Oberon's Shenanigans- Day 5

     Well, I'm gonna have trouble topping this one. I just loved it. I have seen similar things on Pinterest, but I decided to add my own spin to it.

     I am doing a new behavioral system for December. I hung a mini-stocking for each child, and they begin each day with 3 candy canes inside. If they finish the day with 3 or more candy canes, the day was a success. Any less, and they do not receive treasure box for the day.

     However, on day 5, the kiddos walked in to find no candy canes in their stockings. Instead, they found poor Oberon all tied up with this note...

     They all cracked up, but a bit uncomfortably. They thought it was funny, but were a little concerned about whether or not Oberon was okay. One child suggested that maybe Oberon did this himself, which I had to admit would be in character for our mischievous little friend.

     This turned into an all-day hunt for our candy canes, and they all had a lot of fun. Everyone went home with treasure box. But not before talking me in to untying him. Which brings me to a question... Does everyone else stick to the rule of not touching your elf? I have established a rule that the kiddos cannot touch the elf, but adults can, since Santa has entrusted the little helpers to us to care for. Opinions?

Oberon's Shenanigans- Day 4

     Oberon was pretty funny this weekend. We came in to find him zip-lining through the classroom on a string of Christmas lights. He was carrying a note that read "I got bored while you al were home for the weekend! It was an accident..." and he had TPed our entire classroom.

     This little elf is cracking us up and we are having so much fun seeing what he is up to each day. The kids constantly write him letters and draw him pictures.
     And it doesn't only encourage them to work hard- I feel the challenge daily to get more and more creative in setting up his shenanigans!

Oberon's Shenanigans- Day 3

     Today, we played a game called "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" in my Jr. Kindergarten class. It was a game my niece did at her birthday party, and I just had to see my kiddos do it. In the game, we separated into different groups. Then, we chose a "snowman" and rolled that person in toilet paper. When that was done, we added buttons, a carrot nose, and sticks for arms. It was so funny.

My niece playing the game.

     Anyway- that night, our crazy elf, Oberon, decided he wanted to try it as well. We came in on Friday morning to find him all wrapped up as a snowman with little buttons all down his front. Even his nose was painted orange. The kids cracked up, and couldn't wait to play the game again!

Oberon's Shenanigans- Day 2

     Today, our elf must have been feeling homesick. We walked into class this morning to find that Oberon was making snow angels in a pile of glitter! The students loved this- as they love anything that sparkles- but I found myself disappointed in it, myself. I didn't like the way his hands were, first of all. I guess I need to separate his hands. It is limiting me too much.
     But the biggest problem I had with this, was that I didn't have a large enough container. I felt like it looked odd. I wish I had taken more time to set up a little winter wonderland to make this look more impressive... oh well. Next time.

Oberon's Shenanigans- Day 1

     This year, our class is being visited by a scout elf from the North Pole for the first time. I am only sad that I did not begin this tradition earlier.

     The kids LOVE our elf, Oberon. They love all his mischief, his love, his letters. They love to write to him. They love to read to him. He inspiring two of my very favorite things: learning and laughter.

     He arrived the day of our Thanksgiving party, where at our school, we have an event called "Pies with Parents" to celebrate with our children's families. After walking around, serving the kiddos various types of pie, I finally came around with the last pie.

     But when I opened the pie box, there lay a scout elf, surrounded only by crumbs of the missing pie!

We knew immediately that Oberon was going to be quite mischievous. As we talked about it, the kids picked up the word "mischievous" too. For the last several days they have found all sorts of clever ways to use their new impressive vocabulary.