year: A Story About The Chinese Spring Festival by Catherine Gower. Tuttle Publishing, 2005.
To earn money for the upcoming Spring Festival (also known as Chinese New Year), Long-Long and his grandfather take a bicycle cart loaded with cabbages into town on market day. At first everyone overlooks their wares, but Long-Long befriends a cook who berates a nearby seller for her inferior cabbages. Soon, buyers flock to Long-Long and his grandfather instead. Their cabbage sales are so successful that Grandpa gives Long-Long 10 yuan, which he spends on presents for his mother and little sister. Grade K-4

My Chinese New Year by Monica Hughes. Raintree, 2005.
Discover the wonders of Chinese New Year festivals. This book looks at the preparations for Chinese New Year, what people wear, the food that is eaten, and why it’s celebrated. Follow a young child as he gets involved in the preparations and celebrations. Grades K-3

Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn. Lee & Low, 1997.
This is a tale of a young boy eager to spend his lucky money on Chinese New Year's Day. As Sam searches the streets of Chinatown for ways to spend his four dollars, he stumbles upon a stranger in need. After he decides to give, rather than spend, his money, Sam realizes that he's the lucky one. Grades K-4

When the Circus Came to Town by Laurence Yep. HarperCollins, 2001.
This heartwarming historical tale is based on real events. Ursula lives in a tiny Montana town with her parents and a Chinese cook, Ah Sam. After a blizzard scuttles Ah Sam's plans to spend Chinese New Year in San Francisco, she rallies the whole town to plan an elaborate celebration of that holiday. Bolstered by themes of compassion, community and tolerance, this story is among Yep's best. Grades K-3"

See More at the Source:

http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/special_events/chinese_newyear/

Happy New Year

2012-01-06T13:14:00.001-06:00

May this year of 2012 be:

A year of Health and Happiness....
A year of Wealth and Wisdom...
A year of Peace and Prosperity...
A year of Glee and Glow...
And also a year of Love and Laughter.....
Have a SAFE and HAPPY New Year!

Chinese New Year 2012-Dragon-Activities-Books-Crafts

2012-01-05T14:16:00.000-06:00

Happy Chinese New Year 2012-Year of the Dragon-January 23, 2012

Winter-Snow Crafts-Lessons-Activities-Themes

2012-01-02T10:57:00.000-06:00

New Year Poem

2012-01-01T09:44:00.000-06:00

New Year Poem

Another year is dawning
With the chance to start anew.
May I be kinder, wiser, Lord,
In all I say and do.

Not so caught up in selfish gain
That I would fail to see
The things in life that mean the most
Cost not a fancy fee.

The warm, kind word that I can give,
The outstretched hand to help,
The prayers I pray for those in need--
More precious these than wealth.

I know not what may lie ahead
Of laughter or of tears;
I only need to know each day
That You are walking near.

I'm thankful for this brand new year
As now I humbly pray,
My hand secure in Yours, dear Lord,
Each step along the way.

Kay Hoffman

New Year Crafts, Arts, Projects, Activities, Ideas

2011-12-30T11:04:00.000-06:00

JANUARY-FEBRUARY HOLIDAY THEME PAGES-LESSONS

2011-12-27T13:32:00.001-06:00

PLEASE VISIT MY SEASONAL HOLIDAY THEME PAGES-LESSONS-ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHERS:

