The Reason for the Season

While not all of us are able or allowed to talk of the TRUE meaning of Christmas in the classroom, it's important that we never forget it. 

Jesus is the reason for the season. But, with all of the commercialism in today's Christmas world, the real meaning of Christmas is sometimes lost. 

For those who are looking for some simple resources to help teach this message, I am including a few links below! 

Enjoy and Merry Christmas! 

The Nativity

Printable Nativity for Kids

Nativity Script

Nativity Coloring Pages

Christmas Around the World

Sometimes it's hard for children to see beyond their own immediate surroundings to realize that Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated in many countries all over the world!! 

While each of our own families have their own traditions regarding Christmas, what does it look like in other countries? Is Santa still Santa? Do children leave out stockings?

One way to tie in the holiday is by tying it in to other subjects via a research project. Using Writing, History, Geography, and more children can learn about this great holiday and how it's special and different to other children as well. 

I am including many research links below to help teach about Christmas around the World. While you may have your own ideas on how to present the information learned, feel free to also check out the Arts & Creativity and Tech Tools tabs on my Live Binder for sites that would help integrate technology into your projects. 

Enjoy! 

Christmas Traditions

Christmas Around the World

Cultures

World Xmas

Lessons & Activities: Christmas Around the World

Christmas Celebrations

Christmas Customs

JFK: Learning about a Legacy

50 years ago this week, the country lost a President. John F. Kennedy is only one of four presidents in U.S. History to be assassinated, with Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley being the others.  

For those who are thinking about including this important historical event into their upcoming lessons, I am including a few links below. Most of these resources are for middle elementary and higher. If you know of any for the younger grades, feel free to share. 

Thanks! 

The Legacy of JFK

JFK Teacher Resources

Facts, Resources, and Activities: JFK

THANKful for Freebies!

Thanksgiving will be here soon, and with that in mind, it's time to teach students all about the Holiday. 

I am including many freebies and links below to resources, printables, and videos regarding Thanksgiving. I hope they are helpful! Enjoy! 

Thanksgiving Freebies

Pilgrim Venn Diagram

Thanksgiving Word Search

Thanksgiving "Would You Rather...'?

Thanksgiving Nouns

Thanksgiving Unit Study

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving History

Thank You, Veterans!

One day a year just does not seem enough to thank military veterans and personnel! We are all forever grateful to your services. Thank you for all that you do! 

I would like to give an extra thanks to my brother, Ben, who serves in the U.S. Navy. Thanks Bro! :-)

Below I am including some last minutes Veterans Day resources and freebies to use in the classroom. Feel free to share these with others and/or comment with links to other resources as well. 

Thanks again, Veterans!! God Bless you all!

Veterans Day Coloring Page

Veterans Day Resources

Veterans Day Hero Freebie

Children's Veterans Day Videos

Veterans Day: Everything You Need

Veterans Day: Online Resources

9/11/01: We Will Never Forget...

It's hard to believe that tomorrow will mark 12 years since that most fateful day in America. It truly feels like it was yesterday, as I can remember every detail of that day. Though I did not personally lose anyone in that tragedy, it was still a heartbreaking event. 

God Bless America and all of those who were affected! 

For many of us, we either have young children and/or work with young children daily. These children may not realize the impact that fateful day had on our country. It's important to let them know about the day in the most calm manner that we can. The idea is to inform them of the history, not scare them. Some of the videos and images they may see on TV tomorrow could seem scary. However, if they know the background behind those images, hopefully we can help to reduce the scariness of the situation. 

Whether discussing this in the classroom or at home, I am including many resources to help students and children understand and remember 9/11/01. 

We Will Never Forget!! 

Wonderful Book for Students

9/11 Books for Kids

Free Patriots Day Printables

Talking with Children about 9/11: Ideas and Activities

Brain Pop: 9/11

What Happened on 9/11: For Kids

Informative Questions and Answers for Kids: September 11th

9/11: A Date Americans Will Never Forget

9/11 Attacks (History Channel)

Technology Resources for Talking to your Kids about 9/11

Red, White, Blue...and Learning!

While most schools are either out for the summer or are on a break this week, a select few may actually have some classes. 

Whether you can personally use these ideas and activities or know someone who can, I hope they are fun and educational! 

Have a wonderful Independence Day everyone! 

Enjoy the links listed below! 

Independence Day Activities Pack

Free 4th of July Pack

Free Independence Day Journal

4th of July Educational Fun

Independence Day Online Games

The Shot Heard 'Round the World

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!!!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Halloween!

 

Now that it's November, it's time to shift the focus to Thanksgiving.

I am hoping to be able to incorporate Thanksgiving activities in my computer lab sometime this  month.

 

I am including links below to many great resources, activities, and links. There is even a Cyber Scavenger Hunt that I am hoping to try out with my older students.

 

If you know of any other interactive Thanksgiving links, please feel free to post them in the comments section below!

 

Thanks & Enjoy!

 

 

• Thanksgiving Resources
• Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt
• 10 Thanksgiving Celebrations Around the World
• Harvest Festivals Around the World
• Thanksgiving Educational Links for Preschool & Elementary
• Thanksgiving Teacher Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

Election, 2012: Almost Time!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am VERY ready for this election to be over with! Don't get me wrong, I love my country and I love being able to vote. However, I get very sick of all of the political ads and mudslinging.

 

In regards to how the Election is discussed in the classroom, I am providing many links below to help with teaching students how it all works. I plan to discuss things with my own students, especially my older ones. I think it's important to keep them informed about the democratic processes of this country. Not to mention, I know it will be a hot topic anyway. Some students have already asked me who I am going to vote for. I always tell them that I will let them know who I voted for, AFTER the election. ;-)

 

Happy Voting!

 

 

• Election
• Election Day Activities
• Time for Kids: Election 2012
• C-SPAN Election Resources
• Election Day Freebie
• Color Your Own Electoral College Map
• Elections A-Z Unit Study
• Election Lapbook

 

Sweet, Sweet Candy Corn

I love Candy Corn! I always have. Yes, it's Very sweet, but it is an annual Fall tradition for me to have some of the yumminess that is candy corn.

With that in mind, I started to think of ways to "celebrate" candy corn. While I may not be personally able to use these resources in my own classroom (a.k.a. computer lab), I might be able to use some of the ideas with my own kids.

I hope these ideas will help some of you out as we are now on the "home stretch" to Halloween.

Thank you also to those of you who entered my recent giveaway. It is much appreciated! Thank you also for being patient between blog posts. Work has been keeping me pretty busy.

Enjoy and have a "Sweet" Day!

• Grab the Candy Corn Game
• Candy Corn Games for Kids
• Candy Corns are the Greatest!
• Candy Corn Contractions
• Candy Corn History