December 2024 Products

Make December in your classroom special and memorable for every child by including various learning activities.  This is the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be a trying time in the classroom.  Students can be distracted from learning, so it is important to provide interesting activities. If you only know about Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's Eve, there are other special days that you can introduce your students to, from Rosa Parks Day and Cheetah Day to Poinsettia Day and Candy Cane Day. 



Striking a balance between fun and learning is important, and hands-on learning activities are a great opportunity to keep your students engaged. Start the month by celebrating Rosa Parks Day. This remarkable and brave women have two special days. The first is to celebrate her birth on February 4th, and the second is to observe the anniversary of her quiet rebellion and arrest. On the first of December, Rosa Parks boarded a bus in Montogomery, Alabama, on the way back from her work as a seamstress. She took her seat in the colored section, and as the bus began to full, the bus driver asked Rosa to give up her seat. She refused, and the police arrested her. My Fact Booklet about Rosa Parks is a great way to start learning in December. 

On the 4th of December, your animal lovers will enjoy learning about nature’s sprinters.  Counting the number of spots on photos of cheetahs is a great activity to start Cheetah Day. These members of the cat family can accelerate faster than a Ferrari and are the fastest land animals. International Cheetah Day aims to highlight the superpowers of these stunning creatures while raising awareness about Africa’s most endangered feline. Climate change, hunting, and loss of their natural environment make them vulnerable in the wild.



The Poinsettia plant has been linked to the Christmas season since the 16th century in Mexico. According to legend, a poor girl wanted to celebrate Jesus’s birthday, and an angel told her to give a gift with love. So she picked what she thought were weeds, and they bloomed with beautiful red bracts. Today, poinsettias are given around Christmas to represent community spirit and goodwill. They are a great topic for discussion about kindness and the art of gift-giving.



Celebrate the beauty of horses on National Horse Day on December 13th. This is a great way to raise awareness about horses' impact on history, culture, and the economy. Horses help to plough fields, move food into rural areas, and provide equine therapy to promote physical and emotional well-being.

Candy canes have a special day - the 26th of December. These red and white striped canes are often added to hot cocoa and used to decorate trees and stockings. The story behind the tradition of bending a stick is somewhat unclear. One popular story is that a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany, gave children sugar sticks bent into the shape of a shepherd's staff to keep them quiet during the long Christmas service. Plenty of interesting facts exist about the origins of its first celebration and the tradition of hanging candy canes on Christmas trees, which started as early as 1882. December is the perfect time to spend extra time on the arts, and candy canes are amazing inspirations for art and craft projects.



Have a wonderfilled December! Products are found in my store:   https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher 

Importance of Transportation Past, Present, Future

Transportation is a vital part of our daily lives, connecting us to places, people, and services. Whether it’s delivering goods to grocery stores, helping people commute to work, or even enabling us to travel across continents, transportation plays a crucial role in the functioning of modern society. It’s fascinating to see how transportation has evolved over time and continues to innovate, bringing us closer together and creating new possibilities for the future.

The movement of goods and services is a vital part of any economy. Whether it's a small package delivered to your doorstep or cargo shipped overseas, the process involves multiple forms of transportation. A key concept is the integration of  land, water, and air transportation, which ensures that services and products reach their destinations quickly and efficiently. For instance, goods might be transported by truck to a port, shipped by boat to another country, and then flown by plane to the final destination.

The advancements in transportation also bring exciting developments like the futuristic driverless car. As the world looks for sustainable, efficient, and safe transportation solutions, these cars show great promise in reducing congestion and emissions while making transportation more accessible for all.

Transportation is not just about the vehicles we see on the roads or in the sky. It's also about how we engage with the concept of movement and travel from a young age. A picture that perfectly illustrates this is that of a 5-year-old child building a car from cardboard. In this imaginative process, the child is not just playing but also honing skills like problem-solving, creativity, and even engineering, by constructing a vehicle using simple materials.

