Happy Holidays from OTES

Check out this link if you're looking to smile.    Mr. Cyr, our assistant principal, interviewed students on what their holiday traditions were. What they didn't know...teachers were dancing behind them.

And yes, if you wait until the end you'll notice Olaf, Ms. Curtis, and I won a Grammy for BEST dance performance!!

Happy Holidays

Have a HAPPY and safe holiday break.  See you in 2015!!

Newsletter for the Week of December 15th

Let it Goooo...Let it Goooo...

TODAY was the day.  The kids were ready.  Olaf was NOT!!

We met up with Ms. Woodin's class in the gym to hit our pinatas.  The kids were so excited to see who would crack the piñata first.

Here are the before pics (click to enlarge).

Then the CONTROLLED chaos began and the kids were ready to take a swing or two!

Or three...

When suddenly, it happened.

Here I am holding what's left of Olaf with Ms. Woodin.  Yes, that is an Elsa hat that I made, braid and all!  It's for a bigger project later next week (so check back) but was SO fitting to wear for this event.

Of course once the girls saw me wearing this they all, at that very moment, needed their own.  So yes, I began braiding yarn for them.  I have about 9 more to make at snack time tomorrow.  Possibly a second career?

Off to Sweden we Go

'God Jul!"  That's Happy/Merry Christmas in Swedish!

We were jet setters today and traveled to Sweden.  I always use Google Earth to show our place in the world and where we travel to. Plus, what kid doesn't LOVE putting out their arms and pretending to fly?

Students learned that one of the biggest holidays there is St. Lucia's Day on December 13th.  St. Lucia was a girl who delivered food.  She wore candles on her head so she could see.

Today, on St. Lucia day, the oldest girl in the family dresses in all white.  She puts on a wreath of Evergreen with 7 lighted candles.  She carries coffee and buns to her family in their rooms.

We also learned that presents are brought my Tomte, a Christmas gnome.  He is pulled in a sled by goats!!  People put out a bowl of porridge for him.

Olivia was the one to deliver the cinnamon buns.  Of course I told the class, after the fact, I was the oldest and should've delivered the cocoa and buns to them!!

Here we are sampling cinnamon buns and hot cocoa.

And in other news...

Here's Olaf.  He's still in one piece.  I've added tears, a puddle, a tissue, and a note asking students, "Do you really want to hit a snowman?"  Of course more notes from students have begun popping up.  His days are numbered!!

Fa...La...La...La...La...It's that Time of Year Again

I love this time of year!!  Decorating the classroom, playing holiday music, and beginning our Holidays Around the World unit.  I use Sarah Cooley's amazing scrapbook (Christmas Around the World).  The kids love it every year.

We began in the good ol' US of A!  After reading, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, we listed traditions we did each year.  At the top of the list was decorating a tree.

So of course I cut and made a Christmas tree for the class to decorate.  We completed interactive writing where they had to list the steps.  I also introduced sequencing words and we used them in our writing.  Here's how our tree turned out!

The worksheets are FREEBIES at my TpT Store (Holiday FREEBIES).

We also made some special reindeer food to put out on Christmas Eve.

Then this little guy showed up for when we learn about Mexico.  Now, you SHOULD all know this is Olaf!!  My class is just a tad bit obsessed with the movie and songs.  When a song comes on, at times, we even stop and sing along. 

Of course all I heard from the class were shrieks of excitement but from me all I could say in a small voice was, "Oh no, not Olaf!"  

I mean, a piñata!!  You know what happens to a pinata.  Well, what will happen to our Olaf.  He just loves hugs.

I thought the class would be upset, somewhat distraught, and overly concerned with this fate but I saw the crazed look in their eyes!  Every time I see him I begin singing, "Do you want to hit a snowman?"  Sad, I know!!

I plan on trying to save him next week (jokingly, of course).  Each day I'm going to place a little note on him.

Stay tuned for more pictures next week.

Online Auction

Check out the online auction (OTES Online Auction).  It ends December 5th so there's still time to bid away!!

Holiday FREEBIES on TpT

I just uploaded some Holiday FREEBIES for you to enjoy!!  You can check them out here (Holiday FREEBIES).

Cyber Sale Monday and Tuesday

Everything in my store will be on sale Monday and Tuesday!!  If you have time, take a peek.

Colonial Times

We have spent A LOT of time learning about the Colonial Period.

We began by learning more about the Mayflower.

Ms. Lolar, a kindergarten teacher, talked to the first grade classes about her Native American culture.  She brought in some baskets and moccasins to share with the kids.

We then learned what life was like back and how it wasn't easy. Students made diagrams of Colonial boys and girls.

And yes, I did have a boy color in his face green.  I think their colonial boy was a little sea sick!

For writing, students have to write their opinion on if they'd want to be a child during the Colonial Period.

Here are some writing samples (click to enlarge)!

We also completed a venn diagram comparing Colonial kids to kids now.

Phew, what a long post.  As you can see we've been quite busy.

Wishing you ALL a restful break spent with your family and friends. Here are 3 of us out of 5 first grade teachers wearing colonial hats.  I told them we looked REALLY tired and we needed tans.  It's been a loooong fall for us!!

Run Turkeys as Fast as YOU Can

Are you ready for our next class narrative!!  After reading stories about runaway turkeys we planned, created our own, and I some how became the owner of a Lyons' Turkey Farm.  Possibly a second career?

Students will share it at lunch tomorrow!!  Sit back and enjoy.