Passports Needed: Christmas Around the World

Today we began preparations for our trip around the world!  We will visit other countries
and learn about their Christmas traditions and celebrations.  But first we needed our passports and suitcase.  ;)

Old Crow lined up for his picture to be taken and we ordered his passport.  I explained to him the process for entering other countries.  So he is prepared for the long lines and "friendly" security checkpoints.

He decorated his suitcase, and we attached it to a large piece of folded construction paper.  This suitcase will hold all of our purchases...also known as notebooking pages about each country we visit and crafts we make. ;)

Resources:

Christmas Around the World Notebooking Pages from Living Life Intentionally

Passport from Confessions of a Homeschooler's Expedition Earth Curriculum

Suitcase Printable from First Grade Garden

Once we were all set for our travels, we focused on the USA.  We read The Night Before Christmas, A Georgia Night Before Christmas, The Little Christmas Tree, The Christmas Story, etc.

The Georgia Night Before Christmas is hilarious and we both laughed our way through the story! :)

We then completed a tree chart where we thought about ways the USA celebrates Christmas.

And then Old Crow completed his USA notebooking page...each country will have its own individual page.  

Each country will have the following sections:

Now we are all set and ready to head out on our trip around the world!  Next stop...Mexico!!

Merry Christmas!

Jenny

A Visit to Whoville: Grinch Unit

This week we opened the book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and explored the world of Whoville and the Grinch.  This is a favorite for the boys and we had a blast.  I found this free printable Grinch unit from First Grade W.O.W.   This is an awesome resource and a perfect jumping off point...using it along with other activities made for a great week!  Here is a look into our week with the Grinch.  

We started the week off by reading the book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Then we followed that up with watching both movies...the original cartoon version and the modern one with Jim Carrey.  Their favorite was definitely the original cartoon.  We often watch this even during the middle of summer. ;)

   

Snacks:  Who Pudding

As a snack to eat during the movie, we made Who Pudding.  Using vanilla jello pudding mix and milk we made regular pudding.  But when we added the green food coloring...it became Who Pudding!!

Language Arts and Craftivities

1.  After reading the story, Old Crow and I discussed what Dr. Seuss' message was...what the big idea was for the story.  This is his response sheet.

"that Christmas can never be stolen."

2.  Included in the free unit was a Grinch poem/song to the tune of Row Row Row Your Boat.  We sang the song and also used the poem as his poetry work for the week.  He copied the poem into his poetry notebook.

3.  We worked on Grinchy Adjectives.  I printed out this large size Grinch.  We colored him, laminated him, and then cut him out.  The boys had a fun time putting him together and playing with his face as a mask.  (An actual mask template can be found here.)  Then Old Crow and I came up with words that would describe the Grinch's character.

4.  Discussing the Grinch's character was a perfect way to also talk about how characters can change throughout a story.  This is his response sheet on character development.

5.  Old Crow worked on a writing activity that had him finishing the following sentence.  I feel grinchy when...

Math Activities

1.  Using a 100 number chart, we created a mystery picture (which turned out to be the Grinch).

2.  A great problem solving booklet can be found at Made For 1st Grade.

3.  For addition work, Swamp Frog First Graders has an activity sheet for rolling dice and finding the sum.

Grinch Slime

This activity is one that uses math skills, science themes, sensory play, and lots of fun!!

Directions for the Grinch Slime can be found in the free unit (A Pinch of Grinch), but basically you mix 1 teaspoon of Borax powder with 1 cup of water.  Mix and set aside.  In a separate bowl you mix a whole bottle of Elmer's glue (4 oz.) with 1/2 cup of water.  Add green food coloring to the glue mixture.  Mix well.  Then combine the glue mixture with Borax powder mixture.  Almost immediately the liquid will begin to form solids...perfect science lesson!  The more you knead and squeeze the more it will turn firm.  Pour out excess water and continue to squeeze!  Crazy Horse LOVED this one!!

Put it in a ziplock bag, and it will keep indefinitely.  We are still playing with this.  It's a great stress reliever too. ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenny

Next week, we will get our passports and head on a trip around the world...learning Christmas traditions from other countries.  Stay tuned! :)

Tuesday's Top 10: A Few of my Favorite Things

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  There are so many traditions, events, and programs during this month that our calendar gets quickly filled.  But we always try to make time for a few favorite activities.  This list is dedicated to those traditions and activities that keep us focused on the true meaning of Christmas. 

Here is one of our favorite quotes from How The Grinch Stole Christmas...

"Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store,

Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

Tuesday's Top 10:  Favorite Christmas Activities

1.  Cookie Day

One Saturday each December our entire family gets together to bake ALL day.  The women and children are in the kitchen and the men pop in occasionally to "taste test" everything. :)  After all of the goodies are made, we create baskets and tins to give to friends, neighbors, church family, etc.

Cookie Day 2011

2.  Picking our Christmas tree

Each year we love to set aside a day to trim our tree.  We haven't gone the path of artificial trees like most of our family. ;)  So we head outdoors to find the perfect tree. And then begins the fun of looking through all of our ornaments and remembering when and where they were bought...or who created them. 

