Little Acorn Learning

Celebrating the Seasons with Children Nature Based Guides for Home and School

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King Winter Theme Book Including special appearances by Jack Frost his Ice Fairies

~ A collaboration of love from Little Acorn Learning to help you celebrate the coming of

Winter in your home or school

With Contributions by:

~ Eileen Straiton, Little Acorn Learning ~ Jodie Mesler, Home Music Making

~ Jennifer Tan, Syrendell

King Winter Puppet

O Winter King! O Winter King! Thy crown silver and bright

Snowdrifts spiral from your cape

O Winter King! Thy robes blue, purple, white

Long beard curls at the chin

Give us light!

Wisdom and sight! O Winter King

Supplies 1. Wool roving (corriedale, romney, other wool that is not too processed or smooth) – white, flesh-tone, blue, purple or other winter colors 2. Wool locks for hair – white, blue, purple, green 3. Angelina fiber, Firestar nylon, and/or tinsel for sparkle (optional) 4. Tin foil 5. Needle felting needles (thin and thick, if available) and foam base 6. Scissors

Step One - Prep The Fiber If needed, card your wool fiber so that it is easy to needlefelt. Use hand carders or a drum carder. If no carders are available, gently tease wool apart in both directions with your fingers. Step Two – Base (Body) With one piece of white roving, wrap around your hand loosely until you have a long cylinder shape, a bit longer than the height that you want your puppet base to be. Lay the wool on the felting mat (will look like a rectangle) and

needlefelt until it feels somewhat connected. The base does not have to be felted solid unless you prefer it that way.

Add wisps of colored wool, Angelina, Firestar, and tinsel (optional) and needlefelt onto the white. When adding these types of shimmery materials, they need to be carded into wool, first. Continue to add layers of color and/or white until you achieve the look and thickness that you want.

To make the base look like a robe, needlefelt the short ends together, one on top of the other. A darker color added towards the bottom in a triangular shape gives the appearance of a robe over another piece of clothing.

Step Three – Head Wrap a piece of white wool around your fingers. Roll between your hands to form a spherical shape. Needlefelt on the mat to form a shape that will serve as the head and neck.

With a wisp of flesh-tone roving, wrap the head and gently needlefelt in place with smaller needle.

Needlefelt the base to the head over the neck portion. Since the base is a rectangle, and you want to create a cone shape, it will feel like you are gathering the edge that attaches to the head. The more you felt, the more it will become the shape that you want. Step Four – Beard & Hair

Wool locks are wonderful and provide instant curly hair! Layer white, blue, purple, green locks on the top of the head, along the sides, and on the front to form hair and a beard. Needlefelt into the head and neck, as needed. If the locks are too long, use the needle to shape and arrange.

Step Five - Cape Pull apart wisps of white or other color roving for the cape. Hand card to get a very wispy, snowy look! Needlefelt each piece into the neck area, and drape downward or outward, depending on how long you want the cape to be. If longer, lightly needlefelt also to the body. Split ends and twist with your fingers so that the cape swirls outward from the body in snowdrifts. Add as many of these cape pieces as you want around the sides and the back.

Step Five – Crown & Scepter

With tin foil, fashion a crown by cutting a piece longer than you need to go around the circumference of the head. Fold the edges down and then fold in half. If you want a thicker crown, cut a wider piece and fold again. Starting at the middle, cut a triangular shape. Continue cutting triangles until you have about ¼” or more left on each side. Shape the triangles however you wish…tall and pointy like icicles looks great! Fold the ends over each other. Glue or fold to hold. Crown rests lightly on top of the head. To make it stay put, sew onto head with thread.

Cut a rectangular piece of tin foil the length of the scepter. You can make the scepter short or as tall as the King. Fold in half, and half again, and continue to repeat this until you cannot fold any more. Gently twist, starting at one end. Shape the top end of the scepter into a spiral or other shape. Needlefelt a small part of the cape over a bit of the scepter to hold into place.

