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

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

KC Tech Net Conference: Part 2

So, now on to Part 2 of the list of new sites I learned about via the KC Tech Net conference back in February. Below I am including many multimedia and student resource tools. So far, the only site that I've actually been able to use with my students, is Wonderopolis. I used it today with 2nd grade and they loved it! Please check out that site if you are unfamiliar with it. It's great! I will post more soon about how I used it with my students. 

 

In case you missed it, you can click HERE for Part 1 of the KC Tech Net links.

For now, please enjoy these 6 sites below. If you have used any of these before, I'd love to hear your feedback and ideas!

Happy April, everyone! 

StoryJumper: Publish your Own Children's Book

Tween Tribune: News for Kids & Tweens

Wonderopolis: Where Wonders of Learning Never Cease

Popcorn Box: Enhance, Remix, and Share Video

Record mp3: Record & Share Audio

Image Optimizer: Change Image File Sizes for Free

Science + Social Studies = Tons of Fun!

With the focus in today's society being placed heavily on Math and Reading, sometimes it's hard to fit in all that is needed for Science & Social Studies. I personally am a fan of both subjects. When I taught in a 5th grade classroom the Solar System and Weather units were my favorite in science. I enjoyed pretty much all of the Social Studies because it was American History, which I love!

 

To help teach or reinforce skills in both Science and Social Studies, I am including many links below. I hope they will be of use to those who need them. You may also check out my Live Binder site for even more links to various subjects.

 

 
• City Creator
• Catch the Science Bug
• Cells Alive!
• Animal Diversity Web
• Science Bob
• Toporopa
• Road to the Revolution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

A New World Discovered!

Monday, October 8th is Columbus Day. Here is a brief biography about the man who "discovered America":

"Explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 in the Republic of Genoa, Italy. His first voyage into the Atlantic Ocean in 1476 nearly cost him his life. Columbus participated in several other expeditions to Africa. 1492, Columbus left Spain in the Santa Maria, with the Pinta and the Niña along side. He has been credited for opening up the Americas to European colonization."

Christopher Columbus. (2012). Biography.com. Retrieved 09:43, Oct 05, 2012 from http://www.biography.com/people/christopher-columbus-9254209

This is a holiday about a man that seems to sometimes be forgotten in modern day Elementary history lessons. To help keep this legend alive, I am including many links below to use with your own students.

Have a wonderful Friday!

• Columbus Day
• Columbus Day Coloring Pages & Printables
• Columbus Day Elementary Teacher Resources
• Interactive Columbus Day Word Search
• Columbus Day Activities & Games

Election: 2012

Even though it's only late August, we all know the country is in full Election mode for the November Presidential Elections.

With that said, it's never too early to start discussing this with our kids or students. Surely, they've seen or heard political commercials already anyway. But, they will most likely have some questions.

This will probably be a topic I re-visit a few times before November, but below I have posted a few great, kid friendly, resources to help with this year's big election.

 

 

Congress for Kids

Kids Voting USA

Election Web Sites

Project Vote Smart

 

 

 

 

New Year, New Ideas and Resources

Well, back to work I came today. Luckily, it's a work day for us and we don't get students 'til tomorrow. I love having the work day and short work week to help ease us all back into the swing of things.

I have been reading blogs and emails this morning, and I thought I'd share many links (click on pictures below) to some fabulous tools and resources! I hope they are helpful:

Practicing Colors in Spanish

Roots of Numbers Word Wall



Snowman Sight Word Bingo

Gingerbread Baking with Base Ten Blocks

My TpT Store

Reason for the Seasons Activity