Week Before Winter Break

Life is always crazy the week before break.... performances, shortened days, creating holiday crafts, and other things that get added to the calendar... it's always crazy. I know some dread this week, but I really look forward to it! I've figured out what helps us get through them... THEME days!

We usually have 3 or 4 days the last week (we typically get out the 21 or 22, right around there)... here are some things we do.

Grinch Day!

We read the book and then talk about Author's Message. We do a craft where they draw what represents the author's message. 

Then we do a directed drawing (found HERE) and we add in a lesson on similes (which we've done previously with Gingerbread week)

We also do some Grinchy math problems, but I forgot to take a picture of those.

And we end the day with the Grinch movie and Grinchy treats!

Mistletoe Madness!

On Tuesday, we had our Mistletoe Madness, where it was craft mania!! We were really crunched for time, so it was a little hectic, but I LOVE all the crafts!

Their stocking ornament where they sew it up... they use plastic needles and you'd be surprised what a skill this is for them!

Snowmen Socks.... 

This is definitely a 2-person job, so I kept coming back to help out with this station.

But they turn out SO cute!

Measure a Tree - I use scrapbook paper and let them use Q-tips to make the snow on the paper and add a dash of glitter.

You can see past Mistletoe Madness Days HERE and HERE. 

Reindeer Games!!

Another name for this would be Winter Minute to Win It, and you can see last year's post HERE. After a few years, I have finally gotten this down to a pretty good organized chaos. What helps is that I have all the stations labeled with my photo frames that I have numbered.

This year I had 6 stations....

Candy Cane Pick Up

Snow Nose

Roll an Ornament 

Gingerbread Man Shuffle 

Rudolph Nose 

(we traded out the popcicle sticks each round - you can just slip the sticks in and out of the loop-tie on the end of the stick)

Jingle Toss 

They have so much fun with these games. You can download some directions HERE.

We've also done years where we've done a "Storybook Sleigh Ride" where each teacher in our pod has a book to read and a craft to go with it...

I always do Santa's Stuck. 

With a cute little craft

This year, we have a 4th days, so we're going to do a Brunch - where all the kids bring in food to share and then we'll have Movie day after lunch. 

And we always do a Sock Exchange...it's so fun!!

They wear their new socks 

Happy Winter Break, my friends!!