Jan Homden

Consilium Education

12/1/2017

Christmas for Early

Years - Part 1

P P

This resource is sponsored by:

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Celebrate Christmas in

your classroom

With fun activities, stories to share,

rhymes to learn and songs to sing.

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THEMED ROLE PLAY AREAS –The Arctic

A cosy igloo Look out for those bears!

Keep warm – add jackets,

woolly hats and mittens.

Children at St Joseph’s

Catholic Primary School, Derby

are keeping warm in their

Arctic Role Play Area

Antarctic Base Camp

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Or how about Santa’s Workshop as a theme for the

role play corner?

Hordle CE Primary

School, Lymington,

Hampshire are

showing us how it’s

done!

Click on the picture to follow the link

Santa’s helpers are busy!

These children at Walton

Holymoorside Primary School

Derbyshire are also busy

writing lists for Santa and

wrapping presents.

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There are lots of great initiatives this

season to encourage the children to write.

I loved these ideas from Anna at The

Imagination Tree.

Click on the writing table and sparkly snow

to follow the links to her blogs

Ideas that can easily be extended to

various stations or a writing

corner/table in a classroom.

SPARKLY SNOW SENSORY WRITING

TRAY - To practise sight words and letter

formation.

‘Make sparkly snow sensory writing trays by

pouring fine white salt into melamine trays.

These narrow, horizontal trays are particularly

good writing and mark-making trays as they allow

for longer words to be formed.’

Fasten a Christmas tree

decoration to the end of each

natural pencil to create a

special snowflake writing tool.

Add sparkle by sprinkling the salt with lots of white iridescent

glitter. (Available from craft shops or order on-line)

Click on the glitter

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Provide number cards and trays of sparkly

sequins. Children use their finger to trace their

chosen number in the sequins.

Click on the image to follow the link.

DEVELOPING VOCABULARY

A Winter Table displaying associated words

This interactive display is from Nunsthorpe Nursery – Sparklebox Gallery

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Labelling winter clothes in two or more

different mother tongue languages.

To develop the language

further, brainstorm

adjectives for each

item.

And for the very young –

label winter clothes for

the class bear.

Have a look at the PDF

Available to download from Lakeshore –

Click on their logo

Ideas for writing

Story starters

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Fun ideas for decorating your classroom door - have a look at the

designs on pinterest.com - Click on Santa to follow the link.

Free resources to download to enhance your displays

and activities – click on the logos to follow the link

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FESTIVE STORIES TO

SHARE

As the countdown begins…..

Count down to Christmas

from 1st December.

To help keep track of the days: an

alternative to an advent calendar.

Loved this idea from Printables4Mom

which would be easy to recreate. Each

day a child would add a cotton wool ball

to Santa’s beard.

“Poor Santa’s beard is very bare

For on his chin there is no hair

Help make Santa look so cool

Each day add a tuft of wool.”

Organise a basket of festive

books (you could ask your parents

if they would like to donate/lend a

picture book to this collection).

Each day choose a book to read to

the children. When you have read

the story the book could go into

your book/library corner so the

children can look at it again at their

leisure.

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WINTER READING – A few of my favourites – reviewed by

Amazon UK and ‘The Littlest Christmas Tree’ by the author herself.

One Snowy Night - by Nick Butterworth (Author, Illustrator)

‘Percy the Park Keeper always feeds the animals in the park

where he lives. But one cold winter’s night Percy discovers that

his little friends need more than food and he must find a way to

help them find a warm place to sleep for the night. Percy’s hut is

nice and warm but Percy discovers that if you invite one animal in

you’ll have to invite them all in and his hut is only small – it’s

certainly going to be a squash!’

Click on the book to listen to the story

The Gruffalo's Child – by Julia Donaldson (Author), Axel

Scheffler (Illustrator)

‘One dark night the Gruffalo's child disobeys her father's

warnings and ventures out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad

Mouse doesn't really exist . . . does he? The Gruffalo's Child is

the much-loved sequel to Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's

bestselling phenomenon, The Gruffalo.’

