~January Poetry Page~

~January Activities~

Our poetry units go along with our January units on Seasons, Snowmen, Stars and Planets, Penguins, Popcorn and Alaska.

Happy New Year A brand new year arrived last night It came while I was waiting. But I did not hear the horns or shouts Of people celebrating. Because, you see, I fell asleep Before the hour, when The old year silently passed out And the new Year entered in. But I have a clean new calendar Which hangs before my eyes And every day that’s listed Will hold a new surprise. -Jane W. Krows Season Song (Tune: Good Night, Ladies) Good-bye………(past season) 3x We’re glad to see you go! Hello………..(new season) 3x We’re glad to see you’re here!
	Four Seasons Summer is hot. Spring is nice. Fall is cool. Winter is ice.
	I’m A Little Snowman (Tune: I’m a Little Teapot) I’m a little snowman, Short and fat. Here is my nose And here is my hat. When the sun comes out, I melt away. But when it’s cold, I’m here to stay! I'm a little snowman round and fat, Here are my mittens, Here is my hat. Add a little scarf And a carrot nose. I stand so tall When the cold wind blows.
A Sledding We Will Go (Tune: Farmer In The Dell) A-sledding we will go, Across the ice and snow, Hi-ho, we’re on our way, As over the ice we go! Perhaps we’ll see a whale, He’ll wave at us with his tail, Hi-ho, we’re on our way, As over the ice we go. By Kathy Gage
Snowfall Someone in the sky last night Had an awful pillow fight And when I woke today I found All the feathers on the ground. -Margaret Hillert Snowflakes (Tune: "Frere Jacques") Snowflakes twirling, Snowflakes whirling, All around, to the ground. Snowflakes are falling, _______is calling, "Come and play; come and play." (substitute children's names)	How to Talk to Your Snowman Use words that are pleasing Like freezing and snow. Iceberg and igloo and blizzard and blow. Try Arctic, Antarctica Say: shiver and shake but whatever you never say, Never say: bake.
Winter in the School Yard The yard is like a freezer We huddle in a bunch And wish that we were all inside Eating steamy lunch. We're standing still as statues We move to still our bones But when we walk we feel as if We're stiff as saxophones. We'd rather be in music Singing loud as lions Or painting at the easels Spring things like dandelions. -Sandra Liatsos	Snowflakes (Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat) Snowflakes falling down, Floating to the ground, Sliding, gliding, gently dancing, Falling to the ground.
	Oh, We’re Going To Build a Snowman (Tune: She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain) Oh, we’re going to build a snowman everyone. Yes, we’re going to build a snowman everyone Oh, we’re going to build a snowman. We’re going to build a snowman. Yes, we’re going to build a snowman everyone.
ROLLO Song: (B-I-N-G-O) I know a snowman round and fat and ROLLO is his name-o R-O-L-L-O (etc.) And Rollo is his name-o!	A Chubby Snowman A chubby little snowman Had a carrot for a nose. Along came a bunny And what do you suppose? That funny little bunny Was looking for his lunch. So he ate the snowman’s nose, Nibble, nibble crunch!
Freedom, Freedom  (Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star) Freedom, freedom, let it ring, "Let it ring," said Dr. King. Let us live in harmony Peace and love for you and me. Freedom, freedom, let it ring. "Let it ring," said Dr. King	I Have A Dream "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
Way Out In Space (Tune: Down By The Bay) Down by the bay, Where the planets are. I’ve left my home, And gone too far. What should I do? So far from home. Well, I’ll visit the stars, Then I’ll go to Mars- Way out in space!	Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars (Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) Twinkle twinkle little stars, Friends of Jupiter and Mars. You’re a million miles away, You shine for us and light the way. Shine, oh, shine oh friends of mine That will be so very fine, You’re a bright and guiding light, God has placed you in the night.
Mittens Poem: Thumbs in thumb place, fingers all together. This is the song we sing in mitten weather. Doesn’t matter whether they’re made of wool or leather. Thumbs in the thumb place, fingers all together.	You Are My Snowman (Tune: You Are My Sunshine) You are my snowman, My only snowman. You make me happy, On days of gray. And when the sun’s out, You’ll hear us all shout. Please don’t take our snowman away!