JANUARY FUN THEMES, LESSONS, ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, IDEAS, AND PRINTABLES

DENTAL HEALTH MONTH THEMES, LESSONS, IDEAS, CRAFTS AND PROJECTS

JANUARY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR THEMES, LESSON, IDEAS, ACTIVITIES, PROJECTS

LEAP YEAR THEME UNITS, CRAFTS, IDEAS, ACTIVITIES, PROJECTS, AND LESSONS

CHINESE NEW YEAR THEMES, IDEAS, ACTIVITIES, AND LESSONS

BLACK HISTORY THEMES, UNITS, ACTIVITIES, LESSONS, RESOURCES

VALENTINE'S DAY THEMES, FUN ACTIVITIES, LESSONS, CRAFTS, IDEAS

WEATHER-SNOW AND MORE THEMES, LESSONS, IDEAS, CRAFTS, AND RESOURCES

POLAR EXPRESS THEMES, UNITS, IDEAS, ACTIVITIES, & TEACHING LESSONS

WINTER HOLIDAYS THEME UNIT, LESSONS, PROJECTS, IDEAS, CRAFTS, & RESOURCES

TIME-CLOCKS THEMES, LESSON PLANS, PROJECTS, IDEAS, CRAFTS, ACTIVITIES

FEBRUARY FUN THEMES, RESOURCES, LESSONS, ARTS & CRAFTS, ACTIVITIES

ONE HUNDREDTH DAY-100TH THEME UNITS, TIPS, IDEAS, CRAFTS, LESSONS, ACTIVITIES

WINTER FUN AND SNOW THEMES, UNITS, LESSON PLANS, ACTIVITIES, PROJECTS

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY THEMES,LESSONS,IDEAS,CRAFTS,ACTIVITIES,RESOURCES

Parts of Speech Wheel

2011-12-27T12:59:00.000-06:00

Parts of Speech Wheel
"This is a great, easy group activity for reviewing the parts of speech.

1. Draw a large circle on a large piece of card board.
2. Break the circle up into 8 equal sections with a marker.
3. Write the names of the 8 parts of speech in each section.
4. Place a spinner in the middle of the circle.

For a game spinner stop by your local craft shop or take them off of old board games. Pick a long reading passage and have students travel through the reading identifying the next part of speech that appears on the spinner, as you spin it."

See More at the Source: http://www.teach-nology.com/newsletters/598.html

Classroom Planning Calendar

2011-12-26T10:16:00.003-06:00

Classroom Planning Calendar

Time flies in your classroom. Don't let it get past you. This clickable calendar listing provides reviewed curriculum resources in a snap, connecting your classroom to events and observances in the world outside of school: holidays, anniversaries, seasonal events, and commemorations. Glance ahead a month or two, and click to find TeachersFirst's rich resources and classroom ideas.

Source: http://www.teachersfirst.com/calendar/

January, 2012

Sunday 1

New Years Day
TeachersFirst's New Year's Day Resources

Monday 16

Martin Luther King Day
TeachersFirst's Martin Luther King Resources

Friday 20 - Wednesday, February 15

100th Day of school- date varies
TeachersFirst's 50+ Ideas (and more) for the 100th Day of School

More: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/newyear.htm

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/januaryfun.htm

New Year's Resources

2011-12-26T10:11:00.001-06:00

New Year's Resources

"The New Year is a wonderful time for setting goals, reflecting, looking ahead, and making some resolutions! This collection of reviewed resources offers ideas to incorporate New Year's activities in the regular curriculum. Whether you focus on a specific activity or simply share these for enrichment outside of class, your students will find some refreshing new ideas."

Source: http://www.teachersfirst.com/holiday/newyear.cfm

More: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/newyear.htm

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/januaryfun.htm

Monkey Bread Recipe

2011-12-24T14:29:00.002-06:00

Monkey Bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 Cans Flaky Layer Biscuits
1 stick margarine
1 Cup sugar
1 ½ Tablespoons cinnamon

Instructions

Open biscuits and divide them among however many children are helping, placing them on a large plate. Have kids separate or tear each biscuit into two pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
Combine sugar and cinnamon and divide among zipper sealed bags, giving one bag to each child. Have them drop their dough balls inside and seal, then give it a good shake.
Place coated dough into bundt pan. Once all dough is in pan, sprinkle 2-4 Tablespoons of cinnamon sugar mixture over top.
Melt margarine and pour over top.
Bake at 350 for thirty minutes.
Let sit in pan for five to ten minutes before turning out onto plate.