3.  Setting out the Nativity together

Growing up I can remember setting out the nativity scene with my mother every Christmas.  As I would set each person and animal inside the stable, she would retell the Christmas story.  Then when I sprinkled the hay all around it was complete. :)  I love doing this with my own kids so much!  They listen as I tell the story and now they add the people with careful fingers.  And then Memphis Belle give Baby Jesus "sugar."  (That's a kiss for anyone not from the south).

4.  Riding to look at Christmas lights

We all load up in the car (once we all piled into the RV) and go on a hunt for the most decorated neighborhoods.  We love seeing the beautiful homes and streets covered in bright, merry lights.

5.  Watching Christmas Musicals

Hearing the Christmas story told in song is wonderful...whether by children or adults.  We enjoy these each year and look forward to them.

Crazy Horse in 2011

6.  Giving to others through our advent calendar

This year I am working to focus our attention on giving to others.  Yes, the kids still make a list.  But we want them to know the joy and blessing of giving to others and not just in receiving.  Here are some ways we are doing that:  Giving our time to ring the bell for Salvation Army, leaving kind messages and goody bags for neighbors, giving a thank-you note and candy to the garbage man, etc.  More of these activities will come as we continue with our advent calendar (each day is a way for the kids to give, help, and share with others).

 

Old Crow in 2012

7.  Reading our favorite Christmas stories

Let me paint this picture...cozy fire crackling, soft Christmas songs playing, fuzzy pajamas on sweet-smelling babies, all cuddled together on our clean couch.  That's how I'd like to picture it too, but usually it isn't quite so picturesque.  :)  But no matter how cluttered the floor is, active my boys are, and that the weather is 80 degrees we love to sit together and read our favorite Christmas books.  Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, J is for Jesus, The Christmas Story, The Spirit of Christmas

8.  Our 25 names for Jesus ornaments

We are only on day 4, but I love our time together with this activity.  We sit around our smaller Christmas tree and add our new ornament with another name for Jesus.  Today was Mighty God.  We read Isaiah 9:6 and discussed what it means to be mighty.  Oh, the answers I get from 2 little boys. :)  You can read about our 25 Names for Jesus Activity here.

9.  Packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child

One movie the kids love is VeggieTales: Saint Nicholas: The Story of Joyful Giving.  At the beginning of this movie is a clip about Operation Christmas Child.  It tells of this ministry and shows children in other countries receiving the gift-filled boxes.  So when it came time to fill the shoeboxes we would send, they were excited and new exactly what our goal was.  We headed to the store and the boys thoughtfully (with a little redirection) picked items to go in their shoeboxes. 

10.  Buying through the Gospel for Asia catalog

I love when the Christmas gift catalog from Gospel for Asia comes in the mail.  We are all able to look through it and see how both the spiritual and physical needs can be met in unreached people groups in Asia.  They can see what a few chickens, goats, lambs, and cows can mean to someone.  We then decide on what we would like to buy and give.  Take a look at their catalog. :)  

Well those are a few of our favorite things!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas,

Jenny

P.S.  You can check out other Tuesday Top 10s at Many Little Blessings link-up.

25 Names of Jesus: Christmas Tradition

This year we will be starting a new Christmas tradition!  I ran across this wonderful idea several months ago and instantly knew I would want to do it with my kids.  It's called the 25 Names of Jesus.  Using ornaments, we'll celebrate Jesus' birth and count down the days until Christmas.  Each ornament has a different name for Jesus.  We'll take out the ornament, read the scripture where the name is found, and discuss the meaning of the name.  It does take a little time to prepare so I wanted to share it with you early enough so that you could also begin on December 1.  :)

Here's how it works:   

Step 1:  The first thing I worked on was choosing the 25 names of Jesus.  It was very hard to narrow down the ones to use, but each year new ones can be introduced.  So I'm sure we'll learn more year after year.  I looked at several blogs and websites that have names and scripture listed.  Here are the names we have chosen, and I also included the scripture, discussion topics, and possible activities.

25 Names for Jesus

1.  Jesus
Luke 1:31; put together nativity scene.  Here is a wooden one for kids
         

2.  Alpha and Omega
Revelation 22: 12-13; discuss Greek alphabet and symbols

3.  Wonderful Counselor

Isaiah 9:6; discuss "counselor" and qualities of a good one; have child give counsel on a "problem"

4.  The Mighty God

Isaiah 9:6; find pictures that depict "mighty"

5.  Everlasting Father

Isaiah 9:6; everlasting = never ending; collect evergreen branches; math: discuss circles and infinity

6.  The Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6; what does it mean to be a peacemaker?

7.  The Way

John 14:6; discuss how Jesus can be the way; discuss meaning

8.  Son of God

John 1:34 and Mark 1:1; discuss the trinity = God, Jesus (son), and Holy Spirit

9.  Lamb of God

John 1:29; discuss sacrifice; make lamb art with cottonballs

10.  Good Shepherd

John 10:11; discuss how Jesus can be both lamb and shepherd

11.  Bright and Morning Star

Revelation 22:16; What important star do we talk about at Christmas?  Jesus is even brighter than that star.  Wise men followed the star.  If we follow the star--Jesus--where will it lead us?; make star shaped cookies

12.  Christ

Luke 2:11 and John 20:31; discuss "Christians" and "Christmas"

13.  The Truth

John 14:6; Jesus doesn't just tell and reveal truth, he is the truth

14.  Lord of All

Acts 10:36 and Revelation 17:14; discuss "lord" = master

15.  Immanuel

Matthew 1:23 and Isaiah 7:14; "God with us"; how do we know God is with us?

