Picture Perfect Parent Ornament Gifts

It's almost Christmas Break, and we have been having so much fun!  Our Elf on the Shelf, Oliver showed up a couple of weeks ago, but because we were out of school for six days due to winter weather, he's had to cram a lot of tricks and surprises into this week. 

I literally move him somewhere every time that they are out of the room to keep it exciting!  It's amazing how well they behave when he's watching!

We've also been busy working on our parent gifts.  Our fabulous art teacher, Mrs. Holly Huber, came up with the idea to make these cutesy frames.  They are just adorable!

Here's how it's done:
1. Glue 4 large craft sticks together to make a frame.  I use hot glue to ensure that it holds!
2. Glue discarded puzzle pieces on to the frame, with the backside facing upward, so that the white part is showing.
3. Using a paintbrush, "paint" liquid glue on top of the puzzle pieces.
4. Sprinkle craft snow or glitter on top of the glue. Let it dry.

5.  Turn the frame over, where the craft stick side is facing upward.  Run a thin line of hot glue along the outter edge of the picture.  Place the picture face down on top of the frame.

6. Next, use your finger to curl a chenille stem to make a hanger.  It should look somewhat like this:

7.  Put two dabs of hot glue on the top part of the frame and attach the hanger.

8. Cut a piece of scrapbook paper or construction paper the same size as your picture.  Using a thin line of hot glue, glue the paper onto the back of the picture to create a pretty backing and support to hold the hanger.

That's it!  Easy as pie, and sooo cute! :)


Back when I was teaching 3rd grade, I used to make these ornaments with my kiddos.  They are a bit more complicated for small hands, but they turn out adorable!  I know that I saw this idea somewhere years ago, but can't find a link to the step-by-step directions.  If you know where it came from, please let me know so that I can give the creator some credit where credit is due! ;)

To make these ornaments, you basically follow the same steps listed above, with these modifications:
*Before gluing the pictures inside the cookie cutters, you will need to tie ribbon through the top of the cutter to create a hanger. 
*Also, you will need to back the picture with foam board before gluing it inside the cookie cutter so that it will stay in place. 

While I let my kiddos complete a lot of these steps on their own or with assistance, I make sure that their little fingers stay away from the hot glue.  Please make sure that you do too! ;)

Finally, we always have a gift wrapping party, where I let my kiddos use pre-cut squares of paper to wrap their gift for their family.  I show them how to tie a bow, and let them choose a tag to finish it off.  They are always so excited to take their gift home to give to their loved ones! 

I hope that you and your kiddos have a fantastic week!
Amy

My Favorite Holiday Freebies for Primary Classrooms

Christmas is a mere 2 weeks away friends!  While I've been out of school the last week due to winter weather, I've spent a lot of time planning for the time when I get to see my kiddos again.  I miss the little stinkers!  While looking through my Pin Boards, I compiled a list of my all-time favorite Christmas FREEBIES from fabulous TpT sellers, and thought I'd share! 

The following items are all things that I've used in my classroom, and would highly recommend!  However, as a TpT seller, I know how much work goes in to creating a product, even a free one, so please remember that if you choose to download any of these items, LEAVE FEEDBACK for the seller!  It means so much to us to see that you appreciate our hard work!

1. Happy Holidays Emergent Reader Freebie from Deanna Jump

2. Christmas Sight Word Booklets from Karen Jones

 3. A Dab{More}of Learning Holiday Freebie from The Printable Princess

4. Gingerbread Science Experiment from Amy Lowes

5.  Letter to Santa Freebie from Karen Jones

6. Ho Ho Endings Math and Literacy Freebie from Deanna Jump

7. Winter Wonderland Playdough Mats from OkinawanGirl

8. Gingerbread Math and Literacy Packet from Moffatt Girls

 9. Elfis is in the Building {A Classroom Elf Freebie} from Cara Carroll

10. Candy Alphabet Matching Fun from Amy Lowes

Happy Holidays Everyone!
Amy

Sight Word BANG! North Pole Edition GIVEAWAY

Today I'm celebrating my 3rd snow day with my sweetie!  We've had so much fun! 

 I don't know when this mess will thaw out enough for school to re-open, but when it does, I'll be playing Sight Word BANG!  North Pole Edition with my kiddos during small group reading.  They love to play BANG! games.  So far this year, we've played Alphabet and Sound BANG! Down on the Farm Edition, Sight Word BANG!  Jungle Animals Edition, and Out of This World Addition BANG!, which are all available for purchase in my TpT store.

