CHRISTMAS IDEAS
Christmas cards and pegs
I have selected five cards of the same size with different quantities of clear objects on them for counting. The numerals are written on the pegs and aim to be attached to the correct card.
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Foam Christmas trees and stars
The trees are ready cut out foam decorations which you can find in the craft shops. I have used glitter writing paint to draw the numbers. For the counters I have cut up a chain of golden stars but you can use any small Christmas decorations or even pegs (candles would look particularly interesting).
Christmas cards and counters
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Open-ended Creativity with Christmas decorations
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I presented this activity in Reggio Emilia style as an invitation to explore and create. The main part of this presentation is a wire Christmas tree which I have bought in a cheep store. The layers of bent wires make space for things to be placed in between or pegged onto. I have also provided two very plain picture frames in which children composed their arrangements. For loose parts I have collected various green, red and white materials available at school.
I was amazed with their creativity and extend of concentration. Some children were able to spent very long time creating and transforming their creations. No need to say, there were NO two same things made ever. |
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Another invitation to explore and create with a wooden Christmas tree, bead chains, and various baubles. |
VALENTINES DAY IDEAS
Heart pegs countingThis activity is very simple to prepare. All you need is: craft sticks and small pegs with hearts. I have bought mine in Hobbycraft. Write the numeral on each stick and arrange all resources on the tray.
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Felt heart shaped lollipopsI first found this idea on Pamela Susan's website www.pamelasusan.typepad.com and adapled it for this counting activity. Hearts are very simple to make and don't take much time. Please look at the step by step tutorial. Depending on children's abilities you will need between 15 (counting 1-5) to 55 hearts (counting 1-10) and apropriate number of containers with numerals for sorting.
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Pegging
Again you need several small pegs with hearts and a box with sturdy edges to clip the pegs on.
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EASTER IDEAS
Chick Counting
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The activity consists of 5 hens and 15 chicks. Little chicks are of Tina's design and this tutorial explains how to make them. I made the hens in similar pattern but bigger and with hen-like details. Each of my hens is different but you can keep them the same if you prefer. The number (threading numerals) is only loosely attached to each hen so they could be used for the other activities e.g. 'Five Brown Hens' counting rhyme.
Eggs in Nests CountingIt's my first counting resource of this type. They seem to be very popular with my children. Some children use an elimination method to decide which numeral is correct. You can download the PDF file in here.
Decorated EggsThis idea is very simple and quick. You just need boiled eggs whilst still hot placed in a cardboard ring (use a piece of kitchen towel paper roll). Emphasise to the children that eggs are hot because they are going to be coloured with wax crayons. The melting wax spreads easily.
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Hot Cross BunsThis recipe works every time! I prefer using dough mixer to combine all ingredients. Then I give it to the children to hand knead.
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HALLOWEEN IDEAS
Five Baby Bats
Way up high in the sunset sky
Five baby bats learned how to fly They flapped their wings As hard as they could But down came one bat Oh no! Not good! |
Counting RhymesFIVE BABY BATS
This is another amazing picture mat painted by Jane! Bats are cut out from artificial black leader and decorated with googly eyes and puffy paint. All Halloween rhymes in this section are the product of collaboration of several people in our setting. We had great fun making them up! 10 LITTLE GHOSTS Again, this is Jane's fantastic idea. She used dolly pegs for the ghosts. First she painted them white and then glued squares of white tissue paper centrally on the top of the peg. To finish off each ghost just draw eyes and a mouth with a black marker pen. Then you need a sturdy box to peg the ghosts on. Jane used a large plastic jar on which she first glued tissue paper to create a good base for the paint. You can just paint it black with some stars or use your creative skills to paint a night scene. I am much better working with felt and needle so I made a black mat with a moon and a tree painted (by Jane) with a black puffy paint. Ten little ghosts went out one night
Into the town to give a fright One jumped out and shouted 'Boo!' Another ghost got frightened And off he flew. |
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