My Favourite Board Games to play with Pre-Schoolers and Infants

I have to admit that I have a bit of an obsession with board games. I always try to turn my lessons in school into games.

Why play board games?

From a cognitive perspective playing board games have a hugely positive impact on brain development. They help acquire logical and reasoning skills, boost critical thinking and spatial reasoning. Playing board games also support the learning of social and communication. They help improve verbal abilities and attention skills by encouraging a child concentrate and focus for longer periods of time. Games that involve dice develop mathematical skills such as 1-1 correspondence (I roll 2 on my dice and I count on 2 spaces). Did I also mention that it is a tonne of FUN!!!!

I thought that I’d share some of my favourites and a few recent purchases including one that is winging it’s way to me with Amazon.

My First Snakes and Ladders

Screen Shot 2018-08-12 at 10.26.24

I don’t know how I survived so long without this one!!! It is for 3+years but suitable for all ages if you just want a quick game. It goes from 0-47. My First Snakes and Ladders has some really well thought out features. The squares on the board are huge! There are arrows to direct you on each level. The start and finish are obviously marked. I’d give this Marks and Spencers Game a 10/10 and I’m not that easily pleased.

IMG_0557.jpg

Just to note, I didn’t use the counters provided. I hate flat counters. I use the lids of Ella Organic Pouches. They come in an array of colours and are chunky enough for little hands to use.

Click here to purchase.

Plan Toys Mini Stacking Game; 4133

IMG_0558

This is a super fun mini-game that comes in a tin. It’s great to bring on a trip away, aeroplane, to a sleepover etc. Got to love small and portable. This game tests colour recognition and hand-eye coordination. You roll the coloured dice and place a counter of the corresponding colour on the tower. Great problem-solving skills promoted too. You need to work out what is the best counter to choose from the colour rolled and what way to place it.

This Plan Toys Stacking Game is part of a bigger series of Mini-Games and Toys that are perfect for throwing into your bag and can be played anywhere. I just know that I will end up purchasing the whole range. I purchased my Plan Toys Stacking Game from Babipur. Babipur is a fantastic website with tonnes of ethically manufactured toys and games.  I know that it can be daunting to purchase from a retailer that you haven’t heard of before. I have made many, many purchases from Babipur and I have never been disappointed.

Click here to purchase Plan Toys Mini-Stacking Game.

Little Circuit by Djeco 

IMG_0555.JPG

This game is beyond cute and a great way of teaching 1-1 correspondence. It is suitable from age 2 1/2 yrs to 5. I play it with a 2 1/2-year-old and it’s always a huge. hit.  You construct the game board for Little Circuit as if you are building a jigsaw. The counters are actual toy animals so they are easy to hold. It’s also a fun twist to have such large counters. You really do feel as if you are taking your animals for a walk.  You roll the coloured dice and move to the next square of that colour. If you roll a bee you move back and a flower allows you to move on.

IMG_0554.JPG

I purchased Little Circuit in an amazing shop called Pinocchio’s Toys & Gifts. It’s located on 2 Paul St, Cork, Ireland. It’s a street that runs parallel to Patrick’s Street. I am not joking when I say that I could happily spend my entire wage packet there! They have the most amazing wooden toys and a really good selection of DJECO toys. The staff are so friendly, helpful and knowledgable too. It’s a bit of a drive for me so I make it a “go to” destination before Christmas to stock up. You can find them on Facebook and on their website http://www.pinocchios.ie.

What are your favourite games? I’d love to hear. Leave me a message in the comments section.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Advertisement

Twinkl, Twinkl… You are a star!

I wanted to let you all know about my new BFF: Twinkl. I have become a huge fan over the last year for a number of reasons.

My school is reducing the number of textbooks that pupils use. YAH!!! I’m not a big fan of workbooks. I won’t go into that now as it would be a blog post in itself. The knock on effect of no textbooks is a greater need for hands on resources, good quality hands on resources.

I will walk you through my year with no textbook for S.E.S.E (Science, History, Geography). Well, those are prop heavy topics when you don’t have resources laid on with a textbook.

