Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Colonial Day- Rag Doll Shop

Colonial Handkerchief Dolls


On Friday, February 16th, our 4th grade celebrated Colonial Day. The day was filled with a variety of colonial activities such as butter churning, whirlygig making, tinsmithing, pomander making, candle making, jackwax making, quilting, games, drumming, and my personal favorite- handkerchief doll making. I lead almost 200 children (and some parents) to make these adorable dolls. Each doll came out different with their creators personal additions of bonnet, eyes, and more. The kids and adults had a blast, my room was filled constantly the entire time. 

Spread love not Germs...


Happy Valentine's Day!


  
Since everyone in my house was fighting off something, I decided to skip having the kids write our valentines this year, so we made Playdoh valentine stickers and kept it simple!! It was also a nice alternative to candy!









For my co-workers, I needed to have a little fun and made these...big hit!

Sock Snowmen

Sock Snowmen

I loved making sock snowmen so much with my class, that I decided to do it with my own kiddies. Here is what you need to do it at home with your own kids:

Supplies:
Crew socks
Rice
Fuzzy Socks/Fabric 
Pins
Rubber Bands
Fabric Glue
Buttons

**Be as creative as you want, the possibilities are endless!










Publishing Party... Holiday Edition

Cookies, Cocoa, & Crafts


When holiday time rolls around the kid in me gets so excited. I wanted my students to have that same holiday spirit! After Thanksgiving, we had Kindness Elves that visited our classroom. Each day there was a message and daily challenge from the elves. Some days they had to find a new friend, include someone they didn't know in an activity, make someone smile, hold the door for a stranger, the list goes on. Throughout the month, students were asked to write letters to special people in their lives. They wrote letters to our custodians, prior teachers, parents, family members, someone they found to be important, their lunch monitor and more. The week leading up to Winter Break, I had the students color the letters and make them special. Some students event went as far as writing actual cards and put them in envelopes. We delivered these letters all week, and they took home family letters to their parents. We delivered our letters to the custodians along with a big box of donuts for them to enjoy!

We spread holiday cheer each day, and the kids loved it!! When it came to our publishing party I knew I wanted it to be another special event. I had students finish writing their personal narratives, as they were motivated and inspired by author Roni Schotter a few weeks prior. I invited parents to join the celebration where parents and students alike walked around the room and wrote positive comments for each piece of writing. We then had our holiday celebration, with parents included, and we made Sock Snowmen. Everyone enjoyed working together, being creative, and making memories with their children and their classmates. We finished the day with cookies and hot cocoa. 

As my holiday gift, I created "Snowman Soup" with hot cocoa, candy canes, and a special snowflake cookie I ordered from a local bakery. They also each took a book home "Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street" which was signed by Roni Schotter. It was a memorable day for all!


Struffoli Day 2017


Today we spent the day making dozens and dozens of Struffoli & Bows. If you're Italian, you know how much love and dedication goes into Struffoli Day! The kids love helping when they can, but their favorite part is SPRINKLES!! We let them sprinkle all over the final bows and struffoli once they have been covered in honey. 

This tradition began many generations ago, and I have been blessed to be a part of this yearly tradition since I was an infant. I would help my mom, grandmother and great grandmother to make struffoli. Over the years, we lost my great grandmother and added my aunt & cousins. When my grandmother passed away last year it was only two weeks later that we had struffoli day. Our close family friend  Aunt Julie said "let's do it together". She had lost her mom a few months earlier and we all found it to be a happier day that we originally thought it would be. 

This year we had Uncle Mike, Aunt Julie's dad, join us.  Four generations were again in the kitchen kneading, cutting, and honey"ing", all together! It was the best day, the kids wanted to do it every day after, and I was so thankful for the memories we were creating for our children. We are truly blessed!




Author Roni Schotter Visits

Inspiration for All

Back in October I attended the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival. I have been wanting to go for years, but never worked out. When I realized I could go this year I was BEYOND excited. I went with my mom and 5 year old daughter. I brought books to be signed by authors I knew were going to be there. I was like a kid in a candy store, I couldn't contain my excitement!! I walked from author to author, searching for some of my faves... Jane Yolen, Ron Barrett, Bernard Most & Roni Schotter. Little did I know, after meeting Roni and having a conversation about a possible school visit, that she would become a friend!

Below are some pictures I took at the book festival
Ron Barrett
(Illustrator of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs)

Roni Schotter
(Author of  Nothing Ever Happens on 90th street,
 and many many more)

My daughter and me with Biscuit! 

Jane Yolen
(Author of Owl Moon,
 and many others!)

Myself and Jane Yolen













Roni Schotter Visits...

After leaving the book fair, I couldn't wait to email Roni Schotter about a possible school visit. We exchanged emails for a few days and I got the ball rolling. My principal was thrilled and excited to bring an author into the building. After many email exchanges and phone calls, Roni's visit was scheduled. Over the weeks, our bond began to form, and I couldn't wait for my co-workers and students to meet Roni. 

Roni presented to our entire 4th grade, over 200 students, over two presentations. She reviewed her  writing process and reiterated how long it takes to write a book... not just 30 minutes and done, like some of our students like to claim!! She explained the importance of imagination and how it helps her develop story lines. The students, and teachers alike, walked away inspired and eager to get writing. Roni met with teachers for lunch and we asked questions about what inspires her to write and what it's like from her side. She asked us about what it's like to teach writing, the new implementations of common core, and was even surprised to know that NYS used her books as one of their 4th grade mentor texts. Roni so kindly signed books for teachers and the school, with personal messages. She then signed over 200 books that the we sent home as holiday gifts. The students were thrilled to have signed copies of a book they loved from an author who inspired their new found love of writing. It was a wonderful day for all involved!!









Celebrations Galore!


 Gianna's birthday celebration!


We went to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for Gianna's Birthday!
 First trip to NYC, first train ride, and a fun day had by all!!



Move over Carvel... this mommy made a
homemade Super Girl ice cream cake!
Mint Chocolate Chip & Chocolate Fudge Brownie!! 
Dream Big, big girl!!
 

 Thanksgiving

Their annual Turkey Fry picture!

Our first Thanksgiving without Grandma.
This candle is her candle, she was with us in spirit
Our cute little pumpkin and pilgrim girl!



My antipasto platter... remember, our family did own a
deli for years! Gobble Gobble!



At the Frosty Parade
Frosty Parade in Armonk

One of our favorite traditions is celebrating the Frosty Parade with our family. The town has a variety of winter themed activities, hot cocoa and fun! It ends with a parade, featuring Frosty!!


Frosty!!!





Tommy's 4th Birthday

Tommy and his homemade dinosaur cake!
May all of your wishes come true!


Cupcakes for school celebration!


Somewhere Over the Rainbow... Gianna & Tommy's birthday party 2017

Wizard of Oz Birthday


We're off to see the Wizard... the wonderful Wizard called Mom!! This crafty mama had so much fun creating a Wizard of Oz inspired birthday party. This party was filled with Oz themed food & drinks, treats galore, and even a photo booth complete with props! Children and adults alike had a blast following the yellow brick road! 



My cuties enjoying their birthday celebration!


The kiddos (and some momma's) somewhere over the rainbow!

The adorable cake!

My "famous" pretzels...
Look at the adorable ornaments I made for the favor baskets! I created the ruby red ornament by using floor wax & glitter. I used my Cricut to cut out the character silhouette and added some Dorothy inspired blue gingham ribbon! 
Some cuties with their favorite props!
Favor Baskets filled with the ornament, tin man hat kisses, witches slime, yellow brick road rice krispie treats, and lollipop guild lollipops!


Nail polish covered pumpkins...