Click on the book to listen to this famous book narrated by

Caroline Quentin

Tiger in the Snow! – by Nick Butterworth (Author, Illustrator)

‘Second title about adorable new toddler character, from the

renowned picture creator of Percy the Park Keeper. Tiger the

kitten has lots of friends…usually. It isn’t hard for Tiger to

find someone to play with…usually. But one day, when

everything is covered in a chilly white blanket of snow, Tiger’s

friends are too cold or too busy to go out and he has to play

by himself. Until he finds something very unusual buried in the

snow.’ Click on the book to link to Amazon

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Christmas Poems - by Jill Bennett (Author), Nick Sharratt (Author)

‘This is a delightful first poetry book in a picture book format,

illustrated in colour throughout by award-winning artist Nick

Sharratt. The poems are just right for this age bracket with

themes such as wishing for snow, putting up decorations,

peeking at your Christmas stocking, delivering presents by

rocket ship and, of course, baby Jesus. Poets include Tony

Mitton, Julia Donaldson, Hiawyn Oram, and Judith Nicholls.’

Click on the book to link to Amazon

The Polar Express 30th Anniversary Edition Hardcover by Chris Van

Allsburg (Author)

A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed

aboard a magical trip to the North Pole . . . Through dark

forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the

Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where

the boy will make his Christmas wish. Click on the book -

close your eyes and listen to Liam Neeson narrating the story.

Frog in Winter - by Max Velthuijs (Author) ‘Frog is taken by surprise when winter comes. He is too cold to

take part in any of the joyous fun that Duck is having skating or

that Hare is having throwing snowballs. The animal’s band

together to equip Frog for enjoying winter, and later they share

in his rejoicing when spring arrives.’ 'Frog is an inspired creation

- a masterpiece of graphic simplicity.' – Guardian - Click on the

book to link to Amazon

The Snowman - by Raymond Briggs (Author, Illustrator)

Everyone's favourite snowman, with a sparkly glitter cover and

introduction by Raymond Briggs. One winter's night, a snowman comes to life and an unforgettable

adventure begins. Raymond Briggs' favourite classic is a true piece

of Christmas magic - narrated entirely through pictures, it

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captures the wonder and innocence of childhood and is now recognised throughout the

world. - Click on the Snowman to link to Amazon

Other festive stories by

Raymond Briggs

To watch the animated version of The Snowman – Click on the picture to follow the link

The Snowman (1982) with Original Introduction

To listen to ‘Walking in the Air’ (from The

Snowman) -

Click on the picture to follow the link

The Jolly Christmas Postman - by Allan Ahlberg (Author), Janet

Ahlberg (Author)

‘It's Christmas Eve and the JOLLY POSTMAN is delivering

greetings to various fairy-tale characters - there's a card

for Baby Bear, a game appropriately called 'Beware' for Red

Riding Hood from Mr Wolf, a get-well jigsaw for hospitalised

Humpty Dumpty and three more surprise envelopes containing

letters, cards, etc. Click on the book to listen to this

wonderful story narrated by Graham Smit

Reviewed by Janie Jasin

‘This book is for folks 3 to 83. It is a faith filled story of growing

and acceptance and was written for adults originally. It contains a

serenity message as well. 150,000 have sold since 1997. I know

because I am the author.’ Click on the Christmas tree to link to

Amazon

The Littlest Christmas Tree: A Tale of Growing and Becoming - by Janie Jasin (Author), Pam Kurtz (Illustrator)

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Dear Santa (Board book) – by Rod Campbell (Author)

‘Lift the flaps to unwrap a Christmas present on every

page of Dear Santa, a festive book by Rod Campbell,

creator of the preschool classic Dear Zoo.

Toddlers will love lifting the flaps to discover what

Father Christmas has sent, and finding the perfect

present at the end.

