Holly Bloggy Christmas Exchange

This December I participated in the Holly Bloggy Christmas Exchange.  I have to admit, I get so excited about these things - but I am the world's worst about getting them done! :)  I don't even participate in our school's secret santa anymore because I know my partner will get their gifts a little late.  Anyhoo, I thought since this was one gift I could handle it.  Wrong.  I sent it late.  So I am apologizing to the blogging world and to Julia Powell, (almost Stephenson!) my gift receiver, for sending my gift late! 

Ok. Now that I have confessed and feel a bit lighter in the guilt area, here are some pics of what I received and what I gave.

I got this wonderful clipboard with my name on it, a sticky note holder, a book called The Case for Christ, some adorable hand-made cards, and some extra sticky notes to tide me over.  It is all very cute and I can tell she really tried to match colors to my blog!  I wish I could give credit to my wonderful gift, but my husband for once was trying to be helpful and for once took out the trash - which included the box with her name and address on it!  Ah!  Husbands!  Why do they all of a sudden become responsible when you are expecting their irresponsibility?  I have e-mailed Caitlin and Sarah and will hopefully have her name soon.
Her name is Alyssa Leonard and her blog is called Echoes of the Creator.  Check her out!  Her blog is beautiful!

Here is what I sent.  I took a picture frame and cut cute, seasonal scrapbook paper to fit inside.  You use the outside as a type of white board and you can change the paper out to fit the season.  I make these for my kiddos teachers and they always seem to like them!  I hope Julia liked hers!

Ok.  That is it.  I will probably post soon about all of my December activities - but knowing me it will actually get posted in January some time.  I really need to get help about this procrastinating problem! :)

Lately... (a post about everything happening in my classroom lately!)

I feel like I have been one crazy chick lately.  December came and took me by storm!  We have been very busy and here is the proof:

First up, Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread Labeling.

I love Kindergarten spelling!

graphing whether or not we liked the taste of gingerbread.

Which Gingerbread book is your favorite?

Next, Our interactive writing.  This idea came from the Kindergals.  Kim and Megan (so sounds like I know the personally, right?) :)  They had a great suggestion to use the topic of how to decorate a Christmas tree as your interactive writing.  They had wonderful suggestions of, 1.  "Sharing isn't always equal."  This saved my sanity!  The kiddos helped me write but you can see where I guided them along.  2.  Give each kid their own dry erase board and marker to work on while you are writing with each individual student.  Genius!  They were so quiet and diligent as they were working - and it kept them busy! No rolling on the floor here!  Thank you ladies for making this a memorable lesson!

This little guy struggles so much.  To see him working so hard to write words down just made me do a happy dance!

This young lady was so upset when she ran out of room to write.  She wanted to get another white board to continue on instead of erasing!

Get the tree.

Put on the lights.

Put on the ornaments.

Put on the star.

One of my little helpers.

Our finished project.

Then on to Santa.  We made a list of things Santa has.  We created the chart first to generate some ideas.  I then hid the words so they could create their own lists. 

One of our last projects was to finish our Christmas five Senses booklet.  It can be found on my blog under freebies.

Last but not least we played an ornament grab game.  The kiddos had to take turns grabbing a handful of ornaments out of the bag and then adding them together.  I have tried to upload this recording page to google docs for days now but it hasn't been letting me even get into it.  Maybe I will be able to later.  I really do want to share! :)  I bought the ornaments in the dollar section at Target. (where else, right?)

That's it.  That's what is going on lately.  What's going on in your room?

Christmas Five Senses (freebie)

Hi all!  Can ya'll believe it is about the end of December!?  We are beginning our assessments and are busy, busy, busy!  I know everyone is in the same boat so I thought I'd lighten our mood with another freebie.  Hope this is something you can use!  Click HERE or click the picture!  Leave me some comment love if you download! :) (comments make me happy!)

How Do You Keep the Gingerbread Man From Escaping? (freebie)

Click here to find out!