I was really
looking forward to seeing the Nutcracker in person and to taking the kids to a
live performance but that wasn't an option with Covid-19 Restrictions. This,
however, was just as fun and dare I say more magical. The kids really loved
dancing along to the performances. We watched the Urban Nutcracker, the Hip Hop
Nutcracker, and the original Nutcracker Ballet. Graysen got hurt before the
Urban Nutcracker so he didn't join the other kids but he loved the Hip Hop
performance. We listened to the Nutcracker music so much that he learned how to whistle a tune from the Nutcracker too. They are
so cute!
Nutcracker in Action!!
Christmas School!!
In past years, I saw but a glimpse of what a relaxing, intentional Christmas season looked like. The kids went to school for the first few weeks of December, and I packed our schedules during off school time to include the things I wished for us to experience during the season. I had high hopes of starting and completing an advent calendar full of ideas and activities, only to get overwhelmed and tired by the end of the day and scratch the plans I came up with. We definitely had intention moments and wonderful memories, but I do remember being stressed out trying to fit it all in. This year, we decided to replace our normal curriculum with Christmas School which still included learning time but focused on the Christmas season. I bought a nature bundle and used a code offered by Brighter Day Press to receive her Christmas Advent Guide for free. I used her wonderful guide as the starting point for our December learning and it was all very lovely. We absolutely loved her advent morning time guide. This is the first year that we finished our advent calendar and the ideas and activities that I planned. It wasn't a requirement for us to finish, just a goal since we had more time and I could be more intention with our learning time. I was very interested to see how Nolan would react to the idea of spending a whole month on learning about the Nutcracker, but he absolutely loved it. In fact, all my kids really enjoyed our learning time. We fit in 3 online virtual performances of the Nutcracker (Urban Nutcracker, Hip Hop Nutcracker, and the Original Nutcracker Ballet). At first I was bummed that I couldn't bring them to a live show but in the end it was perfect because the kids really enjoyed dancing along with the performances. We watched a few spin offs of the Nutcracker in cartoon form. We read a few different Nutcracker picture book versions. We listened to Tchaikovsky on the daily. We created art inspired by famous artists. We read the story of Jesus and really focused on how he is our Great Light in this dark world and at such an interesting time. Our two read alouds were The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glasser and the Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. It was so much less stressful to have to fit in public school time, advent calendar activities, family time, and just generally doing all the "Christmas things" and to instead turn our focus on merging our learning and every day life together. This was by far the most relaxing Christmas season we have had and I can say, truly, that I really do love Christmas School! :)
Homemade Frame Advent Calendar and Brighter Day Press Advent Reading Calendar!!
Christmas School Prep!!
We Learned quite about about the composer Tchaikovsky personal life and professional works, including the Nutcracker music.
We dove into some of the works of Vincent Van Gogh and quickly found out that neither Alivia or Nolan loved his style.
We read several versions of the Nutcracker picture books.
We watched 3 versions of the Nutcracker; Urban Nutcracker, Hip Hop Nutcracker, and the original Nutcracker Ballet.
Graysen trying out hip hop dance after watching the Hip Hop Nutcracker!!
We have really got into Christian hip hop after watch the hip hop Nutcracker!!
Getting ready to paint the mouse king masks. I love our cardboard, the paint represents so many memories!!
Top Left: Alivia, Top Right: Nolan, Bottom Left: Eliyanah Bottom Right: Graysen, Bottom: mom!!
Making snowflakes!!
Making canvas ornaments!!
Crafting with pinecones with grandma!!
Family Borax crystal ornaments!!
Alivia's Nutcracker Lap Book!!
(I let them choose different options to research)
(I let them choose different options to research)
Nolan's Nutcracker Lap Book!
Making a lego Nutcracker!!
Completed lego Nutcracker. It was so cute. They took the lego Nutcracker and video taped a few scenes from the Nutcracker with other lego people.
Playing with Pastels and getting inspiration for Van Gogh!!
Nutcracker Art Experience: Nutcracker inspired by Romare Bearden while listening to Duke Ellington. By Rachel
Nutcracker Art Experience: Nutcracker inspired by Romare Bearden while listening to Duke Ellington. By Alivia
Nutcracker Art Experience: A Cubist Nutcracker inspired by Pablo Picasso
By Alivia
Nutcracker Art Experience: A Cubist Nutcracker inspired by Pablo Picasso
By Nolan
The kids really enjoyed Pablo Picasso so Alivia created another Picasso inspired picture!!
Nutcracker Art Experience: The Dreamy Clock inspired by Salvador Dali and Mouse King Character Study inspired by Beatrix Potter!!
By Alivia
Nutcracker Art Experience: Mouse King Character Study inspired by Beatrix Potter!!
By Rachel
Nutcracker Art Experience: Mouse King Character Study inspired by Beatrix Potter (He pasted his in his lap book)!!
By Nolan
Nutcracker Art Experience: A Snowflake Ballerina inspired by Edgar Degas!!
By Rachel
Nutcracker Art Experience: A Snowflake Ballerina inspired by Edgar Degas!!
By Alivia
Alivia also painted the Nutcracker on a canvas for her room.
Homemade snow globe!!
The kids are really enjoying needle felting. Alivia made this sweet little snowman!!
Enjoying sibling time at grandma's house!!
We bought Alivia a Nutcracker for Christmas. She has been wanting one for a few years and we thought this was the perfect year to get her one!!
She wanted to leave it up all year long because now she has a doll collection. Russian stacking doll, Japan doll, and the Nutcracker.
Our aunt let us borrow a Nutcracker pan and it was the perfect Christmas morning surprise and ending to our Christmas season!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)