12/13/2012

Letter N (Nightingale)

We had a crazy busy week and didn't do a lot with this letter other then our zoo wall and tracing page.

Books
Craft/Art
Fun Facts
Game/Activity
Printables


Snacks
Songs
Tips to Teaching Letter N
Teaching ABC's Idea for the Week
Theme of the Week
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Letter M (Monkey)

Books
5 Little Monkeys Play Hide and Seek by Eileen Christelow

Craft/Art
Footprint Monkey @ Handprint and Footprint Art

Paper plate Monkey

Fun Facts
Monkey's live in groups known as troops.

Most monkeys have tails.

Monkeys eat fruit, grass, leaves, eggs, insects and spiders.

Game/Activity
Sing 5 little Monkeys jumping on the Bed (use bed and monkey prop)

Printables



Snacks
Banana 

Monkey Lunch @ Cookie Cutter Lunch

Monkey Cupcakes @ Cupcakes take the Cake

Songs
5 little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed 

Monkey See Monkey Do Fingerplay 

Tune:  This Old Man 

(perform the motions as you sing about them)
If you raise your arms,
I will, too—
Monkey see, monkey do!

Chorus;
Whatever you do,
I’ll do it too—
Monkey see, monkey do!

If you clap your hands,
I will, too—
Monkey see, monkey do!

(Chorus)

If you scratch your head,
I will, too—
Monkey see, monkey do!

(Chorus)

If you stamp your feet,
I will, too—
Monkey see, monkey do!

(Chorus)

If you hop around,
I will, too—
Monkey see, monkey do!

(Chorus)

Tips to Teaching Letter M
Letter M for Monkey @ Confessions of a Homeschooler

Teaching ABC's Idea for the Week

Theme of the Week
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12/10/2012

Reindeer on a Rug, similar to Elf on the Shelf!

Okay, so you have most likely heard of the oh so popular "Elf on the Shelf"?  It's a children's book that comes with a magical elf.  The elf watches the children and reports back to Santa.  He tells Santa if the children have been naughty or nice.  I thought that it looked like fun, and actually wanted to buy it a few years ago...until I saw that it cost $30.00.  Okay, so we are students and cheap....so I didn't buy it and life went on. ; )

Last week I was reading through some of my friends private blogs.  My dear friend Savannah had this awesome idea where she had bought a reindeer at dollar tree and wrote a poem similar to the one used with elf on the shelf.  

In the book it says that if children touch the elf then it will loose it's magical powers.  Savannah has 3 boys, and I have 2 of my own.  We didn't like the idea of our children not being able to touch the elf.....with this "Reindeer on the Rug" your little ones can touch the reindeer all they want!  No magical powers lost here! ; ) Anyways, I thought this was a BRILLIANT idea, and I'm so glad that Savannah was willing to share the words of her poem with us.

I've made a free printable for anyone wanting to save some money and join in on the fun!  All you will need to do is print this off and swing by dollar tree and pick up a little stuffed animal reindeer and you'll be ready to go.

My husband and I introduced "Reindeer on a Rug" to my 2 boys tonight and they loved it!  My boys have been excited to watch the movie "The Polar Express" all day long.  Right before the movie started they found the reindeer and the poem.  We introduced it to them, they seemed excited but were ready to watch the movie.  I'm excited for them to find the reindeer in the morning and maybe even come up with a name!

Our family is still young enough, we are are experimenting with family traditions.
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?
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12/08/2012

A list of Things to Do this Holiday Season!



Kitchen Fun:
Gingerbread houses or nativity scenes
Sugar cookies
Almond bark/ Peppermint bark
S’mores over the stovetop or fire
Hot coco
Apple cider
Peppermint ice cream
Pretzel rods
Chocolate spoons for hot coco
Try a new recipe
Eggnog
Chuck-A-Mucka

Outside Fun:
Go sledding                                                                                  
Catch snowflakes on your tongue
Catch snowflakes on black piece of paper and look at how they are all different
Ice skating
Play in the snow
Go caroling
Go on a drive to see the Christmas lights
Build an igloo or snowman

Inside Fun:
Make paper snowflakes
Write a Christmas letter to Santa
Read Christmas stories
Game night
Make candy cane swords (Just lick the end till it’s poky)
Ride sleigh (sleeping bag) down the stairs
Sit by the fire
Re-enact the nativity
Magical moments under the Christmas tree
Christmas photo-shoot
Make a Christmas craft
Make a Christmas Playlist of your favorite music
Send Christmas cards
Wrap presents
Watch a Christmas movie

Service:
Make room for new toys by giving old ones to someone in need
Invite a friend to dinner
Donate food
Deliver goodies to neighbors
Do a secret act of service
12 days of Christmas for a friend or neighbor
Buy someone else a meal

Christmas Eve Fun:
Make a trap (for anybody trying to peek early Christmas morning)
Leave cookies out for Santa
Leave carrots or reindeer food (oatmeal and glitter) for reindeer
Open pajamas
Leave a key for Santa with poem (perfect if you don’t have a fireplace)

Traditions:
Elf on the shelf or Reindeer on the rug
Christmas ornaments-make or buy one each year
Christmas PJ’s (Day after Christmas tree is set up or Christmas Eve)
Christmas book each year
Advent Calendar or Christmas chain

Click here to print!

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