Happy Valentine's Day! Preschool Craft...

My two older grandchildren made these Valentines for their baby brother who is in the hospital.  They are missing him very much.

 

 

Did you know that doves mate for life?

2013 Christmas Star Ornament Craft / Snowman Gift Box Decoration....

Star shapes cut from craft foam.  Glue a smaller star shape onto the larger star shape.  Glue on a plastic craft button, let dry overnight, punch a hole through one of the tips, and then hang with string or an ornament hanger.  So simple and easy!

 

I took this pic when the glue was still wet.

 

 

Snowman decoration / tag made from card stock.  The faces are drawn with marker.  The snowman on the top right is a pic cut from a Christmas card.  The scarf part of the snowman head was folded up and taped onto the package so that it is standing upright.

Handprint / "Fan Bird" Craft Project - Elijah Fed by Ravens...

We did this project in Primary Sunday School Class as part of our study about Elijah who was fed by ravens during a time of drought. 

This project could also be used to make a white dove  during Christmas or Easter, or in the Spring to make various colors of birds

 Fold a piece of black construction paper in half.  Place hand on top and trace around your hand.  Cut out and glue the palms (bird body) and thumbs (bird head) together.  Fold down the other fingers to make wings.  Add yellow beak and yellow feet.  Cut a 8 to 12 inch  X  4 to 6 inch piece of black paper and fold it accordion style and glue one end into the top part of the body, at an angle, for the bird tail.  White crayon was used to make the eye.  Wiggle eyes would be great!

 

My grandson's version:

This craft would be good to make and use as a visual aid when learning the letters  "B" is for Bird, "C" is for Crow, "R" is for Raven; the colors; and animal (life) science.

This idea was taken from the book Christian Crafts from Construction Paper, written by: Lori Miescke, published by: Shining Star Publications.
 

Easter Crafts for Children...

 

Handprint Chick and Egg

(construction paper and wiggle eyes)

- a good way to introduce the 'oval' shape -

 

 

 

The Empty Tomb - Matthew 28:6

"He is not here; for he is risen."

(construction paper and brass fastener)

 

 

Jesus Christ - Lamb of God

(Copy onto cardstock an image of a lamb.  You can find one to be copied free from the internet. Glue on cotton balls.  Add a construction paper heart with these words:

 

Jesus Christ - Lamb of God

Perfect Sacrifice For My Sins







2012 St. Patrick's Day Activities & Decorations...

 We learned some geographical facts about Ireland and located it on a globe.  We made an Irish flag and displayed it in our classroom alongside our Christian flag.

As you can see, our little mini-Dachshund, Sassy, must be part of everything we do.  If she is excluded, she is not happy at all! 

 Our St. Patrick's Day Bulletin Board and Holiday Tree. 

We learned the history of St. Patrick, the Christian symbolism of the shamrock, and a few Irish superstitions - the Blarney Stone , Leprechauns, and the Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow.

St. Patrick used the shamrock to illustrate the concept of the Trinity.

 

2012 Presidents' Day Decorations / Bulletin Board / Crafts..

Images of Presidents Lincoln and Washington, as well as images of our currency having their likenesses were copied from internet sources.

 

Our Presidents' Day holiday tree.

 

George Washington's Powdered Wig.

(Glue cotton balls and a ribbon onto a baseball cap.  Wear cap backward.)

Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat

(Color the rim of both sides of a paper plate - black.  Cut away the center, leaving a ring.  Glue or tape two or more sheets of black construction paper together, end to end.  Make a tube and fit it into the ring.  Tape to secure.  Cut out a black circle and tape it to the top of the hat.)  

2013 Valentine's Day Bulletin Board & Craft Ideas...

This project teaches and/or reinforces number, color, and shape recognition; teaches the concept of an emotion: love; and enables the child to practice his small motor coordination as he/she helps to cut out the heart shapes.  You can fold each piece of colored paper in half and draw half of a heart shape on the fold.  When the child opens the folded shape that he has just cut away from the larger piece of paper, he/she sees both sides of the heart together making the complete heart.  This project also teaches symmetry (things that are the same on both sides, mirror images, similarity, matching) 

Below is a little book that we made teaching the concept of  sin and salvation through Jesus Christ.  We are now studying the letter "S".  

A great lesson/story for teaching love and compassion for people is the Biblical story of the Good Samaritan.   Below is something we did last year.  You can find free pictures to color on the internet.

Christmas Mittens Tree Ornaments...

