Celebrating a New Year

Wherever you live, it's time to celebrate a new year! Resolutions abound and traditions are followed as we ring in 2015. One of the largest New Year's celebration on earth takes place at Times Square. However, most of us view the Big Apple's ball drop from our television screens. 

Remember when we were kids the excitement of staying up until midnight? We tuned the tv channel to Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve, popped corn, played board games, and waited for the magical moment of midnight to arrive. Then, we blew paper party horns and drank sparking apple cider that made our nostrils tickle. Fun, cheap, simple entertainment that kept us laughing as the countdown began. 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2..1...

May 2105 bring peace and prosperity!

Happy New Year to all my followers and patrons! 

From The Educator Helper

FREE Materials to Celebrate the New Year:

Coloring Sheets for Early Learners

Chinese New Year Student Books to Make

Holiday Giving (and Lots of Freebies for You!) Equals a Merry Christmas

No matter your religion, it's the holidays--a time for giving! Putting smiles on the faces of others and helping others in need is what the season is about. Forget about the commercialism of the holiday season. Instead, focus on the reason for the season--giving. 

How about a favorite holiday memory? I know you have one...share it with your students, and encourage them to share their stories, in turn. For more memory making, try Nostalgic Ornaments (see samples of all items at the bottom of the post), print out your Santa list, write a holiday comic book or story, and help Santa find his missing suit! Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy the season by sharing your newly made items with family and friends, or enlist others to help create holiday items to take those shut-in at hospitals and nursing homes. 

Revisit childhood memories of the holiday season.

Do you remember when:

1. Electronics meant gifts that run on batteries?
2. Action figures couldn't move--there was no real "action"?
3. Hardback books were all the rage? Then, paperback books ruled?
4. You got an 8-track player (am I that old?!)? A cassette player? A VCR?
5. You went to the movie store to buy a movie?
6. You and all your friends got new bikes to ride on Christmas morning?
7. Sacks from Santa held apples, oranges, peppermints, and walnuts?
8. Silver, tinsle Christmas trees flocked with fake snow were "in"?
9. There was no selfies to post during the holidays?
10. Handmade, handwritten Christmas cards were delivered to your door?

As time passes, and traditions change, one thing remains the same--the spirit of giving during the holiday season. 

A huge "Thank you!" to my followers and patrons as we close out 2014 and look forward to a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!
                                       Beth, the Educator Helper

Christmas "Give"-Aways:
Click here for complete lessons

                             

For complete lesson plans, click here