Category Archives: Holidays

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I always loved “spending time” with my students and Dr. King.  There’s something about him that really resonates with children, even young ones.  There are so many things I never knew anything about as a child that were important for … Continue reading

Posted in Heroes, Martin Luther King, Jr., Social Studies Themes | 3 Comments

Persimmon Pudding

For an old-fashioned New Year’s desert, how about Persimmon Pudding?  It’s easy, delicious, and beautiful.  The persimmons must be ripe, feeling very much like a water balloon.  Pull off the tough leathery skin, cut out the core, and cut into … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, Cooking, Holidays | 5 Comments

Vitula’s Christmas Bells

Vitula’s Christmas Bells are pretty complicated and involves rolling dough, but it’s my favorite Christmas cookie.  It’s yummy and my mom created it for a college home ec assignment.  I have used this recipe with children, even as young as … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, Cooking, Holidays | 4 Comments

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a holiday celebrated around the world by Jewish people.  Also called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev.  The Hebrew calendar is different from the Roman calendar (there are … Continue reading

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Almond Bark Nuts

A few years ago, one of my teaching colleagues introduced me to almond bark.  It’s a type of baking chocolate that is very inexpensive (around $2 for a pound).  You can find it at WalMart (R) at Christmas time, but … Continue reading

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Snowballs

Snowball Cookies (my name for them) are generally called “Mexican Wedding Cakes”, or “Sandies.”  They are quick, easy, and delicious.  They require rolling into balls, so have hand sanitizer available.  (If you’re really worried about germs, you can have the … Continue reading

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Ring the Bells

Ring the Bells is a fun flash card game for the Christmas season.  Get a golden plastic bell and hang it high on your classroom ceiling.  Make a few Snowballs_from_Yarn and get ready for a rip-roaring time.  (This game works best … Continue reading

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Persimmon Cookies

During my teaching career, the only Christmas baking I ever got to do was with the students in my class.  I loved the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, filling it with studies of the customs and traditions we celebrate in … Continue reading

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Magic Elf Mix

The three weeks of school between Thanksgiving and Christmas break were always my favorite time of the year.  I never worked in a school that outlawed Christmas, for which I’m eternally grateful.  Everywhere I worked we did it up big–concerts, … Continue reading

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Abe’s Muddy Footprints

Not all children may relate to Lincoln’s love of reading and learning, but I think most of those who can’t may well relate to his love of jokes and tricks. Abe and his step-mother, Sarah, liked to trick each other, … Continue reading

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