I will give you a detailed example of how I created a unit based around minibeasts , Naturama and Twinkl resources.

I purchased Naturama on the advice of a colleague. Wow, what a book!!! Naturama is divided into the 4 Seasons. I based my minibeast and nature studies around the content  for each season. Basically, at the start of Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer I whipped out Naturama. We read about the signs of the season and then went hunting for them.

Screen Shot 2017-07-28 at 14.07.42

Click here to see more about Naturama.

I found the most perfect resources from Twinkl to accompany and support this unit for the entire school year. I created a bulletin board that we could update as the season progressed. I hope that you like it!!!

IMG_9930

I apologise for the poor quality of this photo. My classroom is so bright that it was really difficult to get a photo where nothing was glaring!!!

I began by printing my Minibeast Investigation Lab sign. Too cute to pass up!! Then I printed an laminated a copy of high quality photos of minibeasts. I also printed and laminated a Minibeast Hunt Checklist and a Minibeast Description Word Mat. I now had everything I need to explore minibeasts the whole year through!

We read, for example, Autumn in Naturama. I pulled out the photos of the minibeasts mentioned in the chapter. We explored them using the Minibeast Description Word Mat. We researched and learned about those that were unfamiliar.  The following lesson we reviewed what we would be likely to find on our minibeast hunt, where we would find them etc. Then it was off for our Minbeast Hunt!!!

At the end of the Minibeast Hunt we pinned up the minibeasts that we had located and checked them off on our Minibeast Hunt Checklist. We pondred why we did not locate some of those mentioned in Naturama: our school environment didn’t have a pond etc.

Those resources remained on your notice board ready for revisiting at the beginning of the next season. The permanent display kept the topic alive in our minds. Kids would excitedly tell me about what they saw at home, in the park… eager to get another photo up on the display!!! Our rule was that it must be located in our school habitat. We often did multiple minibeast hunts per season to see if we could add more to our wall of fame!!!

With the passing season more photos and checklists would be placed on the display. The checklists allowed and indeed encouraged us to compare and contrast our season finds.

IMG_9642IMG_9897

IMG_9892

I hope that you find this blog post useful and that it encourages you to get out there and hunt for minibeasts. These resources would be great in any classroom or indeed any home. I love that I could print and use actual photos instead of the usual clipart ones that are available.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

I was given access to TWINKL but all thoughts and opinons are my own.

Top Reads for Valentine’s Day

I thought that you might like to see my favourite books for Valentine’s Day. I have been busy updating my library and these are my latest purchases. You have just enough time to order them for your littles one’s Valentine gift so don’t delay…

The first is Love from the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This book is just adorable.

screen-shot-2017-02-07-at-19-41-37

This cute book explores what love means: ‘You are the cherry on my cake’

Screen Shot 2017-02-07 at 19.43.31.png

‘You are the bees knees’

screen-shot-2017-02-07-at-19-44-46

It’s a small book with lots of sentiments. It would be a lovely gift for a Grandparent either… Just saying…

Click here to purchase Love from The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Screen Shot 2017-02-07 at 19.47.25.png

I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld is another heart-warming  book. A real feel good factor. It just warms your hear to read. How wonderful to hear someone telling you that:

Screen Shot 2017-02-07 at 19.47.41.png

 

or

‘I wish you more stories than stars’

screen-shot-2017-02-07-at-19-47-51

It’s one for my top new finds. Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon and The Colour Monster make my current top 3 book purchases. Click here to purchase I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

Screen Shot 2017-02-07 at 19.53.27.png

Love Monster is a slightly hairy monster trying to fit in with the cuddly residents of Cutesville. But as it turns out, it’s hard to fit in with the cute and the fluffy when you’re a googly-eyed monster. And so, Love Monster sets out to find someone who will love him just the way he is. His journey is not easy―he looks high, low, and even middle-ish. But as he soon finds out, in the blink of a googly eye, love can find you when you least expect it.

