I am a girl who loves a themed party, so our classroom party is no different! This year we had a "Snow" theme. My fabulous room mother planned a little snowman ice cream snack to kick it off! Each child went through a buffet of toppings to fill a bowl with the goodies they loved. Then, a parent scooped them each two scoops of ice cream. They then used their toppings to decorate the scoops to make the snowman of their dreams!
After eating the snacks, we played some fabulously FUN yet simple minute-to-win-it style games with a snow theme. My favorite part of these were that there were few supplies needed (mini-marshmallows) and minimal mess!! Yet the students were engaged, having fun, and concentrating so hard to accomplish the tasks! My room mom (who is also the room mom for her first-grader) noted that our room was SO MUCH less chaotic than other classes {that was the plan!} ;)
I must say that I got these ideas from another blog post...check it out here.
I began by lining my tables up in rows so that each child could sit across from a partner. Then each child got a bag of 30 mini-marshmallows.
Game #1: Snowmen Stacker
Students had one-minute to stack marshmallows three-high to create snowmen! This was harder than it looked....nobody was able to stack all 10 snowmen, but they sure had fun trying!!
Game #2: Shovel the Snow
For this game, students needed straws and a cup. They placed 30 "snowballs" (marshmallows) on the table and worked with a partner to use the straws to pick up the marshmallows and place them in a cup. The goal was to shovel all of the snow in the cup in one-minute! Several pairs were able to accomplish this task!
Game #3: Snowball Toss
One partner tried to toss all 30 snowballs into a cup being held by their partner. After one-minute, partners switched roles. This turned out to be the easiest task of them all for most pairs.
Game #4: Build a Snowman
Partners decided who would be the snowman and who would be the builder. The goal was for the builder to wrap ALL of his/her toilet paper around the snowman. We didn't time this game, we just announced that the first duo who finished would be the winners!
This was our winning snowman! All she needs is a top hat and a carrot nose! ;)
The snow games were a HUGE success and took up the entire party time (1 hour after the snack)! If time had allowed, I also planned to let the kiddos have the traditional "snowball fight" (with wadded up paper snowballs) to end the party. Unfortunately, we ran out of time....maybe next year!
Of course, the kids also received their gifts...
A "Santa Cup" filled with goodies that included a couple of books, candy canes, crazy straw, eraser, pencil, and "Snowman Soup." They also each received a wrapped gift (isn't unwrapping the best part!?)
A "Favorites Collage" - a collage with their name, my name, our school, grade, LOTS of their favorite things and some of my favorite things about them. Sometimes I create these as end of the year gifts for my students, but this year I was inspired to let them know how special they are right now. I used www.wordle.com to create the collage using shades of the student's favorite color(s). I gave them a little survey a few days before to collect information regarding their "favorites" that I might not know off the top of my head. On the back of the frame, I placed a label that said "A Favorites Collage - Just a few of your favorite things mixed with some of your best qualities to remind you why you're one of my favorite students! Love, Mrs. Madden - 2012" I hope it will be something that they will cherish and can always look back on to remember 2nd grade...the year when they had "snow" much fun! :)
I absolutely love the personalized Wordle collages! That's such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletePixy Stix and Teacher Tricks
Looks like so much fun!! I usually do minute to win it for my Halloween party. :) I'm thinking of doing a snow party the first Friday coming back from vacation - when we all need a little excitement to start the year.
ReplyDeleteThe "Favorites Collage" is such a great idea!! I will keep it in mind for the end of the year!
ReplyDelete❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
Sweet-literally! SMILES!
ReplyDeleteWow!! What a fun looking party!! you're such an awesome and kind teacher :) Your kiddos are lucky!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Teaching in Paradise
This looks like so much fun! I'll definitely be doing Minute to Win It games for our Valentine's Day party. The collage is super cute. I'll definitely keep that in mind for the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Jeannie
The 2nd Grade Surprise
http://the2ndgradesurprise.blogspot.com
Wow!! Your party looks like a blast! Hmmm maybe it will still be snowing in February so I can have a snow party for Valentine's Day! I also adore your Wordles. I am sure your students will treasure them!
ReplyDeleteKate
EduKate and Inspire
LOVE this!! I am pinning this to remember for next year. I was thinking about doing the wordle for end of the year gift and now I am definitely going to!! Great idea about the surveys
ReplyDeleteBrittany
Stickers and Stamps
I love the favorites wordles! Definitely doing this for end of the year gifts. We make wordles when they're Star of the Week and use all the words you can make with their name.
ReplyDeleteDanielle
carolinakteacher.blogspot.com
Very cute ideas! I love themed parties too! We don't have classroom parties in 6th grade where I teach, but we had a winter dance for the kids, it was a white theme and turned out great!! Have a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteKatie @Sixth Grade Scribbles