We started by moving the desks into groups of 4-6, then covering them with red and green butcher paper to make clean up easier. Plus, it looks so Christmasy!
Summer was excited... She was in a group with Sam, Shane, and Sarah. Oh, the four S's.... 
This group is Vanessa, Kaia, Abby, and Ashley.
We played a Christmas trivia game. This was done in their groups. I felt better having a little something academic thrown into our day. This group is Kacey, Austin, Max, and Orion.
Here's Orion, Max, Austin, and Kacey...again. Max, are you comfortable up on that desk? 
Here's Spegi, Parker, Wesley, Marseya, and Brittany.
Here's Danny, Moriah, Kobe, and Wasey.After recess, we started building. I led Room 8 through building the initial square. We wanted sturdy houses.
As you can see, we had lots of adult help. This was definitely welcome... and fun!
No, no, Kaia... well, was it good? Peter wasn't too sure what his daughter was going to do. 
Vanessa is definitely concentrating on getting that frosting on the edge of the graham cracker. Dusty is making sure she has enough.
Brittany and Wasey were hard at work.
Summer and Sarah were loving the construction.
Wesley, Parker, and Nathan knew just what to do.
Riley didn't even notice the photographer, but I think I started Shelby.
Brittany decided to make her own, along with giving Ashley any help she needed.
Abby was so happy to have her dad there for the project.
Orion's mom was helping this entire boys' table, not just Orion and Max.
Spegi and Danny were concentrating.
Kacey and Austin were dreaming of becoming master builders.
Shane's mom helped out Moriah and whoever else needed assistance.
Kobe and Shane almost had their square complete.
Vanessa was showing the photographer how much frosting she had on. Dusty's proud of her.
Caryn came from the high school to assist us. 
Look at Wesley build!
Orion is wondering what else he should add.
Riley and Shelby are getting pretty far. Looks like the construction is complete, now it's time for decorations!
Mrs. T was there to assist everyone in Room 8.
Kacey decided to build an apartment complex - just kidding. He just was building a mansion.
Looks like we have a little finger-licking going on here with Austin.
Max is building a mansion too.
"Excuse me," said Nathan. "I'm through now." 
Wesley and Parker weren't anywhere near through.
Brittany's mom was also assisting an entire table. 
Now Wasey is naturally very crafty... very artistic in making things.
Looks like Brittany's gingerbread house is in the midst of a snowstorm.
Kacey was proud of his creation. Austin, I think, was wanting to eat Kacey's. I'm sure Kacey told him to go eat his own house. But then, Mrs. J., said 'No eating the houses at school.'
Here's Austin's house. No wonder he didn't want to eat it. It looks great!
Orion's masterpiece!
Brittany and Ashley pose with their houses.
Abby is proud of hers! I would be too, it's beautiful!
Peter and Kaia each have 'magazine quality' gingerbread houses. 
Sam puts the finishing touches on his.
"Look Mrs. J!" Vanessa said as she proudly held hers up.
Another VERY artistic child, Marseya, even put a border around her plate. The gingerbread houses were a big hit. I love making them with 4th graders. When I taught 2nd grade, we made gingerbread houses. When a 2nd graders gingerbread house would collapse, they would cry. When a 4th graders collapse, they try to fix it. When I taught 6th graders and theirs would collapse, well, they would laugh.
The evolution of gingerbread house builders!
