It’s the week before winter vacation and all through the school, not a student is listening, and that’s just not cool.  The teachers are coming up with lessons out of thin air because they are practically burnt out by this time of year.  If this is you, please keep reading…

Boy do I know the feeling around this time of the year, so I have created some fun projects for your students to do that will be fun for them and fun for you too!

Most of the following activities can be completed with materials you already have on hand or from what students have at home that they may not be using anymore.  These are great ways to get rid of unwanted/un-needed items, engage your students while giving them a break, yet teaching them about recycling and giving all at the same time.  So here they are!

Coupon Books-Explain to your students that sometimes the best gift can be the gift of time.  Encourage students to make coupon books for family members and/or friends with everyday art materials and creative minds.  Here is the information sheet for more detail about the activity Coupon Book Activity

 

Pillowcase tote bags– Got old pillowcases at home that you no longer use or ask your students to bring in theirs to make these quick and easy bags.  Students may then decorate them with ribbons, sequins, rhinestones, etc. and they are great to use or inexpensive gifts to give away.  Here is a tutorial for creating a tote vintage-pillowcase-grocery-tote-tutorial

Recipe in a jar-Using basic baking ingredients and very inexpensive mason jars from the Dollar Tree or reusable jars from home, allow students to find basic recipes to put in a jar and give away as gifts for teachers, family members, and even friends-You may even want to use this idea for yourself.  (This is also a great fundraising idea-wish I could have gotten this idea out sooner but it will be in my fundraising section!)  Check out this website for some ideas for recipes to put in the jar-http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/index.shtml

Favorite Recipes Cookbook-Allow students to get a little creative and make small cookbooks to use as gifts.  They can include their favorite recipes from the semester, find favorite foods that they enjoy from the internet or find recipes that they know people prepare around the holidays to make their holiday dinner preparations a lot easier.  However, don’t just allow them to print them out and put them together, have them creatively decorate them almost like a scrapbooking cookbook that you see in the picture.

Food gifts-Have students that are good at baking or enjoy cooking to make food gifts.  Remind students that food gifts can be just as great as expensive gifts because everyone likes food and also this is very inexpensive depending on the type of food item you prepare.  Also remind your students with this activity that packaging/presentation is everything!

BIG FINALE-Handmade Gift Exchange-Of course this is the time of year when everyone wants to exchange gifts but it’s not always fair because everyone’s funds are  not the same.  So here is your chance and your students’ chance to get creative.  Have a handmade gift exchange where you could have the entire class pull names and every gift has to be something hand made.  Now all things listed above are great ideas, but don’t forget the other ideas that are in the clothing section of this website as well.  This should be fun!

So, being in the spirit of giving I will be having a drawing for a surprise Just FACS gift set!  All you have to do is email me pictures of your students’ completed projects or yours for the holidays and your name will be entered into the drawing.  The deadline to enter is Saturday, December 18, 2010.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 19, 2010.  Please email me at justfacs@gmail.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from JUST FACS!!!