Screen Shot 2017-02-07 at 19.55.22.png

I won’t spoil the ending for you…!!! It’s a great book to explore how we all need someone to love and that we should never give up on finding it. Click here to purchase Love Monster. 

I hope that you have found a book or two to add to your Valentine collection.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh

Books for little ones this Christmas​: Primary School edition

screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-21-15-43

I will be reading this one to my class over the coming weeks. A nice introduction to Winter without the mention of the “C” word!.  It is beautifully illustrated and has an almost vintage feel about it. I have fallen in love…

“Deep in the woods on the coldest day of winter a little boy drops his mitten. And that lost mitten stretches and stretches — and stretches — to provide shelter for many woodland creatures. A Ukrainian folk tale.” Purchase it here. 

Screen Shot 2016-11-20 at 21.19.11.png

A twist on the classic Gingerbread man tale. Seriously, how cute is the Gingerbread Baby? He stole my heart years ago. I actually purchased this tonight but as a board book this time. I can’t wait to read it to a certain someone!

“Remember how the Gingerbread Boy is eaten by the fox? Well, not this Gingerbread Baby in a delicious twist to a favorite old tale.It all begins when Matti opens the oven too soon and out jumps a cheeky little Gingerbread Bay. He leads Matti’s mother and father, the dog and the cat. And a whole colorful cast of characters on a rollicking chase through the village and into the forest, staying just out of reach, daring them to catch him along the way.But Matti’s not with them. He’s at home in the borders making what turns out to be a gingerbread house into which the Gingerbread Baby runs. Only Matti knows he is safely inside. And readers will too when they look under the lift-the-flap gingerbread house at the end of the story, and there he is!” Purchase it here.

Screen Shot 2016-11-20 at 21.22.43.png

Please, please purchase this gem of a book if you live in Ireland. I have purchased some as Christmas gifts and have ordered one for my class too. It is so very rare to find a specifically  Irish nature book. The authors have just knocked this one out of the ballpark!!! Incredibly accurate and detailed illustrations. Just enough information and facts to get you started. The Irish Wildlife Trust receive a commission for each book sold. What a great cause. Purchase it here.

Screen Shot 2016-11-20 at 21.23.10.png

Screen Shot 2016-11-20 at 21.22.59.png

screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-21-28-32

A big shout out to my dear friends Maria, Valeria and Hugo for introducing this to me. I have this on my literacy scheme for school. It’s a great way to open the topic of feelings and emotions. It’s a must for SPHE or indeed any home.

“One day, Colour Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through colour. A gentle exploration of feelings for young and old alike”. Purchase it here.

screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-21-29-03screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-21-28-46

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Books for little ones this Christmas: Pre-school edition

One of my absolute favourite gifts to purchase for any child is a book. It’s my “go-to” for all occasions and celebrations. I thought that I’d take a few moments to list a few of my old and new favourites of the past year. There is still plenty of time to order them for the little ones in your lives!

screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-21-00-26

I am totally obsessed with this book and know it by heart since purchasing it a few month ago. It’s a great tale about respect, friendship and the power of friends coming together for a common goal. It is so well written that it just trips off the tongue. A fantastic story to get even the youngest child to join in. Purchase it here.

screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-21-04-17

It’s no secret that I am a huge Dr. Seuss Fan. “Wet foot, dry foot. Low foot, high foot…” It’s a great way to introduce opposites. It is chock full of Dr. Seuss rhyming so it’s a great read from cover to cover. Purchase here.

screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-21-06-51

I stumbled on this cute series at Halloween and made a few purchases. I am looking forward to reading this one in the coming weeks. When I say read, well it’s a word or two per page. It’s pretty much a picture book so you could let your imagination go wild on this one. You get to see them skating, sledding, and making snow angels and helping Duck decorate their Christmas tree. Cute, simple and one theme. Purchase it here. 

screen-shot-2016-11-16-at-09-54-58

I’ve owned this book for over 15 years. If you have an interest in the story of the Nativity then this is a must. A hilarious retelling from the perspective of the Inn Keeper. He is far from impressed with all of that knocking at his door!! Purchase it here.

