Christmas Ornaments

I love making ornaments with my students for their parents. That way the parents can see how they grow, and the students can see how they grow. These are super easy.

All you need are mason jar lids- wide or regular. Then I cut out 2 inch circles with the Cricut machine. I also used the design space in Cricut to find an antler image to cut. I made my antlers 1 inch. I used their school pics that are on a contact sheet for the picture, but if you need to take one, I then printed as a contact sheet. We MOD PODGEd the circle on, and everything else. Then found these cute little stickers at Walmart in their craft section for the noses. Glue a little ribbon on and TADA!! Ornaments for the parents that the kids can make!!!

Clean Desk Solutions from a Second Grade Teacher

Who's classroom sometimes looks like a bomb exploded out of some desks? Who feels like they have tried and tried and nothing works to teach these students the organization they need? MEEEE!! I work so hard at the beginning of the year to teach that everything has a place. I give them a literacy folder and math folder, and teach what goes in there. When I ask them to put things away, I remind them, "Put it in your YELLOW literacy folder!" We work really hard to keep our desks clean, but even though I try my best, things just don't seem to stay that way for long, as least for most of my kiddos, so in comes my CLEAN DESK Solutions idea!

I had to figure out how to get my kids to WANT to have a clean desk. So first things first-  I wrote a story- basically to help give them reasons to want to have a clean desk. I am really proud of this little masterpiece!

 After reading the story, we talk about where and why everything needs a place. Then one day I put a certificate in their desk, and they have no idea what is going on, and then they realize they get to sign our "CLUB." Every few days at random I would add a certificate to the desks that were clean- like NOTHING out of place. At the end of the month, I give everyone in the "CLUB" a prize- last year it ranged from pencil erasers leftover from a Scholastic book order, a cool pencil, a sheet of stickers (again from Scholastic), a pick out of the treasure box, or a piece of candy. Small and simple worked for us.

The best news? At the beginning of the school year when we started, I had a handful of names. By May, we were rockin'!!!! Everyone in the class was in the "CLUB" at least a couple of times in the year and they were smart, too. They'd know when it had been a couple of days, and would BEG to clean out their desks.

So that's it! Maybe not a complete solution, but add a little bit of magic and fun, and these kids are ready for anything!!!

Grab my CLEAN DESK CLUB SOLUTIONS in my store and then comment and let me know what is working for you!!

Peace out and happy teaching!

Making Crayons

I don't know about you, but crayons are always lost in my classroom. I have a "Crayon Hotel" that crayons go when they fall on the floor or people just don't want anymore. Needless to say, my bucket has gotten full and we needed to do something with them. So on Friday when we had just a little free time for art, we started peeling the paper away on some of the crayons.

I told my kids to take 2-3 crayons, peel them, and break them into little pieces. I then gave them each a little cup with their name on it to put them in.(These are my favorite!!! I got them from Walmart and they have become our class money banks. I also use them for my own children's lunches to stick in ranch dressing, etc!) I got to take them home and melt them in the oven. I used a heart silicone tray for my girls, and a mini muffin tin for my boys.

I turned the oven to 275 degrees. I had to just stand by the oven to make sure they were melting okay. The bigger heart crayons took around 8 minutes to melt, and the smaller circle ones were closer to 5 minutes. The kids were so excited when they got to school on Monday. They wanted their crayons. I was amazed that they were so excited. So we started first by watching this great clip of how crayons are made. The clip is from Mr. Roger's neighborhood. They loved this!

They loved how their crayons turned out. We loved this little project! If you want to make more of it, you could always read a book about crayons, such as Harold and the Purple Crayon.

Spring Giveaway Time!!!

It's Spring! We just finished our Spring Break in our district and I don't know about you, but I need a little motivation to get me back into the last six weeks of school. It feels like summer here in Utah, and I'm ready to bask in the sun. So to help me get back into the spirit of teaching, I'm hosting  a giveaway on my blog, as well as on my fun Utah Collaborator's blog Busy Bees Activities. Come join the fun for lots of great giftcards and prizes! Make sure to follow my page for updates.





