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  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
home / Activities / holidays / christmas

christmas

christmas crafts, activities, ideas for families

photo books for kids and family: 15 best, coolest, most clever and creative

photo books for kids and family: 15 best, coolest, most clever and creative

I'm a hardcore fan of the photo book. Actually, I'm a fan of any book, but photo books have a special spot in my heart because I love to make them, …
Read morephoto books for kids and family: 15 best, coolest, most clever and creative

wine bottle gift tags for teachers

Whether you drink wine or not, a nice bottle of wine makes an amazing gift at holiday time or any time of the year. Wine makes a quick gift or a …
Read morewine bottle gift tags for teachers

Cool Advent calendars for teens

Just because our kids are now teens, it doesn't mean that all of our fun family traditions, like the holiday Advent Calendar, need to end! Instead, …
Read moreCool Advent calendars for teens
the polar express night: a holiday family tradition

the polar express night: a holiday family tradition

The Polar Express is more than a book for some people. It's a holiday family tradition that has become an eagerly-anticipated December event! The …
Read morethe polar express night: a holiday family tradition
holiday note gift idea for families: unique, thoughtful, free | teachmama.com

holiday note gift idea for families: unique, thoughtful, and FREE

These holiday notes may turn out to be one of your family's most coveted and meaningful traditions! It's so easy for our little ones (and even adults …
Read moreholiday note gift idea for families: unique, thoughtful, and FREE
thank you delivery people: free printable for families

thank you delivery people: free printable for families

This time of the year is insane. We're moving so quickly, our to-do lists are nuts, and often we're totally forgetting to breathe. At least I am. So …
Read morethank you delivery people: free printable for families
cyber monday: magazine deal for families

must-have magazine deal for families #cybermonday

This is an insane magazine deal, one that I have totally jumped on for my family. It ends today, so you have to act mega-quickly. Like …
Read moremust-have magazine deal for families #cybermonday
advent activity calendar 2017 teachmama.com_

advent activity calendar for kids and family: 2017

We do this every advent season. And the kids love it. I actually contemplated switching things this year--finding another advent activity …
Read moreadvent activity calendar for kids and family: 2017
must have tech gift for families--HP Sprocket || 12 days of smart gifts for kids & family

must have tech gift for families–HP Sprocket || 12 days of smart gifts for kids & family

I love the idea of printing photos, but sometimes it's hard. It's hard to sit down and print the photos that are stuck on your computer or …
Read moremust have tech gift for families–HP Sprocket || 12 days of smart gifts for kids & family
gifts that teach kids the power of giving: animal gifts from heifer international

gifts that teach kids the power of giving: animal gifts from heifer international

The more ways that we can teach our kids that holiday time should be a time for giving, the better. I mean, when it comes down to it, don't our …
Read moregifts that teach kids the power of giving: animal gifts from heifer international
personalized board games | monopoly scrabble } teachmama.com

personalized board games: scrabble and monopoly || 12 days of smart gifts for kids & family

I'm so totally psyched about the holidays this year, and I'm even more excited to share with you my favorite picks for the season. Teach mama's 12 …
Read morepersonalized board games: scrabble and monopoly || 12 days of smart gifts for kids & family

get your holiday cards NOW: for teachmama readers-ONLY!

Friends. Don't get angry, and please don't roll your eyes. I'm trying to help a sister out here, believe me. I want you to check this big thing …
Read moreget your holiday cards NOW: for teachmama readers-ONLY!
family gift tech happy teafchmama.com

cool and creative family gifts

Sometimes it's super difficult to find the right gift for your nephew, niece, or brother-in-law, so why not switch things up a bit? After the …
Read morecool and creative family gifts
handmade gifts for teachers teachmama.com

handmade gifts for the whole family

Friends. You know I've been doing some work with Klutz lately, and it's been a blast. A few weeks ago, we held a twitter event filled where the …
Read morehandmade gifts for the whole family
best gifts for middle schoolers | teachmama.com | teachmama's picks

best gifts for middle schoolers: creative, classic ideas

All year long we're kind of preparing for this list, my friends--our holiday gift picks. Except this year, with an 8, 10, and 11 year old under our …
Read morebest gifts for middle schoolers: creative, classic ideas

best gifts for elementary schoolers: must-have games and fun

Elementary School spans such a wide age range, that it makes sense that this would be our biggest guide. From our teeny Kindergartners at age 5 or …
Read morebest gifts for elementary schoolers: must-have games and fun

best gifts for preschoolers: keep those kids learning all year long!

