Hello ANA! Are you in the holiday spirit yet? We have a fresh new song and video called "The Great Christmas Tree Hunt"! And... if you want to sing along on your way to the tree farm, you can also stream the song!    Celebrate the 12 Days Of Christmas with Caitie! Look at all the gifts Caitie's True Love has given to her, she's a little bit overwhelmed!  Feeling crafty? Let's make a paper plate portrait! This activity is perfect for World Children's Day or a self-esteem theme. Plus, the blog post has some self esteem mantras for kids!  Speaking of Christmas trees, visit a Christmas tree farm with Caitie! Will Caitie find the perfect tree, the one that's right for you and me? Christmas elves, we got you covered! Stickers and bookmarks make the perfect stocking stuffers. For more Super Simple gift ideas, be sure to check out our Amazon Store and our products page at Paper House. Have a great week!

 Hello, teachers!

You all know how much I love circle time props.

They have saved my circle times!

I have a young class this year and I've had to tweak almost all of my activities.

Their attention spans are short. Shorter than I'm used to.

I have never been as thankful for circle time props as I have this year.

Even though most of my students love to move, move, move, they have been so engaged at circle time.

It's reminded me even more why children do better when they are actually participating, not just expected to sit and listen.

If you have been watching this year's weekly videos, you have seen my circle time snippets. You have an idea what I'm talking about.

(And if you haven't? Feel free to head on over and take a look!)

Each week in the description of my videos I have shared at least one free circle time prop.

(I talk about using props at circle time in this video.)

So today I'm going to share some props you can use for DECEMBER - because I know there are some teachers out there who are already busy planning what you will be doing.

(And if you aren't a planner, just save this email for the right time.)

Christmas-Themed

​FREE Gingerbread Man Circle Time Props​

​FREE Five Candy Canes Circle Time Props​

​FREE Christmas Bells Circle Time Props​

Winter-Themed

​FREE Five Little Snowmen Circle Time Props​

​FREE Mitten Circle Time Props​

​FREE Snowflake Circle Time Props​

Speaking of December, you can find theme ideas and activities here:

​December Theme Ideas​

Have a great rest of your week!

 Sitting inside on a snowy day and watching the snow through your window can feel a bit like living in a snowglobe - don’t you think?

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The next time you’re faced with a cold and snowy day - or just want to enjoy some winter crafts with your kids - try these snowglobe-inspired ideas:

• ​This tutorial will show you how to make your own DIY snow globe with a photo inside!
• These mason jar DIY snow globes are fun to make and easy to customize, and they make a great addition to your holiday decor.
• Wish your friends and family a very Merry Christmas with this snow globe photo card craft. Thanks to my free template, this one is easy to make for kids - and parents - of all ages!
• These free printable snow globe coloring pages are a great way to enjoy some quiet time indoors and encourage your child’s creativity. There are six different snow globe designs to choose from, as well as a snow globe word search and a snow globe word scramble!

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Until next time!

P.S - Check out our Snow- themed Printables available in the Messy Little Monster shop.

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 I wanted to share some really cute and fun Christmas crafts, ornaments, and projects to make with your kids this December.

  

• How Do you Make EASY Snow Clay for Christmas Ornament Crafts
• Beautiful Chromatography Christmas Science Activities for Preschoolers
• Construction Paper Snowman Wreath Craft for Kids this Winter
• Bauble Christmas Ornament Craft with FREE Printables

   

• Snowman Handmade Greeting Cards Winter Craft for Kids
• Construction Paper Christmas Wreath Craft Decoration for Kids
• Christmas Candle Craft for Kindergarten
• Homemade Christmas Cards Ideas for Kids

  

Christmas Activities for Kids

• Decorate the Christmas Putty tree
• Christmas Tree Puffy Paint Recipe
• Painting Christmas Mystery Pictures
• Easy-to-Make Puffy Snow Paint
• This Puffy Gingerbread Puffy Paint smells AMAZING!

  

Christmas Play Recipes

• Gingerbread Slime Recipe
• Mr. Grinch Slime Recipe
• Christmas Fluffy Slime Recipe
• Edible Peppermint Stretchy Playdough
• Glittery Contact Solution Slime
• Melting Snowman Slime

  

Christmas Ornament Crafts

• Beautiful Melted Crayon Ornaments
• Clever Candy Cane Puzzle Piece Ornaments
• Simple Paper Strip Christmas Tree Ornament
• Easy Plastic Cup Snowman Ornament
• How to Make Salt Dough Christmas Ornaments
• Christmas Tree Suncatcher Craft
• I Spy DIY name ornaments
• Easy Ornament Crafts with crayons

  

• Beautiful, O Little Star Ornament Craft
• Precious Snowman Handprint Ornament
• Puffy Gingerbread Ornament Recipe
• Colorful Melted Bead Ornaments
• Simple Peppermint Candy Ornaments
• Jingling Christmas Bell Craft
• Craft Stick Christmas tree ornament craft
• Pom Pom Easy Christmas Ornament craft

  

• 6 Christmas Around the World Crafts
• Sharpie Christmas Suncatcher Craft
• Easy Yarn Christmas Tree Craft
• Simple Paper Wreath Craft
• My Favorite Christmas Tree Craft
• Simple Christmas Cards Kids Can Make
• Printable Hat Preschool Christmas Crafts
• Christmas Picture Frame Craft with perler beads
• Quick Christmas Cards for Kids to Make
• Pretty Gumdrop Wreath Christmas Craft
• Presents Bath idea for an epic Christmas Activity for kids
• Super cute DIY Snow Globe Craft for Kids

 

Plus, don't miss our handy round-ups! Check out our December Activities for Kids, December Stories for Kids (with printable activity calendar), and 31 December Crafts for Kids! If you are looking for an easy ready-made meal planner check out our free December Meal Planner.

I know December is busy enough so I wanted to make it easy for you to find tons of fun and FREE Christmas Printables for kids of all ages! Plus don't miss our favorite Christmas Picture Books.

  

Finally, don't miss these resources to make your December extra fun!

• A Christmas Experience for Families: Craft & Pray Around the World
• Christmas Around the World - free printable & Studies for over 40 countries!
• Christmas Crafts for Kids book with over 100 Christmas Activities, Crafts, and Recipes for families to enjoy together during the month of December.

Plus you can see ALL of our Christmas resources including Christmas Printables, worksheets, Christmas Science, crafts, activities, games, recipes and more!

 

Hello ANA! What would it be like to live in a gingerbread house? This imaginative new song practices nouns and will have little ones thinking about their own gingerbread house. Watch the super sweet video and stream the song.  It's the Countdown to Christmas with Caitie! We have been so excited to release Caitie's Classroom as a recording artist AND the amazing new holiday video for "Countdown To Christmas"! Be sure to follow Caitie's Classroom wherever you listen to music.  If you're planning some classroom crafts or a quiet activity at home, we have a beautiful cozy candle craft that's perfect for the season.  The Carl's Car Wash Sticker Playset is a perfect stocking stuffer. 🚙 You can also order it throught the Paper House website for more shipping options.

Nat’l Llama Day

 

Nat’l Llama Day Is Coming!  Prep now & have a galloping good time crafting. View Craft

Free Coloring Page Print, color & fa-la-la your way to fun.  View Page