Have fun,Miss Mernagh 🙂

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Platypus Reader Response Activity

I think that I might have Platypus, by Chris Riddell, for as long as I’ve been teaching. Well, maybe not quite that long but it’s a firm favourite.

“A big rock. Some slimy seaweed. An old shoe. None of these is quite what Platypus wants for his special collection. Then he finds a beautiful curly shell–perfect! But the next morning his curly shell is gone. Where can it be?
The star of a brand new series from acclaimed author-illustrator Chris Riddell, the thoughtful, lively, and always curious Platypus is a wonderful companion for every young child.”

Screen Shot 2016-09-10 at 14.08.42.png

Platypus is just beyond adorable to read. I like to do so early in the year as it’s a very simple read and visiting the beach is not a dim and distant memory. It’s easier to make a “text to self-connection” to the beach in September than in December.

Now that I am teaching Senior Infants I have created a more text rich reader response activity to accompany our reading of Platypus by Chris Riddell. Platypus is a fan of collecting little trinkets and is looking to expand his collection. I have created two different reader response activities to accompany our reading of Platypus. Both involve making a “text to self-connection”. Here they are:

Screen Shot 2016-09-10 at 14.23.01.png

Screen Shot 2016-09-10 at 14.23.08.png

Click here to download both

Platypus by Chris Riddell is a series of books. Unfortunately, I only own one. They only seem to be available on Amazon at the moment. Click here for a link. I’m a Book Depository kind of gal so I am a little bit disappointed by this. I’d really love to have the entire Platypus series.  I might have to bite the bullet and order them from Amazon. I know that they will be well worth it.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh

Back to school prep: Speeding Tickets

Speeding Tickets for classrooms seem to be the next big thing on Pinterest. Have you ever used them?! I seem to spend a lot of time writing notes on textbooks and worksheets to that effect. Same kids every time but that’s a different story… Do you feel me?

Anyway, I’ve been tempted to use Speeding Tickets in the past but they always seemed to wordy for my little kiddos. I was messing around with graphics the other day and decided to try my hand at making my own Speeding Tickets. My speeding tickets don’t have that many words on them at all. I wanted to keep them simple and clear so my Senior Infants can read them. I think the simple act of stapling a Speeding Ticket to their work should a great way to reinforce the need to take time and care when completing assignments.

Screen Shot 2016-07-13 at 14.41.20.png

I generally don’t blog about resources that I haven’t used yet. Obviously, I am on Summer Break and haven’t yet trialed them. Let me know what you think.

Let me know what you think. Do you have any tips to share?

Screen Shot 2016-07-13 at 14.47.33.png

Click here to download my speeding ticket pdf. I simply photocopied mine onto red card to make them “pop”.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

What’s in my shopping cart?!

I know that it’s only the first day of summer but I’ve already started shopping and prepping for next year. I thought that you all might like to be kept in the loop!

The first thing that my work colleague and I ordered was more personalised stampers from www.superstickers.com. I have purchased from them before and just can’t say enough about them!!! I love their stampers and their stickers. The quality is amazing. The stamper ink doesn’t bleed through the page. They come in all sorts of designs and colours. I like the option to personalise a whole lot. They last really, really well. Get the picture? I love http://www.superstickers.com!!!

I always struggle with keeping up with absences in workbooks. I have the best on intentions to write “absent” on the relevant pages. It happens most of the time, well some of the time… Well, that’s all about to change!!! I created an Absent Stamper using http://www.superstickers.com. You can see the process below. I chose red ink to make it pop. I am hoping that my “Lucky Duck” will be in charge of the stamper. I am guessing that the average 6yr old will be highly motivated to stamp workbooks of those absent?! Time will tell but I’m optimistic.

