Evergreen Art

1. Invite the children to tear the tissue paper into long strips. Invite them to arrange the tissue paper on the translucent paper in the shape of an evergreen tree. Glue in place. Let dry.

2. Invite the children to place the stickers on their trees as desired. Tape the completed project in a window or a wall.

Magic Reindeer Food

1. Offer each child a bowl and ask them to scoop 1/4 cup oatmeal into it. Mix in some glitter. Give each child a zippered bag to spoon the mixture into.

2. Give crayons or markers for the children to color and decorate the star pattern. Have them cut out the star pattern. Insert each child's star into her bag or tape it to the outside of the bag. Read the verse to the children and encourage them to sprinkle the Reindeer Food outdoors on Christmas Eve (or sprinkle some next to a plate of cookies being left for Santa or near a window for Rudolph to see.

Glittering Globe Ornament

1. Give each child a white circle pattern, crayons and a pair of scissors. Invite the children to think of a holiday message for someone special they would like to write on the circles and have them write the message. Have them write their name and the date. Invite them to continue decorating the circles using crayons and the foam shapes. Once finished decorating, cut out the circles along the dotted lines.

2. Have the children use one of the circle patterns to cut two circles from their metallic paper. Lay one circle in one corner of the metallica paper, making sure there is plenty of room for another circle. Trace the circle. Move the pattern to the remaining area and trace another circle. Cut out both circles.

3. Offer glue. Invite the children to glue one metallic circle to the back of a white circle. Repeat with the remaining circles. Let dry.

4. Cut a slit in each circle, following the bold, dark line and stopping at the dot in the middle of the pattern. Slide the two circles together, positioning them into a four-sided globe. Tape to secure. Punch a hole at the top of the globe. Thread the twist tie though the hole and twist the ends together to form a hanger. Encourage the children to give the ornament to someone special!

Instructions for Seasonal Placemat

Instructions for Seasonal Placemat

Give your child a placemat, scissors & glue. Invite him/her to cut the patterned papers into several pieces. Show them how to create a collage on their placemat by gluing the scraps to it.

Place a photo of the child, or other photo, in the middle of the placemat. Invite your child to decorate teh placemat with paint prints, crayons or markers, and collage items. Cover the placemat with clear contact paper or laminate it. Encourage your child to give the placemat as a gift to someone special or to use it themselves throughout the holiday season.

Thursday 12/18/08

Theme: ‘Tis the Season
Snack Helper: Andrew
Weather: Isaiah
Teacher’s Asst. Kaylie
Show & Tell: Everyone

9:00-9:25 Circle Time
“Welcome” Song
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs all throughout preschool this month.
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar – sing “Days of the Week” song
Weather
Daily Basics
· Review J, K,L, Star, white in sign language & Spanish
· Review “gift” & “cookie” in sign language
· Count to 10 in Spanish
Rules – Take time to explain each picture and have the children repeat back to you. (if needed)

9:25-9:35 Movers & Shakers
Goin’ On a Bear Hunt

9:35-9:40 Mini Lesson
Gift Giving
Talk about giving and receiving gifts. Is it fun doing both? What presents would you like to receive? Review the sign for gift and introduce the Spanish word for gift, regalos. Also talk about taking care of our things that we receive.

9:40-9:50 Language
Fishing Game
To review the things they’ve learned so far this year.

9:50-10:00 Math
Button Up Learning

10:00-10:15 Snack & Story Time
Enjoy the treat the children brought today.

10:15 - 10:30 Play
Color Galore
Using shaving cream & food coloring – experiment with blending colors.

10:30-10:40 Music Time
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs this month.

10:40 – 11:30 Parent Gift
Make & Wrap the parent gift.

Homework Assignment
- Reindeer Food
- Evergreen Art
- #10 worksheet

Tuesday 12/16/08

Theme: ‘Tis the Season
Snack Helper: Isaiah
Weather: Kaylie
Teacher’s Asst. Fiel
Show & Tell: Andrew

9:00-9:25 Circle Time
“Welcome” Song
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs all throughout preschool this month.
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar – sing “Days of the Week” song
Weather
Daily Basics
· Introduce this week’s theme
· Introduce L in sign language
· Review J, K, Star, white in sign language & Spanish
· Review “gift” & “cookie” in sign language
· Count to 10 in Spanish
Rules – Take time to explain each picture and have the children repeat back to you. (if needed)

9:25-9:35 Movers & Shakers
Place the button on the Snowman

9:35-9:40 Mini Lesson
Winter Topic Card
Talk about winter (Dec. 21st). What are winters like? Compare your winters with the weather in other areas of the country/world. Consider listening or looking for signs of winter. Introduce the Spanish word for winter, invierno.

9:40-9:50 Language
Stocking Sense
Wrap several different shaped items and place them in a large stocking. Draw of glue pictures o the items on a large sheet of paper, along with several items that are not inside the stocking. Place the picture near the stocking. Invite the children to use their senses of sight, touch, hearing, and smell to determine what the wrapped objects are. Point out the pictures of possible items. Unwrap the packages for each child to see.

9:50-10:00 Math
Bow Sorting
Sorting activity to reinforce colors & numbers
Ask them to sort the bows by color. Count how many bows are in each pile. Make a graph.

10:00-10:25 Snack & Story Time
Candle Salad
Pineapple, apple slices, lettuce leaves, bananas, carrots

10:25 - 10:50 Play
Santa’s Sleigh
Build a sleigh using a large box. Invite the children to pretend they are Santa delivering toys on Christmas Eve.

10:50 – 11:05 Science
Make bird feeders using stale donuts, cream cheese, birdseed, hang them on the trees outside.

11:05-11:10 Music Time
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs this month.

11:10 – 11:30 Art
Holiday Candle

Homework Assignment
- L, Enrich. #4
- Globe Ornament

Show & Tell: Everyone brings their favorite Christmas treat for snack time