 I use these games in a variety of ways in my classroom.  Most often, I play these with my small groups during guided reading or math, but sometimes, we break into groups and use these games for sight word or math facts practice.  My kiddos BEG ME to play BANG!

You may have noticed that each week during the month of December I've given away a product to 5 of my Facebook followers.  This week is no different!  Just click on my Facebook link if you'd like to win your own Sight Word BANG! North Pole Edition game.  From there, like my page (if you haven't already), comment under the Sight Word BANG! North Pole Edition Giveaway post.  You'll need to leave your email address in the comments section in case you win! 

This giveaway will end on Monday, December 16th, so be quick!   As an added bonus, if you share this post on your Facebook page, I'll give you a second entry ticket, which will double your chances of winning!  Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Amy

Ho Ho Holiday Giveaway!

I love, love, love the month of December in Kindergarten!  Everything just seems magical--our centers get a little more exciting; our Elf on the Shelf, Oliver, returns; consequently, our behavior improves; and I just feel cheery! :)

I'm excited to break out my Ho Ho Holiday Math and Literacy Centers next week.  This unit has a little of everything including 5 literacy centers, 4 math centers, lesson plans for a week of Christmas-themed literature and special snacks, donation letters, favorite Christmas song and book graphing activities, bubble maps, have, can, are sheets, Polar Express Tickets, and a party note!

I'm also excited to announce that I'll be giving this unit away to five of my wonderful Facebook fans who would like to have it to use in their classroom in the upcoming weeks.  Scroll down for a sampling of what's included. :)

Literacy Centers

Math Centers

 

Everything Else!

 

Here's how to win:
Click the link to my Facebook page, like the page (if you're not already a follower), and leave a comment including your email address in the Ho Ho Holiday Giveaway post.  That's it!  Feel free to share this giveaway on your Facebook page as well! 

I'll be randomly selecting five winners on Monday, December 9th. 

Happy Holidays everyone!

Gingerbread Man Plans Plus a Giveaway!

One more day until Thanksgiving Break for me friends!  Woo-hoo!  I'm so excited to spend some extra time with this little munchkin. Doesn't she just put a smile on your face?! :)

While I'm not in any hurry for Thanksgiving week to pass, I am looking ahead to next week...the first week in December!  We're kicking off the month of December with a fun-filled week dedicated to the Gingerbread Man.  We'll be reading the original story and throwing in some other versions along the way.  Our plans include Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett, Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst, and Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett.  We'll be comparing and contrasting the stories and making a class pictograph of our favorite book at the end of the week.

We'll also be using the Gingerbread Man Math Mini-Unit
during our Math block.

We'll be getting hands-on while working in pairs to complete Gingerbread Man Measurement to kick things off.

We'll also be completing some Gingerbread Man-themed Math Centers this week.

Additionally, I have planned to use some no-prep Math materials, which are also included in this mini-unit.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to spend my whole break preparing for the upcoming week! ;)

I just can't think of anything better to kick-off Thanksgiving Break than a giveaway for my teacher friends!  Would you like to win my Gingerbread Man Math Mini-Unit?  If so, click on the link to my Facebook page, follow me (if you're not already a follower), and leave a comment including your email address under the Gingerbread Man Math Mini Unit Giveaway post.  That's it!  I'll be picking five lucky winners on Monday, December 2nd!  Good luck and have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break with your families!

No Prep Christmas Math and Literacy Printables Giveaway

This is such a busy time of the year!  You know what I'm talking about...as teachers it seems like we're frequently low on time, ink, sleep (you get it)!  Add in all of the holiday hustle and bustle, and whoo-wee! 

Here's where I'm at...
While I love using bright, full-color hands-on materials in my classroom, sometimes I just need something quick and easy.  The answer?!  No Prep Christmas Math and Literacy Printables

These Christmas-themed activities will save you time because they require no prep! Just print, copy, and use. This product will work great for morning work, in a math or literacy center, or as an enrichment or extra practice resource. 20 Kindergarten and First Grade Math and Literacy activities are included, with duplicated dabber options of 5 activities. Scroll down for a sampling of what's included.

 

 

Here's the best part... I'm giving these units away for FREE to five people who follow my Facebook page, and let me know that they'd like to have it!  Click the link to my page and comment below the post for a chance to win!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

--Amy