Screen Shot 2016-07-01 at 16.40.42

I am playing around with a few more stampers like this one:

Screen Shot 2016-07-01 at 16.39.13

I think that it could be really useful too. I seem to write this phrase more than I would like to…

I also fancy ordering these ones:

Screen Shot 2016-07-01 at 16.42.45

You’d almost think that this is a sponsored post for www.superstickers.com! It isn’t, I just really  love their products. I take some photos when I place my final order.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

My Dyslexia Resource Kit

Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 09.17.45

I’ve had a few requests to fill you in on all of the resources I brought with me to my dyslexia talk. Here it goes people… I’m going to list them by table starting with the back left one:

I hope that you find this useful in your classroom/home. Leave a comment below if you have any resources that you think should be on my list!!!

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Dyslexia Must Buy Resources

I was delighted to have the opportunity to hold a talk last night on Dyslexia. The Wexford Library Service have always been a great support and encourager mine. It was great to get to “talk” and demonstrate rather than just blogging. It was actually really, really hard to keep to time and I had 1.30hrs!!! There was just soon much to cover. I tried to have a good mix between understanding the neurobiology and what you can and should actually do in a classroom or home setting. I lugged as much as I could from my personal resources.

Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 09.18.45

Here are two of the key resources that any teacher or indeed parent should have. Knowledge is power. These little gems will be a great reference tool to add to your collection. I’ve had both of these for years and they are pretty wrecked from use. I really struggled to find a ‘clean page’ to photograph. By this I mean a page that didn’t look worn,  selloptaped etc. I really, really use these: Jolly Phonics Word Book and Prim-Ed Spelling Essentials.

Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 11.17.35

The Jolly Phonics Word Book is a fantastic resource for phonetically regular word list. Here is a peak at the menu:

Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 11.23.02.png

I always keep my Jolly Phonics Word Book by my side for literacy lessons in class. I actually am the proud owner of two of these. I have a copy for home use as I find the Jolly Phonics Word Book so vital for my fortnightly planning and literacy schemes.

The Jolly Phonics Word Book is worth its weight in gold for your phonics lesson or indeed home practice to support classroom learning. It’s simply a compilation of word lists that correspond to the phonemes and digraphs (a.k.a “sounds”) taught in Jolly Phonics. It’s worth noting that the Jolly Phonics Word Book would be a great buy even if you are using an alternative phonics programme.

You will never again run out of or blank on words that contain the chosen sound. When you have 34 kids in your class and you are looking for a different word per child then this is “the bomb”.

Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 11.25.24.png

Click here to purchase the Jolly Phonics Word Book. It costs 3.47 Euro and the postage is free.

Prim-Ed Spelling Essentials is another god send for lesson planning. It’s more a great reference for lesson planning or homework support. It helps to explain all of the most common and important spelling patterns that we need to teach all readers but especially those with language processing difficulties such as Dyslexia.

Prim-Ed Spelling Essentials is a really easy to use reference tool for parents, teachers and kids. It is extremely comprehensive as you can see from the image of the index:

Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 11.33.19

Here is an even more detailed look inside the front cover of Prim-Ed Spelling Essentials:

Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 13.12.51

These spelling rules, taught in a multi-sensory and systematic way would make a huge impact on reading, writing and spelling.

As you can see, Prim-Ed Spelling Essentials, is like a dictionary for spelling rules. Find the rule in the index and refer to the relevant rule. This could be an indispensable reference tool for an older child to check if they are spelling a word correctly.  I think Prim-Ed Spelling Essentials would complement any instructional programme. I wore this book out when I was studying for my Masters in Special Education and tutoring children with Dyslexia.

Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 13.15.27.png

It’s hard to believe the price of this book. Prim-Ed Spelling Essentials is 2.99Euro!!! I know, it’s incredible!!! Click here to purchase from the Prim-Ed Website.

For less than 7.00Euro you can  have an amazing amount of information at your fingertips. I hope that you find these books as indispensable as I do.

Do you have an essential that you would like to recommend? Please leave a comment below or message me on Facebook. I’m always on the hunt for new resources.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Free Roll Say Keep Printable

I decided to “funk up” a very, very old favourite resource of mine: “Roll, Say, Keep”. “Roll Say Keep” is just one of those incredibly useful and versatile resources. All you need to play is a dice, relevant flashcards and a “Roll Say Keep” template per child.

