It's that time of the year! Are you the kind of teacher that goes "all in"? The tree is up the Monday after Thanksgiving with ornaments and twinkle lights spread throughout the room. The yearly construction paper fireplace has found its annual home on your hallway bulletin board. Is that you? Well, then, you don't need this blog post.
You may be interested in this lengthier project:
Lengthier (and ready-made bulletin board) Classroom Christmas Craft
This post is for the teacher that is waiting for the Christmas miracle to happen. The one where the blank bulletin board that has sun-faded spots from Halloween pumpkins will magically decorate itself. Or perhaps some elves will show some mercy and get the glitter and cotton balls to beautifully accent the classroom projects while simultaneously avoiding the mess that comes along with such cute adornments.
I offer an EASY CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT! Seriously, it's so easy. This ornament can be done with minimal supplies and time. Win-Win!
You will need:
- cardstock (maybe- you could use construction paper)
- tissue paper cut into squares (perhaps cut, perhaps not)
- liquid glue (absolutely- you need liquid glue)
Time:
- less than 30 minutes to make
- an hour or two to dry
To begin, students will have a cut out of a candy cane (you could change up and use a different shape). The candy cane shape works well because you will not need a hook later on to hang it on your classroom tree. I pre-cut the shapes to save time. You could work on some fine motor skills by having the students trace and cut their own candy cane.
I make the shape using cardstock for durability. However, you could get away with construction paper.
Then, students scrunch up the pieces of tissue paper, dip them in glue, and attach them to their candy cane. Viola! Done! I cut the tissue paper into squares, but you could have students tear pieces to add a bit more texture to the ornament.
The students will come up with their own create ways to decorate. Some will stick with traditional colors and patterns. Others will take creative liberty.
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| Work in Progress |
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| Partially Done Candy Cane Ornaments |
Once dry (they will dry in less than a day) you can hang them on the tree. Before the Christmas break comes to an end have students wrap them for a family gift!
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| Finished Ornaments |
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| Class Christmas Tree |
The simplicity and ease of these ornaments helps bring some Christmas spirit to your room without the angst and annoyance of days-long projects. With minimal mess and maximum "wow" you too can create ornaments that rival "that teacher" down the hall that makes Santa's elves look like slackers.
Merry Christmas!