1-2-3 Come Do Some New Year Craftivities With Me
When my students returned from their Christmas break, I always had a few activities that revolved around the New Year. Calendar concepts was something we worked on every day, so discussing the changes in the New Year date, fit right in. If you too are looking for some quick crafts that help reinforce standards, you'll hopefully find something you can use in today's blog, or click on the link to pop on over to my entire collection of New Year-themed FREEBIES.
The Place Value “Happy New Year!” craftivity can be done as a whole-group or independent center. Students trace and write the numbers, cut them out, arrange them in correct order to form the New Year and then glue them under the appropriate place value “door.”
The last door helps children practice subtraction as they subtract the year they were born, from the current year to get their age. It’s self correcting, because they know how old they are!
This is my sample from last year, but you can use this activity for years to come, because I've included templates through the year 2034.
Before hand, explain the project using your own sample, as a review of how things are done. Even if you're in your 20’s, don't be surprised if your kiddos think you're really "old". Click on the link to view/download the Place Value New Year craftivity.
Some of my Y5s had not yet mastered counting backwards from 10 to 0, so I designed the New Year’s Glitter Ball Slider to help them practice in a fun way. Even little ones seemed to be familiar with the New York, Times Square countdown ball, so this was a great segway.
I’ve also included a strip to countdown from 20. Students trim their ball, trace the numbers on their "slider" and then insert the strip through the slits. I had my kiddo’s crouch on the floor as we counted down. When we got to zero, they jumped up and yelled “Happy New Year!”
When you're done, for that finishing touch, allow children to add some silver or gold glitter. Set aside to dry and then have them practice at home. Click on the link to view/download the Happy New Year Countdown Slider.
Another way for students to practice counting backwards is with these 5 New Year puzzles. You can laminate and use them as an independent center or run off copies for each child to take one home for more practice.
They also make an interesting piece of art when the pieces are glued to a sheet of construction paper with a little space between each piece. Click on the link for the New Year Countdown puzzles.
I always had some quick and easy activity on my students' desks in the morning. They got right down to business, so I was able to take attendance and accomplish a few things before we began our day together.
The "How many words can you make using the letters in Happy New Year?" worksheet is perfect for that. It's a fun way to build vocabulary and reinforce spelling. I've included my list of 627 words that you can share with your students after they finish their list.
Set a timer for however long you want students to work on this. You can give a New Year bookmark as a prize for the child who has the most words, or give everyone a bookmark for staying on task. I've designed several for them to choose from.
Finally, if you follow my blog, you know that I like to end with a quotation. No matter what grade I taught, I always put one on the board each day. I often used quotes as a "Do you agree or disagree?" writing prompt or discussion with my students.
If you like doing things with quotes too, click on the link for 6-pages of my favorite New Year quotes. It includes the one from Ophra below.
Well that's it for today. I'm off to get some major wrapping done. I like to wait 'til all of my shopping is complete before I start that job, so I can easily sort and then just have a marathon.
Wishing you a productive day filled with tasks you enjoy, with enough time and energy to get them accomplished.
"Cheers for a New Year and another chance to get it right!" -Oprah Winfrey