Screen Shot 2016-01-22 at 09.28.40

How to use “Roll Say Keep” in your classroom or home:

High Frequency word practice

Screen Shot 2016-01-22 at 09.46.46

Phonics practice:

Here we were practicing phonemes and digraphs

Screen Shot 2016-01-22 at 10.21.12.png

Here we were practicing “ee/ea” sounds

Screen Shot 2016-01-22 at 10.19.52.png

Maths Facts:

Screen Shot 2016-01-22 at 10.20.30.png

The list of uses for “Roll Say Keep” is pretty much endless!!!! My Differentiated Instruction Cubes are making another appearance in this blog post. They are one of my top 5 favourite teacher resources of all time. I swear that I’d be lost without them!!! You can purchase them here.

Screen Shot 2016-01-22 at 09.51.50

I have inserted 5 Frame images in this instance to encourage “subitising” of number as well as literacy practice. Double whammy. Love it!!!

How to play:

Roll the dice and find the corresponding flashcards e.g Roll a 6 and you must read/answer the card in the number 6 dice box. If you can read/answer it you keep it.The card is removed from the gameboard and another placed in that box. The winner is the first to correctly win “X” number of flashcards. If the word/answer if unknown remove it from the board too and set aside for practice either/instruction.

You can download my free ‘Roll Say Keep’ template by clicking here: roll say keep.

 

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Frozen Themed Phonics Game

With “back to school” around the corner I figured that you might be in the market for a fun phonics game! By using “Frozen” as my theme it is still “Winter-themed” but with no reference to Santa!!!  My Frozen  themed phonics game is designed for your pupils to revise or explore “ai words”.

Frozen is very simple to make and to set up. You simply need a large bag of cotton wool balls /snowballs and to laminate the “ai” words sheets provided. Cut out the snowballs and toss them into a container. My pupils really loved “digging in the snow” to find the “ai” words. My Frozen  themed phonics game would be a great addition to your Literacy Lift Off stations.

Screen Shot 2016-01-02 at 14.47.27

The “winner” gets to take home a lovely certificate :Screen Shot 2016-01-02 at 14.47.18

Detailed instructions on how to play my Frozen themed phonics game are included in the download. Enjoy!!!

Click here to download my Frozen ai game.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Gingerbread Man themed Differentiated Instruction Cube insert

Regular readers will know that I have something of an obsession with Differentiated Instruction Cubes. You will notice them popping up in my maths and phonics games. Differentiated Instruction Cubes are incredibly versatile. I have used them for all sorts of subjects across lots of different grade levels.

146006

If you don’t have Differentiated Instruction Cubes then I urge you to click here and purchase a set or two!!

I have created this free Gingerbread Man themed Differentiated Instruction Cube insert to liven up any or all of your maths games. It would be a super cute addition to my Christmas Themed Roll and Cover Game

Screen Shot 2015-12-05 at 09.51.04

Click here to gingerbread man dice.

If you are a fan of the Gingerbread Man then you should consider visiting The Gingerbread Man Pre-Primer Game that I created last Christmas. It uses my Differentiated Instruction Cubes too.

Image 4

Click here to download The Gingerbread Man Pre-Primer Game.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Christmas Themed Roll and Cover Game

My approach to Christmas can be defined as “go big or go home”!!!! I just love to use my thematic planning to incorporate as much Christmas themed learning as possible. It really is the easiest approach as silly season begins. I am a HUGE fan of Roll and Cover Games. Obviously, Christmas Themed Roll and Cover Game is essential kit for me.

Roll and Cover Game have so many variations to how they can be played:

  • roll a dice
  • roll a numeral dice
  • roll two dice, add and cover that many images
  • using my differentiated learning cube I insert sight vocabulary. Roll a word. If you can read it you can cover an image.

