WINTER WONDERLAND . . . IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA??!!

It's a miracle I tell ya!  My little sweeties and I have created the perfect Winter Wonderland within our four little walls.  Never mind that it has been 70-78 degrees outside since January officially opened 20 some days ago.  Despite this unseasonable weather pattern (it's usually in the 50s this time of year), we are rollin' on with our winter studies . . . and the babes couldn't be happier. 

So this is what it looked like outside our little room on Friday.
We actually had a picnic in January!!!  Say Whaaaaaat??
 

On that note, here's a little peek at the super "cool" projects/activities that have helped us get our "winter on" . . . 

BULLETIN BOARD #1
These hot chocolate fact family mugs were just the ticket for our BIG BUDDY project on Friday.  It served up the perfect review and they look so cute on our wall.  These are part of Tangled Up in Teaching's Snow Much Fun Packet.

These look so cute on our math board!
They all pretended to eat the marshmallows or drink their cocoa!

BULLETIN BOARD #2

The writing board needed something seasonal for sure.  Thanks to Susan Moran-Jones over at TGIF (Thank God It's First Grade), we managed to get the best lookin' write up on our wall.  Be sure to check out her Writing Through Winter Packet . . . it's amazing :)

They had so much fun with this write.
It was the PERFECT independent writing center during reading rotations!

BULLETIN BOARD #3

Parts of Speech Snowmen are always a huge hit and this year wasn't any different.  We have been struggling with adjectives this year for some reason and this seemed to shed that much needed "light" in a very fun way.  They let their imaginations run wild with this one . . . #iheartkidart!  This activity is part of my Parts of Speech Snowman Pack!

They wrote two nouns, three verbs, and two adjectives

that go with the word . . . snow!  

BULLETIN BOARD #4

Okay so this is my skywire . . . but it's still a student work area so I am tossing it in there!  I got this great idea from Ms. Carroll (via the Elementary Art Room) a few years back and it always looks so great up in our classroom!  There is something about Snowmen at Night and 1st graders that just works :)  They wrote the cutest things on the back of their art . . . what would you do if you were a snowman at night??

I let 'em go on this one.  Each piece is so unique and showcases who they really are as a kiddo.  The one pictured below is hands down my favorite this year. He's all smoooooshy . . . swoon!  

BULLETIN BOARD #5

The babes finished Skating Through Endings this week.  They really rocked this concept and they so dug all the winter flavor.  Here's another great bulletin board that targets a specific concept . . . learning based boards created by kids are my absolute fave!  This Drop the E craft is part of my latest packet . . . Skating Through Endings!

BULLETIN BOARD #6

We jumped on the penguin train and completed a fun non-fiction study this week.  Animals + Kids = Rockin' Lessons!  At the end of the week, the kids and I created this super simple craftivity . . . Perfectly Penguin.  I have been doing this one for years and it's super easy.  It's a basic 8x8 black construction paper square, 1/2 of an orange piece of construction paper (they craft feet and a beak), and a set of google eyes.  The belly is a simple fact write . . . you can snag the template here.  This is fab-oo for a Friday afternoon when they are so D-O-N-E listening to you :)

They brighten up our middle room door oh so much!
The kids got a kick of of these :)

I love this dude's feet . . . and he nailed the proper noun!
The guy below begged to make flippers/wings to go with his fact.
Sure . . . why not??!!

Alright all you alls . . . there you have it.  A Winter Wonderland in sunny California :)  I'll see you in a week or so with a little somethin' - somethin'.  Thanks for visiting my friends.  

Oh . . . and be on the lookout for this fun FAVORITE THINGS contest over at The Applicious Teacher.  I am giving away one of my personal favorites . . . Main Idea Packet!!!  This ditty starts tomorrow - January 21st :)