TACO BEAN SOUP Recipe

2011-12-24T14:08:00.001-06:00

TACO BEAN SOUP

Brown 2 lbs. of meat or canned chicken with onion & drain fat.

In large soup pot, add:

1 can black beans

1 can pinto beans with jalapenos

1 can navy or butter beans or ranch style beans

1 can corn or hominy

2 cans Rotel tomatoes

4 oz green chilies

1 package dry ranch dressing

1 package taco seasoning mix or 2 pkgs.

Mix all together with the browned meat.

No need to add salt or pepper.

Add water to have it thick or thin.

Served with grated cheese on top.

Serve with cornbread, chips, or crackers.

Cranberry and Frozen Salad Recipes

2011-12-24T13:57:00.000-06:00

CRANBERRY SALAD

Dissolve one family size cherry Jello with 2 cups boiling water. Add 20-oz. can crushed pineapple with juice. Add 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce (mashed up with fork). Add chopped nuts if desired. Refrigerate to set.

FROZEN FRUIT SALAD

5 bananas, diced 1 tall can crushed pineapple,

1 cup sugar drained

2 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1/2 cup chopped pecans1 cup red cherries, chopped 1 large carton Cool Whip

1 pint sour cream

Mix above ingredients and then pour into greased casserole dish. Place in freezer.

FROZEN FRUIT SALAD

Mix: 5 bananas, mashed; 2 tsp. lemon juice; 1 cup sugar

Add:

1 large can crushed pineapple, 2 large cartons Cool Whip

drained 1 cup cherries, drained

1 pint sour cream 1 cup nuts

Mix all the above and pour into two 9x13 pans. Freezes for several weeks. Can also be put in muffin tins for individual salads.

GREEN TOMATO RELISH

1 1/2 gal. cut green tomatoes 8 cups sugar

3 quarts chopped onions 1/2 gal. vinegar3 quarts chopped bell pepper 1/2 cup salt

1 quart chopped hot peppers, or to taste

Put salt over green tomatoes and let stand for 1 hour or so. Drain water off tomatoes and add other ingredients.

Mix and simmer until hot through and through. When tomatoes and peppers turn dull green, remove from heat. Put in jars and seal while hot.

German Chocolate or Butter Pecan Cake Recipe

2011-12-24T13:39:00.002-06:00

German Chocolate or Butter Pecan Cake

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Spray bundt pan with Pam

Sprinkle one-third cup of chopped pecans in bottomof pan

Mix the following ingredients:

1 Butter Pecan cake mix (Betty Crocker)

1 can Pecan/coconut icing

Three-fourth cup of oil

1 cup of water

4 eggs

Cook at 350 degrees for about an hour or untiltoothpick comes out clean.

Use same recipe and usechocolate cake mix instead of butter/pecan if you wish.

Tin (10) Can Soup recipe

2011-12-24T13:24:00.001-06:00

Tin (10) Can Soup

Ingredients 2 (10oz.) cans Ro-tel tomatoes (original recipe)

2 (16 oz. ) cans Ranch-styles beans

3 cans minestrone soup

1 (16 oz.) can green beans, drained

1 (16 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained

1 (16 oz.) black-eyed peas, drained

1 pound ground beef or turkey

1 soup can water

Instructions: Cook ground beef until it loses its pink color. Drain well. In a large pan, put meat, soup and drained vegetables. Add 1 can water. Simmer 30 minutes to 2 hours. Serve with cornbread. Also can be served over rice like goulash. Or, you can just add ¾ cup rice and simmer with the soup. Yields 12 generous servings.

Better Than Robert Redford Dessert

2011-12-24T13:10:00.002-06:00

Better Than Robert Redford Dessert
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, plus more for top of cake
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar (not granulated, as is mistakenly shown in the picture)
1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
4 cups milk
2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding
2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) instant chocolate pudding
Chocolate, milk or dark to make chocolate shavings

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium-size bowl, mix flour, walnuts and butter. Pat into prepared dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool completely.

In a bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioner's sugar until smooth. Fold in half of the whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust.

