December began with a classroom full of new seasonal activities.
Following the seasons of our general cultures, we have Christmas objects to name, sort, match and explore, and Hanukkah is represented by a menorah, a dreidel, and the cookie cutters to match and name. If you have anything related to another seasonal holiday that you think would be great for the class to learn about, please let me know! We want to represent all cultures so the children can learn about them all.
On the display shelf is a red plush cardinal to hold, and a picture of cardinals in the snow helps set a festive atmosphere.
We have mystery bag with small objects related to the season: a wreath, a sleigh, reindeer, a tiny pine tree, an angel, a small nutcracker, etc. We paint and stamp pine trees and reindeer. Little window cards open with a seasonal surprise, which is fun for a language activity, as well as fine motor practices for lifting small flaps.
Number four is in the drop box. On the deck, we continue to have a flour bin with pots and pans, and we have a bin with corn and magnetic chips to catch on a magnetic wand.
Songs This Month
Some of the songs we sing:
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Jingle at the window tideo
Jingling, jingling, jingling Joe
Jingle at the window tideo
Jingling, jingling, jingling Joe
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Uno, dos, tres, CHO
Uno, dos, tres, CO
Uno, dos, tres, LA
Uno, dos, tres, TE
Cho-Co-La-Te, Cho-Co-La-Te, Cho-Co-La-Te,
Bate, Bate, EL CHOCOLATE
Five little bells were hanging in a row,
The first one said, “Ring me slow.”
The second one said, “Ring me fast.”
The third one said, “Ring me last.”
The fourth one said, “I’m like a chime.”
The fifth one said, “Ring me at holiday time.”
Ring, ring, ring the bells,
Ring them loud and clear,
To tell the children everywhere,
The holidays are here!
Bells are ringing, listen to them ring, ring, (3x)
All through the day!
Bells are dinging, listen to them ding, ding, (3x)
All through the day!
Bells are jingling, listen to them jingle, (3x)
All through the day!
Bells are quiet, listen to the silence, (3x)
All through the night!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Three little Santas I once knew, fat ones, skinny ones, tall ones too, but the one little Santa with
the little red nose,
He leads the others with a HO, HO, HO!
HO, HO, HO! HO, HO, HO!
He leads the others with a HO, HO, HO!
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel,
I made it out of clay, and when it’s dry and ready, a dreidel I will play!
The oil, it lasted eight days long.
Let us celebrate in song.
The oil it lasted eight days long.
Let us celebrate in song.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine (3x)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Five little gingerbread laying on a tray,
One jumped up and ran away.
“Catch me, catch me, if you can… I run so fast, I’m the gingerbread man!”
Four little gingerbread laying on a tray…
Holiday Party
On Thursday, Dec. 20, we’ll have our holiday party from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Every class will have a party, and, since parking is limited, the party times are staggered. Each child needs to have an adult present. We’ll start by mixing and mingling while eating some food. Perhaps skip breakfast at home, and just come on! Around 9:05 a.m., we’ll gather the children to sing seven of the songs we've been enjoying. After which, we’ll say “Good Bye! See you next year!”
I look forward to seeing everyone at the party!
