Down Time

Hi everyone!
Sorry that it has been a while since I have been able to post or share anything new. Unfortunately, my doctor has upped my bed rest restrictions to try to keep my little one growing as long as possible. Until baby Carl is born (and I get my sanity back), I will be unable to post anything new. I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season! Thank you to all of my readers for your continued support!
- Laura aka Bed Rested Teacher  

Pick Me! I'd Make the Best Christmas Tree! Persuasive Writing Activity!

Sorry that I have not been posting as regularly as I used to. We have been busy preparing for our little one, Carl. The doctors think he could be here any day. I am only 35 weeks so we are crossing our fingers he continues growing as long as possible! 

Today I wanted to share with you an easy persuasive writing activity. In this activity, students design a tree they think would make the perfect Christmas tree. Then, using their web, they brainstorm why their tree would be the perfect Christmas tree. Lastly, students use their web to write a persuasive writing to convince someone to buy them for Christmas. Here is the web, design-a-tree page, and one of two writing pages. The PDF files are available to download at the end of this post. 

To Download

Click the links below to download the files. After the file opens, go to File, Download (or CTRL + S).

Files to Download

• Web
• Design-a-Tree paper and writing paper

24 Christmas Books and Free Activities Part 4

I am excited to share with you the last installment of 24 Christmas Books and Free Activities. Hope you enjoy these books and free activities throughout the holiday season! Today's post will include the following books: Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect, Carl's Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, Owl Moon, Bear Stays up for Christmas, and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. 

19. Why Christmas Trees aren’t Perfect

PDF of Lesson Ideas and Printable Worksheets (including word problems, a writing prompt and comprehension questions)

http://www.realtrees4kids.org/printables/K-2whychristmastreesarentperfect.pdf

“Human Tree” Idea

http://ptskjohnson.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-tree-family-home-evening.html

Button Christmas Tree Ornament

http://www.modernminerals.com/button-tree-ornament/183/

Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

http://www.puffpastry.com/recipe/24057/Puff-Pastry-Christmas-Trees

Tree Coloring Pages

http://www.coloring.ws/christmas10.htm

Handprint Christmas Tree

http://www.preschoolplaybook.com/2009/12/2009-goes-out-with-wow.html

Cinnamon Stick Tree Ornament

http://twigandtwirls.blogspot.com/2012/07/christmas-in-july-cinnamon-stick-tree.html

20. Carl’s Christmas

I had to pick this book since my son’s name will be Carl!

Dog Bone Ornament

http://www.teacherstape.com/holiday/holiday-craft-dog-bone-christmas-ornaments.html

Home-Made Dog Treats (could make to donate to a shelter or for neighbor’s dogs)

http://www.pinkpistachio.com/biscuits-for-boyfriend/

No-Bake Dog Treats (would be good for students to make for a shelter)

http://loveofmydogs.com/2012/05/28/no-bake-peanut-butter-oat-dog-treats-2/

Edible Dog

http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0211900/crafts/edible.htm

Paper Bag Dog (could make it look more like Carl)

http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/animals/dog-craft.asp

Dog Toy Craft (make with any old clothing, dishtowels, other tough fabric. Students/Kids could make to donate to a local animal shelter)

http://www.favecrafts.com/Pet-Crafts/Easy-Upcycled-Dog-Toy/ct/1

Dog Headband (great to make with sentence strips)

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/dogcrafts/a/dogheadband.htm

Paper Plate Dog (could make it to look like Carl)

http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mplate-dog.htm

21. Frosty the Snowmen (there are numerous versions of this books)

Free Online Version of the Book

http://www.wegivebooks.org/books/frosty-the-snowman

Youtube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDZ0qp-gVuY

Frosty Count by 5’s Worksheet

http://mathwire.com/themes/frosty5.pdf

Snowman Connect the Dots (by 1’s)

http://www.abcteach.com/free/d/d_t_d_snowman_to_31.pdf

Frosty the Snowman Writing Ideas

http://darcypattison.com/WinterWritingTips.pdf

Printable Frosty Craft

http://learncreatelove.com/?p=5611

3D Snowman

http://www.allfreeprintables.com/christmas/3d-paper-snowman.shtml

Snowman Spoon (could use to retell the story)

