Christmas Recycling

Now that the holidays are almost over, there are a lot of items you can recycle and make useful in your classroom. Start the New Year off on a greener foot!

Recycling Ideas:

Christmas cards:
Cut greetings or writings off card and keep picture or design for children to write about, cut-up to make collage, make stencils or create their own card.

Wrapping paper:
Use as cutting practice for children, cut out large pictures on wrapping to make collages.

Tissue paper:
Use as collage material of stuffing for handmade puppets.

Ribbons:
Use as a way to display children’s artwork or seasonal decorations from the ceiling.

Gift boxes:
Use as paper sorters and/or paper trays.

Cookie/candy Tins:
Use as organizers for art materials, extra classroom supplies, etc.

Alphabet Hunt

Alphabet hunt is a fun and mobile way to reinforce alphabet recognition. First, I hide the letters throughout the classroom. I then give the children containers and tell them they're going on a hunt for the alphabets. When I've observed that all of the letters has been found, everyone return to the carpet to count and name their letters. For children who has mastered alphabet recognition, I encourage them to create a three letter word (if possible). The children REALLY enjoy this activity and wants to play again and again!

The Five Senses (Seeing) Activity: Eyes Collage

The children were encouraged to look through magazines to cut or tear out different pairs of eyes. We talked about the different colors of eyes: brown, blue, green, and hazel. I explained that people see with their eyes and that the color of a person's eyes does not change how the person sees.

Developing Oral Language and Vocabulary: Story Dictation

One of the many effective activities to develop oral language is story dictation. Oftentimes children have difficulty getting started. To help children get started, I cut out interesting pictures out of old magazines. When I observe a child struggling to communicate thoughts, I let them choose a picture that interests them. First we talk about the picture, name items, people, etc. Secondly, I encourage the child to tell me a story about the picture. As the child practice telling stories from pictures, they eventually feel confident enough to create their own stories.

Dictation accomplishes several objectives:

(1) It helps children come up with ideas

(2) Provide a model for writing

(3) Encourage children's use of language

(4) Demonstrate for children that what we think/say can be written

(5) Increased vocabulary

Hanukkah Pretzel Sticks

These tasty chocolate covered pretzel sticks make the perfect Hanukkah snack.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
1 cup white chocolate chips
pretzel rods
blue candy sprinkles
microwave safe bowl
wax paper

WHAT TO DO:
1. Pour chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and place in microwave for 3 minutes or until melted. Adult move the chocolate from the microwave and stir.

2. Use spoon to drizzle the chocolate over 1/2 of the pretzel rod and then sprinkle with blue candy sprinkles.

3. Set the pretzel rods on wax paper for 30 minutes or until the chocolate has hardened.

TIPS AND IDEAS:
-Use different types of candy to create pretzels for other holidays and special occasions.
-Try making pretzel sticks using milk chocolate chips or butterscotch chips.

Hanukkah Pretzel Sticks

These tasty chocolate covered pretzel sticks make the perfect Hanukkah snack.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
1 cup white chocolate chips
pretzel rods
blue candy sprinkles
microwave safe bowl
wax paper

WHAT TO DO:
1. Pour chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl and place in microwave for 3 minutes or until melted. Adult move the chocolate from the microwave and stir.

2. Use spoon to drizzle the chocolate over 1/2 of the pretzel rod and then sprinkle with blue candy sprinkles.

3. Set the pretzel rods on wax paper for 30 minutes or until the chocolate has hardened.

TIPS AND IDEAS:
-Use different types of candy to create pretzels for other holidays and special occasions.
-Try making pretzel sticks using milk chocolate chips or butterscotch chips."

Festive Windows

Day and night, give your classroom a Christmassy glow with tissue paper windows.

What you'll need:

Scissors

Pencil

Colored tissue paper

Glue stick

Dark color construction paper

What to do:
1. Draw your picture on a sheet of dark construction paper, and cut out some shapes.
2. Glue pieces of tissue paper to the back of the picture.
3. Turn your picture back over.
4. Now stick your silhouette in the window and let it shine out!