Information provided on this page for classroom use only; not for publication.

thevirtualvine.com 2003

 

 

Reindeer

 ~ Books ~

Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer ~ Golden Books

Reindeer Surprise ~ Rita Walsh

The Wild Christmas Reindeer ~ Jan Brett

Reindeer ~ Emery Bernhard

Far North: Vanishing Cultures ~ Jan Reynolds

 

 ~ Poems ~

Rudolph! Rudolph!

Rudolph! Rudolph!

What will you do?

You can't guide Santa

If your nose is blue!

 

Rudolph! Rudolph!

You're such a silly fellow.

Who will know it's you

If your nose is yellow!

 

Rudolph! Rudolph!

Your way cannot be seen

Through the wintry weather

If your nose is green!

 

Rudolph! Rudolph!

Santa gave a wink.

But what will Santa think

If your nose is pink?

 

Rudolph! Rudolph!

It's time to fly at night

But you're quite a sight

Cause your nose is white!

 

Rudolph! Rudolph!

It's time to go to town

But Santa's wearing a frown

Cause your nose is brown!

 

Rudolph! Rudolph!

Santa has his sack.

But you're not ready

If your nose is black!

 

 

Rudolph! Rudolph!

The children are in bed.

And now I know you're ready

Cause your nose is red!

~ Author Unknown ~

 

 

 

Call Rudolph

Eight little reindeer pulling Santa's sled

One fell down and bumped his head.

The elves called Santa and Santa said,

"Can seven little reindeer pull my sled?"

 

count all the way down to  ...

 

One little reindeer pulling Santa' s sled,

He fell down and bumped his head.

The elves called Santa and Santa said,

"Call Rudolph!"

~ Author Unknown ~

 

 

 ~ Songs ~

 

Reindeer Pokey

(tune: "Hokey Pokey")

 

You put your antlers in.

You take your antlers out.

You put your antlers in,

 And you shake them all about.

You do the Reindeer Pokey,

And you turn yourself around.

That's what it's all about!

 

You put your right hoof in....

You put your left hoof in ...

You put your red nose in....

You put your fluffy tail in...

You put your reindeer body in...

 

HOKEY POKEY!!!!

~ Author Unknown

 

 

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen,

Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen.

But do you recall,

The most famous reindeer of all?

 

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer,

Had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw it,

You even say it glowed.

All of the other reindeer,

Use to laugh and call him names.

They never let poor Rudolph,

Join in any reindeer games.

 

Then one foggy Christmas Eve,

Santa came to say.

"Rudolph with your nose so bright,

Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

 

Then how the reindeer loved him,

As they shouted out with glee.

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer,

You'll go down in history.

 

Note:  I do hand-motions when singing this with my students.  When you say..

Rudolph = point to nose

reindeer = make antlers with both hands

nose = point to nose

saw = make glasses with both hands, similar to binoculars

glows = spread both hands around nose

call him names = then say "Nah, nah, nah, nah!"

foggy Christmas Eve = hand over eyes like you're trying to see far away

Santa = use both hands to make big, fat belly

Santa came to say = sing the part he says in deep voice

sleigh = holding reins

glee = then say "Whoopee!"

go down in history = melt down to the floor

 

Rudolph's Light

(tune: Camptown Races)

 

Reindeer pull on Santa's sleigh

Ho-ho, ho-ho.

Rudolph's leading all the way

Ho-ho, ho-ho.

Gonna ride all day

Gonna ride all night

We'll be riding through the sky

Using Rudolph's light!

~ Author Unknown

 

 

Ten Little Reindeer

(tune: 10 Little Indians)

 

1 little, 2 little, 3 little reindeer,

4little, 5 little, 6 little reindeer,

7 little, 8 little, 9 little reindeer,

10 little Santa's reindeer.

 

10 little, 9 little, 8 little reindeer,

7 little, 6 little, 5 little reindeer,

4 little, 3 little, 2 little reindeer,

1 little Santa's reindeer.

 

Jumped in the sleigh and the sleigh tipped over,

Jumped in the sleigh and the sleigh tipped over,

Jumped in the sleigh and the sleigh tipped over,

No more Santa's reindeer!

~ Author Unknown

 

+ great for reinforcing counting forward and backwards to 10 ... one of our K benchmark objs.

 

 

 ~ Activities ~

Class Shape Book:  Make a class shape book by having your students complete the sentence frame:

When Rudolph __________,

his nose turned ________.

 

The students complete the first blank by writing in something that Rudolph could do, then complete the second blank by rhyming the action with a color word.

 

For ex:

 

When Rudolph jumped out of bed,

his nose turned red.