WOOT! Gift guides are my favorite. As an educator and blogger, I am always on the lookout for products that make sense for kids. And really, …
Read morebest gifts for preschoolers: keep those kids learning all year long!
teachmama gift guide toddlers | smart products for smart families

best gifts for toddlers: must-have presents our little ones

Best gifts for kids and families, 2015. The post that takes me literally all year long to write. It's the list of all lists, and it's the most …
Read morebest gifts for toddlers: must-have presents our little ones
5 cool handmade gifts tweens love to make | teachmama.com

5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make

Let's face it: we're all busy--even our kids. As they get older, they're juggling homework, activities, sports, lessons, chores (ahem. . . ), and …
Read more5 cool handmade gifts that tweens love to make
holiday guess the word game teachmama.com

christmas guess the word game

My kids are basically a captive audience at breakfast, and they have been for a long, long time. Whether they're staring at the cereal …
Read morechristmas guess the word game
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Hot off the presses!

I've been working CRAZY hours because I'm prepping for a launch in the next two weeks. G U L P!

I'm SUPER excited, and I know you will be too.

Read more here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#linkinbio #teachmamatake5 #bestoftheweb #take5 #coolestclubintown
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Loving my new St. Patrick’s Day 🍀 tee and eyeing about 5 others I totally want!

Remember—the more we can get our kids reading, the better! 

So find a fun and festive shirt for everyone in the fam and teach kids phrases like: 

🍀 Saint Patrick’s Day sparks JOY

☘️ Happy Go Lucky

🍀 Team Irish

☘️ Lucky Charm

🍀 Irish I was a little bit taller

☘️ Here for the shenanigans 

🍀 Lucky mama

☘️ A wee bit Irish 

and more!

Right now on Zulily you can grab tees, hoodies, dresses, pj sets, tank tops, slouchy tees, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and more starting at under $20!

Check them out: zulily.gfpv.net/rnegED

#stpatricksdaydecor #linkinbio #saintpaddysday #familyfun🍀 #irishkids #zulilypartner #raiseareader
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If you have not yet met the Buddha Board, today is your lucky day.

The Buddha Board is the ideal way to help kids find focus and to relax, and honestly every family could use one.

I would do anything some days to bring a little big of peace and calm–and zen–to our home. 

With a Buddha Board always out on a shelf, we are always just minutes away from unplugged focus and relaxation.

Have you tried one? 

Here are the deets:
https://teachmama.com/help-kids-focus-and-relax-with-the-buddha-board/

#linkinbio #buddhaboard #calmyourmind #mindfulmoments #unplugged
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Doesn’t it seem like time has become a crazy mashup of virtual-hybrid-normal-life, scattered with the *occasional* bright spot—with an overload of disappointment, confusion, and uncertainty? Like it’s hard to pinpoint what happened exactly last spring or the summer before last or even last fall?

It’s all kind of a jumbled mess?

It feels like that for me. 

But I know this for sure: spending time with these women is truly good for my soul. It’s what my heart needs. Time slows down. I can breathe. 

And it’s what I’m betting everyone needs right now—some time with good friends—sister bffs—friends like family. 

No matter what is going on in the world, these women ground me, help me feel more centered, and fill my heart with so. much. joy. 

I walked Louie this morning with what felt like lighter steps and a bigger smile on my face, and I know it’s because I spent time with beloved friends last night. 

Friends, listen to me: It’s EASY to want to hole up right now and not do much of anything—it’s dark by 5pm, it’s freezing out, it’s grey and gross outside, and we are all so tired. But one night this week or next, call a pal. 

