December 28th, 2009 by El Ed Mom
As we continue to enjoy our family and friends, please know that we wish you all the best for the end of 2009 and a FANTABULOUS 2010! Amazing things are happening with us, and we’re SO glad you’re along for the ride!
Stacey Kannenberg, Publisher
December 21st, 2009 by El Ed Mom
December 18th, 2009 by El Ed Mom
DEFINITION OF KWANZAA Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa, which means “first fruits of the harvest” in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than18 million people worldwide, as reported by the New York Times. When establishing Kwanzaa in 1966, Dr. Karenga included an additional “a” to the end of the spelling to reflect the difference between the African American celebration (kwanzaa) and the Motherland spelling (kwanza).
Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance, and is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.
December 17th, 2009 by El Ed Mom
Name of Activity: Animal Actions
Purpose of Activity: To help students practice and master various locomotor or traveling patterns.
Prerequisites: How to take turns and if necessary momentarily wait a turn. How to belly crawl, dog crawl and jump, either two-foot to two-foot pattern or a leap, one foot to opposite foot pattern.
Suggested Grade Level: PRE-K
Materials Needed: 8 Mini 6″ cones 8 Medium cones 10-12″ 8 larger cones 12-18″ 12 pool noodles 24 noodle connectors 4 XL 24″ cones
December 16th, 2009 by El Ed Mom
Passports: Promote multicultural awareness and self esteem with this early childhood education activity by Matina.
Materials: Paper and a camera.
Description: We made passports by stapling white paper to construction paper. Then from January until May we studied a different country. We studied Russia, Africa, Ireland, Israel, China, Antarctica, Australia, Mexico, Japan, France, Hawaii, and Saudi Arabia. Then for each country the youngsters wore a hat or a prop from that country (ex: France, beret). We took pictures of each child wearing his or her hat or prop. Then I glued the pictures into each child’s individual passport and gave it to them along with a world traveler certificate at the end of the year. They had lots of fun “dressing up!”
December 15th, 2009 by El Ed Mom
A TeachersFirst holiday lesson based on Shel Silverstein’s book The Giving Tree.
Synopsis: After reading and discussing the book The Giving Tree, students reflect and write about the gift they would most like to give.
Subject/Grade level: This lesson can be adapted for use in language arts class with students of varying ability levels in grades 2 – 8. This lesson is also well-suited to a multi-age activity with “big buddies” and “little buddies” from upper and lower grades working together. School counselors and emotional support teachers may find this activity helpful for small groups working on social skills, as well.
Objectives:
Students will discuss the message of The Giving Tree.
Students will write a message about giving to be shared with classmates and others.
Materials: You will need at least one copy of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Ask students to bring in scraps of holiday wrapping paper to use as part of the lesson (non-electronic). Ideally, these should be heavy wrapping paper with a white reverse side.
December 14th, 2009 by El Ed Mom
Happy Holidays! We’ve put together a holiday curriculum for young children and their families. We hope these ideas will encourage you to take time to read and play together this holiday season and to celebrate old traditions while making new ones. Enjoy these fun filled holiday activities!
December 11th, 2009 by El Ed Mom
Make a great Christmas stocking from a brown paper grocery bag. You can hang it from your mantle and stuff it with Christmas goodies.
December 10th, 2009 by El Ed Mom
This is a great pasta Christmas elf project for older kids as they can use the glue gun (with supervision) to assemble all the small parts.
December 9th, 2009 by El Ed Mom
Make these festive door hangers for your home and as gifts! They are affordable enough to use as a classroom craft or scout troop activity.
