Christmas Theme Unit Crafts for Kindergarten and Preschool

After reading the popular book If You Take A Mouse To The Movies by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond the children could discuss what senses were used in the book. After the emergent reader Christmas Mouse would be used to model the reading process. It could be made into a big book, predictable chart, displayed on the overhead or reprinted on chart paper. Sample pages of the book are displayed below. The children could be actively involved in using their five senses to complete the book. The story line reads as follows:

What happens when mouse goes to the mall?

He smells the gingerbread cookies (ginger and cinnamon could be sprinkled on the cookie for the children to smell).

He wants to taste one.

He sees the tree.

He wants to decorate one (children would decorate the tree as shown in the photo).

He hears the bells. (little bells could be added for children to hear).

He wants to shake one.

He touches Santa's suit. (red felt could be glued to the suit for the children to feel).

He wants to wear one.

He is a Christmas mouse!

Sample Page from the Reader

Note: Larger pictures are also available to make the big book. The pictures would be glued on poster board and the print would be enlarged to make the big book. Sample shown above.

Another Emergent Reader

In the link below you will find a sample page from another emergent reader. The story line is simple and repetitive. It also discusses the use of the senses at Christmas.

Sample Page from Another Emergent Reader

Emergent readers found in the Christmas theme book and member's area.

Christmas Mouse Crafts - A Great Follow-up to Reading the Emergent Readers

The Christmas mouse template would be painted, cut, assembled and other features added as shown in the photograph.

Christmas Mouse Candy Cane Tree Decoration

1, Copy the templates on card stock.

2. Cut the templates to use for tracers.

3. The template shapes could be traced on foam craft sheets.

4. The foam pieces would be assembled to represent a mouse as shown in the photograph.

5. You can use white glue to assemble the mouse but the candy cane would require a hot glue gun.

All craft templates are found in the Christmas theme unit or member's area.

Emergent Reader Introducing the Letter "Qq"

The emergent reader "Quietly, Quietly" is about how quietly Santa travels to a little girl's house. It introduces the letter "Qq" within its story context. A sample page from the reader is found in the link below:

Sample Page from the Emergent Reader "Quietly, Quietly"

Letter "Qq" Recognition - Picture Mnemonics

This craft activity involves children being actively involved in associating the picture to letter and more effectively making this more meaningful to them. The purpose is to have them associate the letter "Qq" to the initial sound in "quiet". The children can sponge-paint the letter "q" Christmas colors. Santa in the center of the picture represents the word "quiet" for the beginning sound of the letter "q".

Santa Shape Letter

On page 4 of the Christmas Theme unit and in the members' area you will find a Santa outline as shown to the left. This can be used to make a Santa letter or shape book.

Christmas Literacy Center Ideas

In the members' area or theme book you will find the following:

Color alphabet tree cards - there are two different sets. Older children can match the upper-case letters to the lower-case letters. Younger children can match the same letters.
There are also 18 color Christmas picture cards. The children can match the beginning sound with the correct alphabet letter. For example, the picture of a candy cane would be matched with the letter Cc. These picture cards could also be used for instructional purposes (shown to the right).

Christmas Math Center Ideas

You will find Christmas tree cards as displayed below. The children put the correct amount of decorations on the tree.

Another Christmas Math Idea

To encourage counting and using one-to-one number correspondence, hang a stocking and have children guess how many candies will fill the stocking. Have them count how many will fit into the stocking without the candy falling out.

More Christmas Theme and Craft Suggestions Click Here

Information on How to Gain Access to This Theme Plus