Finger Family

To my wonderful teachers out there, I would like to share one of my all time favorites:
"Tommy thumbs up"
My version that I learned is a little bit different than the ones found online nowadays.

Tommy thumbs up
And Tommy thumbs down
Tommy thumbs dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.

Peter Pointers up
And Peter Pointers down
Peter Pointers dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.

Tall mans up
And Tall mans down
Tall mans dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.

Ring Fingers up
And Ring Fingers down
Ring Fingers dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.

Baby Pinkies up
And Baby Pinkies down
Baby Pinkies dancing
All around town.
Dance 'em on your shoulders
Dance 'em on your knees
Dance 'em on your head
And *kiss kiss* tuck 'em into bed.

Go Away Big Green Monster

GO AWAY BIG GREEN MONSTER.
When I first heard about the story in a schooling, I thought it was the best story that was ever invented! So I made a felt story based on that book. Now this my product of this felt story isn't as nice as the ones you see on google images, but it will do on such short notice. I do, however, need to emphasize that you should use this story with caution. I made felt stories that winter and gave them to my group of Early Childhood Educators. When I gave my classmate AI  "Go Away Big Green Monster", she refused to accept it because one boy learned, "Go Away" and used it against their parents.

So today at my circle time I decided to share the story and change the terms a little bit from "Go Away" to "Bye Bye". Just after reading the title, a child shouted out: "HEY, IT'S 'GO AWAY' not bye bye. I have the story at home" as she rolled her eyes. That's when I broke a sweat and just said, "Oh good, just seeing if you're listening to the story!" So, I ended up using "Go Away". By the way, these children are under four, they can't exactly read it.
Shame on me.
Although, after the story, I spoke to them about the phrase, "Go Away". Only used for monsters=)
* This post is dedicated to you AI =)

I was very grateful this holiday season. I had a lot of vacation days and was able to reconnect with myself, my family and friends.

One of the things that was greatly accomplished was a serious "gingerbread-house-making" day, which is made of graham crackers instead.

It all started years back when I was in Elementary School: Grade six. It was in Decememer. I remember walking up to my teacher's desk, Mr. S, and asked him why we didn't have much holiday spirit and it would be nice to make a gingerbread house. The teacher was one of my favorites, he was quite a comedian as I remembered. So, the next day, he made an announcement in the classroom. He had is arms crossed, leaning on his desk and told us to put our pencils down and consider something, he said: "Lena brought an attention about some holiday spirit, she insisted on decorating gingerbread houses..." We had a vote in the classroom and the gingerbread house making has won the crowd. Everyone cheered. A girl in the class turned around, J, smiled and said "Thank you for making this happen".

I haven't always had the time and effort to make these houses around the holidays; however, this year, after a good four hours, I feel accomplished.

I hope next year's will be better than the last.