This young engineer’s work reminds us that transportation is more than just a means to an end—it can inspire innovation and creativity. Whether it’s making a driverless car of the future or a cardboard car built by a child, transportation continues to evolve through creative ideas.

As we look forward to the future of transportation, we celebrate both the history and the new innovations. From classic cable cars to driverless vehicles, the world of transportation is always changing, offering new ways for people and goods to travel.

Children, like the 5-year-old creating a car out of cardboard, are already contributing to this future with their curiosity and inventiveness. Who knows? Perhaps the vehicles they imagine today will inspire the transportation systems of tomorrow.  

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Day of the Dead Holiday

Let’s dive into the rich and colorful world of  El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead), a special Mexican holiday celebrated right after Halloween, on November 1st and 2nd. While many people think of it as a spooky time because of the skulls and skeletons often associated with it, Día de los Muertos is actually a joyous celebration of life! It honors the memories of our ancestors and loved ones who have passed away, filling the days with love, laughter, and reflection.

This special day is a Celebration of Life, Not Death!  Many assume that this holiday celebrates death, but it’s quite the opposite. Día de los Muertos is all about celebrating the lives of those who are no longer with us. Families come together to remember their loved ones, sharing stories, music, and food to keep their spirits alive in their hearts. It’s a time for celebrating life, not mourning loss.

The traditions are full of color and meaning!  It  is steeped in beautiful traditions that have been passed down through generations. Here are some of the most important:

  Altars (Ofrendas)  - Families create colorful altars in their homes to honor their deceased loved ones. These altars are decorated with photos, candles, marigolds and favorite foods or belongings of the departed.

  

 Visiting Gravesites - Families visit the graves of their loved ones, bringing along food, drinks, and gifts to share. Some even spend the whole day (and night!) at the cemetery, reminiscing, singing, and celebrating.

 Pan de Muerto -  This delicious bread, known as "Bread of the Dead," is a staple of the holiday. It’s baked in the weeks leading up to the celebration and is often placed on altars as an offering.

 Music and Dance -  Traditional music and dance play a huge part in  Día de los Muertos, especially during parades and celebrations in towns and cities across Mexico. These vibrant performances are a way to honor the dead while celebrating life.

 Bringing Día de los Muertos to the Classroom In schools,  can be a wonderful opportunity for students to explore Mexican culture through art, storytelling, and creativity. Children often make beautiful, symbolic artwork such as paper marigolds, papel picado (cut-paper banners), and decorative sugar skulls (calaveras). These activities help students connect with the traditions and meanings behind the holiday in a fun, hands-on way.

If you’re looking for ways to bring this celebration into your classroom, I have some exciting resources that will make learning about Día de los Muertos engaging and fun for your students:

My store link:  

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Thankful for these Products!

Welcome, November! As we embrace the chill in the air and the excitement of the upcoming holidays, I am thrilled to share some of my favorite November resources to help you kick off the busy season in the classroom. This is a time of gratitude, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the educators who have supported my products. Your enthusiasm and dedication inspire me, and I hope these resources continue to bring value to your students!

Cultural Exploration: Día de los Muertos

One of my favorite resources for early November is all about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This Mexican holiday offers a rich cultural experience, and your students will love discovering its traditions. My Día de los Muertos Fact Booklet is the perfect tool for diving into the fascinating customs and meanings behind this vibrant celebration. Whether you're discussing the colorful altars or the significance of honoring loved ones, this resource sparks engaging discussions and meaningful learning moments.

Understanding the Importance of Election Day

With November being an election season, it’s the perfect time to introduce students to the basic concepts of voting. My Election Day Fact Booklet simplifies the process, explaining key terms like "ballot," "candidate," and "election" in a kid-friendly way. This resource is designed to help students understand why elections matter and how the process works, making it a great addition to your civics lessons. 