Five Little Penguins Five little penguins sitting on the ice. The first one said, “Oh I feel nice.” The second one said, “I see a chick.” The third one said, “Run away, quick.” The fourth one said, “Let’s go for a swim.” The fifth one said, “Now we all dive in.” So they dove in the water, and all swam about. Then the five little penguins, all jumped out.	I’m A Little Penguin (Tune: I’m A Little Teapot) I’m a little penguin Look at me. Fishing and swimming In the deep, blue sea. My wings are black And my tail is white. And I like sliding Down the snow so bright!
Penguins I know a bird you know quite well, All dressed in black and white. And even though I do have wings, They're not designed for flight. I waddle, waddle, waddle, On my funny little feet. Across the icy snow I go, To find a fishy treat	Penguins Percy Penguin looks so proper In his long black tails, Stiff white shirt and neatly groomed, Correct in all details. He's so important, chest way out As he pitter patters by, But here is something very funny, He forgot his tie!- Catherine V. Hongey
In Praise of Penguins These funny birds in fancy clothes, may waddle in the snow, but when they reach the icy sea, Just watch how fast they go! Their song sounds like a donkey's bray, they cannot soar or fly, yet penguins manage very well and let me tell you why... Their feathers keep out water, their blubber keeps out cold, their wings make perfect paddles, because they do not fold! Their tails are good for steering, they brake with both their feet, So, tell me now, from all you've heard... Aren't penguins neat? -by Robin Bernard	Up On the Iceberg (Tune: Up On The Housetop) Into the ocean, penguins go They spy the seals way down below. Zip through the water everyday Zigzagging penguins swim away. Oh, oh, oh! Go penguins, go! (shout out) Oh, oh, oh! Go penguins, go! (shout out) Leap to the iceberg, quick, quick, quick! Back to the iceberg to find your chick.
	Snowman Roll, roll, roll a ball Right across the snow. Pile them up and make a man. Make him grow and grow.
Peter the Penguin (Tune: On Top of Old Smokey) Meet Peter the Penguin He munches on p’s, If he eats the wrong food, It might make him sneeze! He likes popcorn and pizza, And pineapple too. What will you serve him When he eats with you?	Five Penguins This little penguin has little black feet. He’s a Black Footed Penguin with feathers so neat. This little penguin is called an Adelie. On snow he can walk or slide on his belly. This little penguin has a few yellow feathers. He’s a Macaroni Penguin, he likes cold kinds of weather. These big penguins are known as Kings. And though they can’t fly, they can swim with their wings. This big penguin is the biggest of all. He’s an Emperor Penguin, over three feet tall. All penguins are birds, mostly black and white. Any penguin you see is a beautiful sight!
Eskimo Would you like to see an Eskimo? Way up North in the ice and snow. Far away, where the cold winds blow. Would you like to see an Eskimo? Would you like to see a polar bear? Big and strong with long white hair. Walking here, walking there, Would you like to see a polar bear?	Polar Bear Polar bear, polar bear, turn around, Polar bear, polar bear touch the ground, Polar bear, polar bear, climb the stairs, Polar bear, polar bear, say your prayers, Polar bear, polar bear, turn out the light, Polar bear, polar bear, say goodnight!
Popcorn Popcorn at the movies, Popcorn at the game, Popcorn just for snacking, Popcorn’s not the same. Now, it comes in flavors, Carmel, nacho, cheese, I love all the flavors. Pass the popcorn, please!	Alaska Alaska is the land of the midnight sun The polar bears have so much fun. The Eskimos go in their kayaks. The seals frolic on their backs. The northern lights go off and on. They can be seen in early dawn. Walruses are found on the ice. We think Alaska is cool and nice!!! (Our first grade class wrote this poem together)

Winter Activities

Winter Art/Activity Ideas
Boots
Children will trace their winter boots on pieces of paper and will color them. Children will have the opportunity to decide the correct color to use for coloring their own boots.

