All of us know what special holiday December brings around - Christmas! Many characters and traditions surround the festivities - Santa, reindeer, elves, trees, among many others - so we though it'd be fitting to "spruce up" your December calendar page with a decorated tree!
Hand Print Calendar: December
A Beginners Lesson on Hibernation
While hibernation certainly goes with winter lessons, it's also a great concept to pull out during the fall season through a "winter preparedness" lesson of sorts. You can discuss with your kiddos how bears {and lots of other animals} use the warmer months to prepare for the long winter season by storing food {for those animals that do not hibernate}, eating more food to build fat stores/warmth {for those animals that DO hibernate}, building warm/secure homes, etc. Charge your students with...
Soaring To New Heights in 2013! - New Years Bulletin Board
If you're looking for a quick and colorful board for the new year, check out this hot air balloon themed design! The positive message reminds your students that the sky's the limit and we think it would be great if you paired it with a goal setting activity for the the new year! Goals for 2013 Invite your students to reflect on what they did well in the first half of the year as well as take a look at areas where they might need improvement. Reading comprehension. Turning in homework on...
Christmas Light Garland
Here's a fun way to personalize your classroom decorations this Christmas - create a garland of colored lights and add student names to the bulbs! Supplies You'll Need Christmas light bulb template Black card stock Card stock in assorted colors Black permanent marker Thin black ribbon Craft knife
Footprint Craft - and Graphing Activity! - for Groundhog Day
How cute is this footprint groundhog craft from Tippytoe Crafts?! Whether you're hoping for an early spring or love the brisk weather of winter, Betsy offers two adorable variations for your kiddos to choose from! While the craft in and of itself offers a fun addition to your Groundhog Day plans, you might also consider using the crafts for a fun graphing activity - like this one from Growing Kinders. Have your students base their craft on the following prompt - "Do you like warm or cold...
The Mitten by Jan Brett
What would winter be without warm, cozy mittens? In her distinct style, renowned children's author Jan Brett has created a wonderful winter story about a lost mitten and the woodland creatures who find it called, The Mitten - a book which Teachers.net lesson plan contributor Janet Lowe thinks makes the basis of a great winter lesson for your preschoolers and kindergartners. Language & Literature Begin by reading the story to your students. Invite them to listen carefully, taking note of...
T'was the Night Before Christmas - Holiday Bulletin Board Idea
We love bulletin boards that are inspired by children's literature and poetry. This design, based on the popular poem by Clement Clarke Moore, T'was the Night Before Christmas, offers a great mixture of teacher and student created elements! John, pastor and creator of the blog, Fishing Deeper Water, featured this in his Flickr photostream and we think it would make a great addition to your classroom decorations this holiday season!
Nativity Scene Mural - Christmas Bulletin Board Idea
We found this awesome nativity scene bulletin board while perusing Pinterest - it comes from Jo Place and her awesome kiddos! We love the mix of textures, colors, and the fact that it offers a collaborative project for your students to work on leading up to Christmas!
Recycled Water Bottle Snowman
Add a recycling element to your classroom Christmas crafts this year with this adorable water bottle snowman from Craft Elf! Charge your students with bringing in their own 8 oz. bottle to get them involved in the process and they'll be amazed to see how something so ordinary can be transformed into something new!
Happy Holidays Winter Snowman and Tree Bulletin Board Idea
The picture is a bit blurry (so it might be hard to make out all the details), but we're certain that this simple, yet unique winter display would make a great addition to any classroom! It's not holiday specific - so the board could be put up early December and kept up through the new year - and its simplicity allows for easy creation and decorating. Hand Print Christmas Tree While the original display makes use of an adult hand print, we suggest getting your students involved in the...
Circle Christmas Tree Craft
We adore this mod Christmas tree craft we found at Parents.com! With the circles in various shades of green, the sprinkle-like "ornaments", and the clothespin trunk - what's not to love?! Supplies You'll Need Circle paper punches of various sizes Green card stock {various shades} Small circle stickers in assorted colors {or a single paper punch and card stock in various colors} Star stickers Natural wood clothespins Click here to view the recommended products for this...