Roll and Cover maths games have the added advantage of exposing children to Algebra/Patterning while also encouraging left-right, top-bottom orientation. You begin on the first Santa. The winner is the first to reach the Christmas Tree.

Screen Shot 2015-12-02 at 09.16.58.png

Click here to download my  christmas themed roll and cover game

I hope that you have lots of fun playing this!!!!

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh 🙂

Christmas Resources for your Classroom

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!! I’ve had a few enquiries about Nativity Plays etc. With that in mind I have decided to blog about some of my favourite Christmas resources. I’m sure that they would make a fantastic addition to your classroom!!!

It’s Christmas David by David Shannen is one of my absolute favourite Christmas themed book. It is part of the “No David” series of books. Guaranteed to have your class rolling around the floor in hysterics. It’s the top of my “must buy” Christmas list. Click here to purchase It’s Christmas  David.

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 08.55.21

“The bestselling star of NO, DAVID! turns Christmas traditions upside down with laugh-aloud humor. Readers of all ages will vividly remember trying to peek at hidden gift packages; writing scrolls of wish lists to Santa; and struggling to behave at formal Christmas dinner parties. Always in the background, we know Santa Claus is watching, soon to decide if David deserves a shiny new fire truck or a lump of coal under the tree. From playing with delicate ornaments to standing in an endlessly long line for Santa, here are common Christmas activities–but with David’s naughty trimmings. A surefire hit that is destined to be an annual classic.”

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 08.55.34.png

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 08.56.35.png

If you would like to tie It’s Christmas David into your Writer’s Workshop or Aistear theme then this printable might be right up your alley!

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 09.01.20.png

Click here to download

Christmas: A language theme for the Early Years by Prim-Ed. I find in very, very useful to have  Christmas themed  copymasters to dip into. There is something about this time of year that sends teachers running to the photocopier at short notice… Perhaps it’s just me? It always seems that the last few weeks are a  bit disrupted: church services, nativity shows, visits  from Santa…

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 09.17.56.png

I recently added the following to my arsenal: Christmas: a language theme for the early years is a fantastic resource for Senior-First class. It says 5-6yrs on the cover but I feel that most activities are a little too challenging for most Junior’s at this time of year. If you teach Senior -1st then the book would be a good value investment. They would really be able to sink their teeth into the creative writing aspects of the book. It would be a great resource for Literacy Lift Off or Aistear either.

Here are a few sample pages from Christmas: a language theme for the early years:

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 09.18.57.png

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 09.19.49.png

Click here to purchase Christmas: a language theme for the early years

If you purchase by midnight tonight, 30th November you can avail of Prim-Ed’s Cyber Monday deal. Don’t forget to use the code: Black40!!!

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 09.09.50.png

I find myself using even more stickers than usual at this time of the year. I find it very hard  impossible to resist Christmas themed stickers!!

While you are adding the Christmas Prim-Ed book to your shopping cart why not pick up some stickers too? Prim-Ed may not spring to mind when you think of stickers. They have really diversified their sticker collection this year and are well worth a purchase.

They have some super cute Christmas themed ones.  I could easily stock up for the rest of the year and avail of their free shipping for over 25Euro.

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 12.57.46.png

Click here to explore Prim-Ed’s sticker range. 

The Gingerbread Man is a timely read and always plays a big role in my thematic planning for Christmas. Here a lovely Maths themed unit for you to spruce up your Gingerbread Man unit with.  The printables that come with it are just darling! The Mailbox have it nailed!

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 12.47.08.png

Click here for a link.

Colouring Sheets are another vital survival tool for the month of December. I never seem to want to use the ones that I downloaded last year. Anyone else have the same affliction?!  Here are a few to add to your collection if you are itching for some new ones! These are from Oriental Trading. How I wish that they had a European base so I didn’t have to deal with importation taxes….

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 12.46.18.png

Click here for a link to Oriental Trading Learning Christmas Themed colouring sheets. 

I hope that you all find something nice to update your Christmas themed units with.

Have fun,

Miss Mernagh