NEW YEAR HANGER

Discuss New Year's hopes, dreams, and goals.  Have students write wishes, poems, or greetings. Then students decorate two clothespins with stars or snowflakes.  Clip these onto colored wire hangers (reuse).  If can't find colored hangers, wrap the hanger with pipe cleaners to add color.  Glue the message to a colorful piece of construction paper.  Decorate with a New Year's symbol and clip it to the hanger. Gift to the parents after it hangs from your classroom ceiling.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS

Have students fill out form NEATLY.  It helps if you brainstorm and write ideas on the board.  BUT tell students everyone should have answers that mean something to them.  Color and cut out the picture on the other side.  Glue the picture to the outside of a folded constrcution paper and the written work on the right inside.  You can take a picture of the student and glue on the left inside.  Then send home.  IDEA: Blow up the picture, color, and laminate to use as the center of a new year bulletin board.

ALL ABOUT ME HAND

GETTING TO KNOW YOU PROJECT FOR THE NEW YEAR!

Students trace and cut out five (or more) hand prints.  On 1st, ALL ABOUT _______ with thumb-stating name, pointer-stating age, middle-stating grade level, 4th finger-stating height and pinky-stating hair color. On 2nd hand, MY FAVORITE BOOKS - each finger names a book.  On 3rd hand, MY FAVORITE PEOPLE - each finger names a person.  On 4th hand-MY FAVORITE FOODS - each finger names a food. On 5th hand-MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO - each finger names an activity.   These topics can change according to your interest.  When you are finished, staple together at the wrist.  You could add one more hand.  Write What I Want to Be When I Grow Up - list one occupation on each finger, OR My Hopes and Dreams....  And it could go on.  Definitely, I would only do one hand at a time, with younger students, to get a better result.

AIRPLANE BULLETIN BOARD

This is a great "beginning-of-the-year" bulletin board. The teacher writes 5-7 general learning concepts on clouds. Laminate to use year after year. Then get student pictures, or I had them draw a shoulder/head picture of themselves. Cut the pictures as a window shape and place on plane as window seats. Remember to put the Teacher Picture in the Pilot's Seat! The heading could be "Flying Off To A Great Year". Place plane in the center of the board with clouds all around.
Sample of learning concepts put in clouds (3rd grade):
1. We will learn to multiply and divide.
2. We will learn to write in cursive.
3. We will practice Catholic Values.
4. We will receive First Holy Communion.
5. We will practice organization skills.
6. We will receive First Reconciliation.
7. We will practice study skills.

MATH ABOUT ME

STUDENTS LEARN THE ROLE MATH PLAYS IN EVERYDAY LIFE.                                                      

(Taken from Mailbox Magazine)

Season/Month: January

Age/Grade: Primary

Groups: Whole - Homework

Materials:

~ Worksheet
~ 9" x 12" construction paper
~ 9" x 12" construction paper, various colors, cut into 1/8th
~ small picture of student
~ colored markers
~ scissors
~ glue
Procedure:
1. Send home worksheet as homework.  Put a note that it is to be returned with a small photo of the student.
2. Students choose 8 different colored paper rectangles.
3. Students fill in each rectangle with a different math fact from the worksheet, making sure one rectangle has
    their name on it.  Encourage them to fill the space of each rectangle.
4. Students arrange their rectangles on the 9" x 12" construction paper, making sure there is room for their
    small photo.
5. Student glues the rectangles and photo to the large construction paper - keeping confined to the edge.
6.  Teacher may post on the wall (see below) or make a class book.