Winter Activities

Hello friends!

Full disclosure...there will be images in this post that are FAR from perfect! LOL! :)  It's the last week before Christmas break, and I just wanted to share some things that really worked this week! :) Sometimes, it won't be all prettied up, but...if it works, and its good teaching...I'm not going to make a lack of cute stop me from sharing! :)

Okay...so, here goes!

This week, our whole grade level is doing a 'Holiday Show'.  My class is doing two poems from my poetry stash! :)  Some of the other classes even do songs or dances!  It's pretty cool! :) If you need some free poems for the last week, click HERE. :) 

Since the holiday show is the last day, we usually give the parents all the kids ornaments and stuff that last day.  So here's a few of the things I did with mine! :)

  After the Holiday Show, the kids will get to have breakfast with their parents.

Each student will get to use this winter themed place mat for their breakfast! :)

I have done this project with rulers and without.  It still works!

In first grade though, I like to start with non-standard measurement and transition to rulers later on in the year.  I have a parent volunteer that comes in each Wednesday, and she was happy to help out! :) The day before the actual project, I practiced measuring with the kids. I showed them how to do it...and then I let them practice making trees and snowmen to different sizes.

The morning of the project, I showed them the finished product, but went through the steps with them.

Before I started the drawing, I went over the objectives and the rubric.  I explained to them that I was looking for them to measure four different items.  I drew pictures of the cubes and what I wanted measured to support my ELL's and non-readers.  Then I created a picture rubric to explain my expectations.  Level 3 is always the 'on grade level expectation, that's why it has a star.  Briefly, in the cube is the number of items measured.  They needed to be correct. The art needed to be done well, and they needed a seasonal message and their name on the paper.  Students could get an additional point if they drew something else and explained how they measured.

Something that I really enjoy doing with my kids each year is a calendar!

Their little drawings are so precious!  It is certainly a gift that many parents will keep long after the year is over.

You can purchase this item HERE.

For each page, we talked about the different holidays and students drew pictures to reflect that.  There were several pictures of 'playing with friends in second grade' for September next year!

The students seemed to really enjoy creating this and have asked every day since we completed it when I am sending it home.  They are so sweet!

When I was done, I had one of the teacher assistants bind it for me.  She used two pieces of folded card stock to help make it stand upright. I think the finished look will be great on a desk or on a shelf! :) 

If you're looking for some great end of December ideas for your last few days of school, consider these!

You can find this item by clicking HERE.