With bright, bold artwork and a touch-and-feel

surprise, Dear Santa is the ideal Christmas gift for fans

of Dear Zoo.’ - Click on the book to link to Amazon

Nativity Flap Book (Usborne Flap Books) Board book – by Sam Taplin (Author), Rosalinde Bonnet (Illustrator)

‘A flap book to introduce little children to the story of baby

Jesus. It features warm and friendly illustrations.’

Click on the book to link to Amazon

Santa's Stuck (Hardcover) – by Rhonda Gowler Greene (Author), Henry

Cole (Illustrator)

‘This playful picture book answers the age-old question: Just

how does Santa shimmy up and down chimneys? Not very easily

sometimes! When the rotund fellow with a sweet tooth overdoes

it on the snacks, he gets stuck inside a

chimney. It takes a tiny, ingenious

mouse to come up with the way to POP!

Santa out so that Christmas can go on.

Good show Ho, Ho, Ho!’ Click on the

book to link to Amazon

Follow-up writing activity: Oh, No, Santa’s Stuck…….

‘If Santa was stuck in the chimney, I would….’ Click on the chimney opposite to follow the link.

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Two Christmas stories from the British Council – click on the pictures to follow the link

Santa's Little Helper The Snowman

FAVOURITE STORIES ONLINE from popular books with a

Christmas/Wintery theme - Click on the pictures to follow the link.

From Kipper the Dog Series

Kipper the Dog - Christmas Eve

Kipper the Dog - Snowy Day

Pawel Glusniewski

Kipper the Dog - The Big Freeze

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Kipper the Dog - Tigers Sled

From Charlie and Lola

Charlie and Lola - Snow is my favourite and

my best (HQ)

From Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom

Ben and Holly Xmas 1 Ben and Holly's Little Kingdom. The Little Kingdom –

where everyone is very, very small – is home to

Princess Holly and her best friend Ben Elf.

Ben and Holly Xmas 2

And from Percy the Park Keeper

Percy the Park Keeper - Sleigh Ride (1999)

Mayday51: Nostalgia for Everyone!

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Animals that survive in cold climates – start by finding

out what the children know about Polar Bears, Penguins and the

Artic Fox. Similarities and differences?

Click on the images to follow a direct link

Polar Bears – watch the video and read the book

Cool Cute Cubs - Amazing Animal

Babies: Polar Bear Cubs (Ep 6) -

Earth Unplugged

BBC Earth Unplugged

My Little Polar Bear Hardcover by Claudia

Rueda (Author)

‘This is a beautiful story that will not only introduce young

children to the polar bear, but will also tell them that they

themselves have a lot of learning to do and their mothers and

others will help guide them along the way. The story has a

very calming, gentle flow to it and the artwork is beautifully

executed in light blues and white and meshes well with the

soothing tone of the text.’

If you are having a special treat at the end of term

here is a novel way to decorate small tubs of vanilla

ice-cream and the children could do it themselves. 2

slices of banana, 2 upside down chocolate chips and

a Hershey's Kiss!

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Penguins – watch the video and read the book

Cool Cute Chicks! - Amazing Animal

Babies: Emperor Penguin Chicks

(Ep 5) - Earth Unplugged

BBC Earth Unplugged

Children's Book: Amazing Facts About - Penguins

(Great Picture Book) (Age 4 - 9) Kindle Edition -

by Dan Jackson (Author) "Written in a simple language that kids will understand and

enjoy. Each page contains a picture and a fact. Great book

for fun and knowledge.

Arctic Fox – watch the video and read the book

‘Young Fox Hunting In The Snow’ - Life

Story - BBC

BBC Earth

These Foxes have to hunt in the snow and travel 100km a day searching for food. Taken

from Life Story.

From Scholastic:

Arctic Foxes: Secrets of Survival

Listen and read about how Arctic foxes

survive.

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Help save the Arctic fox and support the World

Wildlife Fund

Click on WWF logo to follow the link to their web-site.

‘The strengths of WWF's amazing, dedicated and

passionate people have created some of the planet's greatest

conservation victories. We will achieve our ambitious goals through the

efforts of WWF's incredible team of scientists, biologists and policy

makers.’

POEMS AND ACTION RHYMES FOR THE SEASON

I’m a Little Snowman

I’m a little snowman short and fat!

Here’s my scarf and here’s my hat!

When the snow is falling hear me say,

Build a snowman every day!

I’m a little snowman short and fat!

Here’s my scarf and here’s my hat!

When the weather warms up, tee, hee, hee

I’ll melt and there’s no more of me!

(Sung to the tune of I’m a Little Teapot)

Christmas Pudding

Christmas Pudding, Christmas Pudding,

(hold an imaginary bowl)

Nice and Hot (blow), nice and

hot, (blow)

Sprinkle on the sugar, sprinkle on the

sugar, (sprinkle imaginary sugar)

Eat the lot! Eat the lot! (pretend to eat it

& rub your tummy!)

(Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques or I Hear Thunder)

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Christmas Cracker

Christmas cracker, Christmas cracker, (hold

an imaginary cracker)

In your hand, In your hand, (hold an

imaginary cracker)

Hurry up and pull one, hurry up and pull

one, (mime an exaggerated pull!)

It goes BANG! It goes BANG! (clap hands

loudly and shout BANG!)

(Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques or I

Hear Thunder)

Christmas Day is coming soon

Christmas day is coming soon,

Santa’s on his way! Bringing toys for girls and boys,

On his magic sleigh!

(Sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat)

Christmas Candy

Original Author Unknown

I took a lick of my

peppermint stick

(Pretend to lick candy.)

And was it ever yummy!

(Lick lips.)

It used to be on my

Christmas tree.

(Form tree shape with hands.)

Now, it's in my tummy!

(Rub stomach.)

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My Christmas Tree

I’ve waited for my Christmas tree, Christmas

tree, Christmas tree,

I’ve waited for my Christmas tree, all year

lo-ng,

And now it’s time to go and choose, go and

choose, go and choose,

And now it’s time to go and choose, our

Christmas tree!

*

We’ll bring it home to decorate, decorate,

decorate,

We’ll bring it home to decorate, our Christmas

tree!

With tinsel and some fairy lights, fairy lights,

fairy lights

With tinsel and some fairy lights, our Christmas tree!

*

Now it’s the finest Christmas tree, Christmas tree, Christmas tree,

Now it’s the finest Christmas tree that’s ever been!

(Sung to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down)

Ring those bells Ring those bells and turn around.

Ring those bells and turn around.

Ring those bells and turn around.

For Christmas time is near.

(Repeat and change the words to any action)

Ring those bells and stomp your feet.

(End with…..)

Ring those bells quietly.

Ring those bells quietly.

Ring those bells quietly.

For Christmas time is near.

(Sung to the tune of Jimmy crack corn)

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Action Rhymes from: The Holiday Zone

Presents

See the many presents by the Christmas tree,

(sweep hand in wide half-circle; form tree with hands.)

Some for you,

(Point to others.)

And some for me.

(Point to self.)

Long ones,

(Spread hands wide apart.)

Tall ones,

(Hold hand high above head.)

Short ones, too.

(Hold hands close together.)

And here is a round one

(Make circle with arms.)

Wrapped in blue.

Isn't it fun to look and see

All the presents by the Christmas tree?

(Sweep hand in wide half-circle; form tree with hands.)

Gingerbread Men - Original Author Unknown

Stir a bowl of gingerbread, smooth and spicy

brown.

(Pretend to stir.)

Roll it with the rolling pin, up and down.

(Making rolling motions.)

Take a cookie cutter and make some little men.

(Use imaginary cutter to cut imaginary shape.)

Put them in the oven 'til half past ten.

(Pretend to slide cookie tray into oven.)

MMMM!

Now click on

Christmas for Early Years Part 2 for more