Reindeer, Reading, and...Pugs?

It's the most wonderful time of year!  I have been unusually "Christmasy" this year--I think I went into Christmas mode a few weeks ago.  Not that I'm a scrooge or anything, but each year I get so overwhelmed with all the things that have to be done to prepare, that I end up feeling kind of sad and stressed out!  This year, I am determined NOT to stress over the holiday I love the most!  

So, I got a "little bit" of a head start.  We decorated our house for Christmas last week.  We also have watched Elf!  I had already shopped for most of my gifts before Black Friday.  {What, what!?}  I have wrapped up my daughter's Christmas books in anticipation of doing a Christmas picture book countdown each night!  I have even already read The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren--as a reminder to myself to keep the true meaning and purpose of Christmas first in my mind as the holiday planning gets underway.  

I also want to bring the magic of Christmas alive for my students!  It is so fun teaching the little ones at this time of year, because they have the best stories to tell about their elves.  And they love writing letters to Santa and making their lists.  It is also amazing that a simple reminder that "Santa Claus is coming to Town" will straighten up behavior!  They all seem to have a little sparkle in their eye when we come to school in our PJ's for Polar Express Day!  Their excitement is contagious, and it is such a blessing to be around.  That said, we have FOUR weeks from now until our Christmas break.  This is going to be a l-o-n-g stretch, especially with 20 very excited kiddos!  

So, what to do to keep learning fun and engaging for four weeks?  Well, next week, we will have some

silly reindeer fun with ABC order, and a fun reindeer craftivity from my Reindeer Games packet...

The week after next, we are beginning our Christmas Around the World journey!  I can't wait to take this class aboard Christmas Airlines! (This unit will take 2-3 weeks--I am planning on spending around 2 days visiting each country!)    *This year I have added a supplement pack to my Christmas Around the World Scrapbook!  It is a FREE download, and provides a planning calendar, parent letters to send home, and craft templates!  Please go download if you purchased my scrapbook last year!  It has helped me to be super organized this year!*

I have been working on this packet since this summer, and finally finished it this weekend!  We are learning all about short vowel u next week, and "Pugsley the Pug" is going to join in the phonics fun.  This packet has 9 activities for literacy stations or small group review--so, basically, next week, we are going to have a classroom full of reindeer and pugs.  It's not strange AT ALL!  HA!   

All of these and everything in my TpT store will be on SALE Monday and Tuesday! Yay!  Who doesn't love a sale!?

Here are a few of my newest creations that you may want to check out during the big sale!

The Reading Briefcase is packed with everything you'll need to get your students reading at home.  It comes with a detailed parent guide to help parents motivate their kids to read. 

The Holiday Feast Shopping List has students practicing common core skills--adding 3 numbers and adding money.  They will have fun shopping for holiday food items on their shopping lists!

I love to draw, and I am excited to share my second packet of Clip Art--"Funky Trees"!  They are perfect to add to classroom creations and newsletters!  :)

I will send my Funky Trees Clip Art to the first 5 followers to comment on this post!  

{Because I love y'all, and I love blog comments!  Comments make the blogging world go 'round!!!}

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Smug-Pugs-A-Short-Vowel-U-Activity-Pack