SWAK

This is a fun idea for a Valentine card for Moms and Dads. First create a boarder on a sheet of construction paper with a pattern xoxo (hugs and kisses.) Then create a lips stamp by filling a ziplock bag part way with water. Dip the bottom in paint and stamp onto the paper. The seem on the bag will create the defining line on the lips.

February Quilt

The hand print quilt project for February is a heart shape using both hands to create the print.
Below the heart we included a heart themed poem.

Another project is a modification of the heart person. We used 2 cardboard tubes that I previously glued together. Each student cut out 2 hearts and glued one to the front of the tubes and one to the back of the tubes. We folded 4 strips of paper accordion style and attached them to the tubes as arms and legs.

We decorated one side with a whimsical face and added stickers for hands and feet.

Because they are 3 dimensional they stand on their own and make a fun addition to our quilt.

Spoon Pointers

Try this idea to help students track while reading or counting. Draw a face on a long handled plastic spoon with a permanent marker and use them as pointers! Spoons can be recycled from different ice cream establishments.

Word -o -Phone

When my students become familiar with the calendar routines, their participation becomes a bit lack luster. Each student made a word-o-phone to encourage more vocal participation.
Each student need a cardboard tube. We used paper towel sized tubes, but any size will work. They can be decorated or left plain. Students use their word-o-phones to amplify their voices as they read or count as a group. I notice the students pay more attention when I use my word-o-phone to give directions. I also place my word-o-phone to my ear to encourage even more vocal participation.

January Quilt

Mittens are a great winter hand print project. Prepare a class supply of construction paper. Allow the students to chose the color of their mittens. Apply desired color of tempera paint onto the student's hands with a sponge or paint brush. Press the student's hands on to the paper moving them slightly from side to side so that the fingers blur. Add 3 dots to the bottom of each hand print to create the wrist of the mitten. Program the paper with the month desired after the paint has dried.

This year I received a donation of a bag of floss picks. We used them as ice-skates for our tube snowmen.

Projects that allow students to pick out bits and pieces and create unique expressions of their individuality.

This is out display of winter crafts.

Getting Ready for Church

Each year I need help my students attend church with the rest of the school. We go on a visit to the church and tour all the different areas and features. Then we practice how to behave when we are attending services. To follow up with our church visit I ask each child to draw what they remember about the visit on an index card or small piece of paper. Then they receive a copy of a black line of a church, copied on colored construction paper. The students cut out the black line and cut open the doors. I staple their card so that the majority of the picture shows through the doors.

We then create a classroom display of all our churches.

This activity gives the children practice at noticing details and helps them feel part of the church community.

The Pizzaria

One of my favorite dramatic play areas is the pizzeria. Set up consists of a few basic props and it is hours of language development, writing, math skills and fun! One corner houses a phone, (for phone orders), a cash register and an order pad.

I cut toppings out of paper which have lasted several years, unlaminated. (I coached the kids to be careful) They are sorted into pie tins. This provides sorting practices. I use large corrugated cardboard circles as the base of the pizza.

I made some very simple menus to help with environmental print and language development.

And of course, no restaurant would be complete without a seating area!