Christmas Countdown: Waldorf Inspired Circle w/ Holiday Verses, Songs & Stories
In this winter holiday themed class, children will countdown the days to Christmas while building language, literacy and math skills though songs, stories and finger plays.
The Friendly Forest School with Ms. Nora, M.Ed.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(139)
What's included
3 live meetings
1 hrs 30 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade Preschool - 1
Beginner Level
"Brown paper packages all tied up with strings!" Welcome to a magical Christmas Countdown Circle Time! This enchanting online experience is thoughtfully designed to immerse young children in the joy and anticipation of the holiday season as we count down the days to Christmas. Through a delightful mix of songs, verses, stories, and finger plays, your little ones will embark on a heartwarming journey filled with learning through friendship, fun, and a festive spirit. Each class session begins with a warm and welcoming holiday-themed poem, a mindful breath to center ourselves, and positive intentions for the day ahead. This moment of reflection and connection offers a peaceful rhythm helps instill the true meaning of the season in young learners. In the spirit of Christmas, we will open a small present each day. Each gift is sealed with a number, representing which day we are on in our delightful Christmas countdown. Inside these packages, we will find a small gift and a new holiday themed poem, song, or finger play. This daily ritual not only builds excitement but also helps children develop math skills, engage in language and literacy development, and even learn some basic sign language! Together, as a virtual community, we will learn and perform these verses, songs, and finger plays. While building academic and language skills, children will connect with their peers through play. This class is more than just a countdown; it's an opportunity for little ones to learn, grow, and make friends while embracing the magic of the winter season and the holiday spirit. In our holiday countdown, we will pay special attention to the winter solstice, a natural phenomenon that marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. This provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the science behind the solstice and its importance in different cultures. Children will learn about the Earth's tilt, the changing seasons, and the significance of light returning after the darkest day. Through engaging activities, stories, and illustrations, we'll celebrate the winter solstice and the promise of longer, brighter days ahead, instilling a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world. At the end of each class, we will create a beautiful illustration that depicts the theme of the day. By the end of our Christmas Countdown, students will have a cherished collection of 24 holiday-themed drawings and poems to accompany them, serving as a special memento of their winter adventures and learning journey. This curriculum is designed with a special focus on essential values of peace, love, family, joy, and gratitude, making this class not just a Christmas countdown, but a heartwarming journey into the true spirit of the season. Your child will come away with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for the magic of the holidays. Classes do not build upon each other and children may join at any time! WEEK 1: December 2: Snow Globe Magic: Learn a short verse about snow. Snow Globe "show and tell" and create a snow globe illustration! December 4: Hot Cocoa! Let's drink hot chocolate as we hear a cozy story and create a picture together. December 6: Gingerbread Delights: Roll the dice and create gingerbread person picture. WEEK 2: December 9: Peppermints! Candy Cane verses, mindful breath, and illustration December 11: Snowy Science: Explore the science behind snowflakes, frost, and icy experiments. Focus on the uniqueness of snowflakes and create intricate snowflake art. December 13: Frosty Friends: Celebrate the importance of friendship with winter-themed activities and stories. WEEK 3: December 16: All About Evergreen Trees! Exploring the lifecycle and significance of this wintry trees. Christmas tree illustration. December 18: Ginger Bread Houses! Sweet gingerbread verse and dice roll illustration! December 20: Winter Solstice! Celebrating the longest day and winter evening illustration. WEEK 4 December MERRY CHRISTMAS! Christmas Party!!
Other Details
Supply List
Students will need paper and crayons.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined February, 2022
4.9
139reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Get $10 off my classes with coupon code FRIENNOVEMBER10 until Dec 1, 2024.
Welcome to The Friendly Forest School!
I come to you with a wealth of knowledge, classroom experience, and a passion for teaching young children though play.
My classes follow a Waldorf-inspired approach that focuses on the holistic development of children, ensuring that academic skills are nurtured in an engaging and imaginative manner.
A predictable peaceful rhythm, delightful melodies, American Sign Language, and captivating tales (often set in the Friendly Forest) infuse every lesson, making learning a joyful exploration!I
By embracing the ebb and flow of nature's cycles, my goal is to help children feel grounded, secure, and ready to absorb knowledge with open hearts and curious minds.
ABOUT ME:
My journey began in the summer of 2001 when I had an internship in Early Childhood Education at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. After graduating from Purdue University with my Bachelors Degree, I began working as a social worker and case manager for young children in LaPorte, Indiana.
I then moved to Phoenix, AZ and started my journey in Special Education, working as an in-home therapist for children with Autism and other developmental disabilities. I specialized in building expressive language through American Sign Language. Additionally, I focused on treating the whole child though sensory integration and positive behavior support. In 2005 I was named by the Governor as Arizona's "Caregiver of the Year"!
In 2006, I obtained my Masters Degree in Special Education and began working in a K-6 Self Contained Classroom. During this time I worked to develop an award winning School-wide Positive Behavior Intervention Support program based entirely on peace and mindfulness. I was awarded the "You Make a Difference" award by the Osborn School District for my work on this project!
My daughter, Eleanor, was born in 2010. In 2013 I left the classroom to be a full-time mama. My youngest daughter, Annalise, was born in 2013. During this time I began to adopt Waldorf philosophies at home and began homeschool using Waldorf and Montessori inspired pedagogy.
In 2017, I started my own Early Childhood Center called "Let's Play Learning". The developmentally appropriate curriculum was based on the view that children learn best when they are actively exploring the natural world and a carefully constructed environment in the company of their caregiver and directed by loving, professionally prepared teachers. I closed my doors at the beginning of the pandemic and began teaching online, which I love!
In my classes I strive to create a culture of peace and mindfulness while teaching academic skills through nature, imaginative play, storytelling, and artistic expression.
I now live with my family just five minutes away from beautiful Lake Michigan.Reviews
Live Group Class
$36
weekly ($12 per class)3x per week
30 min
Completed by 11 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 3-7
3-10 learners per class
