Christmas Traditions, Oh My!

December is just a crazy month. It seems that no matter how well I plan I’m still swamped. I’m even feeling over booked this year and I’m not working full time. But nothing beats the year of the gingerbread men fiasco. Just thinking about it makes me cringe.

That school year, I had moved from teaching a classroom of 20 some odd students to teaching computers to 600 and some odd students. I loved the new job but could bear to give up my classroom Christmas traditions. I knew there was no way to buy or make apples, Christmas tree cakes, and cute Santa with Hershey Kisses for all 600+ students. But somehow I convinced myself I could make gingerbread men for them all. 

Image from: 

© 2010 Jupiterimages Corporation

My reasoning was something like this; I can make 20+ big gingerbread men in a night. If I just make them small, surely I can do it in a week.

 HA! Boy was I wrong. I baked and decorated small gingerbread men for weeks on end. Every night I after work I would “whip” up another batch of gingerbread men. While they were cooking, I would decorate the ones from the night before. My life became (you guessed it, gingerbread men.) I wanted to stop but I couldn’t because I had already started giving my classes gingerbread men. It would be a worse disaster to give some students gingerbread men and not the others. So the baking continued. 

At the end of this marathon baking session, I swore I never wanted to bake another gingerbread man in my life. It has been about 13 years. I haven’t made another one. However this year, I find myself thinking about it. This is especially so since I found a gluten free recipe for them. (I can’t do wheat.)

Here’s the link to the recipe. Are there any brave souls out there willing to give it a try? Let me know how it turns out. 

Or just share your favorite or not so favorite classroom Christmas traditions.

Snowman Treats

Snowman Treat: A Simple ;) Winter Treat for Children to Create

I would tell you I love cooking with children but that would be a lie. It is a bit hectic, messy, crazy and (dare I say it) unsanitary. But the benefits out way the hassle and headaches. I do love watching their minds process the directions in the recipe. I love how they don’t realize they are working and learning. They’re so focused on the outcome (something good to eat) that all else fades into a dimly remembered work. Therefore this blog is a “cooking” entry for adults and children to “cook” together, (or if you are really smart, kids, you can do most of it on your own.)

Now, how to make snowman treats. Just follow each step and create away. Soon you’ll be munching on a delicious snowman of your own making. 

Snowman Treats Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

3 large marshmallows

2 pretzel sticks

1 gummi string or string candy

4 inches of raw spaghetti
4 mini M&M's

1 white cookie

1 Tbsp. white frosting

1 paper plate

Directions

First gather all your ingredients.

Measure 1 Tbsp. (tablespoon) of white frosting. Level it down with a knife so you have exactly 1 Tbsp.

Place 1 Tbsp. of white frosting, and white cookie on the plate.

Carefully use a plastic knife to lightly frost the top of your white cookie. (I know the knife in this picture is not a plastic one. You should only use a real butter knife with an adults permission. Even though they’re not too sharp they can really cut you. I know but that is another story.)

Take 1 marshmallow and lightly frost the top.

Place this marshmallow on top of the cookie.

Now get your ruler and 1 piece of raw spaghetti. Measure a 4 inch piece of spaghetti. Then break the spaghetti there. After breaking it, if it isn’t exactly 4 inches, that’s ok.

Insert the 4 inch piece of raw spaghetti into the center of the marshmallow on the cookie.

Frost the top and bottom of a second marshmallow. Slide it down the piece of spaghetti. 

Frost the bottom of the third marshmallow. Slide it down the piece of spaghetti. You’ve just created the body of your snowman.

Frost the back of 4 mini M&M’s. Place two on the top marshmallow for eyes. Place the other two on the middle marshmallow for buttons. (Yes, I know this picture doesn’t show the buttons. I didn’t decide to place them until the end because I had too many left over M&M’s.)

Stick 2 pretzel sticks in the side of the 2^nd marshmallow for arms.

Frost the back of your gummi string. Place it on the top marshmallow for a mouth.

Here’s your finished snowman. And the mess, well it is finger licking good. 

For more fun and less messy December activities check out “Thinking Your Way Through December” at:

 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/December-Thinking-Activities

Political Party Rap - Smart Songs

Currently I’m writing unit for 3^rd - 5^th grade on the election process. Students research questions about the election process at various sites on the internet. Needless to say, this has sent me researching age appropriate websites. In the midst of this search I came across a wonderful rap that explains political parties. I couldn’t wait to share it. It really is awesome. So all you lucky readers get a seek peek to this unit cause here’s the rap.

Below is the  School Tube link for those of you who can't access YouTube at your school.

Political Parties Rap – Smart Songs 

http://www.schooltube.com/video/c922493421eee4c27961/

Share with your students and enjoy!!

Welcome to Ed-U-Smart

Welcome to Ed-U-Smart, the educational blog dedicated to creating and sharing smarter ways to educate elementary students. Here’s a bit of background information about me. I have taught elementary school for 25 years. During this time I’ve taught 1st-4th grade. I’ve also been a gifted education teacher. In this job I worked with students in kindergarten-5th grade. I’ve also been the school technology specialist and math/technology specialist. In each of these jobs I worked with all kindergarten-5th grade students in my school.  

You might be wondering what my favorite thing is to teach. I’m not sure. Each teaching assignment has it unique rewards and challenges. I love the ability to change and explore what each one has to offer. Maybe that is the best part of being an elementary school teacher, the ability to change, play, explore and create. Oh, and you can’t forget seeing the world through children’s eyes each day. 

Because I love the way children view the world, this blog will at times have two guest posters, Edison U. Ratio Smart and his pet dragon Einstein. Edison U. Ratio Smart is 10 years old. He is logical and mathematical. Therefore he’ll share lots of left brain thinking with you. Einstein, the pet dragon, is creative, imaginative and gentle. He would never burn you with his fiery breath. I hope you’ll enjoy the insights each character will share. 

For now, introduce yourself and your experience in teaching. Then check back often. New items will be posted frequently.

Coming soon! Book reviews on the election process that are perfect for the K-2nd grade classroom.