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Hang in There!

Graphic Courtesy of www.misskatecuttables.com

I thought I was the only one. January is one tough month. We are in Utah and we have gotten lots of snow. After snow comes cold. Where our school is at we have been -9 degrees Fahrenheit... which equals inside recess. Good thing we do GO NOODLE!

If you haven't heard of this, it's a great site that helps with brain breaks and even have 15 minute videos to use for inside recess. It's been a lifesaver!

Seasonal Books to Read in your Classroom

We have a tradition in our home that I started with my first baby. When we put up the tree I automatically have 24 presents wrapped. I've gone from wrapping to making Christmas cloth bags, but inside of each present is a Christmas book. Some books are better than others, and some are more religious than others, but I definitely have my favorites. I put together a list of each book that I love with a short description. Each is linked to buy the book. Enjoy!

1. The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg

Once upon a time this wasn't a movie, and the magic of the illustrations and simple story left a profound impact on me. Many teachers do comparisons with the movie and the book. I like to read this so show the students how believing is truly a gift.

2. Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, Robert Barry

Mr. Willowby gets a tree for Christmas, but it's too tall, so he cuts off the top and tosses it out. This is a story of realizing the small things we do can help other people.

3. A Creature was Stirring, Clement Moore and Carter Goodrich

This book is amazing. It takes the traditional "A Night Before Christmas" and mixes it with the thoughts of the little boy. Great story to read together as a group read.

4. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson

This chapter book is easy enough for second graders, but enjoyed by everyone. Great easy read aloud for the class also. Bonus: There's a DVD, too!

5. How Santa Got his Job, by Stephen Krensky

This book has so many lessons to teach during the Christmas season. One of the lessons I like to bring to it is opinion writing. We also talk about why hard work pays off. Great also to teach how important job skills are. The titles tells the gist of the book. The students all love this book!

6. Mrs. Claus Takes a Vacation, by Linus Alsenas

What happens when Mrs. Claus decides she is tired of the North Pole? This story is so much fun. It gets you thinking about Mrs. Claus since we don't hear enough about her. My students love reading this every year.

7.  Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect, by Richard H. Schneider

This story is about this history of the Christmas tree. I like to read it when I'm teaching Christmas Around the World. It's a longer story, but I really like the way the author writes. The pictures are also very beautiful.

8. The Legend of the Poinsettia, by Tomie dePaolo

I love this author! He writes many books, and this one doesn't disappoint. I use this when teaching about Christmas in Mexico. Because we also have poinsettias here, the students relate. There are many lessons learned here.

9. Mooseltoe, by Margie Palatini

I absolutely fell in love with this book!!! Your students will find this hilarious! You can't go wrong with a crazy moose. 

10. The Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

This may or may not be appropriate for your older grades, but the story is a classic, and at least if you are not reading the whole book, read parts of it together as a class. There are many lessons to be learned in this book. 

Writing Letters- It's more than Writing to Santa

(Thanks Miss Kate's Cuttables for the graphic!)

When you think of writing during the Christmas season you may just think about having your students write letters to Santa. I have a list of ideas for you to do with your students that will broaden your writing horizons!

1. Letters to the elves from the younger grades- let me explain. I teach second grade. One of my most dear projects I enjoy is having my students write to Santa's elves. Whatever they want to write. Then I buddy with an older grade and they are the elves. Their job is to write back to my students as an elf. I am always sensitive to students believing in Santa, but the older person's job is to keep it magical for the younger students.

2. Opinion Writing: Convincing the head elf that you are qualified to be one of Santa's elves. This is always hilarious to read.

3. Letter to Jack Frost asking him about how he controls the weather. Another idea: a letter someone pretending they are Jack Frost explaining how snow forms. (Great for a science lesson!)

Whatever you choose to write about this holiday season, remember this is a season of fun! Regardless of what age you teach, make sure to go through the basics of letter writing and the writing process.

Enjoy teaching letter writing this holiday season. If you are interested, I do have a packet available in my store to explore further holiday letter writing!