elf on a shelf crafts

Elf Help

1-2-3 Come Do Some Elf On A Shelf Activities With Me  

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsDoes an elf visit your classroom during December, quietly sitting on a shelf watching your students?

"Jingle" visits ours, and since he's such a fabulous behavior modification tool, and lots of fun for my Y5s; I designed some quick, easy & fun activities, which practice a variety of standards.  I'm sharing 4 of our favorites on the blog today. 

To grab your students' attention, ask them, "Who wants to be an elf?" then watch the excitement and enthusiasm grow for  the “Wanted: Elf Help” creative writing prompts.

Collect everyone’s page, add the cover of your choice, and you have an “awwww-dorable” class-made book. 
There are 15, elf-themed pages for your kiddos to choose from.

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsFor pre-writing, have students fill out the “My best qualities for being Santa’s helper” worksheet.   There are 2 options to choose from.
They can refer to this list to write their letter to Santa, convincing him that they’d make a terrific helper.

Although students can certainly write about their real qualifications, toss out a more creative option, where students think outside the box.
To practice "point of view" have them pretend to be a “real” elf applying for the job, and go from there.

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsI’ve included a silly letter from Jingle, my made up elf, that you can use to help explain things, and jump start those creative juices.
I'm sure that thinking up a name for their "elf-self" will be fun.

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsTo add to the hoopla, I’ve also included:

* 3, “I’m an official elf helper for Santa” badges
* A “Congratulations! You’re hired” certificate.
* 2, Wanted Posters to hang up to peak students’ interest and introduce the lesson.

Later, you can use them for a festive holiday bulletin board, if you want to display students’ letters before you make them into a book.

* There’s also a “We’re Qualified” poster you can use for the center of that display as well.
Because of the way I designed the pages, you can re-use the templates for other writing activities you may have throughout the month as well.

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsNext up is "Where's The Elf?"  Part of our 2D shapes standard, is to recognize spatial directions, so I designed an emergent reader with some worksheets & 2D shape games.  

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsYou'll love the variety of skills and standards you can cover with this sweet emergent reader packed with 16 Dolch sight words.

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsStudents read the sentence, add end punctuation, trace & write the directional word, then color, cut & glue the elf to the appropriate spot.

I've included a black & white, boy and girl elf cover options, with color copies for teachers to use for their sample.

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsThere's an optional last page for a bit more writing.

I've also included 3 worksheets, plus two, whole-group games, to reinforce 2D shapes and spatial directions. 

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsI love putzing with a play on words, so I came up with "Elf-abet" and designed a few elf-themed activities to help my students practice upper and lowercase letters.

The packet includes games,
* A variety of worksheets, some of which can be used as assessments.
* Upper & lowercase full-color assessment mats, with a matching black and white set to send home with struggling students.
* Plus an upper & lowercase letter assessment recording sheet. 

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsFinally, since recognizing numbers and counting are also something we work on daily, I designed another elf-themed packet to practice those standards as well.

The packet includes:

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf crafts*  Number cards from 0-130
* A 4-page tip list of all kinds of things you can do with the cards, including the “Kaboom” game
* Even & odd sorting mats

* A set of number symbol cards for more games and to show equations.
* A one - page template of 35 elf shoes & hat tiles to use as manipulatives to make groups/sets.

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf crafts* 11 trace & write worksheets. The “What’s Missing?” ones can be used as an assessment tool.

* 3, “I spy a number” game worksheets, that you can use for whole-group assessing.
* You can also re-use the worksheet 6 times!  There’s a full-page template, as well as 2-on-a-page to conserve paper.

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, reindeer crafts, reindeer activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf crafts* 3 bookmarks of praise.
* 14 number puzzles (black & white, plus color) that practice sequencing numbers 1-10, counting backwards from 10 to 1, plus skip counting by 2s, 5s and 10s. 

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, reindeer crafts, reindeer activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsSpeaking of numbers, the featured FREEBIE for today is a sweet "You Can Count On Rudolph" keepsake craftivity. 

Students trace and write the numbered pages to make a Rudolph's nose counting booklet.

Choose to count by 1's to 20, count backwards from 10 to 0 or 20 to 0, + skip count by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's. 