 

When Rudolph acts like a funny fellow,

his nose turns yellow. (slight change in the sentence frame)

 

So it would help, if before beginning to write the rhymes, the class generated words that rhymed with the color words.  For instance,

 

red:  bed, said, head, Ted, instead, dread, shed

yellow: fellow, mellow

green: bean, mean, seen, screen, Halloween, sheen, lean, queen, careen

blue: hue, Hugh, stew, flew, dew, do, sue, shoe, threw, few

 

After the rhymes are written, type each one up on a page shaped like a reindeer head.  Have each student illustrate their page and cut it out.  Then bind all the pages together to form a class book.

 

 

Foot and Handprint Reindeer:  Trace around each students' footprint (with the shoe on!) onto brown construction paper, and around each hand onto white or tan construction paper.  You will have one footprint and two handprints per student.  The footprint becomes the reindeers head (heel is the nose) and the handprints are the two antlers.  Glue the antlers to the back of the head, then add wiggly eyes, and a red or black pom-pom nose.  We've used this and glued it onto red or green large size construction paper to be used as a placemat.  Don't forget to add student's personal info and year because it will no doubt become a keepsake, especially if you go to the trouble of having them laminated.

 

Red Nosed Reindeer Ornament:  Use a small plastic margarine or potato chip can lid as the base.  Cut brown construction paper or felt circles to fit the lid.  Glue the circle(s) on [front and back, or just front].  Add either paper or pipecleaner antlers to the back.  Then add wiggly eyes, facial features and a red pompom for a nose.  Hot glue a small silk sprig of holly in front of one antler and add one or two 3 sided red plastic beads.  Glue a piece of red yarn or ribbon on the back between the antlers for a hanger.  The ornament in the picture below is quite old, so his antlers are bent and not what they use to be. :)

 

click on image to enlarge

 

Another Red Nosed Reindeer Ornament:  Turn a dog biscuit vertically (like Milk Bone) and hotglue small wiggly eyes close to the top.  Then glue a tiny red pompom towards the bottom of the biscuit.  Cut a brown pipecleaner in half to form antlers.  Glue each antler on behind the biscuit.  Twist the pipecleaner to form antlers.  Glue a loop of red ribbon or yarn to the back as a hanger.  This can also be used to make pins and necklaces.

 

Get Ready, Rudolph Flannelboard Activity:  Use the poem "Rudolph! Rudolph!" in conjunction with with your flannelboard for a good phonemic awareness activity.  Cut a reindeer head from brown felt and add facial features with a black marker.  Cut out a round nose for each color listed in the poem.  Put the reindeer head on the flannelboard with all the noses lined up overhead.  Read the rhyme to the class as a group, but stop before saying each color.  Have the students complete the rhyme by giving you the correct color.  You then add the appropriate color nose to the reindeer.  When removing the already used nose, place it below the reindeer.  If the students get stuck on a rhyme, they can look at the colors of the noses above the reindeer's head to aid them in their choices.

 

 

 

Rudolph! Rudolph! book:  You can also turn this poem into a book for your students reinforcing colors/color words. 

 

Reindeer Names:  Begin by making a list of Santa's nine reindeer ...

+ Rudolph

+ Comet

+ Cupid

+ Donner

+ Blitzen

+ Dancer

+ Prancer

+ Dasher

+ Vixen

 

Then choose a color of construction paper for each reindeer name.  For instance, Rudolph could be red, Comet could be yellow, etc.  Then use only that color to cut out all the letters for the reindeer's name using the Ellison machine.  (All Rudolph's letters would be red for his name.  All Comet's letters would be yellow for his name.)

 

Once you have all the letters cut out, glue them onto 3x5 index cards turned vertically.  If you want to use them in the pocketchart (which is a good idea), then you'll need to trim 1 inch off the end of each card, because the pocketchart strips are only 4 inches apart.  Before gluing, lay all the cards out for that particular name and center the letters on the cards.  This keeps the letters pretty much in line so that you don't have some letters at the bottom of the card, then letters with a "tail" standing up taller than the others.  Once you get all this done, then laminate them. 

 

The students use the master list of names that you made (so get it laminated as well) to unscramble the letters to form  each of reindeers' name.  They should first sort out the letters into colors, then begin unscrambling them in the pocketchart.  For those students who need assistance, you might have a different list of names that are color-coded to the colors you chose to cut the letters from.  Then at least they'd know which name they were working on.