Chalk drawings
Children will use black construction paper and white chalk to draw winter scenes.

Winter Wonderlands
Materials:
Corrugated cardboard, cut into 5"-6" squares (1 per child), Ivory Snow detergent, Small plastic deer figurines 
(3 per child), Pinecones (3 or 4 per child). 
Activity:
Mix the Ivory Snow with water and beat it with mixer. Let each child spread it over the entire cardboard and then allow them to put the pinecones on, upside down. Then children will add the deer figurines. When completed, add signs to indicate "(Child's Name) Winter Wonderland".

Winter Trees
Materials:
Green construction paper,  Epsom Salts, water, paint (optional evergreen shapes pre-cut if children need them)
Activity:
Using green construction paper, children cut out an evergreen tree shape. (use pre-cut if necessary)
Mix Epsom salts and water. The children paint the mixture onto the trees. The result is that the trees will look frosted and glistening when they dry.

Circle Snow people
Materials:
White paper circles in 3 sizes, crayons, markers, pencil crayons etc., large blue construction paper for backgrounds
Activity:
Children will place the 3 circles to create the Snow people - largest on bottom, medium in middle and smallest on top. Children draw on faces, hats, arm, buttons, etc. to complete the Snow people. Read the stories Snow Lion and Snow Woman to explain to the children that there are not only Snowmen.

Shimmering Icicles
On dark painted paper, children will use plastic forks to paint white streaks down the paper. Add some silver glitter while paint is still wet. This will look like shimmering icicles.

Stencil Snowman
Make a large snowman stencil, from cardboard. Let children sponge paint, with white paint to make the snowman. Lift up the stencil and let them use their fingerprints to make white snowflakes all over the picture. This makes a nice collaborative activity and display.

Winter Scenes
Children will find small twigs to use as trees. 
*Use the opportunity to go outside on an excursion to look for twigs if possible.
Glue the twigs to paper. Glue cotton to the bottom of the paper. Hole punch white paper, for white dots. Let children glue them on as snowflakes.

Cotton Ball Snow people
Trace three circles onto white paper. Let the child cut these out, or assist.  Children will then glue cotton balls onto the circles. Use the squeeze glue or if children cannot manage this, let the children dip the cotton balls into the glue. Children will make paper hats, eyes, nose, arms and scarf to decorate the Snowperson. Attach with fasteners for movement. 

Snow Scenes
Salt and white glue make a great snow scene. Children may want circles drawn to make the shape of a Snowperson. Then they can fill in the circles. Children would also enjoy creating their own Snow people and putting dots of snow in the picture. Finally, children are given a container filled with salt to sprinkle on the glue. It looks best on light blue paper. 

Painting

What to paint with:
Paint with pine tree branches.
Paint with pinecones.
Paint with cotton balls.
Paint with snowballs and dry tempera paints.
Make ice cubes with food coloring and paint with the colored ice cubes.

Puffy Paint for Textured Snow
Place equal parts glue and shaving cream in small paper cups (one for each child). Have the child vigorously stir the mixture with a popsicle stick. Then have the children paint their snow scenes with the popsicle stick. Sprinkle with clear or silver glitter after they're done painting. The paint will dry puffy. The next day, they can add more details with paint or other art materials.

Painting On Snow
Materials:
Watercolors, tempera paint or food coloring mixed with water, brushes, paint containers, snow
Preparation:
Pour paint into containers suitable for use outdoors.
Activity:
Take the children outside when the snow is a few inches deep. Allow them to freely explore the effects of paint on snow, using both small and large brushes. The colors will spread as the paint touches the snow. Encourage children to create splashed colors with wide, sweeping movements or to make snow sculptures and paint them. The snow will hold the paint cans and brushes firmly in place.

