[chocaholic]

I just found out that I will have only 5 students (1 girl+4boys) for the last week before the holidays....
What are some fun activities that I can do? We're going to bake cookies but I'm just stumped and need to start thinking. Also, I can't really start any new material but don't want the ones staying to be just doing "fluff"/busywork.
Ideas? I teach 6th self-contained BTW.

[mom23kids]

What are some fun activities that I can do? We're going to bake cookies but I'm just stumped and need to start thinking

Just curious, how many kids do you normally have? Why are they all absent?
If I were you, I'd start new work so they can get the benefit of your individual instruction with so few kids. I think that would be great. Also, what grade do you have? Why don't you make a gameboard based on something you already taught..grammar, language arts, SS, (did you say 6th grade?) Reading and writing can continue with their own books or you can give them plays to perform. That's fun. I'm sure you'll get great ideas from everyone here.

[BestYet]

also make up a powerpoint of previous skills. Maybe even do a "Jeopardy" of past skills.
Depending on how many will be absent, I think I too would start the new material.

[Peaches Pears]

--Reader's theatre to share with other classes
--digital storytelling --- then these kids can be buddies to the rest of the class
--webquests
--winter mural or quilt
--plan a winter olympics for 2010
--lots and lots of writing
--research and create a report on a content area you have covered
--literature circles

[chocaholic]

you have got my creative juices moving....it's so funny how I often just need a few suggestions to get me thinking and planning!
Thanks

[chocaholic]

I teach at an International school and they are all heading back to their home countries for the holidays. With the economic crunch, many choose to leave earlier to take advantage of better airfares.

[mom23kids]

wow.. how interesting! Thanks for sharing

[Granola]

I would pull out the science materials that I never seem to have enough time to let the kids really "play" with. With a "D" cell battery, a small light bulb and a wire, they can create a simple circuit. I'd have them playing with simple, series and parallel circuits.

I'd bring in the water table, let them fill it up with sand and soil and rocks and study the effects of erosion. Collect the runoff water, and then pour it through a white paper towel repeatedly to show the filtering process. (Take pictures or keep samples as you go so they can see how yellow the water was when you first started.)

Practice the scientific method by letting them roll toy cars down ramps at different heights. Or make the variable the weight of the car; or the surface of the ramp (carpet or sandpaper).

Does the diameter of an apple effect the number of seed in an apple? Then make apple pie.

Oh, what a fun opportunity you have!

[chocaholic]

science ideas....I'm thinking of doing a penny drop activity someone posted on here a while ago....
so many ideas to get me started! Thanks!