Raise your hand if you think teaching in December requires extra caffeine sprinkled with patience! 🙋🏻♀️ If your hand just shot up along with every other teacher reading this, know that you’re not alone. The name of the game for this month is creativity with a side of engagement, am I right?
Let me (and Rudolph) guide your plans, friends. I’ve got a reindeer craft and activity that will keep those little elves shouting out with glee! If you’re looking to keep students busy AND learning, check this out! ⤵️
Reindeer are fascinating, and students love to learn about them. However, it can be tricky to find nonfiction books about reindeer. This video is fantastic, and your students will be super engaged as we kick off our reindeer craft activity.
Please encourage them to use the video as research and pay attention to the facts as they watch. You can then use their new knowledge to make Reindeer Researcher Hats!
To make your Reindeer Researcher Hats, follow these quick and easy steps:
First, students should trace their hands and cut them out. These will be their antlers! Next, they should write or trace the three facts about reindeer they learned from the video. Third, they will want to glue their fact pieces on a sentence strip or a piece of brown construction paper. Finally, measure the hat to fit and staple or tape it together!
Students will love wearing their reindeer hats and sharing their facts like the little researchers they are! Keep on reading to download your FREE Reindeer Researcher Hat template ⤵️
Depending on your school and students, you may or may not celebrate the holidays. I love this reindeer craft because it works for EVERY classroom!
With this craft, students can choose from Reindeer Facts or Creative Holiday Writing. And because I always have your stress levels in mind, the pieces are super easy to cut and glue!
You can use this Reindeer Craft Activity in your classroom as a writing lesson, a book companion for any book about reindeer, an art lesson, a writing center, or simply a fun holiday activity!
If you’re short on time, it also contains a simplified coloring option that streamlines the activity. Plus, you can use the finished products for an easy winter bulletin board that lasts beyond the holiday season. High fives all around!
After all that writing and creating, your kids will need to rock around your classroom a little bit. These reindeer movement cards are a fun way to get out the wiggles and giggles!
You can grab the free cards below and get to moving your kids right toward the holiday break. I like to add these to a cup or basket and pull them as needed. Students can also get involved by allowing them to take turns choosing what the class will do!
Say it with me, “I’m full of cheer and great ideas. I WILL make it to winter break!” With these reindeer craft resources in your bag, you’ll be able to cruise right through the month of December, enjoying your kids and laughing all the way! Having these resources ready to go will streamline your lessons, and your kids will love them.
Hey, by the way, I talked to Santa, and I heard you’re on the nice list.😉
I’m a teacher who believes in creating a classroom kids love and activities that keep them engaged all day!
©2019 Polka Dots Please. All Rights Reserved. Designed by Ashley Hughes.
3 Responses
Such cute ideas! I truly appreciate that it is all ready for me – who has extra time at this time of year (or really, at any time of year when you are a teacher!!)? Thanks so much for sharing.
Is it too late to get the Reindeer Researcher freebies? We are doing a deer study and it would be perfect!
Hi Annette,
It’s never too late! Just add your name and email to the box above in the post and the freebie will come straight to your inbox. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] and I would be happy to help!
Happy Teaching!
Emily