Ok - I know I am jumping ahead a little here, but I am starting to panic about this. Does anyone have any ideas to share about what you have your 4th Graders create/make as a parent gift for Christmas?
I used to teach 1st and I don't think my macarone picture frames sprayed with silver paint will be a good idea for 4th Graders. So I need a new more "grown-up" idea!
I was thinking of buying the snowflake picture frame craft from Oriental Trading Company, but would love to hear your ideas before spending my money.
I have a few students who don't celebrate Christmas, so I'd love ideas that are wintery but not necessarily Christmas - you know what I mean?
I'm having my 4th grade students create a snowflake foam picture frame that they can put their picture in the middle. I'm going to write the year on the back. I think I got them from a craft store last year during the after Christmas sales.
I have each student bring in a cookie recipe, then compile them into a cookbookbook. Each student writes a recipe for a wonderful Christmas; those who don't celebrate write makes a wonderful winter day. My recipe is from Jan Brett's activity page for the Gingerbread Baby which I copy in color. I read aloud the story Gingerbread Baby and I serve store-bought Gingerbread cookies. We include a dedication page to Mom, etc. The cover is printer paper appropriate for the season with a title. I bind them and put them in a large white envelope which the kids decorate and tag To: and From: like a package.
For the past few years we have had our fourth graders make coasters. Each need a square tile (not sure of exact size 3X3?). Bring in a variety of small holiday cocktail napkins - this is good because you can find Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, generic snowmen, etc.- and cut into single ply squares. The single ply picture needs to be trimmed a smidge to make it fit the top of the tile. Paint a thin layer decoupage glue on top of the tile. Place the paper napkin picture carefully on top. Then paint another layer of glue - make sure to cover the edges well. These will dry within an hour. We then make snowman bags out of white bags and construction paper to wrap the coaster inside.
Wow I like these ideas...coaster sounds interesting and not to expensice if I hunt for tiles on sale. I also like the cookbook idea (I love Gingerbread Baby!)
Thanks for ideas....keep them coming!
I have my student create a Christmas ornament. I buy dark blue Christmas balls (you can easily find them on sale). Then, the students paint their hand white and cup the ball so their fingers go up towards the top. After the handprint has dried, the kids turn each finger into a snowman--so they have a family of five snowman. They paint little orange noses, hats, scarves, and buttons on the snowman. Afterwards, I write their name on the top and spray them with a clearcoat finish. They are adorable. Plus, it is a way to get their fourth grade handprint without it being too "little kid-ish."
I, too, have my kids make an ornament. I have done the 5 finger snowmen as well. But last year I turned their hand into Santa's head. Their four fingers are painted white (for the beard), the palm is painted in a flesh color (for his face) then the thumb and top part of the palm are red (his hat). They can glue a small, white ball at the end of his hat. Then using paint pens they draw on the face.
I like to do ornaments. Here are 2 ideas. First one is a snowflake paper craft. You can make these really big to decorate your room or small, to decorate a tree. http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2...tutorials.html
Another option- my favorite- comes from the martha stewart site. http://www.marthastewart.com/article...here-ornaments
I use double sided heavy scrapbook paper (or cut up christmas cards). I bought a book that has lots of choices and then cut them into strips. Not only can you make the globes, if you watch the video, you can use one brad and connect both sides of the globe and then glue a pic of the child in the middle and hang a ribbon. Looks more like a flower than a globe- So sweet! We also do a small gingerbread house as a gift for the family. We use the small lunch size milk cartons, glue on a poster board roof and then frost. Place on a frosted styro tray and add graham crackers and candy to decorate. Include teddy grahams or gummy bears and you have yourself a winter wonderland.
I like to do ornaments. Here are 2 ideas. First one is a snowflake paper craft. You can make these really big to decorate your room or small, to decorate a tree. http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2...tutorials.html
Another option- my favorite- comes from the martha stewart site. http://www.marthastewart.com/article...here-ornaments
I use double sided heavy scrapbook paper (or cut up christmas cards). I bought a book that has lots of choices and then cut them into strips. Not only can you make the globes, if you watch the video, you can use one brad and connect both sides of the globe and then glue a pic of the child in the middle and hang a ribbon. Looks more like a flower than a globe- So sweet! We also do a small gingerbread house as a gift for the family. We use the small lunch size milk cartons, glue on a poster board roof and then frost. Place on a frosted styro tray and add graham crackers and candy to decorate. Include teddy grahams or gummy bears and you have yourself a winter wonderland.
I came across an activity last year a bit too late. I'm not sure if it was from PT. It was making a calendar with a clear CD case. I thought it could be a useful, simple activity. When I find the site, I'll post it if you think this sounds interesting.
I always have my kids make ornaments. I use clear ornaments and have the kids stuff them with colored feathers. Then, they glue beads on the outside. They always turn out great! Here is a picture of them while they were drying last year.
I am the one that made the CD Calendars last year....my parents and students loved them. They were not hard to make and were quite attractive. The students liked them so much that they wanted to make one as a gift and one for themselves to keep on their desks. Great activity and gift...I am doing them again this year. You can personalize them for just about anyone....like for your principal use each team as a picture for a month. Be creative!
11-07-2009, 04:19 AM
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