Thursday, December 16, 2010

The Nutcracker, Take Two

I, like most teachers, and many moms, am a book club, used book, library sale junkie.  I do try each year, though, to buy one nice hardback book for our Christmas collection.  I found this one yesterday (with my 50% off one item coupon!)  and it was worth it - even without the discount!


We read it cover to cover 4 times.  I love 2 things about it: the text isn't too wordy, which is hard to find in a Nutcracker book, and it is almost an illustrated version of the ballet.  Many of the characters are ballet dancers, and I think for a kid getting ready to go see it (which, sadly, we are not this season) it would be excellent.  Plus, her hair is glittery.  I should have led with that.

So we read the Nutcracker and then went to You Tube.  I was amazed at how interested they were.  We watched almost all of the major scenes.  They loved Mother Ginger and all the children emerging from her big skirt, but then who doesn't?  Zoe was humming along to much of the music - that kid is a music sponge.

Then on to less spongy topics - like math.  We had a big discussion about whether the top line and the bottom line had the same number of stickers (they did).  We also practiced making "one less than" a number.  So if you have 6 stickers and want one less than, can you look at a number line or use your fingers to see how many you would have?  Can you count to check?  Tough work.



We haven't yet showed off our awesome new classroom furniture.  My Gran, an avid supporter of Smithey Science Academy, gave these desks (and matching chairs) to the girls for Christmas.  Adorable, yes?  We have one in the hallway for working privately. 

Lucy worked on the bird puzzle and sensory bin while Zoe finished her math and read to me.

Then, to finish up, we did some fun Christmas activities.  We decorated a tree with stickers.


We strung giant jingle bells onto shoestrings for necklaces.  
More is always more when it comes to jingle bells.  They didn't get lost all day!


Can you find the busy student trying to spell "Merry Christmas" with letter tiles?  
Can you find the grumpy, pouting 3 year old who is not allowed in the school room with "that attitude"?


Ah, all better now and back to her old self. 

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