Las Posadas and Diwali Vocabulary Books

Just finished putting together two vocabulary books to use with our Holidays Around the World unit in December.  Last year I created Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and this year we added Diwali and Las Posadas to the unit.

All About Diwali words:
India, Diwali, pray, lamps, bonfires, fireworks, luck

All About Las Posadas words:
Las Posadas, Mexico, poinsettia, Mary, Joseph, piñata, hot chocolate, midnight

You can find this HERE at my TPT store.

They books go right along with these other Las Posadas and Diwali items I have put together:

• Las Posadas and Diwali Word Wall Cards
• Las Posadas and Diwali Mini Books
• Las Posadas and Diwali Riddles

Las Posadas and Diwali Riddles

Thanksgiving 2014 unit...done.  On to Holiday Traditions Around the World starting next week. Last year we did Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas.  This year we are adding Las Posadas and Diwali as well as Christmas in Australia, England, France, and a few other countries.

I created these Las Posadas and Diwali Riddles cards to use.  My first graders love them, they are a GREAT review, and its a super activity for listening and participating in a game.

There are riddles for:

• Las Posadas
• poinssettia
• Mary and Joseph
• pinata
• singing and celebrating
• midnight (going to midnight service)
• Mexico
• Diwali
• praying
• fireworks
• clay lamps
• gold jewelry
• India
• 5 (5 days of Diwali)

You can find them HERE at my TPT store.

Holidays Around the World Review Packet

Here is something I whipped up tonight while watching TV--A Holidays Around the World Review Packet.

Holidays Writing Retell Sheets
3 options available:

• Students write sentences to match the pictures (2nd and above)
• Students write the missing holiday name in the shape box font. (1st grade)
• Student traces the holiday name within the sentence. (Kindergarten)

Holiday Around the World Fact Cards: BW and Color Options

• Print, laminate, and cut out to use as pocket chart cards or review for learning facts about each holiday.
• Use the black and white version to create a mini-book.

Holiday Around the World Word Wall Cards:

• Print, laminate, cut and place in your word wall or hang on bulletin board.

You can find this HERE at my TPT store.

Clip Art Sources:

Clip Art by Carrie

Melonheadz Illustrating

EduClips

Las Posadas and Diwali Word Wall Cards

Getting stuff put together for little additions to a unit takes a lot of prep...but so much fun!  Sometimes I think we add to our own stress by updating, adding, and changing things to make it better.  But I guess that's being reflective and always trying to do better, right?

Here's a word wall card set for Las Posadas and Diwali that you can use with your little people.  Most of the clip art is from EduClips, one of my new favorite clip artists found on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Lots of cool sets that work great for making items for your classroom.  The page border that I used for the preview is from another one of my favorites:  Creative Clips by Krista Wallden.  These two ladies are SO talented.

Words included in this set are:

Diwali

clay lamp

fireworks

elephant

pray

bonfire

candle tray

India

Las Posadas

poinsettia

Mary

candle

pinata

Joseph

Mexico

Mexican boy

Mexican girl

parade

donkey

nativity

Ideas for using these cards:

• Hang them in a pocket chart to introduce vocabulary during your study of Las Posadas and Diwali.
• Display them to help student think of ideas around Las Posadas and Diwali
• Let students use these word wall cards to correct their spelling after they've tried spelling these words on their own.  They can easily pull them from the pocket chart and take them to their seats.

You can find this HERE at my TPT store.

Holidays Around the World Mini Book Bundle

Just put together a Holidays Around the World Mini Book bundle that includes:

• Holiday Traditions Around the World Mini Book (includes Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, Las Posadas, and Diwali)
• What is Kwanzaa?
• What is Hanukkah?
• What is Christmas?
• What is Las Posadas?
• What is Diwali?

If you'd like to see the exact words in these books you can look at each item's description in my TPT store.  Or click on the links to take you to my blog post for each of the books where you can see the words to each book.

You can find this HERE at my TPT store.
You can find this HERE at my TN shop.

SAVE by buying all these book in the bundle!

