This post makes my head spin a little bit because it is a mish mash of all things December from the last two years. Thank goodness I am in the midst of a little break from school, because I get some glittery nightmares when I think of the effort it takes to survive an academic yet festive filled December! Hopefully this post will give you some ideas or materials that you can use to fit your needs!!
First up, gingerbread week! There’s just no cuter cookie to teach us about story elements! With all the amazing versions of The Gingerbread Story out there we can’t get enough!!!
I recently added two new packets to my store. This year we added a math journal to our guided math block. I created a packet to use throughout December with both easy and quick peel and stick promptivities as well as concept driven interactive activities that will add to your lessons! I made both a first grade and a kindergarten version of this.
Kinder First
Kinders can fill in missing numbers under the flap and read and recognize shape names
Kinders can count numbers in a ten frame and write the corresponding numbers under the flaps.
For more about the first grade journal you can read my previous post here.
Our parent gift is always one of my favorite activities in December. We have a build a snowman factory in my room and students lovingly pick out their supplies to create a sock snowman. To read how to make these step by step click HERE.
To keep our studies of shapes going strong, we add to the quilt wall with this December quilt. Students follow a different pattern each month by folding and cutting each size of shape needed to fit the pattern. We learn how to make each size and shape from a 3 inch square. It helps them practice the shape names as well as see shapes rotated and sized.
These can be used for morning work, homework, fast finishers, or a rise and shine extension!
Now for a little academic fun, we make a count down bell. Students make a pattern of
construction paper rings to tear off daily leading up to Christmas. I
use this one for a Fun Friday choice. It’s always a hit. To make a
math center out of it, you can write a number sentence on the bell and
then use red rings for the first number plus green rings for the second
number.
Kinder kids can make pattern trees! Firsties can make more complex patterns or add numbers to their pattern trees! This one is easy to differentiate! There are read alouds, writing, and templates in the Christmas Art Projects Pack below to these ideas.
Rudolph the Chip-Nosed Reindeer & a Freebie
Visual Plans For a Busy Week
Gingerbread Science
Monday Made It Freebies!
I <3 gingerbread men!!!
I bought your Techie Santa last year but I bought it later in December and didn't have time to make them. 🙁 I'm so excited to do it this year. (wowza–has it been a whole year?!)
Brenda
You Might Be a First Grader….
Oh golly, no list yet? You poor thing! So great to see all those smiling, celebrating and LEARNING little ones though. You are doing a fantastic job Reagan – thanks for sharing all your ideas!
Reagan, your work is exactly what I need in my room. I find this is true regularly when I check your blog. I buy up your stuff like crazy. I love the quilt squares and so do my kids. I really need my kids to do the same kind of practice as your gingerbread unit. I'm off to buy that…need more laminate sheets!
Kimberley
First in Maine
Completely understand the glitter panic attack 🙂 I have definately have glitter phobia. These activities are great Reagan! I love the Techy Santa. Good luck surviving the Silly Season.
The math prompts look like something my kiddos would love!
Amanda
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You keep me going! Thanks for all your wonderful products. I think I may be your clone!
WOW! Such nice work! I really love the idea of putting work on the labels. SO nice and easy!
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Katherine Erickson
Love, love, love!
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You always have such great ideas. I love that you are from Texas too. We are practically neighbors. I'm in Austin. Anyway, lucky you are off for the break. We have 2 more days this week. Then we start with gingerbread men when we return. Would love to win your December units. That would help me have more time with my family during the break. [email protected]
Oh my goodness this would be amazing! This is my first year as the Special Education co-teacher in a 1st grade room and our kids could definitely use some of your fun things to try!
Diana ([email protected])
Reagan,
I have been following your blog and buying your products for 2 years! I teach first grade as well and your blog has been a lifesaver! I love all your hand-on and interactive work! Thank you so much for sharing all your amazing ideas!!
This would set me up for the month. Everything looks great! [email protected]
I love all of this!! Thanks!
Oh, I'd love to live in your classroom. All of these activities are precious. Surely do wish we didn't have to teach from scripted basals. The kids learn so much more through all of these activities and they remember what they learned. I would love to win the packet. [email protected]
WOW! Now this would be a perfect answer to a common-core aligned and yet fun and jam-packed 15days before Winterbreak!!! Shared on my FB page! Happy prepping! [email protected]
These would be amazing! You have such fun things for the kids to do! [email protected]
Love your creations!! Happy Thanksgiving!! :o)
Cindy
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No list here either!! I love all of your packs!! You spend so much time creating for your kids (and us)!! Thank you!!!!!
Your work is amazing!! I thank you for all you do and share.
Susan
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Amazing work as always! I love finding inspiration from your blog 🙂
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I'm in! These would be adorable additions to my classroom! [email protected]
These activities look amazing and so much fun! I bet your kiddos have a wonderful time learning during the month of December. Thanks for sharing!