Prepare vanilla pudding using 2 cups of the milk. Spread over cream cheese layer. Prepare chocolate pudding with remaining 2 cups milk. Spread over the vanilla pudding layer. Spread remaining whipped topping over pudding. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate shavings. Cut into squares.

Grape Salad Recipe

2011-12-24T13:04:00.001-06:00

Grape Salad

1 8 oz. package Cream Cheese, softened

1 C. sugar

1 8 oz. Sour Cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 lbs. Red seedless grapes

2 lbs. Green seedless grapes

Brown sugar

Toasted, chopped walnuts or pecans

Mix white ingredients and vanilla and then add grapes. Pour mixture into a 9 x 13 inch pan. I sprinkle brown sugar over grape mixture. Sprinkle nuts over all. Refrigerate at least 12 hours.

Winter Books, Poems, Ideas

2011-12-21T10:23:00.002-06:00

Winter Book List

The Mouse That Jack Built
Winter
The Big Snow
Animals in Winter
The Hat
The Mitten
The Snowy Day
The Snowman
The Snowman storybook
I Am Snow
Winter is Here
Amy Loves The Snow
It’s Melting
The Jacket I Wear In The Snow
Seasons
Froggy Gets Dressed
Here Comes The Snow
White Snow, Bright Snow
Clifford’s First Snow
Friendly Snowman
Snow Day
Six Snowy Sheep
Winter Rabbit
Geraldine’s Big Snow
The Black Snowman
Warm In Winter
The First Snowfall
Keep Looking
Frosty
Emily and the Snowflake
Boots
Shoveling Snow
Wild Weather

Winter Poems

A chubby little snowman
Had a carrot nose
Along came a bunny
And what do you suppose
That hungry little bunny
Looking for his lunch
Ate that little snowman’s nose
Nibble, nibble, crunch

Five little men all made of snow
Five little snowmen in a row
Out came the sun and shone all day
And one little snowman melted away.

Five little snowmen
Cold from head to toe
Funny little snowmen
Smiling in the snow

Dance like snowflakes, Dance like snowflakes
In the air, in the air
Whirling, whirling, twirling, Whirling whirling twirling
To the ground, to the ground.
(tune:  Where is Thumbkin?)

I’m a little snowman
Short and fat
Here are my buttons
Here is my hat
When the sun comes out
I cannot stay
Slowly I just melt away.
(tune:  I’m a little teapot)

Winter Lessons, Units, Crafts, Activities, Projects: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/wintersnow.htm

No Cook Treats for the Holidays

2011-12-19T09:37:00.000-06:00

DRIED FRUIT CLUSTERS

½ cup dried fruit.
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
2 Tbsp. honey

Stir ingredients, then drop by teaspoons into dried coconut flakes.
Roll them around until well coated and place them on waxed paper.

FRUIT BALLS

Figs or dates
Raisins
Lemon juice
Graham crackers

Grind figs, dates and raisins together.
Add 1 tsp. lemon juice.
Make balls with the mixture.
Roll the balls in crushed graham crackers.

HONEY-YUMS

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup honey
1 cup nonfat dry milk
1 ½ cup crushed Wheat Chex or similar cereal
¾ cup crushed Corn Chex

Let your children mix all the ingredients together, then shape into 1 inch balls.
Then roll them in ¼ cup of crushed Rice Chex and store the balls in the refrigerator for about ½ hour before eating.

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

½ cup peanut butter
½ cup honey
1 cup crushed cereal or toasted wheat germ
2 Tbsp. powdered milk
Chopped nuts or crushed graham crackers

Mix all ingredients, then shape them into balls and roll in the nuts or graham crackers.
Store the balls in the refrigerator for about 1/2 hour.