Holiday Traditions Around the World Mini Book

Great book to use as an introduction to a few of the Holidays Around the World.

You can find this book HERE at my TPT store.  Scroll down to see the words and content included in this 22 page mini book.

Holiday Traditions Around the World Mini Book

There are many holidays around the world. 
This book is about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali,
Christmas, and Las Posadas.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday in December.
It is called the festival of lights. 
Children get a small gift each night.
A candle is lit on the menorah each night. 
The middle candle on the menorah is called a shamash. 
It is the helper candle.
Children play with a toy called a dreidel.
Jewish chocolate candy coins are called gelt.
Jewish people eat latkes. They are a potato pancake.
They eat sufganiyah or jelly-filled donuts.

Kwanzaa is an African holiday in December that lasts for 7 days.
It is a harvest festival to celebrate African culture.
The colors of Kwanzaa are red, black, and green.
The flag is called a bendera.
A kinara is a special candle holder for Kwanzaa.
One ear of corn is placed on the mat for each child.
People drink from the unity cup to remember their ancestors.
They say, “Let’s pull together.”
The fruits and vegetables remind people
of the food that people in Africa ate.
Children get homemade gifts on the last day of Kwanzaa.

Christmas is a holiday celebrated in December
by many people all over the world.
People decorate a tree with ornaments.
They put gifts under the tree.
A Christmas wreath is put on your house
to decorate your front door.
The elves help Santa fill his sleigh with toys.
Rudolph and the reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh through the sky.
Santa brings presents for children
and fills their stockings on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas morning, people open presents from each other.

Diwali is India’s biggest holiday of the year.
It is celebrated in October or November each year.
Diwali started as a harvest festival
that marked the last harvest before winter.
People would celebrate and pray for success in the new year.
People in India get together with family.
They light clay lamps, light fireworks, hang lights,
and have bonfires to worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
There are 5 days of Diwali.
On day 1 people buy gold and silver for good luck.
On day 2 people decorate their homes.
On day 3 people pray, eat, and light fireworks.
On day 4 people visit family and friends and give gifts.
On day 5 brothers visit married sisters
to show how much they love them.

Las Posadas is a Mexican holiday in December that lasts for 9 days.
People in Mexico decorate their home with the poinsettia.
Each night children dress up like an angel,
a shepherd, and Mary and Joseph.
People carry candles as they walk
down the street to the party. They sing songs.
Then they have a feast, break a piñata,
play games, and drink hot chocolate.
On the last day of Las Posadas,
families go to church at midnight.

Written by Carrie Hanson
Clip Art by Carrie Teaching First

Check out my mini-books for each of these holidays:

What is Hanukkah? What is Kwanzaa?
What is Diwali?
What is Christmas?
What is Las Posadas?

What is Christmas? Mini-Book

This year we plan on adding a few different holidays to our Holidays Around the World theme in December.  Last year we added Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, this year Diwali and Las Posadas.  I created a mini-book for each of those holidays so wanted one for Christmas as well.  Here is my "What is Christmas?" Mini-Book:

• Christmas is a holiday celebrated in December by many people all over the world.

• People decorate a tree with ornaments.  They put gifts under the tree.

• A wreath hangs on your door to decorate for Christmas.

• People go shopping or make ornaments for the ones they love.  They wrap the gifts in paper and put a bow on top.

• Santa lives at the North Pole with Mrs. Claus. The elves help Santa make toys for children all over the world.

• The elves help Santa fill his sleigh with toys for Christmas Eve.

• Some families go to church on Christmas Eve.

• The reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh in the night sky.

• People make cookies at Christmas. They leave them out on Christmas Eve for Santa to eat.

• Santa puts presents under the Christmas tree while everyone is sleeping. He fills your stocking with goodies.

• On Christmas morning, people open gifts from each other.