Veteran's Day: Honoring Our Heroes

Another significant November event is Veterans Day.  It's an excellent opportunity to teach students about the brave men and women who have served in the military. My Veteran’s Day Fact Booklet helps students reflect on the importance of service, with opportunities to read, write, and even draw their understanding of what this day means. It's a powerful way to foster respect and gratitude among young learners.

Stone Soup with a Mexican Twist!

Looking for a fun and unique storybook companion? My Cactus or Stone Soup Storybook Companion gives a Mexican twist to the classic "Stone Soup" tale. This is a fantastic opportunity for your students to compare different versions of the same story while also learning about Mexican culture. With crafts, story comparisons, and Mexican food traditions, this resource is a fun and engaging way to broaden students’ cultural awareness, and perhaps even inspire a festive classroom cooking project!

Transition to the Holidays: Christmas Traditions in Mexico

As the holidays approach, why not continue exploring Mexican culture with a focus on Christmas traditions? Mexico has some unique and beautiful customs, such as the use of poinsettias and piñatas during Christmas celebrations, which begin on December 12th. This is a wonderful way to bridge cultures, transitioning from Mexican to American holiday traditions while making comparisons in the classroom.

Comparing Then and Now: Sparking Curiosity  If you're looking to dive into history and ignite curiosity in your students, the Then and Now Fact Booklet is a must-have. Comparing life in the past to modern times often leads to fascinating conversations, and this resource provides a structured way for students to explore changes over time. Sending a copy home encourages family involvement, making it a meaningful, multi-generational learning experience.

Thanksgiving Day: A Time for Reflection and Sharing

Thanksgiving is a special time for reflection, and my Thanksgiving Fact Booklet is designed to help students understand the origins and significance of this cherished holiday. Whether they are sharing stories, drawings, or writings with their families during the holiday season.

Thank You for Your Support!

As we head into the holidayresource promotes independent learning and creativity. It’s the perfect tool to inspire gratitude holiday season, I am deeply thankful for the support of educators like you. I hope these November resources bring joy and learning to your classroom, and that they help you navigate the busy days ahead with ease and creativity.

Wishing you a peaceful and productive November! 

All these resources can be found in my store! 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher

Empowering Young Voices!

Voting is one of the most empowering actions we can take, and it's a vital lesson for young children to learn. Not only does it shape the future, but it also honors those who fought for the right to have a say. As the upcoming presidential election draws near, let’s focus on the positive! 

Imagine our forefathers coming back to cast their vote on something fun from today’s world. Would they choose a cell phone, a microwave, an airplane, or maybe a car?

 

Teaching kids about voting in this way reminds them that their voice counts, and we can’t wait to see which modern marvel will get the most votes. What a fantastic way to celebrate the power of choice! 

All election products are found in my store:  

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Designing a Habitat and the Importance of Habitats

On 7 October 2024, students celebrate World Habitat Day under the theme “Engaging youth to create a better urban future.” This theme is relevant as many young people live in urban areas. A well-planned city has the potential to provide inhabitants with opportunities to realize their dreams. But cities can also be a place with inequality and social exclusion.  Urban populations are increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters like flooding and wildfires. These disasters may increase as our climate changes. 



World Habitat Day highlights the basic right to shelter and the importance of sustainable urban designs and planning. 

By celebrating this day we can plant tiny seeds in our students so that they can contribute to building inclusive urban cities for the future.



Your students can compare and contrast human needs in an urban area with animal habitats from the desert to the ocean and the rainforest and savanna. Animals live and thrive in many fascinating places. Exploring these different habitats will help your students understand how all living things, people, animals as well as plants, need food, water, shelter and space to survive. 

Explore how living things depend on each other, for example, a bird needs a shrub or tree to build a nest. Humans need shelter but our homes are different from what animals think of as homes. Humans need places to share with friends and neighbors. How can you design a city where people can meet and enjoy time together?

World Habitat Day is a chance to explore the importance of habitats, both for humans and animals. Reflect on our responsibilities towards protecting our environment and the species that live there whether it is in the rainforest or an urban park.

Designing product may be found in my store: 

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