Nutcracker Centers

[msharkey]

Hi Everyone!
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This week we are prepping our very excited first graders for our trip to the Nutcracker Ballet. Of course, we have been listening to the music and we will be reading a variety of versions of the story this week.

We began implementing a center based LA program (that is thematically based). I thought doing a Nutcracker theme would be appropriate but I am at a loss for centers.

This is what I have so far (which is not much):

• Making Words Center (using the word NUTCRACKERS) -we'll do it whole group first
• Word Study Center (creating "UT" words)
• Sorting center (sorting names of characters with their pictures, maybe)

I'd really like to include"

• a writing center activity
• an art project/arts and crafts kind of center
• a pocket chart center (can be poetry, sorting, whatever- I've kept it very general)
• a response to hearing the music

I really appreciate the help.
Shark

 

[Lilacs]

Nutcracker

During Guided Reading or as a whole group I have the kids read The Nutcracker Ballet by, Deborah Hautzig (step into Reading level 3). I have the kids do a sequencing activity that can be a little tricky. This is attached below. For listening center I put out the music by Tchaikovsky (our music teacher had it already) and give them a nutcracker to color while they are listening (www.dltk-kids.com/christmas/nutcracker.html). I have them cut it out and glue it to the back of the sequence page (construction paper 9x12). You can find other lessons at www.funlessonplans.com For math I put lots of pictures of toys like those in the story. Each toy has a money value. They pick two and add the prices . They glue the pictures onto a paper and write the math fact for me. I have them use the coins to find the total because we havent learned two digit addition yet. Best of luck and enjoy.

 

[msharkey]

Lilac

Thanks so much for sharing! Great ideas

Shark