Ornaments
LESSON 5
Children create festive ornaments, practicing fine motor skills and expressing creativity, as they understand the significance of holiday decorations and the joy they bring to homes.
The book, “Lights of Winter,” by Heather Conrad
The book, “The Shortest Day,” by Susan Cooper
Materials to make your ornaments of choice. Here are some ideas!
Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments:
2 cups of flour
1 cup of salt
1 cup of water
1/2 cup of cinnamon
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Straw or toothpick
Ribbon or twine
White puff paint
Acrylic paints and brushes (optional)
Materials
Gather materials
Preparations
Prompt children to identify and brainstorm other holiday decorations, encouraging them to draw inspiration from stories and illustrations discussed in previous lessons.
Explain the purpose of ornaments in adding color and cheer to the home, connecting the concept to the hands-on activity of creating ornaments with the children.
Facilitate a creative environment by offering various materials for ornament crafting, encouraging artistic expression.
Monitor and assist children in developing fine motor skills as they engage in activities like cutting, shaping, and threading.
Objectives for Teachers
Children will identify and brainstorm other holiday decorations, drawing inspiration from stories and illustrations in previous lessons.
Children will understand the purpose of ornaments in adding color and cheer to the home.
Children will practice following instructions, enhancing their ability to complete tasks.
Children will develop fine motor skills through hands-on activities like cutting, shaping, and threading while crafting ornaments.
Children will experience a sense of accomplishment as they celebrate the completion of the ornaments.
Objectives for Children
Collect and Connect
Practice saying the poem with the actions you came up with.
Cold
Cold fingers,
Cold toes,
Pink sky,
Pink nose.
Hard ground,
Bare trees,
Branches crack,
Puddles freeze.
Frost white,
Sun red,
Warm room,
Warm bed.
Activity Flow
In a mixing bowl, combine the salt, flour, and cinnamon. Mix the dry ingredients together.
Gradually add warm water to the dry mixture, stirring continuously. Add water until the dough reaches a smooth and pliable consistency. You may not need the full amount of water, so add it slowly.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until it's smooth and well-mixed.
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
Use cookie cutters to cut out various shapes from the rolled-out dough. Place the cutouts on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Use a straw or toothpick to make a small hole near the top of each ornament. This is where you'll thread a ribbon or string for hanging.
Bake the ornaments in the preheated oven for approximately 2 hours or until they are completely dry and hard. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
Allow the ornaments to cool completely before handling. They will continue to harden as they cool.
If you want to add details or color, you can us white puff paint or paint the ornaments using acrylic paints once they have cooled.
Thread a ribbon or string through the hole you created earlier. Tie a knot, and your cinnamon salt dough ornaments are ready to be hung on a tree or garland or given as festive gifts.
Begin this lesson by reflecting on the previous activity where you made wreaths together. Ask your child if they remember why people decorate with evergreens this time of year. Then ask your child if they can think of any other decorations people like to add to their homes this time of year. Feel free to reference the stories used in the previous lessons to get inspiration and ideas. Point out the ornaments in the illustrations. Then tell your child that today they will be creating ornaments to hang. Ornaments add color and cheer into the home this time of year.
There are many different ways to create your own ornaments. Share with them the materials for crafting the ornaments you have chosen to create today. If you have chosen to create cinnamon salt dough ornaments, and/or paper honeycomb ornaments, follow the steps below.
Cinnamon Salt Dough Ornaments:
