Reindeer Noses

As a Christmas treat for the kids, I printed these adorable labels from Anna Brantley's blog @ http://fun-n-first.blogspot.com/2011/12/reindeer-noses.html!  Then, I bought a few bags of chocolate bridge mix, and sour cherry drops.  There are 8 brown candies for each of Santa's reindeer, and 1 red candy for Rudolph!  Great for the kids; horrible for me and the trouble I'll be in for using all of the ink on my parents printer! Whoops! 

Hand Trees

The K4 kiddos made these trees (obviously one at a time) after listening to the read-aloud of "The Littlest Christmas Tree" and talking about the holiday tradition and history of putting Christmas Trees up in many of our homes!  They turned out adorably however, if I could do it again, I would have put a colorful paper background behind the white paper to frame the trees.  Warning: VERY MESSY, but SO worth it! :)

Classroom Wreath

Thanks Mom for the adorable wreath for my classroom! So very crafty!

Graduation!

Cute idea for Education students graduating from college! :)

CHRYSANTHEMUM :)

Letter Person, "Mr. N" loves NAMES:  


"Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes"

-An absolute favorite book of mine! Kevin Henkes is an amazing author! His books are among some of my most treasured possessions. :)

Tomorrow we will be reading the book "Chrysanthemum" as our "read-aloud" for the day... VERY EXCITING DAY FOR ME!

'"Chrysanthemum" Back to School Activities' on #TeachersPayTeachers: 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chrysanthemum-Back-to-School-Activities

We will be using a variety of this Activities pack to coincide with the book in class.  One of the activities that we are doing tomorrow (which is also my personal favorite) is from the packet below.  (Buy this packet on Teacherspayteachers.com for $2.84! It's well worth it!)  The activity reads as follows:
I love the way my name looks in crayon _________
I love the way my name looks like ink __________
I love the way my name looks in pencil _________
I love the way my name looks in glitter _________

*Works best if printed out on durable card stock!

CHRISTMAS CARDS!

On my to-do list:  Adorable Christmas Cards to make with my Students this Holiday Season!

Christmas Concert

I am starting to plan for the Christmas Concert which is taking place on December 13th! We have a lot to do, but I am VERY excited!  Here is a list of the finger plays/songs that the K4 class will be learning:  

"Oh, It's Cold Outside": Music to "Baby It's Cold Outside"

I really can't stay – Oh but it's cold outside

I've got to go home – Oh but it's cold outside
This school day has been...
So very fun...
We made our Christmas Cards...
And our lists for Santa too...
So really I'd better be good...
Well maybe just a candy cane or two...

But Santa might think – Oh but it's cold outside
Too many sweets - Oh but its cold outside
I wish I knew how...
To break the spell...
I ought to say no, no, no...
I really can't stay...
Oh, but it's cold outside


"Eight Little Reindeer":  The K4 class read and memorized the Book "Five Little Monkeys, and also saw the "Five Little Monkeys" First Stage performance of the play.  This finger-play is a fun Christmas version for the students that I know they will absolutely adore! :)


Eight little reindeer pulling Santa's sled
One fell down and bumped his head.
The elves called Santa and Santa said,
"Can seven little reindeer pull my sled?"
Seven little reindeer...
Six little reindeer...
Five little reindeer...
Four little reindeer...
Three little reindeer...
Two little reindeer...
One little reindeer pulling Santa's sled;
He fell down and bumped his head.
The elves called Santa and Santa said,
"Call Rudolph!"


"Reindeer Pokey": Sung to the tune of "The Hokey Pokey":


You put your antlers in.
You put your antlers out.
You put you antlers in and you shake them all about.
You do the Reindeer Pokey and you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!
You put your hooves in....
You put your red nose in....
You put your fluffy tail in...
You put your reindeer body in...


"We Wish You a Merry Christmas": A Christmas Tradition for the K4 Students to sing this Christmas Classic!

We wish you a Merry Christmas 
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas 
And a Happy New Year.
We wish you a Merry Christmas 
We wish you a Merry Christmas 
We wish you a Merry Christmas 
And a Happy New Year.
Goog tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for christmas
And a happy new year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas
 We wish you a Merry Christmas 
We wish you a Merry Christmas 
And a Happy New Year.
Goog tidings we bring
To you and your kin
Good tidings for christmas
And a happy new year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas 
We wish you a Merry Christmas 
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year.
We wish you a Merry Christmas 
We wish you a Merry Christmas 
We wish you a Merry Christmas 
And a Happy New Year.
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy new year.
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/c/christmas_carols/#share



I would love any suggestions, ideas, or critiques! :)
Thanks,
Shannon



Adorable letter to Santa:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?pid=explorer&srcid=0Bwa05v3k7bKKZWMxYmZkZWUtNDcxZS00YmIwLThkZDQtZDNjN2FjYWYyYzIy&docid=3371e3d22588da9134329c450987822f%7Cb333622c65580d2671e5f8017507db25&a=bi&pagenumber=1&w=707


Antlers DIY:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7TLYZTfjAYc/TPbu7tHBMCI/AAAAAAAACtQ/Wc8A-z_VD0w/s1600/002.JPG

A Favorite 1st Grade Memory :)

One of my favorite things that the 1st graders used to do as they would come inside from recess during the most gorgeous time of Fall... They would pick fallen leaves from the group and arrange them into a beautiful bouquet for both my teacher and I!  We finally had to put a ka-putz to that as leaves began to take over the classroom as we would receive more and more leaf bouquets every day! :)

Learning to Teach :)

I recently completed my first student teaching placement at Walt Whitman Elementary School in a 1st grade classroom.  I had absolutely the most amazing 2 1/2 months there.  I not only grew as a teacher, but also as a person.  My first graders and cooperating teacher opened their arms to me and gave me a live changing experience that I will never forget.  I am now in a K-4 classroom at General Mitchell Elementary School.  It is only my second week, and I am already loving every aspect of the K-4 curriculum.  Throughout the next few weeks, it is my hope to create meaningful, developmentally appropriate, and engaging experiences for my K-4 students.  I will document my ideas and experiences and hope to hear professional feedback as well as other thoughts and opinions! Please help guide me along on this wonderful journey of becoming and Early Childhood Educator! :)