1-2-3 Come Do Some Christmas Writing With Me

I love diddling around with a “play-on-words” and since my students especially enjoy Pete the Cat stories, I thought it would be fun to make some writing prompts using the word “Purr-fect”.

Whenever I toss a bit of craftiness into a writing prompt, my students can’t wait to get down to business.

With that in mind, I designed 6 cat-themed picturesinside a semi-circle.

As always, patterns come in black & white for students, as well as full-color, so that teachers can quickly & easily make an example to share.

Five of the six patterns feature a blue cat, while the 6th is a brown-colored cat. 

Children of course can color their cats however they want.

The semi-circle shape makes it easy-peasy to cut, then glue to the top of their writing prompt once they color it.

A semi-circle may be a new concept for some students, so be sure & grab that teachable moment to explain this interesting 2D shape.

I’ve included 2 sizes of paper, with lined & unlined options.

Both are trimmed with a snowflake border.

There are 3 writing prompts to choose from.

Pick your favorite or give students a choice.

I've also included a blank template, so that students can write about something else. 

"A List of Things for a 'Purr-fect' Christmas" is especially simple and provides practice for the "make a list" writing standard.

I've included my sample in the packet.

Younger students can simply make a Christmas card using the “Wishing you a purr-fect Christmas” greeting topper, which they glue to their snowflake-bordered paper.

This paper becomes the center portion of their craftivity where they write their name.

For that finishing touch, they can color, cut & glue a "dangler" to the bottom.

To add even more variety, there are 5 different “danglers” for students to choose from.

These are glued to the bottom of their writing prompt paper.

These too, come in black & white, plus color.

I've featured 3 different creative font options as well.

Besides the “humped” toppers, I’ve also included a “chimney cat”.

He’s peeking out from the rooftop.

The writing prompt papers for this craft are blank, allowing students to write whatever they want.

Students could also pick one of the writing prompts that are part of the other craftivity. 

In my sample, I kept things simple and made it a sweet Christmas card.

For that finishing touch, students can add a single set of bricks (left photo) or a double stack (right photo) to the base of their writing paper.

Because they are so different, you could stretch the lesson and have students do a semi-circle writing prompt craftivity, then for another day, have them make the chimney cat Christmas card.

Completed projects make a sweet December bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included a poster to add some extra pizzazz.

This activity pairs really well with my quick, easy & fun, cat-themed Christmas ornament packet. Click the LINK to take a look.

Today's featured FREEBIE is also a Christmas card activity.

Since Christmas Around the World is a super-fun way to get some geography into your December lessons, I thought making a "Christmas Around the World" greeting card would be fun. Click the LINK to grab your copy.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

December is flying & I still don't have all my decorating or shopping done! Do you?

My feet have certainly hit the floor running this morning. Wishing you a fun-filled & stress free week.

"Heal the past; live the present; dream the future." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do A Reindeer Christmas Craft With Me

I wanted to do a keepsake craft with my grandchildren, that I knew my daughter would love, so I traced one hand on a folded sheet of dark brown construction paper. 

This way, I cut once, and had two hand prints for each child.  They glued these "antlers" to a reindeer head that they enjoyed coloring. 

The “hand print” reindeer turned out so cute, that I thought I’d turn them into something teachers could do as well. Thus a new Christmas Craftivity packet emerged.

The craft is simple, quick and a whole lot of fun.

As you can see by the samples, completed projects make an adorable bulletin board too.

I’ve included several posters to add a bit of pizzazz to your display. 

There are a few to use with the writing prompts, as well as two others that you can hang up with just the reindeer craft, if you opt to only do that.

There are a variety of “print & go” reindeer patterns to choose from.

Pick which is most appropriate for your students.

Younger children can simply do the reindeer craft. 

My Y5s absolutely love glitter, so I often use it as a positive, behavior-modification tool.

(If you're focused and on task, when you complete your project, you get to visit the "glitter station"), which I manage. Keeping everything inside a copy paper, box lid, provides easy clean up with no mess.

That splash of red glitter really adds the "Wow!" effect.

Wiggle eyes are another way to add to the "cuteness factor".  My granddaughter chose two different sizes, which added extra whimsy, so when I created the packet, I included several sizes of "eyeball" patterns. 