 

Reindeer Facts book: 

 

pages can be found in

The Mailbox

Dec/Jan 1998 - 99  Kindergarten

 

Candy Cane Reindeer Ornament:  You'll need a large size candy cane, wiggly eyes, a red pom-pom, and a green pipecleaner.  Glue the two wiggly eyes just below the crook of the candy cane (but not on the long side).  Then add the red pom-pom towards the short end of the candy cane for the nose.  Then bend the pipecleaner in half and tightly twist it several times around the crook of the candy cane, leaving much of both ends sticking up.  Fashion the remaining ends of the pipecleaner into two antlers.  If the pipecleaner doesn't want to stay in one place, add a drop of hotglue to hold it.

Rudoloph's Reindeer Antlers:  Cut strips of brown construction paper about one inch wide and fit to the head of each student.  Trace both of their hands onto another sheet of brown construction paper and have them cut them out.  Cut another strip of brown construction paper about one inch wide for each student to run from the band around their head down to the tip of their nose.  Glue or staple it to the head band, then add the handprint as antlers.  Have each student cut out a red circle from construction paper about 1 inch wide and glue on red glitter.  When dry, glue these to the end of the construction paper strip that runs down the nose.  This should form the reindeer antlers and Rudolph's red nose.

Puzzle Piece Reindeer Ornament:  You'll need 3 puzzle pieces for each reindeer.  Spray paint them gold and arrange two side by side with any stick out pieces sticking up to form the antlers.  Lay the third piece over the bottom tips of the first two with any stick out piece pointing down to form nose.  Glue down.  Glue a tiny red pom-pom on the nose piece and two small wiggly eyes where appropriate.  Glue a loop of red yarn or ribbon on to the back for a hanger.

Magic Reindeer Food:  Have students measure 1/4 cup  oats into a baggie with 1 t. of colored sugar.  Tie the bag and attach the following poem:

Magic Reindeer Food

On Christmas Eve,

Before you go to bed,

Sprinkle this magic reindeer food on your lawn.

The magic sugar sparkling in the moonlight

And the smell of the oats will help

To guide Rudolph to your house.

Merry Christmas!

 

Craft Stick Reindeer:  Glue 3 craft sticks in the shape of a capital A.  Allow the the cross piece to stick out a little on each side.  The point is the reindeers nose, and the two pieces sticking up are the antlers.  Glue wiggly eyes onto the cross piece and a red pom-pom onto the point.

 

Peppermint Reindeer:  Cut out a large candy cane shape from white construction paper.  Add red stripes with marker.  Trace students hands on brown construction paper.  Cut out and glue side-by-side to top of candy cane for reindeer's antlers.  Add a red pom-pom nose to the crook of the cane and a wiggly eye where appropriate.

 

Reindeer Instructions: This book is one of Kim's books.  My TA at the time made this book, but I don't think we ever got around to making it with the class.  However, when she did the model book, she made the reindeer going the wrong way and the ribbon is a little too short, but you get the idea.  The instructions for the book are posted here:

http://www.kindernetonline.com/classbooks3.html

 

The telephone wires are yarn and the clouds are cotton, although you can't see them (white on white).  The last page has an added on strip of paper with cotton glued to it so that you can slide the reindeer down behind it.

 

Reindeer Food: Place bird seed in a ziploc bag and attach these instructions on a green piece of paper:  If you want a good laugh from the parents, you can add a red-hot as a battery for Rudolph's nose!

 

Tis the night before Christmas

And since every year

You feed Santa Claus

Now feed his reindeer.

 

Reindeer Food

1. Wait until Christmas Eve

2. Spread contents on lawn

3. Hop into bed!

4. Shh! Listen for Santa!

5. Close your eyes and watch sugar plums dance.

 

(contains enough for eight tiny reindeer)

 

Magic Reindeer Hay:  Put hay into a small lunch bag.   Fold down the top and staple shut.  Turn the bag into a reindeer by adding handprint antlers, wiggly eyes, red pom-pom nose.

 

Magic Reindeer Hay

'Tis the night before Christmas

Santa will soon be here

We give cookies to Santa

Now let's feed his reindeer.

 

Directions:

On Christmas Eve, just before going to bed, sprinkle the reindeer food on your lawn, jump into bed and quietly wait for Santa.  He and his reindeer will soon arrive.

 

Poem for Reindeer Food:

Reindeer Food

Up on the housetop reindeer pause,

And wait for good old Santa Claus.

So while Santa is spreading his good cheer,

Let's leave some food for his reindeer!

 

Reindeer Hoofprints:  Use a split dowel rod to make tiny reindeer hoofprints in the snow.  Now how sneaky is that?!? :)

 

Wild Christmas Reindeer:  After reading the book, make reindeer paperbag puppets, but add a red harness across the bottom with colored shapes on it.  Use the book for guidance.

