As the favorite time of the year approaches, teachers around the globe are gearing up to bring a sprinkle of North Pole magic into their classrooms. It's an enchanting time filled with candy canes, hot cocoa, and the bubbling anticipation of the holiday season. But, the star of the show, especially in the classroom, often turns out to be our special visitor from the North Pole – the class elf. You will love this teacher elf on the shelf ideas classroom Elf Plate.
Bringing this little bit of joy into the classroom isn't just a great way to celebrate the season, but also a brilliant method to foster creativity and enthusiasm amongst the young learners. Whether you are a first-year teacher or a seasoned professional, these shelf classroom ideas will bring a dose of cheer and much fun into your space. So without further ado, let's delve into the vibrant world of classroom elf ideas that can redefine the holiday season in your school.
Related:
Elf on the Shelf Adoption Printable
Elf on the Shelf Craft: Make your own Elf Plate
Crafting can be a serene and joyful activity that integrates seamlessly into the Christmas season. Not only does it instill a sense of accomplishment in the kids, but it also fosters teamwork and creativity. Here's a delightful elf craft idea that you can try with your students this year:
Paper plates
Tan, blue, brown, peach, and red craft paint
Brown paper
Cotton balls
Scissors
Marker
Paint brushes
Glue
Printable Directions
Step-by-step Instructions
- Start by laying out a piece of scrap paper and painting a paper plate tan. Allow it to dry thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.
- Cut out various shapes from a couple of white paper plates. You will need:
- 2 elf ears
- 1 large triangle and 1 longer skinnier triangle for the hat
- A small circle for the nose
- An elf collar
- Circle eyes with the rounded bottom cut off
- Cut a rectangle measuring 8 x 2-3” from the brown paper, shaping the bottom to resemble hair.
- Paint the cut-out pieces in the following color scheme:
- Ears: tan
- Hat: red
- Nose: tan
- Eyes: with the left side painted blue
- Now, it’s time to bring our elf to life! Assemble the elf by glueing the pieces onto the tan painted plate.
- For a rosy touch, dab a bit of peach paint on your finger and gently press onto the cheeks of the elf.
- Use a marker to draw a charming smile right under the nose.
- To finish off, glue cotton balls along the bottom rim of the hat and let it dry completely.
This delightful activity is not just a fun elf craft, but it also doubles as a lovely Christmas decoration that can adorn the walls of your classroom.
Other fun Elf Ideas
Here are the printable directions if you want to print it up for your Elf to give the kids or for a classroom party:
Top 10 teacher elf on the shelf ideas for classroom
Now that we have mastered the art of crafting an elf plate, it’s time to explore some more enchanting shelf ideas to sprinkle a little Christmas magic in your classroom. These are tried and tested, guaranteed to bring smiles to your students' faces:
- Christmas Tree Decorating: Let the classroom elf assist the kids in decorating a small Christmas tree. Incorporate mini marshmallows, candy canes, and Christmas lights to add to the festivity.
- Magic Wand Craft: Craft magic wands with your students and leave notes from the elf encouraging them to perform acts of kindness.
- Scout Elves Adventure: Create a series of scout elves adventures where the elf leaves clues or tasks for the children to complete, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Hot Cocoa Day: Organize a hot cocoa day where the elf brings in hot cocoa and mini marshmallows for the whole class to enjoy.
- Snow Angel Activity: Let your elf create snow angels using flour or glitter on a bulletin board, inspiring a fun activity where kids can create their own.
- Elf School: Create an 'elf school' corner with a little help from the classroom elf. Include free printables, lesson plans, and activities that revolve around the North Pole.
- Marshmallow Bath: Set up a 'marshmallow bath' with a bowl filled with mini marshmallows and place the elf inside for a fun surprise for the kids.
- Christmas Book Club: Start a Christmas book club, where the elf brings a new book related to the Christmas season each week.
- Polar Express Journey: Create a Polar Express themed day where the elf invites the kids on a magical journey with tickets, a movie screening, and hot cocoa.
- Elf's Magic Messages: The classroom elf can leave daily messages encouraging good behavior and kindness, possibly even adding names to Santa's nice list.
Classroom Elf Tip:
Remember, the goal is to make this a fun and engaging experience for the kids. A quick Pinterest search can provide further inspiration and easy ideas to implement in your classroom.
Here are other Elf on the Shelf Ideas:
Elf on the Shelf Snowman Building Kit
Pin Elf on the Shelf Plate for later:
FAQs on Incorporating teacher elf on the shelf ideas classroom
How do I introduce the classroom elf to my students?
Introducing the classroom elf can be an event in itself. Consider having a special ceremony where the elf arrives with an official letter from Santa, announcing their stay during the Christmas season. It creates an exciting buildup and sets the stage for the upcoming activities.
What should I do if a student touches the elf?
Traditionally, the elf loses its magic if touched. You can create a story around this, maybe the elf needs to go back to the North Pole overnight to regain its magic, returning the next day. It's a playful way to maintain the elf's magic and intrigue.
How do I maintain the excitement throughout the Christmas season?
To keep the excitement going, regularly change the elf's position and activities. You might consider creating a calendar of elf activities, which keeps the children looking forward to the elf's new antics each day.
How can I involve parents in the classroom elf activities?
Involving parents can be a fantastic way to extend the magic beyond the classroom. You can send notes home with the kids, detailing the elf's activities, or even ask for parents' inputs or contributions to the elf's adventures.
How do I bid goodbye to the elf as the Christmas break approaches?
As the Christmas break approaches, organize a special goodbye ceremony for the elf. Maybe the elf could leave a parting gift for the class, like a new book for the class library or a set of printable elf notes for the kids to enjoy over the break.
Key Takeaways: Elevate Your Christmas Classroom Experience
As we approach the end of this joyous journey of planning and executing the teacher elf on the shelf ideas classroom, here are some crucial points to remember:
- Engage the Students: Encourage students to actively participate in the activities, fostering a vibrant and inclusive classroom atmosphere during the holiday season.
- Foster Creativity: Utilize the elf activities to foster creativity and imaginative thinking among the young learners.
- Encourage Good Behavior: The classroom elf can be a tool to encourage good behavior and kindness, making the classroom environment warm and congenial.
- Include Parents: If possible, involve parents in the classroom elf activities to create a comprehensive and engaging experience for the kids.
- Utilize Resources Wisely: A quick Pinterest search or consulting a Pinterest board can give you many more creative and easy ideas to implement.
Wrapping Up: teacher elf on the shelf ideas in classroom
As we wrap up, I can't help but reflect on the magic that the holiday season brings into our lives. Bringing the teacher elf on the shelf into your classroom is more than just a fun activity; it's about creating precious memories, fostering unity, and instilling the spirit of Christmas in young hearts.
Remember, the best part of this Christmas tradition is witnessing the joy and excitement that it brings to the children. It's about seeing their eyes light up at the sight of the cute little elf engaging in various antics, and their eager participation in the activities planned. It’s truly a beautiful way to add a touch of whimsy and joy to the classroom during the Christmas season.
As you step into this magical journey, I wish you good luck and lots of fun. May your classroom be filled with laughter, joy, and a little Christmas magic. After all, there's no better time than Christmas to bring smiles to the faces of our young learners.
Remember to capture these precious moments, perhaps even creating a class vote on the best elf adventure or crafting a special bulletin board to display the various elf activities. It's not just about the festivities, but about creating lasting memories that the kids will cherish for years to come.
So here's to a joyful season filled with laughter, love, and a sprinkling of North Pole magic. Happy holidays, everyone!