You can find this mini book HERE at my TPT store:

Written and Illustrated by:
Carrie Hanson
Clip Art by Carrie Teaching First
www.ccteachfirst.blogspot.com

Las Posadas Cut Apart Sentences

Sentences included in this set:

• Las Posadas is a holiday celebrated in Mexico.
• People decorate their homes with poinsettias.
• People carry candles down the street.
• It is a time to sing songs and celebrate.
• They break a piñata and drink hot chocolate.
• Families go to church at midnight on the last day.

Illustrations by:
Clip Art by Carrie, EduClips, Graphics From the Pond

You can find this HERE at my TPT store:

Las Posadas Mini Book

This is a kid-friendly book about the Mexican holiday called Las Posadas:

• Las Posadas is a Mexican holiday in December that last for 9 days.
• People in Mexico decorate their home with the poinsettia
• It is a flower with bright red leaves.
• Las Posadas lasts from December 16 to Christmas Eve.
• Each night a children dress up like an angel, a shepherd, and Mary and Joseph.
• People carry candles as they walk down the street to the party.
• A different family has the party each night.  People sing songs and celebrate.
• Then they have a feast, break a piñata, play games, and drink hot chocolate.
• People break the piñata to wish for happiness, food, and the well-being of others.
• On the last day of Las Posadas, families go to church at midnight.

You can find this mini book HERE at my TPT store.

Written by: Carrie Hanson
Clip Art by Carrie
www.ccteachfirst.blogspot.com
Images: cactus, notes, thought bubble, table, lamp, couch, chair, jar, DECEMBER 16-24, Christmas candle w/holder, hot chocolate, moon, cross

Creative Clips by Krista Wallden
www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Krista-Wallden
Image: smiley face

EduClips
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Educasong
Images: Las Posadas characters (Mexican boy/girl, Mary, Joseph, nativity, donkey, pinatas, poinsettia, candle)

Graphics From the Pond
www.frompond.blogspot.com
Images: scribble background

Diwali Cut Apart Sentences

Well, I had a list of a few TO-Do things this weekend, but didn't complete what I SHOULD have...only found a few extras to do.  We decided to add a few ideas to our Winter Holidays Around the World unit and came up with these cut-apart sentences this weekend.  The facts within these sentences are also included in my "What is Diwali?" mini book.

Sentences included in this set:

· Diwali is a holiday celebrated in India.

· People pray for good luck in the new year.

· There are fireworks and people light lamps and have bonfires.

· People decorate their homes and visit family.

· Diwali is a festival celebrated at the end of harvest.

· Diwali is celebrated in October and November each year.

Clip are used:  Clip Art by Carrie, EduClips

You can find this HERE at my TPT store.

"What Is Diwali?" Mini-Book

Last year we added Hanukkah and Kwanzaa to our Holiday unit to beef it up a little bit.  We wanted to add a little more this year, so I decided to do a little research and write this short mini-book about Diwali.  This mini-book tells the basics of the Diwali holiday.

"What is Diwali?" Mini-Book:

• Diwali is India's biggest holiday of the year.
• Diwali is celebrated in October or November each year.
• Diwali started as a harvest festival to mark the last harvest before winter.
• People celebrate and pray for success in the new year.
• People in India get together with family.
• They light clay lamps and fireworks, and have bonfires to worship the goddess of wealth.
• These are 5 days of Diwali.
• On day 1 people buy gold and silver for good luck.
• On day 2 people decorate their homes.
• On day 3 people pray, eat, and light fireworks.
• On day 4 people visit family and friends and give gifts.
• On day 5 brothers visit married sisters to show how much they love them.

Clip Art Sources:
Clip Art by Carrie, Melonheadz Illustrating, EduClips

You can find this HERE at my TPT store.

Hanukkah & Kwanzaa Riddles

Laying in bed last night trying to unwind and go to sleep and I'm thinking of something else to make for our new Hanukkah and Kwanzaa mini-themes we are doing this year.  For most of our themes, we have a set of riddles cards that I usually do as a culminating activity.  So I decided I could whip those up quick and get them all ready for us to use.

You can find this HERE at my TPT store.

