Winter Break Fun

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday.  Enjoy our nice two week break.
 
Here are some fun things to do while we are off school.  The Summit County library has a variety of fun things to do for free including story times and winter break crafts.  They are also showing several movies.  Students can also log some hours for 100 book challenge with a good book they check out at the library. aspl.lib.oh.us
Students can also go check out the great art collection at the Akron Art Museum.  Free admission on January 2 all day long.  akronartmuseum.org 
Akron zoo has some great exhibits indoors and out that are open during the holiday season.  You can feed the penguins for $3 daily from 11-3pm.  You can also go and visit the jelly exhibit.akronzoo.org
First Night Akron hosts a variety entertainment and fireworks to ring in the new year on December 31.  firstnightakron.org

If it is too cold to venture out visit this fun website for family fun ideas for inside or out! familyfun.go.com
type in key word winter.  
www.freegames14.com/Build-a-Snowman.game3699.html

Have fun and see you all next year!!!!

 A special shout out to Daphnie, we will  miss you at Leggett!!!!

Need a Snow Day?

http://www.popularfront.com/snowdays/?banner61 
visit this fun site to create your own snowflake

Pack Your Bags

Pack your bags and gather up your passport as we prepare for a trip around the world.  Follow along on our art adventure as we learn about customs and traditions of various countries.  On our travels we will create artwork that is linked to the countries we learn about.  The artwork we create throughout the 2010-2011 school year will be featured in our end of the year art show in May.  The artwork we learn about opens up the eyes and hearts of the students.  No matter how young, they learn that people have different ideas and beliefs around the world, but that they also have some similarities.  Hopefully this will  make them more accepting of others and open to new ideas.

Feliz Navidad, Boun Natale, Joyeux Noel , these are all holiday greetings from around the world.  Over the past couple of weeks the students have been learning about how different countries celebrate the holidays

Kwanza

Children in Holland leave their shoes filled with hay and carrots for the reindeer.  The hay and carrots are replaced by little gifts in the shoes of the children.

Spin Dreidel Spin

Each of these projects focused on a specific country or holiday.  Information was gathered from a great resource Christmas Around the World.  This book focuses on how different countries celebrate the holidays.  It highlights customs and traditions, food, decorations and much more.  It even had suggestions for activities.  The students really liked learning about the traditions of the different countries.  A special thanks to my fourth graders and some fifth grade helpers for their help painting the textured design onto the trees.

On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me

There comes a point in time where even your true love runs out of gift ideas! Shutterfly.com to the rescue.
Over the past few years I have used shutterfly to make amazing holiday gifts for my husband, family, and friends.  They are always a big hit and are extra special because of the time and thought that go into them.
You can make calendars using the templates provided by shutterfly at http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars
My family loves getting a calendar with the smiling faces of the children and grandchildren.  I have also created photo books of vacations and special memories.  This year I will be using shutterfly to make my own holiday cards at www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards 
Now a days it is next to impossible to get something for nothing, but shutterfly is having a reward for bloggers of 50 free holiday cards.  Visit the site and see how it works.  You too can be eligible for a little something this holiday season.  http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/
Next thing you know the song will be different.... On the first day of christmas my true love gave to me a calendar of our family, on the second day of christmas my true love gave to me two photo ornaments and a calendar of our family.  Visit www.shutterfly.com to see all of the personal gifts you can give you family this holiday season!  (and you don't even need to brave the crowds at the mall)

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for many things in my life.  I am thankful for my job and the opportunity to introduce my students to the world of art and all it has to offer.  I am thankful for my husband and family.  I feel lucky to have all the things I have in my life.  This blog will be an opportunity for everyone to follow what is going on in my classroom and what my students are learning.  Come on you know you want to be a smARTy Pants