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TEACHER RESOURCES...
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NOTE: The following resource is provided for pre-school and kindergarten teachers. It contains the information, deas, books, resources, etc. for the GBM Unit that I use in my classroom. A lot of the ideas for the unit have evolved through contact with other teachers and eductators over the past few years.
You are free to change or adapt any of this information for use in your own classroom. However Webmasters, you are only allowed to link to this web page, and not to the individual files/pictures/documents contained on this page. Remember that original files, artwork, pictures, etc. remain copyright protected by Sew What 4U Corp.
| GINGERBREAD MAN UNIT! |
| GINGERBREAD MAN UNIT!
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GINGERBREAD MAN UNIT!
My Gingerbread Man Unit was originally aimed at introducing my students to Christmas holiday concepts (without religious overtones), and basic geography (throughout the US). However, the unit also provides "hands-on learning" of other important Kindergarten fundamentals. These fundamentals include basic math, reading, writing, geography, developing fine motor skills, problem solving, and of course HAVING FUN!!! It is an approach that uses the Gingerbread Man as the basis for many activites and fundamental learning throughout the unit period. However, it is not the sole topic or theme that is covered during this time, but rather, it supplements my normal classroom curricula.
I've used various portions of the "Gingerbread Man Unit" over the past several years, but this is the first year where I have expanded and integrated everything together. The unit initially started as a 1 week introduction to the school environment, but has now grown to a 5 week period of time. (I now use Camp Kindergarten to familiarize and indoctrinate students with the new school environment. Click Here for Camp Kindergarten --> Camp Kindergarten.) I start the unit just after Thanksgiving, which provides a lot of time for the students to really focus on learning during this period, instead of being totally distracted by the holiday season.
In general, the Gingerbread Man is in my classroom for a few days, but then he leaves for about a month to travel around the country. While he travels, he periodically mails the class postcards and things from different states that he visits, sends small gifts, gives them projects, and has them do other things -- which creates a sense of anticipation in my classroom. My students look forward to hearing from the Gingerbread Man, and often discuss where he is, where he is going, what he is doing, and what he may send them each day as he travels. (They even keep track of him on a map--see the top picture.) In the process the students unknowingly develop a strong interest in our country (by state) and various aspects of locations that he visits, while also strengthening math/reading/writhing skills and introducing new concepts.
--Good Luck and Have Fun! --Sandy Elsasser
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| GBM Unit Activities
"The GBM"
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So What Do We Do In The Gingerbread Man Unit???
Many of my students already know who the Gingerbread Man is because he is so popular. Most have already heard the stories or seen him in books that have been read to them long before they begin Kindergarten. So, I've tailored my Gingerbread Man Unit to build upon an already familiar theme, which is a little different than normal. [My students frequently let their family members know what the Gingerbread Man "is up to" when they get home!] But the unit isn't only about having fun, since we also spend time learning and growing: building on our foundation in math, reading, writing, and other subjects; and expanding basic learning concepts and problem solving skills, while adding related holiday activities into the learning environment.We have a classroom Gingerbread Man mascot and the picture at the left shows the one I've used for the past couple of years. [I picked him up from a 'Second-hand Shop' for next to nothing.] "The GBM" is introduced the first day the unit is started, and he sits at his desk with the rest of the students or my easy chair, but is frequently "adopted" by a student and moves to work stations and other classroom activities with the children. However, after a few days he is absent from the classroom, leaving a note behind that says he has gone on vacation. He tells the students that he will be traveling for the next few weeks, but will 'stay in touch' with his friends along the way. [The students feel a 'big loss when he initially leaves' and one of the fun things we alway do is to discuss ways they could have kept him in the class to prevent his leaving! You would be suprised at how creative the students can be!] However, that all changes after the postcards, packages, gifts, etc. start coming in from "The GBM".
The Word file (.doc) below describes many of the more important activities that we do during the unit. However, I'm sure you will want to add your own, especially those that are specific to your school, geographic area, or teaching style. In addition, you probably already do many other things from Thanksgiving to Christmas break which can also be integrated into into your own unit. So, feel free to adopt any additional things that you have found to be of benefit over the years.
You can sequence the activities throughout each school day dependant on your own needs. For example, many schools have holiday related school activities that they must attend, provide a Parent Night Christmas presentation the students must prepare for, or have other learning activities that will still need to be covered. As such, think of the Word file as a 'shopping list' of things you could possibly do in your own unit.
Just Right Click on the file, select 'Save' to store on your computer, and open later with Word.
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| GBM Resources
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The Resources!
Many of the files (.doc format) provided below are described in the Camp Kindergarten activities document. However, I have also included a few other files that you may want to use, and some examples include:
--- GBM Pointers and a Post Card
--- Numered GBM for Counting by 1, 5's and 10's
--- Math Mats and GBM that can be use to measure their height
--- Graphing sheets
--- Blank GBM that the students can decorate
Just Right Click on the file, select 'Save' to store on your computer, and open later with Word.
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| Predictable Readers
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Pedictable Reading Books
I have included a few GBM mini-books that you can download and use in your unit. The mini-books are actually GBM related pedictable books. My students especially like using these books, and often ask that they be included in their Take Home Bags.
I also include a number of other things in the Take Home Bags besides these books. Many of theses extras are pages that I have printed from the files above. My students really enjoy taking a map home to show family members where the GBM was at today!
Just Right Click on the file, select 'Save' to store on your computer, and open later with Word.
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