It's time! It's time! The holiday season is here, and it is time to bust out the holiday spirit in the classroom. I always love the magic that can be brought during these few weeks before Christmas break. The kids are always overly excited, and I am constantly searching for ways to keep them engaged, motivated and learning up until the very last minute.
If you are looking for a way to keep those holiday hungry students all about their learning, check out the preview below...{All ideas can be used in any grade level.}
1. Dear Santa...I Can Explain
I began this lesson by telling the kids that Santa had messaged me to bring them a very special gift. Then I continued by saying...don't shoot the messenger!
They were each given a lump of coal (Rice Krispie Treat). Let me just say...our room went into a total uproar. They immediately inferred that they were no longer on the nice list and were completely shocked by the news. {I had no comment! :)}
Immediately, they were ready to write Santa a letter to let him know that he had made a big mistake. This activity really got the creative juices flowing...or maybe it was the slight anger that they felt. Either way, I was so, SO impressed with their writings.
We finished this lesson by creating a bag of coal to display with our writings. Then, I told the kids that they could take these home before break to play a little joke on their favorite brother/sister. They were thrilled to say the least!
2. Baby Face or Beard {My Favorite}
Have you ever thought about what Santa would look like with a baby face...or a mustache? Let your students decide which look will best fit such a jolly dude! This unit will have your kiddos graphing and writing their way into the holiday season. Of course, their must be a cute craft to boot!
Here is how they turned out in our classroom last year!
Check out that mustache...and the freckles! Love! :)
Here is a look at one of the writing pieces. Our main focus was transitional words leading into a new paragraph. I was really pleased with our progress! Plus, their ideas were hysterical and of course, they had it all figured out for Santa!
3. Save the Gingerbread Men
During this writing, the students were asked to write a persuasive essay from the perspective of a gingerbread man (or woman, boy, girl, cowboy...you get the idea) begging their maker not to eat them. We began by reading one of our favorite gingerbread stories called Gingerbread Pirates. Then, together as a class, they came up with persuasive ideas to convince their audience. I couldn't believe what they came up with (diabetes, cavities, calories, baked with salt instead of sugar). Hilarious. Then, they got to work on their essays focusing on their transitions between paragraphs, as well as their content. These turned out so cute!
Then we created gingerbread men to bring our writing to life. I gave them their gingerbread man template and they went to town with construction paper.
I have to say that I love the peg leg and the crazy hair on this little guy!
4. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas
Have y'all heard "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"? Probably one of the cutest songs ever. We *may* have listened to it 4 or 5 times during this writing. Seriously...cute! Listen for yourself...
After we listened to the song (which includes great persuasive language), the kiddos wrote an essay to persuade their mom/dad to give them their very own hippo for Christmas. We finished with a little craft!
These just makes me laugh!
5. Pack Your Bags with Christmas and Other Holidays Around the World
I am so excited to include my newest unit in this bundle. Holidays around the World...need I say more? This is always one of my favorite studies. However, I always had trouble figuring out what to do with all of the crafts and activities. I have been trying to think of a way to consolidate this study into a book that could extend beyond our study in the classroom into the homes of the students.
This unit is filled with all of the resources needed to study 16 different countries and cultures. Each page also includes a QR code so that students can continue their research and learning at home. This is a perfect resource to get in some holiday reading practice at night with families. You can snag this unit in my TPT shop by clicking {HERE}.
I also updated this unit this morning to include four other Holidays.
Annnnd....that's all folks! :)
Use the links below to check out these units in TPT and stop by my Facebook page to enter in the giveaway to win my Ultimate Writing Bundle!
One more thing...just in case you didn't know. TPT is throwing a massive Cyber Monday & Tuesday sale. All of my Christmas Units will be on sale, along with the other resources in my shop! Stock up now! :)
Click the image below to check out all of the resources in my shop!
I'll be back tomorrow to share some of my other Christmas resources!
Happy Sunday, sweet friends!
