The
Kissing Hand~A
perfect first day story. This is a story about a little raccoon
ready to start school. He talks about his fears to his mother, fears that
most children have before beginning school. His mother comes up with a
wonderful solution to help her little raccoon remember that she loves him
and is thinking about him, even when she isn't with him. A wonderful and
heart-warming story to share with little ones.
~~First Day of School Activity~~
On the first day of school there are mixed emotions everywhere! Some
children are thrilled to be at school while others have much difficulty
making the home to school transition. I always read the
kissing hand with my students that first day. We talk about
our fears and hopes about coming to school. We also discuss how moms
and dads might feel when their children are away from them.
After our story time we decide together to make a gift for the parents on
the first day.
On a large piece of construction paper each child makes a red handprint
with paint (handprint goes at the top). As the handprints dry I have
the children draw a family portrait on a smaller piece of paper. If
time allows, I always like to have the kids bring their portraits to the
carpet and share at least one thing about their drawing. When the
handprints are dry, I staple each child's family portrait to the bottom of
their handprint paper. I give each child a small, **pre-cut
heart to glue in the middle of their handprint.
Near the end of the day we practice re-telling the story. I tell the
kids that their homework for the first day of school is to go home, give
their family the gift and tell them the story of The Kissing Hand.
They tell their parents not to be sad and to remember that
they are thinking of them each day while they are away at school.
**Tip~Use a small or
medium heart punch to make the small hearts. These can be found at
Wal-mart, Hobby Lobby, and scrapbook stores.
First
Day of Kindergarten Snack
The first day of school is a special day and I always provide my class
with a special treat. I make up some sugar cookie dough, (sometimes
I cheat and just buy the Pillsbury ready made sugar cookie dough!) roll
it out,
and
make~~~
Kissing Hand Cookies.
The kids love it!
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Looking
for a heart/hand cookie cutter?
Here are some resources below!
I
have searched high and low to find the hand heart cookie cutter at an
affordable price. I have seen the plain Hand Shaped Cookie
Cutters at Wal-Mart for about
95 cents. This is a seasonal item so it is not always easy to find. A
candy heart could be placed in the center of the plain hand shape for the
same idea or you could use a combination of a hand cookie cutter and a
small heart cookie cutter and place the two dough pieces together
before baking.
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Click on Off
The Beaten Path to find this cute hand cutter and other wonderful
cutters for only $1.00! This is a minature size cutter and is located on
their index under "Popular."
S&H is a flat fee of $3.95
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Click on Kitchen
Collectables to find this cute
heart/hand cutter for $11.95. (This cutter is located on their index under
"Romance.") There are other great cookie cutters at
this site too!
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Gooseberry
Patch offers this metal heart/hand
cutter for $14.95. You will find many other cutters to choose from
and country gift ideas at their site.
They offer on-line service as well as a catalog service.
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~~Kissing Hand Poem~~
A piece of me I give to you,
This special heart because
"I love you."
The heart is you, the hand is me,
It shows that we are
A Family.
This poem comes from teacher
"Sandie in Seattle"
Activity: Paint or stamp both hands of each child. Make the
shape of a heart by overlapping the fingers. Above each child's
heart print, glue a small copy of this poem.
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Need
a copy of The Kissing Hand?
Click on the book to order.
