Christmas is almost here!

I can't believe that Christmas is next week! I've officially been in Kenya for five months. In some ways that is a long time, in other ways it feels like much longer. I would say that it doesn't feel like Christmas here, except that sometimes in Florida it does feel this warm in December.  

A couple weeks ago we had our elementary school Christmas program. My fourth graders played the recorder and rocked it! 

In my classroom we just finished up The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and students are independently reading Mr. Popper's Penguins (just like back home at Wauchula Elementary School). We got to have more in depth discussions about the Christmas story at Rosslyn and students really enjoyed hearing how the Herdmans really got into the story of Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. We talked about how Jesus came for everyone. I introduced them to the next book about the Herdmans, The Best School Year Ever and now I have a long list of readers who are dying to read it!

In our Kenyan Culture class students got into the Christmas spirit by making ornaments out of recycled items. If you're still looking for ways to decorate your house or tree, find some plastic bottles, paper rolls, bottle caps, or old magazines to recreate some of these great designs.

Bottle Cap snowmen

bottle cap snowmen

bottle cap snowmen

Fun ornament made out of a plastic bottle and some shredded plastic.

Kids painted the bottom of plastic bottles.

Plastic bags were braided together like friendship bracelets- looks really cool when you have different colored plastic bags. 

Some students used old magazines to make these really neat looking ones. 

Old puzzle pieces were glued together  to make wreaths and other designs. 

These are made from toilet paper rolls...just cut and tie together

Add paint...and lots of glitter!

This was a crowd favorite and so easy!

Another group, Jacaranda Kids, came to assist our students in sewing Christmas stockings. Kids had to trace a pattern on the fabric, cut it out, then use a needle and thread to sew it together.

 

love the tie and shirt combo here

They learned different stitches.

It happened to be wacky tacky/hippy day at school.

They did so great!

such crafty kids!

finished product

Items that Jacaranda Kids makes and sells

Jacaranda Kids items

What's more exciting is that this weekend my parents will visit! I'm very happy to get to play tour guide and show them around Kenya. Merry Christmas everyone!