These ornaments are made of felt, a cotton ball, and deorative ribbon.  Take a sheet of felt or a sheet of craft foam and (using a felt-tipped, fine-point marker) trace around your child's hands the outline of two mittens.  Using a hole punch, make a hole in one corner of each mitten before gluing on the cotton.   Add a small ribbon bow and lay flat to dry.  Attach wire ornament hangers through the holes that you punched earlier. 

The mitten ornaments displayed on our classroom tree:

 

 

 

 

Peppermint Stick Mouse Christmas Tree Ornament Craft...

This is just too cute and too easy not to feature on my blog!  This craft kit was purchased from Oriental Trading Company  www.orientaltrading.com  .  It comes in a set of 24 and is very reasonably priced.  Candy canes included!  The mouse parts (except for the nose) are made of felt.  However, you could make your own pattern rather than purchasing the kit.  If you do, then I think it would be better to use craft foam sheets instead of the felt because the glue tends to soak into the felt (which can be a pain).  You could even use wiggle eyes if you prefer.

Nativity Craft Project...

The stable is made from a shoe box with an attached lid.  It is decorated/covered with construction paper.  The Nativity figures were copied from the book Easy Christian Crafts (grades 1-3) published by Carson-Dellosa.  You may possibly be able to find similar figures online if you don't want to purchase the book.

Where to hang those Christmas stockings?

No mantle?  No problem!

Simple Christmas Wreath...

This wreath looks MUCH better than the  picture shows.  This pic turned out rather dark, so the color isn't showing.  Let me describe it:

The wreath is made from a 10" styrofoam ring that has been wrapped with rope tinsel.  The tinsel is two-toned in green and blue.  It catches the light and is really quite pretty.  It is decorated with ribbon, small bells, tiny pine cones, and artificial holly leaves and berries.

Making good use of those homemade salt dough Christmas tree ornaments...

Simple & Easy Table-top Christmas Tree for Small Spaces...

My living room is small and stuffed with furniture.  There is no space for a full-size Christmas tree to be displayed, so for many years now, I've used table-top trees.  I recently purchased this 4 ft. tree from Walmart.  Is is pre-lit, so I do not have to bother with stringing lights.  It consists of 2 major pieces, and 3 pieces for the stand.  Easy to put together.  Yay!  I chose the clear lights, but the tree is also available with colored ones.  Cost $25 before tax.    

The angel at the top of the tree has a  porcelain head and arms.  She was purchased from Avon by my mother and given to me 32 years ago as a "First Christmas" gift with my new husband/home.  The ornaments are mostly hand-made ones, with a few "My First Christmas" ornaments celebrating each new child born to us.

We ended up moving the t.v. to an end table to make room for the Christmas tree.  We "make-do" a lot at my house.  lol!

2012 Christmas Classroom Decorations

Bulletin Board idea taken from  Interactive Bible Story Bulletin Boards - grades K-3, published by Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc.

The snowmen are all homemade.  The large ones are made from small  plastic bleach? bottles and large styrofoam balls, covered with quilt batting.  The small ones are made from men's tube socks, stuffed with rolls of toilet paper and medium-sized styrofoam balls.

Kid Friendly Nativity Scene Display...

(approx. $17.99 + shipping from Christian Book Distributors)

www.Christianbook.com

This Nativity set is perfect for displaying in homes where young children (ages 3 years and up) reside.  The sturdy plastic construction makes it a great toy for young ones, as well as a fabulous visual aid when reading or telling the story of Christ's birth.  The only thing about this set that might not be safe for children younger than age 3 would be the star that is attached to the front of the stable.  It can be removed, and could possibly become a choking hazard for babies or toddlers.  Baby Jesus may also be a cause for concern to very young children for the same reason.  The other pieces seem to be large enough to not cause a problem. 

Paper Bag Pumpkin (craft/decorating idea)...

I have yet to meet a child that doesn't enjoy doing crafts, especially when painting is involved!  This paper bag pumpkin craft is not only fun to do, but also very inexpensive and simple to make.

Take a small or medium sized paper lunch bag and stuff it (half-full) with shredded newspaper, plastic grocery bags, or styrofoam "peanut" packing material.   Twist the opening closed and secure with a thick rubber band or wire twist-tie.  

Paint with poster paint or acrylic craft paint.  Orange for the rounded part of the pumpkin (of course).  For the stem, we used green mixed with tan.  Brown would also do fine.  

Leaves made from construction paper or artificial leaves create a more festive and decorative touch!

Inexpensive Fall Decorations from your local retailer...

I found these Pilgrim figurines at my local Dollar General Store.  Not only do they make great Fall decorations, but they will become useful visual aids in our study of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving celebration in America.  The faux pumpkin and faux autumn leaves and berries/acorns were purchased from Walmart.