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Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Elf Laws: A Social Studies Activity

I had my students do this "Elf Laws" activity, and I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or me!

Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!
 
The first part of the activity asks the children to put the Elf Laws in order with the most important law being #1 and the least important law being #10.
 
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

Once I convinced them that any answer was correct as long as they could defend their answer, the fun started. The children worked in pairs making their decisions and defending their decisions. I enjoyed some delightful conversations! 
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

I've developed the skill of pretending I'm working on something else while they work in order to hear those true conversations!
 
 I'm sure you've done it...pretend you're organizing books for tomorrow and walk by slowly. These are precious moments!
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

Well, once they got their laws in order, the real fun started: writing about why they put the laws in the order they did. Some children had a little trouble starting, but I prompted them with some questions like, "Why do you think cleaning up the workshop is so important?" Or "why is tooth brushing more important than singing carols?" Or "why don't you think wearing hats is an important rule?" 
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!
 

Their answers were priceless! 
 
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

Here are some examples of how they defended their Elf Rules:
  • Elves need to show respect to other elves, just like we do. 
  • It's not important to brush teeth, that's what dentists are for!
  • Elves don't need to wear hats. They work indoors. 
  • They need to clean up the workshop. What if Santa tripped over something? We want Santa safe.
  • Of course they need to care for the reindeer. Who else is going to do it?
  • Elves work very hard making all those toys. It's important for them to get a break after Christmas. Just like us!

Aren't kids precious?

Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

This is the perfect activity for this time of year. It keeps them engaged, and it's a valuable learning experience. For more activities like this, please see Science and Social Studies Printables for December. These will get you through those last few days.
Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!

  What activities are helping you get through the last few days before the break?


Elf Laws: A Social Studies Civics Activity- Here's a fun activity to help get your children engaged in the process of law-making and thinking about what is really important!








Don't Blame Santa!

I've heard a lot of teachers blaming the holidays for the struggle many children have in school this time of year.

Don't Blame Santa! Here are some reasons why the children struggle this time of year. It's not really Santa's fault!

I suspect it's not the holidays that are making it tough for them to concentrate. I think it's a couple of other things.


1.  These little guys have been pushing since August! They've had a couple of long weekends, but they really haven't had a real vacation! They're due for a break!

2.  The days are short. They get up in the dark. By the time they get home from school, the sun is pretty much down. Not only are they not getting outside to let off steam, but so much darkness robs them of Vitamin D, and makes them sleepy!

Some of my little guys can barely hold their heads up during the day! 

I had a little girl today looking lost, so I asked her what she was looking for. She said she couldn't remember. (I admit, I do that all the time: walk to the other side of the room, then can't remember why I walked over there, but I blame old age!)

Honestly, I think the holidays are the only thing that hold them together! The promise of fun activities, Santa's watching to see if they're good, seasonal literature and games... there's still some great learning happening, despite their low concentration.

They'll be back on track after a good rest. We have almost 2 weeks off coming up, if we can make it through 4 more school days!

...but I'm not blaming Santa! He's the one who's helping them hold it together!
Don't Blame Santa! Here are some reasons why the children struggle this time of year. It's not really Santa's fault!

December Freebies

It has come to my attention just how many freebies I have for the month of December. 

December Freebies: Here are several freebies to help you through the month of December!

Here are some of my favorites:

December Freebies: Here are several freebies to help you through the month of December!

Hanukkah is super early this year, in fact, it's happening now! Be sure to download this Hanukkah Game Board. It can be used with skill that needs practicing: math facts, sight words, task cards. Just do a card, check, and roll your way around the game board.  
December Freebies: Here are several freebies to help you through the month of December!

Holiday Fluency Sample is a fun way to practice reading phrases.  With holiday words, of course!

December Freebies: Here are several freebies to help you through the month of December!


This is my very favorite holiday activity. It focuses on the classic holiday music and the storyline that goes along with it. Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker includes suggestions on which music to play with each part of the storyline. It's a great exercise in visualization, and the kids absolutely love it! Yes, even the boys! How can you miss when the setting is a place called The Kingdom of Sweets!(I've done this every year for at least 15 years!)
 
December Freebies: Here are several freebies to help you through the month of December!
 
This is what my students are working on tomorrow: Acts of Kindness Countdown gives the kids a chance to count down the days until Christmas and enjoy the joy of giving at the same time.  Plus, everything they are giving is free!

The two resources below are NOT free, but are totally worth it!


December Freebies: Here are several freebies to help you through the month of December!

I had to throw in my newest resources, although this one is not free. December Holidays True or False Boom Digital Task Cards This digital resource gives the students a chance to practice reading skills while learning about holidays around the world. Boom Learning digital task cards are easy to use, perfect for remote or distance learning, and fun for the students!

December Freebies: Here are several freebies to help you through the month of December!

And here's one more new one, that's very popular with the children! Boom Learning December General Knowledge Trivia Questions and Enrichment
 

The December holidays are great fun for the students, and a great excuse for fun learning!

December Freebies: Here are several freebies to help you through the month of December!


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