You can see by the photographs, that the same reindeer takes on a whole different look, depending on the placement of the eyes.

Adding a sprig of holly, then bending the leaves up, provides a bit of 3D pizzazz; as does pressing on some flat-backed jewels. 

To extend the craftivity, older students can practice their “point of view” writing skills.

Students pretend to be a reindeer, and think of something the animal might say if they could actually talk.

This is a lot of fun, which results in some really silly & hilarious chatter.

I've included three,"speech bubble" templates for you to choose from, as well as patterns with my completed samples, so that teachers can quickly and easily make an example to share.

Samples not only help explain things, but really are a catalyst for excitement.

Since older students don't get to do many "crafty" things, they are especially excited to get down to the business of writing, when you toss in a little art into the activity.

They also do a particularly fine job, when they know their work will be hanging in the hall.

For that "finishing touch", have students practice an AB-AB (red-green) color pattern, by writing with two different color markers, which really adds extra pizzazz.

For added fun, play some Christmas music while children work. My students often sing along.

Today's featured FREEBIE is another reindeer craft. This one is called, "You Can Count on Rudolph".

Students trace & write the numbered, circle-shaped pages, to make a "Rudolph's Nose" counting booklet.

There are patterns for counting by 1's to 20, counting backwards from 10 to 0 or 20 to 0, plus skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's. 

I've also included a "red-hot" cinnamon treat, counting activity too.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

The snow is gently falling, which really puts me in the mood to decorate. 

Wishing you a warm and cozy day.

"...He puzzled and puzzled 'til his puzzle was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadnt before.  Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas, perhaps means a little bit more. "

From: "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss

1-2-3 Come Do a Place Value Christmas Tree With Me

I am so excited to share my latest place value craft that I just finished. 

As you know, studying place value can be a bit tedious for some students, so I designed this "decorate a Christmas tree" craft, to put some “Woo Hoo!” into practicing place value.

Creating a super-cute PVT (Place Value Tree) is an especially fun activity for your students, and a nice alternative to worksheets; making it that “extra special something” you can do for the month of December.

Completed projects turn out absolutely adorable, and make an outstanding bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included 2 posters to help decorate.

You’re sure to get lots of compliments, as the results definitely have that “Wow!” factor, as mixing math concepts with an artistic twist is truly interesting.

The packet is very versatile, with lots of creative options for your students to choose from, which not only results in a nice variety of Christmas trees, but allows you to diversify your lessons.

A place value tree appeals to a variety of ages and abilities.

The versatility allows younger kiddos, as well as older students, to create a Christmas tree that will have a two, three or even 4-digit number value!

Keep things simple for little ones and limit the number of decorative pieces and options, while challenging older students to create a bigger value for their trees.

The sample on your right uses "ones" blocks for ornaments, with a tree trunk made out of two, "10s" rods; giving it a total value of just 32. Perfect for students working on two-digit numbers.

The sample on the left, has a value of 769. This tree has no trunk (However, there are 4 trunk options to choose from), while the 1st tree, at the beginning of my post, not only has a 100-block trunk, but a decorative tree stand pot as well. Notice the "holly berry" is a ones block.

A 10s rod can also be a fun decoration. Make them look like a peppermint stick, by coloring an AB-AB (red-white) color pattern with a red marker or crayon.

Check out the last sample tree at the end of this article, to see how I made a 10s rod look like a candlestick, with a ones block glued on diagonally, for a "flame".

I had an absolute blast designing my samples, so I can safely say, that I think your students will also have a great time making their own place value Christmas tree. 

Thirteen tree patterns, 4 stars and 2 angel tree toppers to choose from; plus  endless ways you can mix and match the ones, tens and hundreds block ornaments, provides a lot of variety to your classroom's creations, making for an awesome display.

Once children have finished their place value tree, they figure out how much it is “worth”.

Solving this “mystery math” problem is also a ton of fun.

I’ve provided several worksheet options that will help students figure this out, as they practice and reinforce the various concepts of place value.

I've put a worksheet next to the matching tree in the photographs below.

Choose which worksheets are most appropriate for your kiddos. 