 

Reindeer Toast: Toast one slice of bread for every two students. Cut toast in half diagonally.  Each student will spread peanut butter on their half of the toast, then add 2 curled pretzels for antlers, raisin eyes, and a cherry for the nose.  Great way to introduce/reinforce 1/2!

 

Reindeer Treat:  Instruct students to create a trail mix that will reinforce their counting skills.  Have them decorate one side of a brown paper lunch sack with a reindeer face (black eyes, a red nose).  Then have them count 10 peanuts, 10 M&Ms, 10 raisins, 10 chocolate chips, 10 peanut butter chips, and 10 Quaker Oat Squares into the bag.  Then fold the top of the bag down and staple.  Have students trace around each of their hands onto brown construction paper and cut out.  Staple the hands to the top - back of the bag to form the antlers for the reindeer.

 

Reindeer Cookies:  Provide each student with a Nutter Butter cookie and chocolate frosting.  Have them frost one side of the cookie and add two small curled  pretzels at the top for antlers, two raisin eyes, and a red M&M for the nose.

 

 

 

 ~ Resources ~

Video:  "Prancer"

 

Video: "Annabelle's Wish"

 

This is Annabelle! :)

 

The Mailbox: Dec/Jan 1999 - 2000 Kindergarten

* Rudolph Pattern for "Get Ready, Rudolph Flannelboard Activity"

 

Worksheet Magazine (now Teacher's Helper): Grade 1  Apr/May/June 1991

The Reindeer (reading for detail)

 

The Mailbox: Dec/Jan 1995 - 96  Kindergarten

Reindeer Refreshments recipe card

 

The Mailbox: Dec/Jan 1998 - 99  Kindergarten

Booklet pages for "Really? Are Reindeer Like That?"

Reindeer Pops recipe cards

other reindeer activities

 

Holiday Projects for Kids: FS 692

3D Reindeer

Cone Reindeer

 

Teacher's Helper: Dec/Jan 2001 -2002  Kindergarten

activity sheets for beginning consonants

 

 

 ~ Links ~

Teachers.Net:  Christmas Theme on Reindeer

http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/747.html

 

Paperbag Reindeer

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/craftdetails.cfm?TopicID=447

 

Candy Cane Reindeer Ornament

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/craftdetails.cfm?TopicID=623

 

Candy Cane Rudolph Ornament

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/craftdetails.cfm?TopicID=624

 

Red - Nosed Christmas Reindeer

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/craftdetails.cfm?TopicID=608

 

Santa's Reindeer

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/craftdetails.cfm?TopicID=611

 

Red-Nosed Reindeer Note Holder

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/craftdetails.cfm?TopicID=609

 

Reindeer Handprint Puppet

http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/craftdetails.cfm?TopicID=619

 

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Carol (and others)

http://www.the-north-pole.com/carols/rudolph.html

 

Eight Tiny Reindeer

http://www.umkc.edu/imc/reindeer.htm

 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Craft and Activities

http://www.first-school.ws/activities/crafts/animals/wild/reindeer.htm

 

Christmas Reindeer Coloring Pages

http://www.coloring.ws/christmas5.htm

 

Reindeer Crafts

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/reindeer.html

 

Reindeer coloring page

http://www.abcteacher.com/coloring/December/reindeer.gif

 

Olive, The Orphan Reindeer

http://www.kraftmstr.com/christmas/books/olive.html

 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

http://www.oldjim.com/christmas/chris8.html

 

Reindeer Projects

http://childfun.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=214

 

Christmas Reindeer Clipart and Pictures

http://www.holiday-clipart.com/christmas/christmas_reindeer01.html

 

Reindeer printable

http://www.allthingschristmas.com/northpole/color/colorpages/reindeer01.html

 

Reindeer Painting Online

http://www.allthingschristmas.com/northpole/color/painting/painting.html

 

Reindeer Poop - Silly Stocking Stuffers

http://holidayorganizer.com/gifts/stuffers/reinpoop.html

 

Magic Reindeer Food (with printable gift tag)

http://holidayorganizer.com/gifts/stuffers/reinfood.html

 

Christmas Theme on Reindeer

http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/747.html

 

Crafts Project: Chip Lid Ornaments

http://www.i-craft.com/crafts01/chipornament.html

(I've been saving my lids to do this project!)

 

Reindeer Antlers Headband (printable)

http://kizclub.com/holidaycrafts.html

 

 

 

11.13.03

last updated 6.1.04

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