Step Six – Finishing Continue to needlefelt with a smaller needle, all of the finishing touches, including shaping hair, beard, head, body and cape. Add bits of wool if some areas are too thin. Now, place your King Winter in your nature table! Sing songs, write stories and read poems to him and thank him for bringing wisdom and light during this darker time of the year.

Tips

If wool roving is difficult to shape, hand-card it first. Using a larger needlefelting needle, then a smaller one helps the puppet

stay together better. If you prefer not to needlefelt the base or cape, try knitting, crocheting,

weaving of yarn. The base and cape could also be wet felted and then cut into shape after drying. Another option is to sew dyed silks or fabrics.

King Winter may be done in all white or white and tinsel for a very snowy look!

If no locks are available, pull apart small strips of wool, twist between fingers, and needlefelt into waves.

Create a matching Winter Queen, Winter Fairies, Winter Gnomes or Elf Attendants.

When not in use as a puppet, place on a puppet stand or stuff the base with a wool ball or ball of yarn to help him stand.

Keep needles safely stored in a case, away from tiny hands. To keep moths away, store a small cedar wood or lavender-filled sachet

inside the puppet. Another nice handwork project to make! Awake Winter King! Come and wake my Winter King Join the snow and ice and sing! Blow onto trees your wintry frost Walk with your scepter, do not get lost! Breathe icicles on branches above Pointy like the crown that you love Spiral and swirl snowdrifts delight! Freeze and glow your magic tonight

Jennifer Tan, MA is a fiber artist and musician who lives in Davis,

California with her husband and three children. She blogs about

homeschooling and Waldorf schooling at www.syrendell.blogspot.com.

Jennifer and her husband enjoy leading handwork and curriculum

workshops, teleseminars and consulting with homeschooling families:

www.syrendellacademy.com. A kit with King Winter wool roving is

available at www.syrendell.etsy.com.

King Winter’s Arrival ~ Eileen Straiton

It was deep in the forest where the Ice Fairies prepared for King Winter’s

arrival. The arrival of King Winter was a very big event and only happened

once a year! This day was to be VERY special.

These particular fairies loved decorating the forest for King Winter with

beautiful ice sculptures each year. They had heard the village folk call their

work ‘icicles’ and they thought that was a beautiful name indeed. They were

so grateful that their artwork didn’t go unnoticed.

But this year, each time they began to sculpt the water droplets, they fell

apart. Something was very wrong! This caused quite a commotion. How on

earth would they be ready for King Winter’s arrival in time?

After much debate, they all agreed that the problem was that Jack Frost had

not yet come for his visit. The air was not cold enough to freeze the water

they needed. Without Jack, the fairies would not be able to create beautiful ice

sculptures for King Winter.

The Ice Fairies gathered all of their winter animal friends and asked them to

send out the word that Jack Frost was needed to help before King Winter’s

arrival. Birds of all kinds flew from treetop to treetop singing the little Ice

Fairies’ message. Chipmunks and squirrels burrowed deep into trees and

tunnels to spread the word that Jack Frost was needed in the forest as soon as

could be. Then the cold North Wind heard the animals all over the forest and

meadows and decided to take the message to Jack Frost himself.

North Wind made the long windy journey and whistled his way up the chilly

mountain top where Jack Frost made his home. He whispered into Jack’s ear

the Ice Fairies’ message.

Jack Frost checked his calendar and realized that he was running very late! It

was almost the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and King Winter

was on his way!

It had been an entire year since he last made this very same journey and he

was excited to once again see his Ice Fairy friends. He put on his gown of

white (which sparkled like diamonds even when the sun was not shining on

him) and Jack Frost made his way skipping and singing down the cold

mountainside.

When Jack Frost arrived everything changed and the fairies were thrilled. As

each little fairy knows, Jack Frost brings with him the chill of winter. And each

thing that Jack Frost touched with his cold fingers turned to frost and ice. This

would be a perfect scene for King Winter’s special day.