January Events, Holidays, Celebrations

2011-12-18T09:52:00.001-06:00

See All Events, Holidays, and Celebrations of January
National Mentoring Month
National School Board Month
January 1st - New Year's Day
January 4th - Isaac Newton's Birthday
January 6th - Jon of Arc's Birthday
January 7th - Galileo's Discovery
January 8th - No Child Left Behind Act
January 9th - 16th is Letter Writing Week
January 11th is Amelia Earhart Day
January 14th - The American Revolutionary War Ends
January 15th - Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
January 16th- National Freedom of Religion Day
January 17th - Benjamin Franklin's Birthday
January 23rd is Measure Your Feet Day
January 23rd is National Handwriting Day
January 25th - The First Winter Olympics
January 29th is National Puzzle Day
January 27th - Lewis Carroll's Birthday
January 30th - Franklin D. Roosevelt's Birthday

Weekly Tips for Teachers Issue 597: December 19, 2012

About Weekly Teacher Tips
Newsletter by teach-nology.com

More January Lessons, Craft Ideas, Theme Units, Activities

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/januarythemes.htm

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/januaryfun.htm

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Christmas Books-Literature-Poems

2011-12-17T14:16:00.001-06:00

Literature-Books
Over the River and Through the Woods by Lydia Maria Childs
Rotten Ralph's Rotten Christmas by Jack Gantos
The Christmas Spirit Strikes Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos

The Nutcracker by Deborah HautzigNight Tree by Eve Bunting
The Biggest Most Beautiful Christmas Tree by Amye Rosenberg
Berenstain Bears' Christmas Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain
The Raffi Christmas Treasury illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh
Shh! by Julie Sykes
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore, illustrated by Jan Brett
The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore, illustrated by Douglas Gorsline
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
Santa's New Sled by Sharon Peters
Wake Up, Bear...It's Christmas! by Stephen Gammell
Tree of Cranes by Allen Say
Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad by Mercer Mayer
Peter Spier's Christmas!
Hedgehog's Christmas Tree by Kathryn Jackson

The Night Before Christmas In Texas That Is by Leon A. Harris
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
Santa's Secret Helper by Andrew Clements
ABC Christmas by Ida DeLage
It's Christmas by Jack Prelutsky -Christmas poems
Jingle Bells (a Peter Pan Book and Recording)

Who Said Red? by Mary Serfozo Santa Claus and His Elves by Mauri Kunnas
Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Barbara Shook Hazen
Bialosky's Christmas by Leslie McGuire
The 12 Cats of Christmas by Kandy Radzinski
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
The 12 Days of Christmas illustrated by Sheilah Beckett
The 12 Days of Christmas illustrated by Jan Brett
On Christmas Eve by Margaret Wise Brown

New Year Crafts, Themes, Units, Lessons, Activities, Ideas, Projects

2011-12-17T13:50:00.000-06:00

New Year Crafts, Themes, Units, Lesson Plans, Activities, Ideas, Projects:

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/januarythemes.htm

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Cards

2011-12-17T13:36:00.001-06:00

How to Make a Matchbook Style Card

2011-12-17T11:35:00.001-06:00

Seasonal Holiday Pages for December/January

2011-12-16T09:19:00.001-06:00

SEASONAL HOLIDAY THEME PAGES-LESSONS-ACTIVITIES-CRAFTS FOR TEACHERS FOR DECEMBER - JANUARY:

JANUARY FUN THEMES, LESSONS, CRAFTS, IDEAS, PRINTABLES

DECEMBER CRAFTS-SANTA, WREATHS, STARS, SNOW-WINTER, TREES, GINGERBREAD, REINDEER, ANGELS, BELLS, POINSETTIAS, ORNAMENTS, PROJECT IDEAS

JANUARY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR THEMES, LESSON, IDEAS, ACTIVITIES

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS, GIFTS, THEMES, IDEAS, ACTIVITIES, LESSONS