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/plastic_spoon_snowman.htm

Frosty Handwriting Worksheet

http://twistynoodle.com/frosty-the-snowman-16-worksheet/

Last Snowman Standing (math game)

http://mathwire.com/themes/lastsm.pdf

Coloring Pages

http://www.hellokids.com/c_18938/coloring-page/holiday-coloring-pages/christmas-coloring-pages/frosty-the-snowman-coloring-pages/karen-coloring-pages/karen-and-frosty-the-snowman-coloring-page

Melted Frosty Treat

http://diva-cooking.yumsugar.com/Desfrosty-Snowman-6535456

Salt Dough Ornament

http://crafts.kaboose.com/salt-dough-snowman-ornament.html

22. Owl Moon

Lesson Ideas

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/BookOwlMoon_RW.html

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/itv/TeacherGuides/OwlMoon/OwlMoon_TG.pdf

Owl Multiplication Worksheet

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/71525453/Owl-Multiplication

Live Owl Webcam

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/owlceanside

Various Owl Moon Printables Including Lapbook

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/resources_owl_moon.php

Paper Plate Owl

http://craftsbyamanda.com/2010/06/paper-plate-owl-craft.html

Pine Cone Owl

http://thecraftyclassroom.com/CraftBirdOwlPinecone.html

Owl Moon Pies

http://eclecticrecipes.com/moon-pie-owl-pops

Owl Cupcakes

http://www.instructables.com/id/Owl-Cupcakes/

Owl Pancakes

http://littlenummies.net/2012/04/fun-kids-breakfast-owl-pancake/

Owl Box

http://www.domestifluff.com/2010/10/free-printable-mini-owl-treat-boxes/

Owl Acorns

http://bkids.typepad.com/bookhoucraftprojects/2010/11/tetx.html

Owl Ornament

http://www.womansday.com/home/craft-ideas/christmas-craft-owl-ornament-113693

23. Bear Stays up for Christmas

Lesson Ideas

http://readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?pag=4&bookID=00000454

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/karma_wilson_bears.php

http://www.karmawilson.com/teachers.htm#staysup

Retelling and Vocabulary Printable Worksheets

http://de.scribd.com/doc/44991912/Bear-Stays-Up-for-Christmas-Vocab-Words

Bear Paws

http://notjustafoodblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/bear-paws.html

Bear Mask

http://www.karmawilson.com/teacher-features/bear/bearmask.pdf

Bear Connect the Dots (from Bear Snores On – but same Bear Character)

http://www.karmawilson.com/teacher-features/bear/bearcolorsheet.pdf

Circles Craft

http://www.firstpalette.com/Craft_themes/Animals/circlesbear/circlesbear.html

Hibernating Bear Paper Bag (could make the inside look decorated for Christmas)

http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2009/09/hibernating-bear-paper-bag-craft.html

Hibernating Bear Craft

http://kiboomukidscrafts.com/hibernating-bear-craft/

Another Hibernating Bear Craft

http://almostunschoolers.blogspot.com/2011/10/bears-are-still-awake-hibernation-craft.html

Bear Candy Cane Hug

http://www.craftbits.com/project/tree-ornament-candy-cane-bear

24. The Night Before Christmas

Draw your Own Version of the Book

http://www.education.com/activity/article/twas-night-christmas-picture-book/

Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice

http://www.creativekristi.com/chocolate-covered-cherry-mice/

Candy Cane Mice

http://www.marthastewart.com/273608/candy-cane-mice

Various Printables

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/night_before_christmas.php

Coloring Page

http://100digits.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/the-night-before-christmas.pdf

Retell Your Own Version Book

http://www.teaching-tiny-tots.com/toddler-books-twas-xmas.html

Various Free Christmas Worksheets

http://bogglesworldesl.com/christmas_worksheets.htm