Winter Ice Skates Craft & Skills Practice
Check out this winter craft and lacing activity from Holiday Kids Crafts! While coloring and decorating is a fabulous way to spark your kiddos' creativity, we also love the extra skills practice and fine motor development! Supplies You'll Need Ice skate template Single paper punch Yarn or laces Graphic art tools - crayons, markers, colored pencils, pastels, watercolors, or another tool of your choosing School glue Glitter Aluminum foil {optional} Fake snow {optional}
Having Some Reindeer Fun! - Christmas Bulletin Board Idea
The holiday season is a great time for fun, student created bulletin boards! We found this adorable design over at Little Illuminations, blog created by early childhood teacher, Ayn Colsh, and think it would make a fun hallway/door decoration for Christmas. Not only does it provide a fun snowy day craft for your kiddos, it's sure to be enjoyed by parents, peers, and others who venture down the hallway!
5 Homemade Craft Stick Ornament Ideas!
Homemade ornaments make great classroom decorations, tree trimmings, and gifts for the holiday season! Here are some great ideas for finally using up that old box of craft sticks. Frosty the Snowman Ornament We found this awesome craft stick ornament at Mama Jenn! Add some craft paint, school glue, wiggle eyes, and craft foam to your arsenal of craft sticks and you're on your way to making this adorable decoration. Jenn, homeschooling mom and blog creator, provides detailed...
Family Matters Most - Christmas Bulletin Board
As we {attempt to} slow down during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, we are reminded of the blessing of our family. Invite your kiddos to reflect on the love and support they get from family members with this adorable activity and bulletin board idea from Kathleen of Growing Kinders.
Winter Footprint Penguin Craft!
Looking for a cute winter project for your kiddos? Here's an adorable penguin display from Laura of Come Together Kids {featured by Toni of Design Dazzle} - our favorite part, it's made from footprints! Supplies You'll Need Black craft paint or construction paper Kids paint brushes {optional} Felt sheets in assorted colors Craft scissors Blue and orange construction paper Wiggle eyes White school glue
Winter Kids Craft - Paper Roll Snowmen
This paper roll snowman craft from Jamie over at JT Photography Blogsite is super cute and perfect for the holiday season - whether you have snow or not! Not only is the craft festive, it also offers a fun opportunity to show your kiddos how ordinary items from around the house can be upcycled! Craft considerations... Skip the paper plate and use the paper roll snowmen as ornaments! The chenille stem ear muffs make the perfect hook. {Again, skip the plate...} Cover the bottom with a piece...
Wishing For Spring "Rainbow Blizzard" Classroom Display
We wish the photo quality of this vibrant bulletin board display was a little clearer, but you can certainly get the gist! Linda Critchell, former kindergarten teacher and creator of the site KinderTeacher.com, shares this brilliant idea for all those still stuck in the winter blues, but wishing for spring! The rainbow theme also makes it a nice fit for St. Patrick's Day! Rainbow Blizzard Craft The board design features a fun poem as well as the colorful snowflakes it inspires! Here are a few...
Have A Sweet Christmas! Peppermint Candy Bulletin Board Idea
Christmas is the time of year for family, food, and fun - and don't forget the sweet treats! Vicky Moore, California first grade teacher and creator of the teacher page Mrs. Moore's Busy Bees, shares a great holiday themed bulletin board she found at Classroom Displays and Bulletin Boards that appeals to the eyes and the sweet tooth! Christmas Candy Crafts The best part about this bulletin board is that you can have your students do most of the work! Provide each student with a 4" x 1"...
DIY Christmas I-Spy Bottle
This homemade Christmas i-spy bottle from Stacy at She's {kinda} Crafty would make a fantastic addition to your toy shelf this Christmas or gift for your kiddos this year! It's pretty simple to make and your students are sure to have a blast with it! Supplies You'll Need Recycled water bottle Poly-Pellets stuffing beads Christmas and winter themed buttons, beads, foam cutouts, etc.