Although we are busy turning our classroom into a farm, we still have found time to make some snowmen for our Math Journal. It rained here all day today... just two days ago it was 80 degrees outside! So since I had my kiddos in with me all day we painted snowmen. (No cafeterias or multipurpose rooms here!)

Two little snowmen as cute as can be. 

Which is greater 4 or 3?

I have been busy "winterizing" our farm big book. We took a field trip to a farm in October and I got lots of fun pictures of  the children with farm animals and produce.

We did drawing lessons on how to draw 

farm animals and they came out so cute!

Here is our Midnight on the Farm board.

 All the animals are made with small paper plates.

The idea for this board came from the book

 The Cow that Went Oink!

For Cooking last week we did 

"How to make a Perfect Penguin"

I'm sorry I did not get a close up. They were made from Oreos, candy corn and two mini m&ms for eyes.

As soon as open house is over next Thursday evening. I'll post all my pics from the big event!

Winter on the Farm!

After twenty years of my districts Open House being in May this year it is in two weeks! Why January I don't really know?? But I do know it's throwing me into a tizzy trying to get ready without the benefit of a years work to display for our families. Sooo we decided to keep with a farm theme again (Rain forest and Ocean are harder to fit into fall and winter). I'm trying to "tweak" things so they have a a bit of a winter flair! Our farm quilt has a cute little snow person for each child. And each child made a cow or hen.

I added snowflakes around the edges 

which looks fun too!

I'll take another picture so you can see.

This is our Pp is for penguin which the children put in their ABC art book. This book won't be complete for open house this year. But the good news is I almost have a pattern book complete and I hope to have it posted by the first of February!

Here is our Science Journal page for sheep. I know  it's not winterized but we are trying to complete a shorter version for our Open House! A little cotton ball makes the head pop out, and then the snow in a bag is used for the wool. I just bought a giant bag for  a dollar at CVS pharmacy tonight. Love those after Christmas bargains!

Here is our cute little polar bear

 he goes in our Science  Journal. 

The darling clip art I'm using this week is from 

mycutegraphics.com

The "Draw and Write" this week is a

 cute little sleeping bear. I don't have a sample of the writing yet, the kids will complete this activity during centers this week.

My snowman headbands are a fun addition for write the room in January.Check out the Dollar Tree for really fun Valentine's Day headbands! 

Jumping into January!

Happy New Year to all of you!

I'm still on vacation for a few more days!

Here are some fun ways to get your classroom feeling like winter when you return.

These fun little penguins use a white paper bag as their bellies. Then we add a little penguin fact book to the front. Here is a link to get the mini book for the front of any penguin you make!

Mini Penguin book

I do a drawing lesson for each page 

they really come out cute.

Here in Huntington Beach we don't get any snow, it has been cool for us in the 40's in the morning. Brrr!

So to make us at least feel like it is winter we paint some kind on snowman mural. This was a fun snowmen rhyme. The children helped me make it up.

All 24 of us worked on it at the same time. 

(I painted the snowmen first with the help of my friends)

One snowman got cut off in the photo oops!

This is a perfect time to bring out your "magnadoodles" and sight word cards.

 I love putting the words on fun winter cutouts.

I hope 2013 brings you much joy, health and creativity!

Holiday gift ideas!

Our "hand wreaths are completed! I use muslin and school green and red paints. This year we added a little glitter to the berries they look so pretty. I went to Home Depot to have some dowels cut for hanging and hot glued Christmas ribbon bows to the front. Each child's name is written in gold pen in the lower right hand corner. 

*This child's name is covered up with the berry clip art 

I used to make the picture.

Here is a sample of our wrapping paper made from holiday cookie cutters dipped in paints. Fun and easy!

We also made  macaroni ornaments. 

The children made a pattern around the edge.

Then I spray painted them gold.

 I took a picture of each child with a halo and angel wings. On the back it says love your "little angel".

I know it's a little "old school" but they look so cute on your trees and such a fun keepsake. 

I can hardly wait to get my daughter's and put it on our Christmas tree!

We continued our travels around the world with a visit to England where we made our holiday cards. The children made them during centers last week. On the back it states that Christmas cards originated in England and today people all over the world enjoy sending cards to their friends and family during the 

holiday season.

 In England Santa is called "Father Christmas". 

We made a T.P. roll  Santa. 

Then the children wrote what Santa might like for Christmas. We used temporary spelling to sound out

 what Santa wants.

Today we traveled to Israel we tasted

 yummy potato latkas, played the dreidel game 

and made our menorah hats!

Tomorrow we are off to Sweden!

Tannenbaums from Germany "I spy" and a free recipe!

Last week we traveled to Germany 

and learned about the Tannenbaum.

We made tissue paper and starch trees.

When they dried the children made 

decorations. Next the children counted

 and added up all their ornaments.

Next to their tree is their Holiday I Spy!

Click here for I spy recording sheet.

I Spy recording sheet

We also made yummy Tannenbaums out 

of sugar ice cream cones! OK, so not the most healthy 

of recipes but boy did they love them! 

We used  cookie sprinkles  

fruit loops, M&Ms and mini marshmallows! 

If you want to make them with your little

 "World Travelers" click on the link below!

Terrific Tannenbaums Recipe

Friends Around the World Freebie!

We began our travels around the world today!

We will learn how different countries celebrate the holidays. I always put a world map on my board in December so we can see where the places we will travel to are located. I have been asked for years where I got my children for the board. The book is no longer in print and I can't even find a used copy. I had my  international children scanned and turn into a PDF for you. Please note they are really old! But it's an easy way for you to get your Friends Around the World bulletin Board started! I have attached it to "google docs" with the link below. You will need to print most of them on 11x17 paper. I'm sure there is a way to make them smaller when you print them 

( I just don't know how)

included are USA and Hawaii 

(I know same country but Hawaii is fun to travel too)

Germany, Israel, Africa, Sweden, Mexico and England

Large international children pdf

I'd love to hear from you if you like them!

Today we visited Germany and learned 

about the Tannenbaum. Then on a large chart paper we sequenced how to decorate a tree. Then the children copied the steps on a piece of paper that they rolled up to put in side a TP roll. Next they made a mini Tannenbaum to glue on the front. If you are interested in more "Friends Around the World ideas see the link below to my store.

Kinderbykim Celebrates Friends Around the World

We  also made a describing map of what 

you might see on a Tannenbaum!

This is a picture of a sequencing mural

 I made last year!

Here is this years completed December quilt!

The reindeer are their hand prints.

Large International children PDF

An Early Reindeer Sighting!!!

YES there has been a reindeer 

sighting already in my classroom!

 Only 3 days until December first.

 I'm busy working on my December quilt.

 It's not complete but I'll have it up by Friday! This is their hand print and a red pompom nose!

This cute little gingerbread is decorated with

 paint and Q-tips. The children can easily make him on their own with very little mess.

The quilt squares are 9x9

We started our first holiday 

"Draw and Write" this week.

The Reindeer so cute!

More to come I'm busy with parent 

conferences this week!

I'll be in "full holiday mode" next 

week with more ideas to share!