Each of the 3 is different enough, so that you can do all of them. 

"Showing" their math of how they came up with their total, and explaining any conversions that they had to make, is a simple way to assess comprehension too.

The half-page worksheet on the left, is great for practicing a variety of  math skills associated with place value.

Picking a partner and comparing their tree with a classmate's, provides practice with "greater, less than and equal to", math standards as well.

A worksheet can also be part of your display. 

Students can write their total on the star or angel tree topper, or so that the place value really shows up, you can run off the 6 different elf tags, for children to write their name and the value of their tree on; placing the tag next to their Christmas tree on your bulletin board. 

I've also included several present patterns, if you'd like to add some gifts under the tree.

These are decorated with a ones block in the bow, a 10s rod on the ribbon, or a 100s block as a gift tag. 

The trees look pretty with a black, blue or purple, construction-paper background, with the gifts glued underneath.

 There are also several whole-group activities for graphing, data collection and analysis as well.

Limited time? This makes a super-fun homework assignment.

Another idea is to have students work with a partner or create one PVT in a small group of three, which will divide up the work and expedite completion.

Here’s a fun challenge: Give the small group a total tree value, and see how close they can get to hitting that number.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a "Sweet Tweet"; which is an interesting and fun way for students to practice writing. 

Students color, cut and glue the bird to the top of their writing prompt paper, then each day (for 10 days) they jot down (tweet) something sweet that they've done. (After all, Santa and the elves are watching & very interested in this information!)

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

'Tis the season for attending all sorts of activities, so time to go see the school Christmas play. Three of our 10 grandchildren are old enough to be in it this year. 

Wishing you a delightful December, filled with many memorable and love-filled moments.

"Christmas, gives us time to pause and reflect on the most important things around us." -David Cameron

1-2-3 Come Do Some Gingerbread-Themed Writing With Me

Writing is a lot more fun for your students if you incorporate it with a theme that you're doing.  Since gingerbread seems to be really popular, I decided to design a few writing activities involving this sweet December treat.

My students really enjoyed making class books.  They are a quick, easy and fun writing prompt for them.  Completed projects, were favorite books during free reading time. 

For the Gingerbread On The Run class book, students complete the writing prompt and illustrate their page.  Collect, collate and add the cover to make a sweet class book.  There are 2 options for the student writing page. 

This class book, is also an interesting and fun way to review action verbs as well as nouns.  I've included a completed sample that you can use to help explain the lesson to your kiddos.  Click on the link to view/download the Gingerbread on the Run class-made book.

While I was working on this activity, I thought it would be helpful to make some gingerbread-themed parts of speech anchor charts. 

The posters include one for nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns and adverbs.

For more writing practice, I made up several simple descriptive writing worksheets, which basically help review the use of adjectives in a fun way. 

I've included completed samples to share with your students, such as the one pictured, which asks them to use their 5 senses to write sentences about a gingerbread man. 

Click on the link to view/download the Gingerbread Descriptive Writing Worksheets.

Finally, you can use the adorable gingerbread house craftivity, as a writing prompt (If I were a gingerbread cookie...) , or send it home, as a home-school connection for the entire family to take part in.  

 A note home is included in the packet, along with a "Merry Christmas From Our House To Yours"  template.  Children glue a family photo inside and have all of their family members sign it. 

Completed projects make a sweet December bulletin board. Little ones, especially enjoy seeing a family photograph while they're at school. 

Click on the link to view/download the Gingerbread House Writing Prompt Craftivity.

Thanks for visiting.  The sun is shining and it's not too cold out, so it's time to take my poodle pup, Chloe, for a brisk walk.  Wishing you a fun-filled day. 

 "Enthusiasm is contagious, so start an epidemic." -Unknown

3 pages.

"Welcome To My House" is an interesting and fun writing prompt. Students decorate their door, trim and glue it to a sheet of white paper that they also trim. Their writing prompt is revealed, when the the door is flipped open.

5 pages

"Wishful Thinking" is an interesting and fun writing prompt for December. Completed projects make an adorable bulletin board. Students finish the writing prompt: "If money were no problem and I could have 5 super-fabulous gifts for Christmas, I'd like..."