CHINESE NEW YEAR THEMES, IDEAS, ACTIVITIES, AND LESSONS

DECEMBER FUN THEMES, UNITS, ACTIVITIES, LESSONS

GLYPHS THEMES, FUN ACTIVITIES, LESSONS, CRAFTS, IDEAS

GINGERBREAD THEMES, LESSONS, IDEAS, CRAFTS.PROJECTS

POLAR EXPRESS THEMES, UNITS, IDEAS, ACTIVITIES, & LESSONS

WINTER HOLIDAYS THEME UNIT, LESSONS, PROJECTS, IDEAS, CRAFTS

REINDEER THEMES, LESSON PLANS, PROJECTS, IDEAS, CRAFTS, ACT.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD THEMES, LESSONS, ARTS & CRAFTS

CHOCOLATE THEME UNIT, TIPS, IDEAS, RESOURCES, LESSONS, ACT.

WINTER FUN AND SNOW THEMES, UNITS, LESSON PLANS, ACTIVITIES

CHRISTMAS THEMES, LESSONS, IDEAS, CRAFTS, ACTIVITIES

FOR MORE IDEAS, GO TO THE SOURCE AT: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Twas the Weeks before Christmas Letter Surprise

2011-12-13T08:30:00.001-06:00

Twas the Weeks before Christmas Letter Surprise

How to make a simple Christmas treat for someone special. A nice holiday surprise!

Christmas Letter Neighborhood Gag Gift

Materials Needed:

Letter Below
Stocking or Basket of Holiday Gifts
Christmas Elf

Instructions:
This is a fun surprise gift that is left near someone's door without them knowing who left it! Print out the letter below or make up your own, find some holiday cheer (stocking stuffers, homemade cookies, etc.), make a little sign with a holiday elf on it. Then put them all in a little stocking or basket and leave them on someone's front steps - don't let them see you! You can use one of the elf pictures found on About.com , Google or Bing.

Print out and include this letter:

Twas the weeks before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a creature was calm
Especially not mom

When from somewhere in the
Neighborhood an elf arrived
Delivering holiday cheer
Then running to hide

An elf has taken time to share
Now you can too
Copy this letter and your elf times two
Then spread the spirit to those near you.

Keep your elf on your door
So others will see
That you have a gift
Under your tree

Enjoy this Holiday Cheer
And remember to share
Merry Christmas to All
And a Happy New Year

Source: http://familycrafts.about.com/od/christmascrafts/a/Twas-The-Weeks-B4-Christmas.htm

Christmas Party Games - Kids'

2011-12-13T08:06:00.001-06:00

Candy Cane Pass (relay race)

Supplies:
4 candy canes per team (have a few extras due to breakage)
How To Play: Player holds 4 candy canes between fingers and passes them down the line, teammate to teammate, without dropping.

Pass the Ornament

Supplies:
Straw for each child
Ornaments cut out of tissue paper (tree, bell, star, etc.)
How To Play: Pass the ornaments down the line, teammate to teammate, by inhaling and exhaling on the straw to hang on to or release the ornament. No hands!

Rudolph Dash

Supplies:
Vaseline
Cut circles out of red construction paper
How To Play: Have child put Vaseline on their nose and then put the red circles on their nose. Relay race to the finish with each new person adding their red nose. If nose falls, go back to bowl and add more Vaseline and reapply nose.

Santa Says

How To Play: Played similar to Simon Says. The player up is "Santa". Player will say "Santa says hop on one foot". The children will hop on one foot. Player will say "Stop". The children are to keep hopping on one foot until player says "Santa says stop". Repeat for additional activities such as take one baby step forward, step backwards, turn around, sit down. Sometimes Santa will say "Santa says" and sometimes he won't. It's a fun game to play with young children.

Book Exchange

Supplies:
Inexpensive book gift wrapped for each child
Book- The Gingerbread Man
How To Play: Children set in a circle, each one holding a wrapped book. A Room Mother reads The Gingerbread Man story. Every time the word "ran" is spoken you pass the book to the person on your right. Continue doing until the story is over. Whoever has the book on their lap at the end of the story is theirs to keep and open.

