Every Christmas Eve we make a very old sugar cookie recipe that belonged to my great grandmother. The original recipe calls for lard, but we always substitute butter flavored shortening. The cookie is a mildly sweet, biscuit-like cookie that literally melts in your mouth. For Candy Cane Cookies: Make 1/2 of the batch red by adding red food coloring (be sure to note any food coloring … [Read more...] about Legend of the Candy Cane ~ Cookies for Christmas Eve!
Math
Extension Activities for “The Mitten” by Jan Brett
The Mitten by Jan Brett is a beloved winter book that both young and old adore. These are some of the activities our children like to do after reading the book. We hope your children enjoy them, too! If you have not read the story to your own children, you may purchase the book below. Acting Out "The Mitten" Print the masks from Jan Brett's website to heavy paper (or glue the … [Read more...] about Extension Activities for “The Mitten” by Jan Brett
“Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!” Winter Activities for Kids!
For those of you that live in climates that have snow, it can be a magical time for children. We had our first "dusting" of snow yesterday. ALL the kids had to touch it, smell it, look at it, and try to make the season's first snowball...rather unsuccessfully. For teachers, the mere presence of snow can make make for some wonderful "teaching moments!" Here are a few suggestions from our Winter … [Read more...] about “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!” Winter Activities for Kids!
Candy Cane Math and Sight Words for Preschool and Kindergarten!
Kids love to play with (and eat!) candy canes. The activities below can be done with real candy canes (leave the wrappers on for games) or the children can twist red and white pipe cleaners together to make candy canes for use at home or in the classroom. Candy Cane Counting by 5's - Candy Cane Number Flags Blank Candy Cane Flags Materials needed: Red or White Play Dough (or peppermint … [Read more...] about Candy Cane Math and Sight Words for Preschool and Kindergarten!
Christmas Math and Sensory Ideas for Kids!
Christmas "Roll a Block" Tree - Christmas Roll a Block Tree Template Materials needed: Small square green/yellow foam blocks (or cut the squares from the Christmas Roll a Block Tree Template.pdf linked above), one foam block labeled with just the numbers 1 and 2 on all sides (if you do not have foam blocks, you can label several index cards with the numbers 1 and 2 and put face down in a “draw” … [Read more...] about Christmas Math and Sensory Ideas for Kids!
The Polar Express Extension Activities for Young Children!
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsberg is a classic book for introducing Christmas literacy to children. We hope you and your children enjoy some of the extension activities below! Introduction: Give each child a bell after the story and string it on red yarn or ribbon. Tell the children that the bells will serve as a reminder for each child to do at least one special kindness each day. … [Read more...] about The Polar Express Extension Activities for Young Children!