16.  Holy One

Mark 1:24 and Isaiah 43:15; discuss "holy"; sing O Holy Night

17.  Light of the World

John 8:12; discuss natural and man-made light;  how can Jesus be a light?;

light a candle to help remember Jesus is the Light of the World

18.  Rock

1 Corinthians 10:4, Matthew 7:24-25, and Psalm 18:2; discuss how Jesus is a firm foundation and unchanging; collect rocks

19.  The Word

Revelation 19:13 and John 1:1; get child's idea about how Jesus can be the word?

20.  King

Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 24:7-10, and Revelation 7:14; make crowns

21.  Redeemer

Job 19:25; redeem = to free from harm by paying a price; what price did Jesus pay?

22.  Savior

John 4:42; why do we need a savior; discuss the cross; make a cross art or craft

(here is an example of a possible cross craft)

23.  The Shield

Psalm 18:2; discuss what a shield is used for; gather toy shields or make one from cardboard

24.  The Vine

John 15:5; discuss how we grow in Christ; talk about what happens when leaves or flowers are cut from the vine/plant; experiment with this if possible

25.  Messiah

John 1:41; "Annointed One"; discuss meaning; discuss different examples of annointing in the Bible; listen to Christ Tomlin's song Jesus Messiah           

**Depending on the age of your child, more in depth discussions may be possible.  This is geared towards preschool and early elementary.    

Step 2:  Now that the names have been chosen, I worked on the ornaments.  There are tons of possibilities...I decided to go with clear ball ornaments that I could glitter.  This method uses Pledge Floor Cleaner and glitter on the inside of the ornament.  This blog gives more details.  Then I had a sweet friend write the names on the ornaments in her beautiful handwriting.

Step 3:  These ornaments can be added to your main Christmas tree or you can have a separate, smaller tree just for this activity.  I decided to go with a separate tree...something like this.

Step 4:  Eagerly wait for December 1st.  I'm really excited about sharing the meaning of Christmas with my children, and this will be the perfect way to do that!!  I can see a new tradition in the making. :) 

Jenny

    

                                                  

Tuesday's Top 10: Let's Talk Turkey

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, turkey is on everyone's mind.  Old Crow even dressed up like one today...with tail feathers, beak, and all.  Here are our top ten turkey activities!

1.  Science...Learning about Turkeys

Old Crow is interested in all things turkey...from their wattle to what they eat.  So we will be researching turkeys by looking on the internet and by reading books.  Here are some graphic organizers to facilitate his research.

2.  Craft...Pinecone Turkeys

These adorable turkeys are not only fun to make, but they will be great table decorations for our Thanksgiving feast.

3.  Nature Study...Leaf Turkey

After taking a nature walk and collecting fall colored leaves, we'll use them to create this turkey art.

4.  Math...Thanksgiving Store

We'll use our money skills to shop for items for our Thanksgiving meal.  Creating a shopping list would also be a great writing activity.  If you don't have food pictures like the ones shown in the picture, magazine cutouts would work too.

These fact family turkeys also make a great turkey-themed math activity.

5.  Art...How to Draw a Turkey

These step-by-step directions can be found here.  We'll follow these directions to learn how to draw a turkey.

6.  Writing...Turkey's Plea to Farmer

  Old Crow loves reading Turkey Trouble and this free download on persuasive writing goes along perfectly.

We'll also complete these precious cards and send them out to family and friends.  They are a free download on Teachers Pay Teachers.

7.  Phonics...Gobble Gobble Sound and Blend Game

This free download from Teachers Pay Teachers is a sound and blend game.  Great way to practice phonics with a turkey theme!

8.  Vocabulary...Thanksgiving Bingo

Bingo is always a fun game, and it is perfect for holidays and themed celebrations.  Here is a free Thanksgiving Bingo download.  

9.  Craftivity:  Handprint Turkey with "I'm Thankful for..."

This idea came from the First Grade Parade.  Too cute!!  They could even be laminated and used as placemats.

10.  Read, Read, Read

Sprinkled in between all of these activities will be tons of great books!  There are so many great ones that it would be impossible to list them all.  Here are just a few turkey books.

        

      

Well, that's all the time I have for turkey talk.  If you would like more ideas, check out my Thanksgiving unit Pinterest board and my Tuesday's Top 10:  Learning about Pilgrims.

Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!!  

Jenny