The Days before Christmas

I admit I go through emotions of bah humbug to excitement and exhaustion these days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  If it wasn't for the kids at school, I would go crazy.  Now they do........
So here are some easy to do ideas to keep the spirit and provide needed fine motor practice.

Santa Stars
Have the children trace the star pattern on red construction paper, they need to practice this tracing on the outside of a pattern skill.(or have it preprinted).  You need only 3 colors of crayons, black, white, red/pink.  Color the gloves and boots black.  Make a double line and two squares for the buckle.  Practice making loopy coloring marks to help with the beard.  Use white for Santa's beard and white for the fur trim.  Black circles for his eyes and red nose and smile.

 Give the students ONE cotton ball and show them how to tear it into six small pieces.  Use regular glue to make a skinny line for the furry cuffs and a small dot for Santa's pom on his hat. 

Gingerbread Men/Boys
Read variations of THE GINGERBREAD MAN.  Make patterns for the children to trace.  We like to use a 12x18 but 9x12 is good also.  Allow the children to use paint to add frosting details.  When dry, they can cut it out.  They LOVE big projects.

Memory Games
Make smaller gingerbread men (or use Elison Die cuts) and use pictures for rhyming matches.  Or write words for sight words, pictures for beginning sound match or ending sound matching.
When we play memory, the player who turns over the two cards, MUST sit back with their hands in their lap and count to 3 before turning back over or removing the match.  I think it is important that the child also says the picture or word outloud for the others to hear.  There is no need to rush.  When the player's turn is over, they need to tell the next person by name that it's their turn.

More tomorrow to keep you going these last days.
Easy hand gift ideas and more student made crafts.