The holidays are a magical time of year with many celebrations happening all around the globe. Our classroom is not an exception. We are celebrating our theme:" Festivals of the Light." This continues this year through December and part of January.
Last season I shared many holiday celebrations, but since this was my second year with my students, I have created a new format for December.
At the Living Wisdom School we only have two weeks to share the holiday traditions with our children before our Christmas vacation. I will share daily our festivals as we move through each country.
We began the week with one of my favorite children's stories. It is taken from the Swedish tradition, about a small elf who travels secretly around the farm, talking with the animals. He begins his evening with his secret rounds doing his caretakers duties in his gentle, loving way. He whispers encouragement to all the sleeping animals and children. The book has such beautiful captivating illustrations and poems.
Today I was able to draw some of my own illustrations of the Tomten, and made copies for the children to practice their own pencil drawings. In Prekindergarten we begin to use our pencils for many small muscle coordination enhancement skills.
The children also drew small foot prints. We have a large world map that the footprints will be glued on as the children follow the Tomten's secret travels around the globe this Christmas. The children love the little Tomten.
The first holiday celebrated is Saint Nicolas Day, December 6th.
In the spirit of the Tomten and Saint Nicolas we are playing a game with our stockings. As the children secretly do kind deeds for their friends, small stickers are placed in their stockings. The original stockings originated with these Nordic folklore traditions. At the end of the next week, the stickers from each stocking will be traded in and counted for special treats and gifts.
December 6th is Saint Nicolas day. The children all lined up there own shoes today and placed a small gift for Saint Nicolas and his horse inside each shoe .
Tomorrow we will light the way for the "Tomten", as he journey's once again secretly to another country to explore. Our next destination:Italy.
Tune in tomorrow for what the children and the Tomten learn about Italy's Christmas celebrations.
Blessings all.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please add your comments. Thank you.