Simply fold the ends of the top of the "triangle" head down, add some hand print "antlers" & wiggle eyes, for a super-cute bulletin board display. 

elf on a shelf activities, elf help, 2D shape activities, reindeer crafts, reindeer activities, 2D shape games, alphabet games, alphabet assessments, alphabet activities, behavior modification activities, classroom management ideas, alphabet activities, elf-abet cards, elf on a shelf games, elf on a shelf craftsWell that's it for now.  My mom's visiting from Wisconsin, so I have an especially fun-filled day planned.

She'll be 91 in a few weeks, and constantly on the go, so I'll try to keep up!   Wishing you a safe and blessed day. 

"Mothers hold their child's hand for a moment, but their hearts for a life time. " -Unknown

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The Elf On A Shelf

Now You See Them; Now You Don’t!  1 2 3 Come Do Some Elf On A Shelf Activities With Me

Elf on a shelf activities, elf activities, rhyming booklet, rhyming activities, elf on a shelf lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, discipline tips, classroom management, elf on a shelf worksheets, elf on a shelf ideas, december writing prompts, elf on a shelf writing prompts, common core elf on a shelf, elf crafts, elf pattern, elf puppet, elf costumeThe Elf on A Shelf is a children’s picture book written by an American mother and daughter Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell, and illustrated by Coë Steinwart.

The book was self-published in 2005 and  comes with a small elf. It's written in rhyme with watercolor illustrations.

The gist of the story is that Santa knows who is naughty and nice by what his elves report back to him as they fly back and forth each night.

Elf on a shelf activities, elf activities, rhyming booklet, rhyming activities, elf on a shelf lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, discipline tips, classroom management, elf on a shelf worksheets, elf on a shelf ideas, december writing prompts, elf on a shelf writing prompts, common core elf on a shelf, elf crafts, elf pattern, elf puppet, elf costumeUpon returning, they pick a new place to hide. By choosing a new hiding spot, the members of the family play an on-going game of Hide and Seek.  Children are encouraged to name their elf.

Once the elf is named, the "scout" elf receives its special Christmas magic. Now they can fly! However, the magic might go if touched, so the rule for The Elf on the Shelf states: "There's only one rule that you have to follow, so I will come back and be here tomorrow: Please do not touch me. My magic might go, and Santa won't hear all I've seen or I know."

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In the hope that students will settle down, stay on task, and be better behaved during the hectic month of December, teachers have now gotten on board and purchased an elf for their classrooms. 

To launch Elf on a Shelf read the story and let the good behavior modification begin!  After all, Santa now has a spy in the room, and the teacher has a helper that is watching.

Elf on a shelf activities, elf activities, rhyming booklet, rhyming activities, elf on a shelf lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, discipline tips, classroom management, elf on a shelf worksheets, elf on a shelf ideas, december writing prompts, elf on a shelf writing prompts, common core elf on a shelf, elf crafts, elf pattern, elf puppet, elf costumeIf you're looking for a costume to wear on the day you introduce your elf activities, or perhaps dress up in for story time, I found one at Oriental Trading.  It's just $16.  They also have an apron, or simply don the hat for $3. Children's sizes are also available, and would be a real hit in your dress up box, 

I spent over an hour sourcing pictures of elf antics, 'til my head was actually spinning!  There are virtually 100's of ideas Online, so I decided to start a PIN board with my favorites.  Click on the link to catch the Elf Excitement.

Elf on a shelf activities, elf activities, rhyming booklet, rhyming activities, elf on a shelf lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, discipline tips, classroom management, elf on a shelf worksheets, elf on a shelf ideas, december writing prompts, elf on a shelf writing prompts, common core elf on a shelf, elf crafts, elf pattern, elf puppet, elf costumeIf your budget is tight and you'd like to make an elf, instead of buying one, I designed "Twinkle."  He's made out of a decorative lunch bag.

I bought my bags at  Hobby Lobby. Click on the link to view/download Twinkle, the Elf on a Classroom Shelf "craftivity."

This is also a very easy thing for your kiddo's to make, and can act as a great behavior modification technique, as I've included "Tally Tags." 