Make plans for coffee or a meal together, and just RECONNECT with some friends. Put on a little lipstick. Dust off that bottle of perfume. Wear a big sweater over a tee shirt and leggings and put on fun earrings. It’s not that hard, but it makes a difference. 

I guarantee it will be exactly what you need and you will move forward the next few days with a brighter spirit. 

Love you, @jessicamcfadd @justicefergie and @sandie_chen so, so, SO MUCH. And love Evie too!! 

Let’s get another date on the calendar stat. 😉😍

(Of COURSE we made beautiful @eve.mcfadden pose with us last night after her dance class because we are her bloggy aunties and have known her since she was 2yo and we love her like our own.)

#wwh #bff4life #ogbloggers #sisterfriends
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Thank you @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen for meeting with Maryland @MomsDemand volunteers to discuss how we can work together to end gun violence in our communities. 

JOIN US at our next event by texting READY to 644-33 to get involved in your community!

#MDGA22 #MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere #DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange
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As a @MomsDemand volunteer, I just met virtually with my #MDGA22 legislators to work to keep our state safe from gun violence. 

I told @delegateericluedtke @senzucker @delegatepamqueen that:

- In 1999, I was teaching English at Wilde Lake HS in Columbia, MD when the Columbine HS massacre took place. I vowed then that I would do everything I could to prevent something like that from happening again. I thought: There is NO WAY this will happen when I have children in school. Laws will change. Surely we will protect our children better.

- In 2007, I had just had my 3rd child, and a month later, the VA Tech shooting took place. I watched the news in horror and thought, please, please, PLEASE let smart people make laws to prevent this from ever happening again. PLEASE. 

- In 2012, I had three kids in elementary school--K, 1st, and 3rd grade, and my husband was an admin at a different school. That same year, 20 children and 6 adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook ES. I joined @sandyhookpromise as soon as it was created. I thought: THIS will be the last one. No more senseless, preventable deaths.

- In 2022, just last week, at Magruder HS, where I once taught English and where my husband coached soccer, there was another shooting. This time with a ghost gun. Every day, I send my 3 children off to high school 10 minutes down the road from Magruder HS, and every day, I plead, pray, and beg God to keep them safe. 

They should not fear for their lives when they walk into school each day, nor should ANY child, any teacher, any administrator, or support staff. Schools should be safe places.

Today, we asked #Maryland lawmakers to prioritize legislation to prohibit the manufacture & sale of ghost guns: do-it-yourself weapons that can be downloaded or purchased online, bypassing the background check system that keeps us all safe. 

Please do the same. Join your local @momsdemand or @studentsdemand 

#UseYourVoice #DoSomething
#MDpolitics #MomsAreEverywhere
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Although I can’t be in Annapolis today, this Maryland @MomsDemand volunteer stands with those there in urging my legislators to protect our state from ghost guns. #MomsAreEverywhere #MDGA22 #MDpolitics

Want to get involved? 

❤️ visit momsdemandaction.org

❤️ share ANY and ALL @momsdemand @studentsdemand or @everytown posts

❤️ share any and all #MDGA22 #MDpolitics posts 

❤️ join this movement and make a difference!

#DoSomething #SaySomething #BeTheChange #EndGunViolence
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🔥 Hot off the presses 🔥

Take 5: here's what happened to me, and here's where we're going. . .

Excited about big things happening over here in 2022. 

Things may look a little different as we release and share, but if you want to stay ‘in the know’, subscribe here: https://take5.teachmama.com/

#herewego #thescoop #herearethedeets #linkinbio
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Time for your New Year’s Family Interview! 

If you haven’t done it yet, it’s OKAY. We are all feeing a little bit behind already this year. 

Be good to yourself. 

Love your people well. 

Head over and grab your *new and improved* New Year’s Family Interviews here: https://shop.teachmama.com/product/new-years-family-interview/

#newyearinterview #familyfun #easytraditions #linkinbio

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