Snow Color Squirts
Materials:
Food color, Water, Spray bottles
Activity:
Fill empty plastic squeeze bottles with water and different colors of food coloring. Let the children squirt the colors onto the snow. Snow Color Squirts
Materials:
Food color, Water, Spray bottles
Activity:
Fill empty plastic squeeze bottles with water and different colors of food coloring. Let the children squirt the colors onto the snow. Children will enjoy watching, as the snow becomes a rainbow of colors. The next day, examine the snow to observe the melting process

Snowflakes

Paper Snowflakes
Fold white paper in ½, and then in ½ again, keeping the folded edges together. Then fold over into a triangle. Cut an arc or design on the outside edges (this gives the shape of the snowflake) then cut triangles or designs into the folded edges.

Texture Snowflakes
Use Honeycomb cereal and glue it onto blue paper.

Glue Snowflakes
Materials:
Squeeze white glue, wax paper, glitter. 
Method:
First, children draw a snowflake onto the wax paper to the best of their abilities.  Then, children squeeze glue over the design. If child's hand is not strong enough, provide hand over hand assistance.  Let them sprinkle or pour glitter over their snowflake. Let it dry. Then gently peel from the wax paper. Hang snowflakes around the room and children will have a winter snowflake wonderland.

Snowflake Jars 
Materials:
Baby food jars, sparkling glitter, snowflake confetti/pieces, water. 
Method:
Let children place everything in the jar. Then an adult hot glues the lid's rim and places it onto the jar. Children will have snowflake shakers.

Penguins

Paper Plate Penguins
Materials:
Regular size and small size paper plates, black and orange construction paper, and glue.
Method:
The regular size paper plate will be the body; the small size paper plate will be the face. 
You will need to precut these items: 
triangular beak and flippers from orange 
wings, stomach middle, head patch, and eyes from black
Glue together.

Egg Carton Penguins
Materials:
Egg carton cups (2 per penguin), orange and black construction paper, white paint, wiggly eyes, and glue.
Method:
Precut the orange flippers and beak; and the black stomach middle, wings, and head patch. First, paint the two eggcups white, and let dry. Next, glue the two cups on top of each other mouth of cup to mouth of cup. Then glue on wings to the side, head patch on top of head, and stomach middle. Then glue on wiggly eyes and beak.

Penguin Hands
Trace one hand on black paper and cut out. Cut out a white igloo piece and stomach middle. Take a piece of blue paper and paint on "snow" on the bottom of the paper. Glue igloo in the background and black hand on the snow. Then glue on the white stomach middle on the penguin’s body. Then add an orange construction paper beak and wiggly eyes.

Penguin Fishing
Make a black line master of a penguin and trace onto black paper and precut. Then have students glue on a white stomach middle. Add wiggly eyes and orange beak. Then the fun part. Let the children glue on Pepperidge farm goldfish crackers onto his stomach middle. This helps the kids see what penguins eat!!

Mittens

Read The Mitten - A Ukrainian Folktale by Jan Brett
Jan Brett's Home Page is located at: http://www.janbrett.com/
There are excellent activity suggestions to accompany the book. See Winter/Snow Books

Mitten Time
Cut mitten shapes from construction paper or wallpaper and have children lace around the edges. You can also have them lace the mittens together. Or make matching mittens and attach with a long string that you can make into a bulletin board "Where's the matching mitten" and you mix them all up, with the strings all tangled! This is especially cute if you use the children's hands to trace for the mitten shape, first.

Mitten Match
Use real mittens. Hang a clothesline with spring-loaded clothespins between two chairs. Clip one mitten from each pair onto the clothesline. Put the mitten mates in a bag. Hold up the bag. Have a child come up and pull one mitten out of the bag. Have the child look at the mittens hanging on the clothesline and find the mitten that matches the one that he/she is holding. Have him/her clip it next to the matching one. Continue until all the mittens have been matched.

Activities taken from: www.songs4teachers.com

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