Fill the Christmas Stocking

Supplies:
Stocking, spoon and bowl for each team.
Wrapped candy.
How To Play: Divide into teams. Have children line up at one end of the room. At the other end, hang a Christmas stocking for each team. Place a bowl of candy and a spoon in front of each team. Each child takes a turn taking a candy from the bowl with the spoon. They then carry the candy on the spoon to the stocking and drop the candy in the stocking. Race back to the next person in line, give them the spoon. First team to fill the stocking wins!

Santa Santa

Supplies:
Santa sleigh
How To Play: Have children sit in a large circle and blindfold one child. Another child will be given the sleigh and must say:
Santa Santa, where's your sleigh
Someone's come and taken it away
Guess who Guess who?
The blindfolded child gets three guesses. The child who has the sleigh is next to be blindfolded.

Christmas Memory Game

Supplies:
18 items in box
How To Play: Show the items in the box to the children. Remove one or more items out of the box (without children seeing you). Have the children guess what items are missing. For older children put items on large tray or cookie sheet. Cover. Remove cover for 20-30 seconds and then remove tray from room. On your mark, the children are to write down as many items that they can remember from the tray before you yell, "STOP". Most correct answers wins.

Gift Unwrap Relay

Supplies:
Empty boxes wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper
How To Play: Divide the class into teams. Put a stack of presents at the end of each team's course. The first child in each team runs to the presents, unwraps one, and races back to the next person in line. First team finished unwrapping wins! Note: To make cleaning a little easier, parents may wish to adapt this game to where the child unwraps, throws away the paper, then runs back!

Word Find

Take a Christmas related word such as: Christmas, Poinsettia, Candy cane, etc. and find as many smaller words from it as possible before the timer runs out.
Example: Christmas
Words: sit, is, his, miss, rat, tar, this, math, chair, rim...
Example: Candy cane
Words: candy, cane, and, dance, day, nay, can, dye, an, any...

Christmas Twenty Questions

Teacher starts by choosing a Christmas related person, place, or thing. The teacher says, "I'm thinking of something". The children try to guess what it is by asking no more than twenty questions that can be answered "YES", "NO", or I DON'T KNOW". The student who guesses correctly is next up.
Clue
Teacher thinks of person, place, or thing. Teacher gives a clue. Begin at one end of the room and work your way around allowing each student to take a turn guessing until one student solves the case. The student who solves the case goes next.
Example: Frosty
Clue: I'm thinking of someone who wears a hat
Clue: He loves snow
Clue: He'll melt if it gets too warm outside
Clues should be age appropriate for the children playing.

Freeze

Supplies:
Christmas music
How To Play: Begin playing music. Everyone moves and dances until the music stops then they must "freeze" in whatever position they happen to be in.

Littlest Angel or Good Elf

How To Play: Challenge the children to do random acts of kindness for others for one day. Tell them that they are not to reveal that they have done these nice things and if someone should ask them, "did you make sisters bed"? they can reply, "Must have been a good elf".
This game helps children realize we don't always have to be recognized when we do something for someone else. If playing with preschoolers or kindergarteners, you may want to send a note home with them explaining how parents can help.

Feliz Navidad Party Ideas

Craft Activity/Supplies:
Write Feliz Navidad on miniature sombreros with green paint pens.
Make tiny chile peppers to hang on them for memento shelf.
Food and Decor: Cactus juice- Any green punch
Nachos- Chips & salsa
Layered Mexican dip
Flour tortillas rolled with cream cheese & salsa
Sapodillas (bought from local Mexican restaurant)
Burritos cut in half
Mexican blanket for tablecloth
Pinata for decoration
Lots of balloons
Tissue flowers
Poinsettias big holiday flower in Mexico

Three-Legged Stocking Race

Supplies:
Oversized stocking that will fit two feet
Tie
Tape to mark finish line
How To Play: Pair up kids. Have each pair put a leg in the oversized stocking and tie it at top so that it won't fall off. Make sure you have plenty of space. Put all the pairs at one end and mark a finish line at the other. On your mark the kids race to be the first pair over the line.