Elf on a shelf activities, elf activities, rhyming booklet, rhyming activities, elf on a shelf lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, discipline tips, classroom management, elf on a shelf worksheets, elf on a shelf ideas, december writing prompts, elf on a shelf writing prompts, common core elf on a shelf, elf crafts, elf pattern, elf puppet, elf costumeChildren choose one and glue it to the front of their own elf.   Whenever you catch a child being good, or when they have completed a task, they may add a tally mark to their card.

Have them use a red marker for tally marks 1-4 and then cross the 5th tally with a green marker. 

Elf on a shelf activities, elf activities, tally mark activities, rhyming booklet, rhyming activities, elf on a shelf lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, discipline tips, classroom management, elf on a shelf worksheets, elf on a shelf ideas, december writing prompts, elf on a shelf writing prompts, common core elf on a shelf, elf crafts, elf pattern, elf puppet, elf costumeTo ensure honesty, remind students that the elves and Santa are watching, so no cheating. You could also let them know that you have a student tally total that you keep track of, so if you find a discrepancy they will lose their card.  You really don't have to keep up with this, just show the paper and it will hopefully do the trick.

Feel free to walk over and add tally marks to children’s bags without saying a word.  Believe me, they will be aware of what you are doing and get right down to business.   After school, add tally marks to whom ever had a good day. This tally mark can be from the Elf on a Shelf.  So children can readily see a difference, make the elf’s tally mark in another color like blue or purple.

Elf on a shelf activities, elf button, elf certificate, elf writing prompts, writing prompts for december,elf on a shelf lessons, 5 senses, rhyming booklet, rhyming lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, elf activities, discipline tips, classroom management, Because of the book’s popularity, elf activities were being requested, so I decided to design some.  I also had a few "oldies but goodies" which you can find below.

Elf on a shelf activities, elf on a shelf lessons, 5 senses, rhyming booklet, rhyming lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, discipline tips, classroom management, Click on the link to view/download The Christmas Elf, which is a spatial direction booklet, that also has several “craftivities” included, like the stocking with a photo of a real elf tucked inside.

Simply take a picture of each of your students wearing an elf/Santa hat.  Students trim and glue to the back of their stocking.  A graphing extension is also included.

 Elf on a shelf activities, elf button, elf certificate, elf writing prompts, writing prompts for december,elf on a shelf lessons, 5 senses, rhyming booklet, rhyming lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, elf activities, discipline tips, classroom management, The booklet Little Elf What Do You See? is a rhyming booklet that incorporates the 5 senses. 

Elf on a shelf activities, elf on a shelf lessons, 5 senses, rhyming booklet, rhyming lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, elf activities, discipline tips, classroom management, If you have lots of kiddo's and want to conserve paper, you'll want to use my up-dated mini version.  Click on the link to grab this FREEBIE.

Lots of Common Core is covered, as students read, circle capital letters; add end punctuation; underline adjectives; trace and write the "senses" words and then color, cut and glue the matching pictures.

 Elf on a shelf activities, elf button, elf certificate, elf writing prompts, writing prompts for december,elf on a shelf lessons, 5 senses, rhyming booklet, rhyming lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, elf activities, discipline tips, classroom management, If you're looking for an elf-related writing prompt have students respond to Santa's wanted poster. 

He's looking for seasonal elf help.  Children write why they feel they'd make a good elf. 

Elf on a shelf activities, elf button, elf certificate, elf writing prompts, writing prompts for december,elf on a shelf lessons, 5 senses, rhyming booklet, rhyming lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, elf activities, discipline tips, classroom management, After students share their page, collect and collate into a class book.  A "You're Hired!" certificate and "Official Santa's Helper Button" are also included.   Click on the link to view/download the Wanted: Elf Help packet.

Elf on a shelf activities, elf button, elf certificate, elf writing prompts, writing prompts for december,elf on a shelf lessons, 5 senses, rhyming booklet, rhyming lessons, elf on a shelf booklet, elf on a shelf craftivities, elf on a shelf, December activities, December games, behavior management techniques, elf activities, discipline tips, classroom management, Thanks for visiting today.  I design and try to blog daily, so I hope you can pop by tomorrow for the newest FREEBIES hot off this elf's computer.   Feel free to PIN away.

"I passed through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then I walked through the Lincoln Tunnel." -Buddy, from the movie Elf

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