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December STEM
Combine STEM, Maker Space, and art programming by creating projects that light up. Help kids realize that they can become scientists and engineers, too!
Click on the image to learn how to make the Amazing Light-Up Pop-Up Card. Click on the links below to explore the full programming Expansion Pack, get the quick guide, or link to additional project ideas.
Light Up the World Expansion Pack
Light Up the World - page 1 - Activity Expansion PackLight Up the World - page 2 - Activity Expansion PackLight Up the World - page 3 - Activity Expansion PackLight Up the World - page 4 - Activity Expansion PackDecember Book Club
This month, we're celebrating Computer Science Education week and reflecting on ways we can bring some light into the world by sharing our kindness and gratitude.
Click HERE for a quick guide to the December Book Club and Activities.
Boy + Bot - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfShare Some Kindness, Bring Some LightThe House in the Night - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfElectrical Wizard - One Page Read Aloud Guide.pdfBoy + Bot
recommended for PreK - 3rd grade readers
Boy and Bot have a lot of fun together, until Bot’s power switch is accidentally turned off. Boy takes Bot home to help him get better, but nothing seems to work. Will Boy be able to help Bot so that they can play again?
GOOD FOR - Computer Science Education Week, Sharing Light and Friendship
Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light
recommended for K - 3rd grade readers
Coco and Bear are the best of friends, but Bear is sad because the other forest animals don't want him around. Coco comes up with a plan to help Bear make more friends. Will the forest animals see Bear's kindness or will they remain afraid?
GOOD FOR - Sharing Light and Kindness
The House in the Night
recommended for PreK - 2nd grade readers
When reading a story, a child’s imagination takes a ride on a bird. Together, they soar high above the neighborhood and into the starry sky. The child’s mind flies past the moon and the sun before returning home, tucked safely into bed.
GOOD FOR - Sharing Light and Kindness
Electrical Wizard
recommended for 2nd - 7th grade readers
Can you imagine a world without electricity? It wasn’t so long ago! Learn about the life and ideas of Nikola Tesla, the man who invented the alternating current generators that power our cities today.
GOOD FOR - Computer Science Education Week, Sharing Light
Anonymous Affirmations
materials - index cards or card stock; pencils or pens
An affirmation is a positive thing you can say about yourself or others. Write kind messages like, “You rock!” on index cards. Put them in places where people can find and share them.
good for - Sharing Kindness, Friendship, and Gratitude
December Activities
The activities below can be used throughout the month to support the December Book Club selections and encourage youth to share their light through kindness and gratitude.
For information about how your group can participate in Computer Science Education Week, check out these educator resources from NASA.
Gift Pop-Up Card
materials - paper or card stock; scissors; pencil; ruler; glue; markers
Fold two pieces of paper in half.
On the folded side of one piece of paper, make a 2 inch cut 1/2 inch from the bottom. Make another 2 inch cut about 2 inches above it.
Open the paper and fold the piece you just cut outward to make a box.
Cut paper shapes for the gift.
Glue the shapes together into two towers.
Glue the towers to the backs of each of the box sides. Write your message on the outer card.
Glue it to the back of the inner card.
Watch the video instructions or use our template.
good for - Sharing Kindness, Friendship, and Gratitude
Paper Snowflakes
materials - square paper; scissors
Fold your paper in half along the diagonal to make a triangle with the folded edge at the bottom.
Fold the triangle in half again, so that the two bottom corners meet, then open this fold.
Fold the bottom right corner over the opposite side to form a second peak.
Flip your paper over and do this step on the other side.
Fold the triangle in half to make a cone. Cut off the peaks to make a straight edge.
Cut a small bit of the tip off. Cut shapes and patterns along the sides and unfold.
Watch the video instructions.
good for - Sharing Friendship
Kindness Comics
materials - paper; pencils, markers, or crayons
Write a comic about a time when someone did something kind for you or when you did something kind for someone else.
How did it start?
What happened?
How did it end?
Check out these printable comic strip templates!
good for - Sharing Kindness, Friendship, and Gratitude
Kindness Calendar
materials - pictures from books or magazines; paper; pencils, markers, or crayons
Write a list of different things you can do to be kind to or to help the people you care about.
Select a kindness action that you can do each day this week or this month.
Write each action down on a calendar page or write a checklist for each day.
Check out this short video, view our list of ideas, or download the printable blank calendar!
good for - Sharing Kindness, Friendship, and Gratitude
Additional Resources
Use the navigation bar to search for previous monthly highlights with LEAP on the Hub!