This is (obviously) not my first Christmas ever, but it is my first one as a teacher. I definitely need to be better planned with Christmas activities than I was with Thanksgiving ones. There are so many Christmas activities out there that it is overwhelming trying to choose some. I also need to figure out how to decorate a classroom for Christmas quickly and cheaply. That is where I would love your help.
- What Christmas activities do you do with your class?
- Also, which ones work really well and which ones should I completely avoid?
- What Christmas decorations do you put up? Is your class involved in making them or do you purchase them?
#1: avoid anything with glitter AT ALL COSTS lol :) It's always such a pain to clean up! If you need sparkles, glitter glue is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteIn my room, since we had those heavy duty wires going diagonally across the room, I always just strung up some colored Christmas lights and a garland. It was simple, fairly inexpensive, and much faster than the effort of putting up a tree (and having to take it down again like 2 weeks later). I usually left the lights up (used them at rest time) for the rest of the year just for the fun ambiance. I would also put strands of lights around my bulletin boards.
I always did at least 1 bulletin board that was just "winter" themed so I didn't have to change it come January. The kids would cut out green handprints one afternoon and I would construct a handprint Christmas tree on another one...a simple "Merry Christmas" and star at the top and I was done. Easy to take down, too, since it could just go in the garbage. The kids always enjoyed making paper snowflakes in their free time as well, and I would hang those by fishing line from my garland across the room. On a third bulletin board, I also had a poster I did up real pretty with the verse about the angels from Luke 2 that I'd put in the center, then decorate with a little cut out angel decoration the kids made.
In 1st grade, we would memorize Luke 2:8-16 (the older kids would add on verses 1-7) so to reinforce that, I had them make Christmas Story booklets. They would copy the verse, one per day, on the bottom half of a sheet of paper (with writing lines on it) as their journal assignment for the day (that didn't take extra class time away). Then, with a little direction from me, they would illustrate ONLY what that verse talked about (I'm sure your 3rd graders would get this much easier...my kids always wanted to show the whole story on one page!). Then we'd take them at the end and punch holes in the sides, stick a pretty cover they had decorated on the front, some construction paper on the back, and tie together with curling ribbon. They would display them on their desks if we had a program and then take them home.
You didn't mention parties, so I'm not sure if y'all do Christmas parties at your school, but if you do, the best advice I can give is keep it simple! One main sweet snack (they don't need much to get hyped up), a salty snack, some fruits or veggies to eat. If you have some creative parents who are up to it, maybe play a game of Christmas bingo or something simple. Most of our time at Christmas parties was spent exchanging gifts and snacking, then sending them on their way! I always made an ornament for each of my students and packaged it up with a pencil and eraser (or whatever was at the dollar store). I would get the non-breakable glass ornament lookalikes on sale at Hobby Lobby, write their name, "Mrs. Butler's 1st Grade", and the year in a silver sharpie on each and tie a ribbon in the top. Simple, inexpensive, but thoughtful and hopefully something they'll be able to keep for a long time!
I hope this helps...I'm sure I could go on and on. :) If you'd like any photos or anything more, I'd be glad to send them...just say so! :) Oh, and class-made paper chains are always a hit...can't go wrong there (though you can end up with more than you know what to do with!)
Didn't realize that was so long...I probably should have just emailed you lol :)
ReplyDeleteI teach in a public school. We have to tie our activities to standards, so my advice is integrate it to those. We write friendly letters to a person of our choice (Santa is an option) about our favorite things about the season. Cut out paper snowflakes and fill them with adjectives that describe snow. Persuasive paragraphs about why winter is our favorite season. Every kid LOVES "Polar Express." You can do sequence of events on a train.
ReplyDeleteI agree with NEVER using glitter if it can be avoided. Consider it a gift to the custodians!
Years ago I bought a couple of wreaths and some garland. My advice is pick somethings you can leave up in January. You will not want to spend a bunch of time on the last day before your break taking down decor!
Hope that helps!
EmilyK
Thank y'all so much for your help! I feel better about getting ready for Christmas time now with some great ideas in my head. :) THANK YOU!!
ReplyDelete- Elizabeth