Pin The Nose On Frosty or Rudolph

Supplies:
Big Picture of Frosty or Rudolph
Red circle or orange carrot shape for each child, with adhesive on back and their name on the front
A blindfold
How To Play: Blindfold the player, spin 'em around and let them try to stick the nose where it's supposed to go. Give a prize for the player that gets the closest.

Christmas Scramble

Supplies:
Index cards
Paper bags.
How To Play: Choose a Christmas word such as: Christmas, Candy Cane, Santa Claus, Reindeer.... Write the letters of the word on individual index cards. Do this two times, making two sets. Put each set in a brown paper bag.
Divide children into teams. Give each team a bag. The first team to decipher what the word in the bag is wins. A variation of the game would be to divide into teams with the same number of children as there are letters in the word. Each child gets a letter and they must hold onto the card and stand in the proper order to spell the word for all to see.

Frosty Snowball Toss

Supplies:
Large cardboard with Frosty drawn on one side with a good size hole cut-out in belly or a few small holes for older kids
Marshmallows wrapped in plastic wrap and tied
Bucket to hold snowballs
Tape to mark distance line
How To Play: Place cardboard Frosty a little distance from a wall with a paper box lid on floor to catch snowballs. Mark your distance line according to age and skill of children. Line children up behind the line and place a bucket of marshmallows beside them. Give each child three tries to get their marshmallow snowball through the hole. Get all three snowballs in and earn a snowball reward.

Christmas Concentration

Supplies:
Colored butcher paper
Marker
Adhesive
Christmas trivia questions
Stocking
How To Play: On a large piece of colored butcher paper write out a message using words and symbols. Example: Have "ewe"rself a very "Mary" "Christ"mas ("pictures"). Cut into several odd shapes, turn over so words face the chalkboard.
In a stocking have Christmas trivia questions. Pull out a question. Read. Player that answers correctly may turn any piece of the puzzle over. First player or team to guess what's written wins. Guess incorrectly, lose a turn. Play over and over; it's lots of fun!

Blind Snowman Game

Supplies:
8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper
Pencil.
How To Play: Give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil. Explain to them that they will close their eyes and you will tell them what to draw. DON'T tell them they're drawing a snowman!
Draw 3 circles on top of each other. Each circle gets smaller from bottom to top. In the middle circle draw three buttons going vertically down the center. In the top circle draw two eyes, a carrot nose, and a mouth. Draw a hat on top of the smallest circle. Draw stick arms on both sides of the middle circle. Draw a broom in one stick hand. Open your eyes!
If playing with older children you might want to devise a point system, such as: 5 points for each circle that touches the other. Points for the hat touching the head, the eyes being in the top circle, etc.

Tongue Twisters

Supplies:
Silly Christmas Phrases
How To Play: Say each phrase three times as fast as you can. Let kids practice on their own or take volunteers to come up and try their best for all to hear. A candy can prize for anyone who tries.
Chocolate cocoa cravings cure colds
Santa sings shining star songs
Sally skis super slow
Big bright bells banish boredom
Grumpy Grinch goes grizzly gus
Pretty packages perfectly packed
Tip-top tiny tot toys
Sally's striped stocking's stuffed slightly
Santa's super souped sleigh swiftly slides sideways
Cheery cute caroling Christmas critters
Candy cane cookies keep kids coming

Snowball Dance

How to Play: Middle School dance or higher. All the girls stand on one side, the boys on the other. One girl and one boy are chosen to dance for a minute (or two), a signal is given and the girl and the boy choose new partners. This continues until everyone is dancing.

See More at the Source:

http://holidays.kaboose.com/xmas-party.html

See More Christmas Ideas:

http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/christmascrafts.htm

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/christmaslinks.htm

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Parts of Speech Wheel

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Tin (10) Can Soup recipe

Better Than Robert Redford Dessert

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Winter Book List

Winter Poems

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Pass the Ornament

Rudolph Dash

Santa Says

Book Exchange

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Santa Santa

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Freeze

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