Items filtered by date: December 2011

8 pages. A fun way to review addition and subtraction math facts. Students can simply do one page as a skill sheet or cut out and save 5 pages for 10-snowflake fact-pages and assemble them in an igloo booklet.

I’ve been making “Stuffy” the snowman since the late 80’s when I used to sell lots of them at Christmas craft shows. I finally decided to post him on the blog, as he is do-able for a student activity, even for younger children + he's a great source for reinforcing measurement, as well as listening and following direction skills.

Send a note home to parents that you need a clean washed white tube sock and another colored sock.  Heaven knows we all have wash machines and dryers that seem to literally eat a sock or two so that the missing pair is nary to be found.

I include “socks with out mates” in a “Please Save” list, that I send out at the beginning of the year as a “heads up”.

If you get tube socks like the ones pictured, you can use the striped part for the hat and don’t need an extra sock! 

I also have a list for parents to sign that’s entitled: “I’m willing to donate something for a special activity”. This project would fall under this category, as you’ll need a bag of “fluffy stuffing” the kind that people use to stuff pillows.  You can purchase it at any fabric store.

You’ll also need a cup of un-popped popcorn or rice per student.  This makes Stuffy stand up perfectly. 

While at the fabric store, look for remnants of plaid flannel that’s on sale.  I’ve tried ribbon and it just doesn’t look as cute for a scarf as real flannel does. 

Each student needs an 18-inch long by 1 ½ inch strip.  I pull a few strings off the ends so it looks like a real scarf.

Loosely tie the scarf around the middle of the snowman, tight enough so that it makes a “head” appear.

Cut your tube sock so that it is 9 inches long if you want to make a short “Stuffy Snowman” like the one pictured.

I have made larger ones using the entire white tube sock, but the smaller ones sold better, stood nicer, and looked more “adorable”.

If you want to make a “family” of snowmen as I did for us, then you’ll want to use the entire sock for the “daddy” snowman.

Pour the cup of popcorn in the bottom of the sock.

Lightly stuff with fluff.

Tie the top with a piece of yarn and knot it.

Cut the top of the colored sock off so that you have 6 inches of sock.

Tie the top with a piece of yarn. Knot it, and then tie a bow.

Flip the bottom edge up 1 inch for a brim.

Some socks are harder to cut and get a straight line.  This doesn’t matter.

It’s a knit cap and ragged looks country great!

You can always roll the brim edge in if you’re picky.

No need to sew on.  Just stick it on the snowman’s head and it will stay put.

For the eyes, I paint eraser-size wiggle eyes black; for the nose, I paint a mini wiggle eye orange and hot glue them on.  I used burgundy puffy paint, and squeezed on a smile.

2 dark buttons and a painted wooden heart, also hot glued on, complete “Stuffy”

Click on the link to view/print the article's directions and pix. Stuffy the Sock Snowman.

Scroll down for more fun activities and ideas, and be sure and pop back tomorrow to see how Dominic the Domino Snowman will help your students with simple addition and subtraction!

Do you have an idea to share?  I'd enjoy hearing from you: diane@teachwithme.com and if you use a freebie I'd really appreciate a comment!  Thanks in advance.

5 pages. A fun way for students to practice addition and subtraction using dice and dominoes.