This is Lynn Handshy. Lynn teaches first grade at Tularcitos Elementary School in Carmel Valley, California. She has written about the major activities and projects of her classroom. We feature those projects here on Leslie's website.

Another Variety of Holiday Sweets
How to Make a Candy Drop

By Lynn Handshy

Wrapped candies are a part of celebrations in cultures around the world. Here's a first grade version that combines traditional holiday candy and sweet affirmations from the giver to the recipient.

Make a Candy

Materials needed per child:

1. Clear plastic hamburger sized "to go" box.
2. 18" square of colorful cellophane (red, green, blue or yellow)
3. 3" square of paper
4. Three pieces of scotch tape
5. Two 6" lengths of colorful yarn or ribbon

Steps:

1. Have children decide whom they want to give a sweet message to.
2. Fill in this blank. . .
   I think you are sweet because _________________________.
3. Write the affirmation on the 3" x 3" paper.
4. Tape the sweet note on the floor of the "to go" box. Close the lid.
5. Place the "to go" container centered on the end of the sheet of cellophane. Tape one end of the cellophane onto the bottom of the box.
6. Roll the box to cover with cellophane. Tape the final end to stay in place.
7. Twist the end tails on each end of the cellophane. Tie each bunched end with a piece of the colorful ribbon or yarn.
8. Hand the charming candy wrapped to the lucky recipient with a smile and a hug.

If your class and a partner class want to team up, you can each make a different model of sweet candy. (See the fourth grade version by Shelley Lyon on this website.) The children in each class can exchange candies and share some sweetness within your school.

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