As he entered the forest, Jack touched the few leaves that remained on the

trees. One by one they were covered with a beautiful frosty glow.

When he came to the stream in the forest, he leaned over to say hello and he

could see that the little stream was so very tired from working so hard all year

long. Jack Frost gave it a little kiss and within an instant the little stream froze

and it was so very thankful to finally take its long awaited winter rest.

Finally Jack Frost made his way to the Ice Fairies and they were anxious to see

him. They told him how difficult it had been for them to make their ice

sculptures for King Winter without the chill that Jack Frost brings each year.

They told him that they were sure King Winter would be very disappointed

when he arrived.

Then, as out of nowhere, Jack Frost laughed so loud and long that cool air

drifted from his mouth into the forest air. The temperature dropped very low

and the Ice Fairies giggled at the sight of their own breath.

Jack Frost led them by each little cottage in the small neighboring village. He

was so filled with joy to be near village folk again that he kissed each window

as he made his way and, like magic; a beautiful frost covered each pane. The

Ice Fairies delighted in the site of it all and began painting beautiful ice

pictures on each child’s bedroom window! What a beautiful treat the young

children who lived in those houses would have when they woke up the next

morning!

Way above, the clouds caught wind of Jack Frost’s laughter and knew just

what to do. The clouds let out just the right amount of water dripping and

dropping down upon each little Ice Fairy’s head. Oh how much fun they were

having and they wasted no time and got to work right away.

As water dripped and dropped, the fairies’ artwork began to take shape and

my, was it beautiful! Each little icicle was created to be unique and different

from the rest - because every fairy knows that it is the differences in our

world that make it such a beautiful place.

The Ice Fairies worked from sundown to sunset and when Jack Frost finally

stopped laughing the entire forest looked like a Winter Wonderland. All that

was missing was the snow! Oh, but they knew that job was saved for someone

VERY special.

The next day, Jack Frost and the Ice Fairies gathered in the center of the forest

in joyful anticipation. From a distance they could hear the galloping of the

Royal Train leading King Winter himself! Closer and closer they came and

soon they could see the outline of the King arriving to bring winter to the land.

When King Winter arrived, he brought behind him the most beautiful blanket

of powder white snow. It covered the entire village and when the children

awoke that morning they could not believe their eyes. First, a beautiful ice

painting on their window and now an entire day of playing in the snow!

The snow blanket was grander than anyone could have expected. It continued

on into the depths of the forest where Jack Frost and the Ice Fairies

celebrated. The King was so pleased with their beautiful work that he gave

each one of them a beautiful snowflake of their very own to keep throughout

the season.

Jack Frost led the group by playing the penny whistle in song and the

celebration lasted all day and didn’t end until the stars came out.

The village folk had their own Winter Solstice celebration too. They gathered

in the village square and enjoyed caroling, warm cider and stargazing. From a

distance, the children of the village claimed they could hear laughing and

singing coming from the depths of the forest but the grown folk didn’t pay

much mind. They had stopped hearing those noises so long ago they had

forgotten.

And so little children, Winter is finally here. And King Winter, Jack Frost and the

Ice Fairies hope you enjoy their special gifts to you.

Winter Solstice Wish

It is an old custom to make a wish on the Winter

Solstice. On this day, light a special candle for each

member of your family. Turn down the lights and

have each person silently make his or her wish and

blow the candle out. You can share one or two of

the verses in this ebook during this time as well.

Baked Winter Oatmeal **from the Little Acorn Learning Winter Childcare Menu

Ingredients 1 c rolled oats 1 t cinnamon 1 T butter pinch each of nutmeg, cardamom 1/4 t sea salt 2 T maple syrup 1 T dessicated unsweetened coconut 1 large apple, diced 1 c milk or almond milk 2/3 c apple cider 2 T chopped nuts 2 T butter Directions Soak oats overnight in milk with a tablespoon of yogurt or 1 t spoon of lemon juice. The next morning preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine everything but the pecans. Using butter, grease a casserole dish and then dump in oatmeal mixture. Sprinkle pecans over top. Bake for 30 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Serve with additional milk or topped with yogurt. Make ahead tip: freezes well.

PENTATONIC SONG Make Way for King Winter by Jodie Mesler To play and sing using penny whistle or pentatonic flute A A A B A A D D D “Make way for King Win-ter,” sings Jack Frost, A A B A D D D “Pre-pare the land,” sings Jack Frost. A A A A B A D D D “I have fro-zen the leaves,” sings Jack Frost. D' B A A G A D D D “And the grass where you stand,” sings Jack Frost. D' D' D' D' E' D' D' A A A A “I have paint-ed ice pic-tures,” sings Ice Fai-ry, D' D' E' D' D' A A A A “On child-ren’s win-dows,” sings Ice Fai-ry. D' D' D' D' E' D' D' A A A A “I have hung i-cy sick-les,” sings Ice Fai-ry, D' B A G A A D D D D “On trees round the mea-dow,” sings Ice Fai-ry. A A A A B A D D D D “Frost-y bree-zes are blow-ing,” sings North Wind, A A A B A D D D “My breath’s i-cy cold,” sings North Wind. A AA B A D D D D “Soon it’ll be snow-ing,” sings North Wind. D' B G A D D D “Here comes the King!” sings North Wind. D D D E D D D D D D “I’ve brought you a blan-ket,” sings King Win-ter. D D D E D D D D D “Of snow soft and white,” sings King Win-ter, D D E D D D D D D “All should be still now,” sings King Win-ter, D D E D “Peace and good night.” * D' & E' are played one octave higher

PENTATONIC SONG King Winter music by Jodie Mesler To play and sing using penny whistle or pentatonic flute (To simplify, speak the rhyme instead of singing, followed by the flute parts) E E E E E D D E King Win-ter is now on the land. (Play the flute) E D E G E D E G E E E E E E D E He reigns with cold and free-zing hand. (Play the flute) E D E G E D E G E E E E E E D E He makes Jack Frost touch nose and toes. (Play the flute) E D E G E D E G G G G G A B D' B And gives our checks a shi-ning glow. (Play the flute) B A G A B D' B E E E E E D D E King Win-ter is now on the land. (Play the flute to sound like wind) G A B E E E E E E D E He reigns with cold and free-zing hand. (Play the flute to sound like cold hands) GAG GAG GAG E E E E E E D E He makes Jack Frost touch nose and toes. (Play the flute to sound like touching nose and toes) B G B G B G G G G G A B D' B And gives our checks a shi-ning glow. (Play the flute to sound like a shining glow) B A G A B A B A B D' B * D' is played one octave higher

Listen to these beautiful songs yourself! We have included a MP3 Version of Each Song

at Your Download Link!

Jodie Mesler is a homemaker, a private music instructor, composer, and owner of Home (Music) Making. She is the creator of Living Music From the Heart Music Curriculum, which is a music kit that includes video tutorials and penny whistles. It is a playful and natural teaching method for the beginner music teacher, as well as experienced musicians to teach to elementary aged children. She has many other musical products found at homemusicmaking.com. She is also member of the Alliance for Children which supports children’s health development, love of learning, and joy in living.

King Winter Verse

Here comes old King Winter, With sound of fife and drums;

With mistletoe about his brows, So merrily he comes!

His arms are full of Winter, His face with laughter glows, He shines like magic icicles Amid the cruel deep snows.

Jack Frost Game

One child is chosen to be Jack Frost. The other children represent flowers, and

stand in circles or any geometrical figures. Jack Frost runs around behind

them and touches one, who sinks down on the floor; then touches another,

who does the same; and so on until all are touched. The child first touched is

Jack Frost in the next game. If played in class the children may remain seated,

and being touched on the head droop forward to the desk.

Exploring Ice

Supplies Needed: Mittens

Ice Cubes Water

Food Coloring Ice Cube Trays Popsicle Sticks

Paper

Spend time exploring ice with the children by doing the following activities:

Have each child put a mitten on one hand. Have them hold an ice cube in each hand. Ask them which hand feels cold first. Does the ice melt faster in

the hand that has the mitten on or the one that does not? Why does the hand that is not covered with a mitten feel less cold?

Freeze water with a little bit of food coloring in various colors in ice cube

trays. Insert a popsicile stick and freeze. Have the children use the ice paints on paper.

Have children pretend to ice skate on a wood floor or smooth surface. You

can play music while they skate.

Fill one glass with warm water and another with cold. Ask children which glass they think will melt the ice the fastest. Place an ice cube in each. Talk

about melting in further detail.

Old King Winter

Whistling and shouting with blustering glee, North Wind comes rushing over housetop and tree,

Loud is his voice, a rough fellow he, He’s a true friend, King Winter.

Winter, you’re boisterous but surely you know We love the gifts you so freely bestow,

Ice for our skates, for coasting, the snow, Thanks for your gifts, King Winter.

The Ice Fairies

On frosty eves, when crickets cheep, Their watch the winter fairies keep,

And by the light Of moonbeams white

Weave silver laces while I sleep.

Yes, when the daylight comes again, I find they’ve worked with might and main;

For frills and stars And crinkly bars

Make curtains on my window pane.

King Winter ~ An Old Tale

The sky is dull and grey, Piercing and chill the blast,

Each step resounds on the frosty ground, Winter is come at last.

Mamma sits by the fire

Her little ones round her knees. "How cosy we are, Mamma," they say,

"Tell us something, if you please."

"Tell us about King Winter, And about Jack Frost, his man;

We'll not be noisy or naughty at all, But as good as ever we can."

"Well then;" says mamma, "you, Jenny, May knit and listen, my dear;

And Johnny may split up wood, to make The fire burn bright and clear."

King Winter dwells in the North;

Far away in the Frozen Zone, In a palace of snow he holds his court,

And sits on an icy throne.

The King has a trusty servant, Jack Frost is his name; his nose

Is raspberry red, his beard is white, And stiff as a crutch it grows.

Old Jack is a sturdy good fellow, And serves their Majesties well;

He's here and he's there, and he's everywhere, And does more than I can tell.

Each year, as the day comes round, The king and his royal train

Set off on a tour through the wide wide world, And sweep over mountain and plain.

Jack Frost has a busy time then, But he's helped and advised by the Queen,

That all may be right when the King goes forth, And everything fit to be seen.

That the King may have pleasant travel, And no stone hurt his royal toe,

His Majesty spreads all over the earth, A carpet of downy snow.

Fine mirrors the King delights in: None are finer than Jack can make:

And in matchless sheets of crystal clear He lays them on river and lake.

The trees, all naked and drear, He robes in the purest white,

And with icicles shining with rainbow hues, He makes their branches bright.

These wonders wrought in a single night May well excite surprise;

Amazed is the sun when he returns at dawn, And he stares with all his eyes.

Then out come all the boys and girls, Jack's handiwork to view,

And their noses and cheeks turn red with cold, Some of them even turn blue.

They pelt each other with snow, Roll it up in a mighty ball,

And shout and laugh and scamper about, And heels over head they fall.

King Winter laughs at the fun, Cries "Bravo!" and claps his hands, And calling for his man, Jack Frost,

He smiles upon the land.

Again Mamma smiles on her darlings, They run to her, kiss her, and say:

"Thank you Mama for that wonderful tale, We hope King Winter will stay!"

Icicle Fingerplay

I'm a frozen icicle hanging in the sun. (pretend to hang over while standing)

First I start to melt, then I start to run.

(drop body lower like melting)

Drip, drip, drip, drip. (go lower and lower)

Melting can be fun!!

(sink or fall to the floor) Little Jack Frost

Little Jack Frost went up the hill,

Watching the stars and the moon so still,

Watching the stars and the moon so bright,

And laughing aloud with all his might.

Little Jack Frost ran down the hill,

Late in the night when the winds were still,

Late in the fall when the leaves fell down,

Red and yellow and faded brown.

Little Jack Frost walked through the trees,

"Ah," sighed the flowers, " We freeze, We freeze."

"Ah," sighed the grasses, "We die, We die."

Said Little Jack Frost, "Good-bye, Good-bye."

Little Jack Frost tripped 'round and 'round,

Spreading white snow on the frozen ground,

Nipping the breezes, icing the streams,

Chilling the warmth of the sun's bright beams.

But when Dame Nature brought back the spring,

Brought back the birds to chirp and sing,

Melted the snow and warmed the sky,

Little Jack Frost went pouting by.

The flowers opened their eyes of blue,

Green buds peeped out and grasses grew;

It was so warm and scorched him so,

Little Jack Frost was glad to go.

Freeze Dance

Play a game of freeze dance with your children. This is a great way

to get exercise indoors during the cold winter months.

To begin, you will need some form of music. This can be done with a musical instrument that you play (bells, drums, guitar, etc.), singing a song,

or with recorded music.

Explain to the children that they should DANCE while the music is playing

but as soon as the music stops (for younger children you can say “STOP”), everyone must freeze and stand still.

You can then have those who did not freeze sit out one turn or you can just

continue on and play over again.

Jack Frost Game

Frozen Banana Treats

Peel bananas. Cut them in half across and push

popsicle stick through the middle. Lay on waxed paper and place in freezer. When

frozen, allow children to eat by holding

the stick.

Seat children in a large circle with fingertips on their heads. One player is chosen to be ‘Jack Frost’ and stands in the center of the circle (like Simon Says

in a way). The group says “Jack Frost came to our house last night…” Then the leader says “Oh? What did he do??” and lightly touches one child in the circle… That child says “He bit my _______(fingers, toes, nose, cheeks, etc.),

whooo whooo” Then all children in circle shake that body part. Again they play and the circle says together “Jack Frost came to our house last night….” Leader says “Oh, what did he do?” and touches one child in the circle. Child

decides “He bit my _______(hands, ears, arms, etc.) , whooo whooo” The children in the circle shake or wiggle that body part. The game continues a

few more rounds and the last child chosen to answer is the new leader when he or she is done.

Create a Yule Log

Supplies Needed:

Oak Log (found, not purchased) Holly, Pine, Natural Fiber Ribbon and Other Decorating Material

For Stand Alone Log: Drill Saw

Three Candles

If you have a fireplace and wish to burn your log during the Winter Solstice, take this time to decorate it with materials that are safe to burn such as holly, pine, natural fiber ribbons and other items.

If you do not have a fireplace, you can make a stand alone Yule Log. You

will need a saw to flatten the bottom of the log so it does not rock. You will also need a drill to make three holes in the top of your log large enough to fit

your candles. After you have done this and inserted the candles, have the children help you decorate the Yule Log just as above. Remember to be

careful of the decorations when you light your log. Always keep a close eye on it and blow it out before leaving the room.

Enjoy your Yule Log on the Winter Solstice and on

other winter evenings throughout the year until it burns out.

Book Recommendations from Little Acorn Learning (click photos for more info)

Eileen is a work-at-home mother to four daughters. She runs Little Acorn Playgarden out of her Brookfield, Connecticut home and writes and publishes monthly seasonal guides for parents and caregivers of children at Little Acorn Learning. She also has many ideas and activities for parents on her blog at Eileen’s Place.