6 pages.

"Stuff It!" is an interesting and fun way for students to practice writing.  I've included several options, with two different stocking patterns so you could actually do both of them, or give students a choice.

4 pages

A Sweet Tweet For Santa, is an interesting and fun way for students to practice writing.  Students color, cut and glue the bird to the top of their writing prompt paper, then each day (for 10 days) they jot down (tweet) something sweet that they've done, that Santa might be interested in knowing. 

Get To The Point!

A Lovely December Bulletin Board Idea

Cover your bulletin board with black paper.  If you want to add a 3-D effect, twirl some green crepe paper and use it as a border.

Run off the leaf pattern on green construction paper.  Each student needs two leaves.  One they will add “veins” to with a green marker or crayon.

On the other leaf they will complete the sentence: In December I like to…

Before hand, assemble your students in front of the board and brainstorm things they like to do in December.

Write the list of activities on the board so that children can choose several and compose a sentence that they will write on their second leaf.

Students cut out their leaves and glue them to the back of their poinsettia flower after they have glued it together.

Run off the petal template on red construction paper. Each student will need 12.

This is a lot of cutting for younger students, so you might want them pre-cut and folded by a room helper.  Older students will have no problem.

I think these poinsettias are prettiest when run off on red construction paper, but you could also shrink the pattern and have your students make a smaller white version with less petals as well.

When you scatter both the large red and smaller white blooms on the black background you will have a really striking December bulletin board.

Students rub glue on the folded part of the petal and glue it to another folded part of another petal continuing until they have connected all 12 petals so they have a huge poinsettia flower.

The day before, make gold glitter blobs on yellow construction paper.  Children or a room helper can cut these into circles.

Students make a 3-circle clump and using glue dots, stick it to the center of their poinsettia.

One big yellow pom pom also works well, but I think the glitter is more striking.

Using an Ellison die cut machine, cut letters out for your caption and run it above your bulletin board:  “Our Writing is Blooming!”  “Wishing you a Brrrr-illiant December!”  “A Bouquet of December Thoughts.” “Our Writing Skills Have Blossomed!”

Click on the link to view/print Poinsettia December bulletin board pattern.

Click on the link to view/print History of the Poinsettia.  You can print this off and hang it on or next to your December Bulletin board.

Be sure to check out the other December Bulletin board ideas by scrolling down!

As always, if you have a December bulletin board idea you'd like to share, I'd enjoy hearing from you! diane@teachwithme.com

A December Bulletin Board Idea That Will Get Your Students Writing!

Here is a quick, easy and eye-catching December bulletin board idea:

Dear Santa:

Have students practice their writing skills by composing a letter to Santa.

Gather children in front of the board and brainstorm a “wish list” of things they want for Christmas and write them down.

Have them select two things.  Choose a form letter you like, and run off copies.

Have students use red or green markers or crayons and printing as neatly as they can, fill in the rest.

They can also color in the holly at the top to add a bit of pizzazz to their paper.

Click on the link to view/print a Dear Santa Letter for December bulletin board ideas.

If you like, tell your little ones that they will be making two copies: one to send to Santa and one for your December bulletin board.

Mount their letters on red and green construction paper.

Cover your bulletin board with white paper and scatter their letters around the board in an interesting pattern.

Add a triangular piece of white paper on the top of the bulletin board so that the entire board looks like a huge envelope.

If you want to add a bit more pizzazz print off my jumbo stamps, cut the edges with a pinking sheers, mount them on hot pink, turquoise, lime green and neon yellow construction paper and dangle them from the ceiling with fish line, over the top of your bulletin board.

Click on the link to view/print Christmas stamps for December bulletin board

You could also dangle tissue paper, or white tag board snowflakes that you can buy pre-cut at any party store.

Using an Ellison die cut machine, cut Dear Santa letters out of black construction paper and stick them in the middle-center of the triangular part of the white envelope at the top of your bulletin board.

For a teachable moment, have them put the second copy of their letter in a large manila envelope and show them how you properly address an envelope. 

I do a mini lesson of how to address our valentines when we walk to the post office in February to mail them. If you do that too, this would be nice recall.

For more December bulletin board ideas scroll down to the next article.