Gettin' Digi with It

Over the next few days, you ladies and gentleman (especially elementary level folks) may find the following links/activities useful for working with excited students on the verge of the holiday break!

• Read Jan Brett's Gingerbread Baby, and use one of the following link to decorate a gingerbread house:
• http://www.janbrett.com/trim_a_jan_brett_gingerbread_baby_house.htm 
• http://www.highlightskids.com/flash/gingerbread-house (*shared by Jennifer Anders at West Jefferson Elementary)
• Facilitate a discussion among students about how Christmas is celebrated in various countries around the world. Direct students to gather some research about a country of interest to them and compile their findings in a video clip, poster, or Wordle. 
• Provide time for students to use the AVL or other sources to research prominent winter holidays (Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, Chinese New Year, Eil Al Adha, Three Kings Day, Mardi Gras, etc.) and create a chart, table, or graphic comparing the various celebrations. This would provide great practice in using information ethically! 
• Guide students in completing this internet scavenger hunt on various winter holidays around the world: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/internet-field-trip-holidays-x2019round-world-wide-web
• Pull up a few of the sites on this blog on your interactive white board and let your students head off to Winter Wonderland!