Our last stop before we get on the Polar Express was to Sweden.
-The biggest celebration in Sweden is St. Lucia's Day which is on 12/13.
-This is also the Winter Solstice which is the shortest day of the year
-Girls dress in white dresses with a red sash and a crown of candles
-Visit hospitals and sing songs as well as hand out ginger snap biscuits
-St Lucy brings presents and they leave out a sandwich for her, and a donkey carries the gifts.
We made the crown of candles.
Our second to last stop, was to Holland.
-Christmas is celebrated on December 6th.
-Some families have a feast after the Christmas service.
-They use pine cones and frosted bells for decorations.
-They sing Christmas carols.
-Santa Claus is called St. Nicholas
We cut out and frosted a bell, and sang Christmas carols.
We travelled to Russia, and learned all about the famous Nutcracker and the ballet.
-Christmas in Russia is celebrated on January 7th.
-During Christmas eve feast, they do not eat any fish or meat. They eat beet root soup or vegetable pies.
-The Russian Cookies are made in the shape of sheep, goat, or deer.
-Babushka brings the children gifts.
-The Nutcracker came from Russia.
We made a Nutcracker, and danced to the music from the ballet.
The grocery store is a busy place. We are learning about coins, and money, stocking shelves, and getting lots of practice reading environmental print.
Gumball math was so much fun. They had to roll the dice, and dot that number of gum balls in their machine. This worked on color ID, following 2 step directions, subitizing, and rote counting. This also prepares them for turn taking during simple and complex path games.