Heather ([email protected])
Love it for my first graders!
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Wow! Stresses me out thinking about December already, but since the stores have been doing Christmas for over a month now, I should be used to it. What fabulous ideas you shared. Thank you!!!
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These would be great!!
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I love your page!!! Cute Gingerbread and Christmas idea!!! [email protected] 🙂
I would love to have these for my firsties!
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-Brittany
inspirelovelearn.blogspot.com
WOW! So many great ideas!!! Your classroom looks like it is loads of fun and learning!
Thanks for the chance to win! 😀
Pam
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Thank you for all of your hard work! Everything looks great!
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Great activities!! [email protected]
You are so organized and ready for the coming month! I would love to have all of these resources to be ready! You are so creative!
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What a talent you are, Reagan! As an instructional coach, in a high-needs NC elementary school, I CANNOT wait to share some of your fantastic ideas with my beginning teachers. I applaud your sense of community and passion for your children and fellow educators.
Have a safe and love-filled Thanksgiving!
Stephanie Figa
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Love your idead,! I would do love to win any of your packs What a blessing that would be!
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I love your ideas! You do such a great job putting it all together. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing packs!! I can't believe its already time for holiday projects!! Yikes!!!
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My kids would love these!!! All of your products and ideas inspire me to be the best teacher I can be, and they make my first year teaching that much easier:) [email protected]
ALL these activities look wonderful and I would be thrilled to win them! My favorite theme for December is Gingerbread men! But those Santa's look great too!
Awesome post that I am going to pin, so I don't forget anything.
Happy to follow you! Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
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:o) V.
Special Teacher for Special Kids
I love everything in this post. I did the Christmas crafitivies from your pack last year and they were a big hit. I'd love to add the other stuff to my December plans, especially the techy santa! Thank you for the hard work you put into your blog and TpT store…I'm so thankful this Thanksgiving for the teacher bloggers out there who let us peek into their classrooms and inspire us!
melindagoggans at gmail dot com 🙂
After all that, you deserve several peppermint mochas, preferably spiked with your favorite adult beverage! I am worn out from reading about everything!
Love, love, love everything you create!
tokyoshoes at hotmail dot com
This would surely make planning for December much easier! Thanks for the chance to win. Fingers crossed!!
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All of your units look amazing! I would love to use all of them in my kinder classroom! 🙂 Hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving. Thank you for sharing all of your ideas!!!
Jennifer
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All of your ideas look amazing!!!!! I am so excited to try a few of these!!!!
Julie Davis
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I love the sock snowmen! Great post as usual! You are so very creative! [email protected]
I looove all of your activities! [email protected]
Love Splat! [email protected]
Have a lot of these but would love the December peel and stick journals! [email protected]
I follow your blog faithfully. Love all of your activities. I hope that I am lucky enough to win!
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This would be such a great addition to anyone's classroom! [email protected]
So many great ideas! I love your blog. You create such great concepts for the kids.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
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I love all you ideas! Thanks for your hard work! [email protected]
Your activities are always wonderful! Good luck getting everything ready for Thanksgiving! 🙂
– Kelly
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Winning your units would be the best gift ever! [email protected]
All of your activities are awesome! Happy Thanksgiving week!
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You are so creative. I love all of your activities. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Looks like you and your class will have a fantastic December! [email protected]
love these activities!
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I would love your packs!! I was actually referred to you by one of my friends who works with you! She suggested me to follow you because I also teach first grade. Thank you for your ideas! [email protected]
Would love this.
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I love everything that you create! This would be a great early Christmas gift. [email protected]
I LOVE the "build a snowman" station, very cute and creative! [email protected]
OMG….what a great collection of everything!!!! I would absolutely love to have it all. It would be great for my acceleration kids as well as on grade level K's. Thanks for putting it all out there. Happy holidays!!!
email is…[email protected]
Love it all!!!
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Love it all!! My students especially enjoy making your quilts!! I would LOVE to win all your December goodies! Thanks so much. [email protected]
This would be great to challenge my kindergartners!
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I love your classroom activities. I do have a question……where did you find your spinners for the games? I have been looking for those everywhere!
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Oh my word!!! I loved this ENTIRE POST! Thank you for all of the information and crafts! I can not wait to do the crafts and as much of the other things as possible! Del Scott [email protected]
I love, love, love your Tech the Halls board and I know my kiddos would love making them too!
Ruthanne [email protected]
I am just starting to plan for my gingerbread unit. We started math journals this year too. What a great addition these units would be! Happy planning!!
What a lot of fun! I loved everything about that post!
Julie
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I love all of these activities and all of your activities in general. I wish my son would grow up and be in your class because I admire your creativity. I'll probably buy the techie Santa even if I don't win. So cute!
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Love all of these activities!! Melissa
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Gee, thanks for making me feel behind! LOL I love all of your Christmas ideas!
It would rock my December to win!! LOVE your blog.. I use the R & Shine binder, I have started doing Guided Math based on your post… It would be great!!
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http://www.kickinitwholebrainintexas.blogspot.com
I have been so blessed to find you and follow our blog. It has brought new life to my classroom.
thank you for all you do.
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Love love love ALL your stuff! So many great ideas and products!! Oohlala! Jana
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Wow! Your activities are amazing! You are so creative! ~Sonja
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Oh yeah – Techie Santa:). So creative. Where do you find the time? Many blessings this Christmas season!
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A Grade One Nut and Her Squirrelly Crew
Oh, I love all this stuff! I don't even know how you'd fit it all in, but I'd certainly like to try! I love love love it all!
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I love your parent gift!
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I just LOVE your blog and your attention to detail in your activities. These are SO cute! [email protected]
What darling resources for December! Thank you for sharing your talents with us! 🙂
– Katy
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First Grade Kate
I love using your ideas and activities with my first graders. Thank you for all of your hard work!
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I would love to be a student in your classroom — so much learning and fun. I am always inspired by what you are doing — thanks for the chance to win (and for sharing your amazing ideas with us).
Lori
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As a teacher in a self-contained behavioral classroom, I am always looking for creative academic activities to engage my students. Myself (and my students) love your products. Thanks for all you do!!
Amy
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Reagan, I love all your ideas and packets and binders and… I have several of your products- but oddly enough, none of the December ones. So I guess I need to win!!
Jan
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BTW The Rise and Shine Binder is my favorite TPT/Teachers Notebook purchase ever:-)
I love your stuff! [email protected]
Wonderful as always and so fun for the kids to do. I'm very inspired and grateful for what you do. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Laura
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I'd love to one day be as organized and creative as you! Thanks for sharing your great ideas! I love all your stuff.
crystal
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I love your units! Fingers crossed.
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I love the techy Santa writing unit. [email protected]
It would be soooo amazing to win your packs- love your blog & all the things you do! Carol [email protected]
I love all your units! Wish I were as creative as you!
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I love your blog and all the things you make! Thanks for all you do!!!
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What can I say? Your posts are so motivating! As a first year teacher, I want to do everything to inspire my young firsties! Thank you for all of your dedication and inspiration!
Sam
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Not sure how you do it all! Thanks for making it easier on other teachers.
Sheila
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Love all of this! Such great ideas!
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You create such amazing things for your kiddos to do! I LOVE it!!! [email protected]
Love Love Love all your creative ideas! [email protected]
WOW! All of these activities look exciting! Im sure your kids will love them!
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I wish I was as creative as you!
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So many great ideas there isn't even enough time to do them all… lol
Love them all!
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I love all of your stuff, and am especially excited about your December math journals. I already have the Dec. art pack – love the Splat the cats 🙂
Emily
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Would love to win the December activities!
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Sooo cute! Would sure love to win 🙂
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Can I just say how me and my firstie buddy love your posts and that you are our Virtual mentor this year! Thanks for all of the great ideas and your TPT store!! Hope to be a winner…Was just looking at buying Gingerbread week and Up on the Rooftop too! I have a few kids that do not celebrate the holidays so gingerbread week here we come!! WOULD LOVE TO WIN!! [email protected]
I love all the Christmas projects!! I'm not very crafty, so I would love to have those to help me out!! [email protected]
As always, I'm in awe of your work! I love the snowmen idea… amazing, amazing, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!
Lisa
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I posted from my phone but I don't think it work so I'm trying again. This is amazing! So many useful items! Love the Ipad writing and the Hipster Santa well and Splat the cat too! Thanks for the chance! [email protected]
As always, amazing products and blog! My head is spinning with all of the ideas! Now I know how my T-Day break will be spent! Thanks for sharing 🙂 [email protected]
Love all the wonderful ideas that you shared! I especially loved the snowmen 🙂
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So many crazy good ideas! Isn't December great? I especially love your peel and stick math journal labels. Now why haven't I thought of that?!
Lora
[email protected]mail.com
Wow, would this be awesome :))) I could use this everyday all winter long.
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I already bought your December math journals and have the materials for your Snowman Sock craft on my shopping list. Please share the rest of your brilliance! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂 [email protected]
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Reagan- Wow! I'm super excited to be a little head of the game… by a few days… I was just loading up my TPT cart with so many of your holiday goodies. I was reading through this post and saw a picture of your actual spinner. HOW DID I NOT know that you can buy the spinners!?! All of your products says "if you don't have a spinner…." I just assumed that applied to nearly everyone. I loaded up my amazon cart with spinners, and my TPT cart with Christmas! Get ready to learn little ones!
Thanks for sharing!
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Will you be making a January Interactive Math Journal? The December one was a big hit for my first graders.