Countdown to First Night Sanity Saver: Boxing Day Cracker

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Presented by Independent Health

By: Dan Walsh, STEM Educator

Download a PDF version of this lesson here!

Supplies ideas:

Wrapping paper, ribbon, scissors, trinkets, construction paper, toilet paper tube, tape  

Length:

10 minutes 
Academic Subjects:
Science
This lesson supports the following standards:    
 3.4a People in world communities use legends, folktales, oral histories, biographies, and historical narratives to transmit cultural histories from one generation to the next.

Directions for Boxing Day Crackers: 

Boxing Day is celebrated in the UK and around the world on December 26th. A boxing day cracker is a tradition that resembles are wish bone tradition. Except the cracker is full of trinkets, treats, and a crown. Traditionally crackers have a small strip on the inside, that when it rips, it makes a loud snap nice. 

  1. Create a paper hat, using this lesson plan. 
  2. Fold your crown down to fit inside a paper tube. 
  3. Fill the paper tube with trinkets and treats.   
  4. Cut a small piece of wrapping paper and place the tube on top. 
  5. Wrap the tube.   
  6. Twist off the ends of the wrapping paper and tie with ribbon. 

Have a friend or family member hold one end of the wrapping paper and you hold the other. On the count of three pull the cracker towards you. Whoever gets most of the cracker wins the prizes! 

Boxing Day Crackers Vocabulary: 

Blustery– Weather that has strong winds. 

Blizzard– A storm with widespread snowfall accompanied by strong winds

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Countdown to First Night Sanity Saver: Flores de Noche Buena Ornament

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Presented by Independent Health

By: Jacalyn Slingerland, Play to Learn Facilitator

Download a PDF version of this lesson here!

Materials:

Paper towel roll 
Red paint
Paint brush
Yellow pompoms
Hole puncher
Pipe cleaner
Scissors
Paper towels
Liquid glue (optional)
Red glitter (optional)

Length:  

40 minutes

Inactive Time:  20 minutes

Activity: 20 minutes 

Academic Subject(s):

This lesson supports the following NYS Curriculum Standards: 

Flores de Noche Buena, also known as poinsettias, are beautiful star shaped flowers native to southern Mexico. The ancient Aztec called them ‘cuetlaxochitl’ and used them as dye and medicine. There is a legend surrounding the origin of these winter blooming flowers: A little girl loved visiting the manger scene in the chapel. But she was sad because she didn’t have a gift for the baby. One day she picked weeds for him, and while visiting the manger scene she laid the flowers around the baby. The weeds turned into beautiful, red, star shaped flowers. Thereafter the flowers were called “Flores de Noche Buena”. Let’s make our own flowers using some basic craft supplies. 

Directions:

Step 1: Cut the paper towel tubes into 5 pieces; each roughly half an inch thick. 

Step 2: Shape into petals by pinching the ends.

Step 3: Paint the petals red and allow the paint to dry. 

Step 4: After drying, glue the petals together so they shape into a flower. 

Step 5: (optional) Add glitter using liquid glue and craft glitter. Allow time to dry. 

Step 6: Glue yellow pompoms to the center. Allow time to dry.

Step 7: Hole punch a petal and add pipe cleaner, hang your ornament where you like. 

Decorate your house for the holidays with the flower you made! If you enjoyed the craft, make a few more so you may have poinsettia themed décor. 

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Polish Heritage Sanity Saver: Red Poppy Flowers

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Created in partnership with the The Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College.

By Amelia Schrader, Senior Manager of Education and
Julia Bozer, Cultural Program Educator

Download a PDF version of this lesson here!

ACADEMIC SUBJECT(S):

Social Studies, Art

DEVELOPMENT SUBJECT AREAS:

Appreciating Diversity
Fine Motor Skills

HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE TO DO?

15-20 minutes

MATERIALS

• Cardboard egg carton • Scissors
• Buttons or beads • Glue stick
• Red paint or markers • Paint brush
• Pipe cleaners

This lesson is brought to you by the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius College. Explore & More is thrilled to partner with this organization to showcase Polish traditions, heritage and culture through activities, stories and food. Poland is a country located in central Europe. There are many people in Buffalo and WNY that have roots in Poland. Our community celebrates many Polish traditions at Easter, Christmas and throughout the year. We hope you enjoy these Polish activities and think about incorporating some of them in your family’s yearly traditions!

Did you know that the red poppy is the national flower of Poland? These special flowers have medicinal, sentimental and cultural significance across Poland. Red poppies are a reoccurring theme in poems and folk songs. They are also notably a symbol to remember those who passed away during WWI and one of love. The petals are often used to create sought after dyes and oils used around the world. Red poppies also have several qualities used in natural medicine.

Today we are going to make our own red poppies to celebrate Poland!

Directions

Before beginning have an adult cut the egg carton into individual pieces so that each egg slot is separated from each other. Lay out the rest of the materials for the child.

STEP 1 Have the child color or paint the egg carton pieces red, just like the national flower of Poland.

STEP 2 Glue a bead or button to the assembled and painted carton in the center. This button represents the stigma of a flower or the part that holds the pollen.

STEP 3 Connect a pipe cleaner to the opposite of the beaded side and push it through the bottom of the egg carton. You may need a grown up to help you with this step. The pipe cleaner represents the stem of the flower.

STEP 4 Now that the flower has been assembled, you can repeat this process to make a bouquet.

VOCABULARY

STEM: The main body and support of a plant. The stem of a sunflower is really sturdy and supports the plant.

ROOTS: The part of a plant that reaches into the ground helping the plant to gain nutrients. The oak tree in my backyard has really deep roots, that’s how it grew so tall.

STIGMA: Located at the end of the stalk of a plant. This is the area where all the pollen is received.

RED POPPIES: The National Flower of Poland.

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Sanity Savers, STEM Edition: Painting with Magnets

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Presented by National Grid

Written By Dan Walsh
STEM Educator

Supply ideas:

2 magnets, plastic tray, paper, smock, different colors of paint

Length:

10 minutes 

Academic Subjects:

Science

Directions for Magnet Painting   

One of my favorite Explore & More traditions is magnet painting. This simple experiment brings a lot to the table, such as color blending and the amazing power of magnets!


1.    Set up a tray with a sheet of paper. Then put your smock on.
2.    Dab a few different colors of paint on your sheet of paper. 
3.    Have a grownup hold the tray.
4.    Place one magnet on top of the paper (Magnet A) The other magnet will go underneath the tray (Magnet B) 
5.    Using Magnet B, guide Magnet A through the paint and create your own masterpiece!!  
6.    Add new colored paint and predict what new colors will form.

Magnet Painting Vocabulary:

Magnetism– the force of attraction (pulling) or repulsion (pushing) between poles of magnets.
Poles– the ends of a magnet where the strongest magnetic force is felt.

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