Holidays are coming.

How do we know?

We light special candles,

And watch them as they glow.

Holidays are coming.

How do we know?

We smell cookies baking,

Yum! How fast they go!

Holidays are coming.

How do we know?

We feel it getting colder …

Do you think it will snow?

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ACTIVITY IDEAS

WINTER LIGHTS

Read to children Lights of Winter, by Heather Conrad. This book explains many different winter holidays, describing the respective celebrations and teaching their commonality. Discuss which holidays children honor, allowing individuals to describe how they celebrate. Then on an easel pad, create an acrostic poem. Write the word holiday down the left side of the page. Invite children to think of a word that begins with each letter in holiday and helps describe or refer to it. Example: h = happy. Provide assistance as needed.

DREIDEL, DREIDEL

Cut from paper 20 dreidel shapes. On 10 of the shapes, write a numeral from one to 10. On the remaining 10 shapes, show a coordinating number of dots (from one dot to 10 dots). Children may wish to decorate them with crayons, glitter or sequins. Placer all 20 shapes in a math center and invite children to play a matching game.

FIRST FRUITS

Talk with children about the celebration of Kwanzaa. Explain that it is an African American holiday that celebrates the “first fruits of a harvest.” Explain that corn is a staple of that harvest. Invite children to make these simple corn collages. First, print out this template and copy it (one for each child):  http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/cegif/collage-pat.gif. Cut out each corn/leaf shape and paste it onto a piece of brown construction paper. Invite children to color only the corn leaves green. Next, give each child a handful of unbuttered popcorn and help him/her glue it onto the corn cob portion of the template. Display children’s “first fruits.”

A DIYA FOR DIWALI

Explain that Diwali is a Hindu celebration with symbols of candles and lights. A diya is a clay bowl with a wick dipped in oil that is often burned during Diwali. Invite children to make their own diyas to honor the holiday. Give each child a golf-ball size piece of white air-drying clay. Help children knead the clay until it is pliable. Next, shape the clay into a small bowl that is large enough to hold a tea candle. Let children press sequins, little plastic gems or glitter around the outsides of the bowl, When the bowls are dry, add tea candles and let children take their diyas home to share with their families.

Aulas de intensivo de férias e colônia para seus filhos.