The Gift of 17

Two posts in one week?!?!  OMGoodness! Who is this blogger anyway???

 

 

So my Kindergarten teaching buddies and I have been on the "hunt" for an idea to replace the traditional gift exchange for our Holiday Party, AND I think we've found it!  "The Gift of 18" (or 19, 20, 21...).  I'm super excited about it and willing to give it a try.  I'm not sure where this idea originated, but I got it from my little guys Kindergarten teacher from last year! 

Thank you Mrs. Blankenship!

 

"The Gift of 17"

Here’s how it works:

Each family that chooses to participate can bring in 18 (one for each child in our class plus one in case we a new child moves in) similar items wrapped in ONE package.  Some ideas include; pencils, gloves, pens, magnets, play dough, bubble stuff, stickers, rubber stamps, books, fun pads, candy canes, cookie cutters, etc...

**OR**

Families may choose to give one gift to the whole class such as a board game, book, playground ball, jump rope, sidewalk chalk, scented markers, craft items, etc. that everyone in the class can enjoy for the rest of the year.

Packages should be labeled “To my class” from "Child’s name.”

Children will open his or her own gift and present it to the class.

 

 No one is required to participate.

No one will be left out.

There is no spending limit either high or low.

It is my hope that all of the children will leave for the holidays feeling good about giving and feeling fairly treated.

 

I have a letter typed up to send home to my students' parents explaining  "The Gift of 17".  It is on my computer at school. :(  I will try and post a PDF version of it next week.

 

Merry Christmas!!!

                                                         

Winter Holiday Party & The Little Red Hen [Makes a Pizza]

So, I haven't posted since July...yes, you read right...JULY.  I have done a pretty good job of keeping up with everyone and the GREAT ideas everyone is sharing...THANK YOU! :)

Winter Holiday Party Ideas

My kindergarten teacher buddies and I were brainstorming ideas today for our Winter Holiday Party.  We've done the gift exchange where students bring a wrapped $3-$5 gift (if you've done this before, I'm sure you know the pros and cons) and we'd really like to get away from it if  possible.  We've also tried a book exchange and an ornament exchange.  We're looking for NEW ideas!!!  If you have any ideas to share (whether for gift giving, activities, or games) we'd love to hear them! 

The Little Red Hen [Make a Pizza]

I am currently teaching an after school enrichment class, "Book Cooks & More".  This week our book we read The Little Red Hen [Makes a Pizza]. 

(Given to me last July during the Christmas in July Book & Activity Exchange. Thank you Cristy Wagner!)

If you haven't read it, you need to...SO CUTE!

We compared and contrasted it w/the traditional story, completed a story map, made biscuit pizzas,

**YUMMY**

 and made these cute Little Red Hen chef hats.

 

This super cute (sideways *sorry*) hat was a PINspiration!  I'm having trouble locating the origin of the original pic, so here's the model I made.  If the idea is your's, PLEASE speak up. 

Well...it only took 4 months, but my post is complete!  Again, please share any Holiday Party ideas you have.  We're looking to "spice" ours up a bit!  Thanks

M.I.A. and a Cute Holiday Project (Straight From Pinterest)

M.I.A. definitely describes my blog life lately...Missing In ACTION!!! Between family activities, Christmas planning, shopping, decorating, partying, school events, my ZUMBA Fitness addiction, and ALL of the other stuff I'm obligated LOVE to do, I feel like I've been doing nothing but chasing my tail!  It has been a LONG while since I have actually had made time to blog and/or check out what my fellow bloggers are up to.  I know I've been missing a lot of great ideas!!! 

On to the "meat" of my post.  I completed my first Holiday Pinterest (yes, I'm loving the Pinterest) project on Friday with my lil' love muffins and some of our 2nd buddies!

(Click on the pic for directions.)

SOOOO cute, right?!?!

We had a GREAT time, made a HUGE mess, completed the project, and had SOOO much FUN!  I planned to take pics of the kids working w/their buddies, but only managed one...yes I said ONE photo!!! 

But, isn't she a cutie?!?!

Forty-ish kids + scissors + construction paper + glue + all the stuff I'm forgetting = CONTROLLED CHAOS and not much time for pictures. :(  I didn't even get pics of our finished products!  I'm sure you get the idea!

A BIG "Thank You" to our parents for sending in the supplies needed to complete the projects (gallon milk jugs and 20 ct. Christmas lights!