Hanukkah Doodles w/FREEBIE Star of David

This next week we start a brand new mini-theme on Hanukkah.  Was scrambling to create things a few weeks back and purchased THIS awesome set from Melonheadz Illustrating.  I was a bit disappointed because I had to purchase the line art and the color bundles separately.  I thought they came together when I purchased it.  Spent $14.00 just on her Hanukkah set.  Wish I would have had more time and been able to draw my own, but ya gotta share the love somehow, right?  Don't get me wrong...SHE IS AMAZING and I wish I could draw as AWESOME as her.  Finally, this last week I got creative and decided to try my hand at drawing some Hanukkah clips.

I haven't been inspired for a while, but I just purchased a new drawing app called iDraw and I love it.  Great for nice clean lines.  The only downfall is I still like my Art Studio for coloring in and doing the filtering.  But how lucky could I get?!?  I can send the images I draw in iDraw to Art Studio right from my iPad.  Happy Dance!!!!!

You can purchase this Hanukkah Doodles set HERE at my TPT store.
You can also find it HERE at my TN store.

Well, I uploaded this file today before I was actually finished drawing the set.  I found the pixlr.com sit to be really fun and I think I just found my new place to edit and add filters to my images.  (That's me getting all giddy, getting another clip art set done.)  Here's the latest thumb that includes the added images:

Here's a FREEBIE BW Star of David for you:

Holiday Cards for Letter Writing: Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa

It's that time of year and wanted to put out a freebie for all my followers and people who come across my store.  Get your students excited about writing a special message to someone by having them write a Holiday Card for a friend or family member.  Cards options are centered around the Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas traditions.  Melonheadz has super cute Hanukkah and Kwanzaa clip art bundles.  Check out her store HERE.

You can download this Holiday Cards freebie HERE at my TPT store.  I would love your feedback!

Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Vocabulary Book

Still thinking of things to make for our upcoming new mini-units on Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.  Our first graders really are engaged when we do our thematic cut-apart sentences, so was very thankful to get those done. Finished up the word wall cards, cut them out, and sent them off to get laminated at the AEA.  Got two mini books done for the unit, and finally finish the vocabulary books:  All About Hanukkah and All About Kwanzaa.  I took clips from the cut apart sentences and the mini books as I wrote this, so that it would be familiar text and hopefully our first graders can make the connections after hearing a variety of different ways. These two unit have some tough vocabulary words, so wanted to expose them to the terms multiple ways.

Next step is to get some read aloud books ordered as well.  I think my co-worker, Sara, is going to take care of that for us.  Now looking on Pinterest for some video clips and maybe we'll be set!

You can find this set HERE at my TPT store.

Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Mini Books

Still plugging along and getting some things made for the new upcoming unit in December.  Finished my Hanukkah and Kwanzaa mini books this week.  Can't wait to use them...as I even learned a lot making them!  We've always done the Scholastic News each year that BRIEFLY tells about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but I've never done any reading up on it until now.

These mini book are by NO MEANS an independent read for first graders.  They are more of a shared reading whole group or in a guided reading group for students to learn about the two holiday traditions. Older or more advanced first grade children will be able to read them.

You can find them HERE at my TPT store.

New Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Sets

So excited!  We are planning two new mini-units to replace some "fluffy" stuff in our Holiday theme in December to beef things up a bit:  one week on Hanukkah and one week on Kwanzaa.  These are two customs that I never really knew much about, so its been fun learning some of the vocabulary and what not. Yea, I know, here were are only in October and I'm already thinking about and planning ahead for December.  Only a teacher plans that far in advance, right?  If it eliminates the stress level, its the way to go for me.

My plan was to draw my own Hanukkah and Kwanzaa clip art and use that but I decided that I didn't feel like it and Melonheadz Illustrating already had it done, so why reinvent the wheel right now when I need it fast and don't want to stress myself out?!?  So I went to my favorite place to buy "school" stuff and purchased both the color and black-line bundles.  You'll have to check her sets out.  They are SUPER cute! 

Here are a couple things I whipped up last night that we plan to use during this unit.

Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Word Wall Card Set

Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Cut Apart Sentences: