The Countdown Begins!

It really is the most wonderful time of the year for me! I love Christmas! I loved having Thanksgiving and then coming back to school with days left in November. I have such a hard time getting everything ready when we come back from Thanksgiving and it is December. I have to scramble to get all of my Christmas or Winter Holiday activties ready. Does anyone else have that problem?

So now I have a week to get it all together! I start my holiday themes off with a countdown to Christmas! I copy the tree pattern onto green construction paper. Then, I have my students cut it out. The only part I cut for them is the rectangle at the bottom. I do this as they are cutting so I am usually done by they time they are all finished. If not, have them glue on the poem or decorate while they are waiting. I cut out the links ahead of time! I cut them into one inch strips so I can get twelve links out of one piece of paper. Each student gets 12 red links, 12 green and 1 yellow. The yellow link goes first and then I have students make an AB pattern using red and green. We attached the "Christmas Day" poem and decorate! I send them home that day in a plastic bag. I keep mine at school so we can take a link off together each day. Click on the tree pattern to download!

Click on the Christmas Day picture below to download a copy!

I have to tell you about one of my favorite books! Have you ever read "Where Did They Hide My Presents?" by Alan Katz and David Catrow?

It is definitely a class favorite each year. Everyday I read/sing one song. Once I have sung each song, I let my students pick a song from the book to sing! They love it and so do I!

What is your favorite book to read to your students for the Holidays?

-Shelley