Christmas in our classroom

First off... Today was our LAST DAY of school before Christmas break.

Thank goodness. I was spent. So were the kids. We all need this break!

Here is a little of what we have been up to:

Activities

This week we had the kids rotate around to each of our classes to learn about differnt December holidays. 

I didn't take any pictures, but when the kids got to my class I read a couple of Hanukkah books, taught them the Driedal song, and played Driedal in small groups.

We also read "Elf Elementary".

and made elf art (from Teacher Bits and Bobs) and elf applications (from The First Grade Parade). They turned out super cute!

Polar Express Day

We ended the week with a Polar Express Day today.  We read the book, went over vocabulary, punched our tickets, made our chairs into train rows, and watched the movie.

During the movie I served the kids "hot chocolate"- chocolate milk with marshmallows and cookies.

After the movie the kids did a little retelling activity.

During lunch I ordered the class pizza and we celebrated our DIBELS scores. All but 4 beat their goals (made benchmark or higher).  I was very proud of their hard work on the big reading test this winter!

When the kids were out at recess, Santa came and wrote a note on our white board.  He also left each student a bell to thank them for believing! I always love doing this- they get soo excited!

Gifts for Parents

For their parents, the kids made Santa-hand cards

 And ornaments.

This was my first year doing these ornaments. It was extremely stressful for me while the kids were making them, but they turned out soooo cute. It was worth it.

The kids mixed glue, green pain, and oatmeal in a bowl.

They then shaped it (around a dixie cup) to be in the shape of a wreath.

We added glitter and red pom poms.

We let them dry for 3 days, then flipped them over for a couple of more days.

Las we added school pictures with a message on the back and ribbon to hang.

The kids made snowman gift bags to wrap their ornaments.

I thought these turned out super cute as well!

Gifts for Students

I ordered gift tags from Etsy and printed them off at Kinkos.

I stapled them to bags of candy for them to take home.

Gifts for me

I teach in a low income school/area and gifts are usually very interesting.

My students really try and are so thoughtful.

Here is what I got this year:

But this one takes the cake:

An egg.

The boy was so careful giving it to me. He said "For Christmas I'm giving you a baby chick. If you keep it warm, a chick will come out on Christmas day." Wow. That was followed by "I stole it from my Mom's fridge". Awesome.

Bless his little heart.

Happy winter break to all of you who finished today.... and for those of you not done ....

You can do it!!