Teaching Theme: Christmas
2008-12-05

By D. E. Herrod, B.Ed.E, M.Div
One of my favorite teaching units is Christmas. Well, okay Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Christmas is an excellent time to use interdisciplinary and cross curricula lessons.

Art and Music

3-D Christmas BellInstructions for making 3D Christmas bell ornamentsMore

Holiday RugThis is great art project for kids to do. It takes some one on one timeMore

Bible

Advent CalanderFree daily Advent guide prepared by Baptist Way Press.Read More

Celebrate Who He is this Christmas Season
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. More …

Christmas Reflection. Recently, I have read several sources questioning the authenticity of the Nativity narrative. Even the Archbishop of Canterbury has recently questioned the traditional Nativity narrative portrayed in Christmas plays, Christmas cards and various Nativity scenes. Are the traditions associated with the Nativity true? More ..

True Meaning of Christmas Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. Although many of the traditions associated with Christmas and even the day on which is celebrated have pagan origins. More…

Language Arts

Christmas Journal IdeasListing of several Christmas journal starters. More …

Snowy Day Lesson IdeaI will present this book by simply showing the cover to the students. Based on the title of the book and the cover illustration, I will ask students what they think this book might be about. After the children have shared their ideas, I will read the first half of the book to the students (the last sentence will be: "Then he went into his warm house.")More

Teaching Idea for How the Grinch Stole ChristmasClimax is a hard concept to teach in this grade level, and last week I had prepared the usual diagrams and illustrations for the lesson, when I realized I wasn't getting through to these kids! More …

Math

Christmas Math LessonA collection of Christmas related math resources. More

Twelve Days of MathThis is a fun way to teach ordinal numbers to students as well as showing all the lessons you have learned to this point in the year. The song can be adapted to your subject areas. The one I made up included nearly every part of math we have learned up to this point of the year. More

Science

Case of Christmas Cookie Mystery Try this mystery powder unit with a cool holiday twist! For this lesson, students use their "investigative" powers to test six samples as well as mystery samples to help Mrs. Claus save Christmas. Complete details and student worksheets are available in the pdf version! More

target="new"> Christmas, Crystals and Science Students will learn how different crystals are formed, observe crystals in the making, observe with a hand lens and cite the geometric qualities, and relate the necessary natural occurrences needed to create crystals. More

Social Studies

Christmas and Geography
During workshops I often ask folks what they think of when I say “geography.” The most common answers are “maps” and “globes.” Next, I read them the following definition of geography from the National Geographic Society and light bulbs go on. Oh! It’s all about people and all about earth. It’s amazing how much territory is covered in geography!More …

History of Christmas Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. Although many of the traditions associated with Christmas and even the day on which is celebrated have pagan origins. More…

History of Santa ClauseTo learn about the legends and stories about Santa Clause. To learn about the history of the legend and facts in different stories about how St. Nicholas came to be a familiar term in everyone's vocabulary. More

General

Favorite Christmas MoviesTis the season of Christmas movies and specials, I think it was last Saturday that I saw the first one of the season. The movie just happened to be one of my favorites, White Christmas. Growing up we watched the movie every year. I think I was about 10 or 11 the first time I saw or remember seeing White Christmas. My mom let me stay up late to watch the movie. Now that was a rare treat. My mom didn’t like me watching TV or watch that much TV herself. She also was a stickler for following the schedule and routines. Growing up in Texas the idea of a White Christmas is a novelty. I have only seen one real white Christmas, the year we spent Christmas in the Ozarks. More

Holiday Stress Relievers for Big and Little PeopleThe holiday season is upon us. It is a time for family get togethers, decorating, shopping, gift wrapping, baking, and attending special activities. Holidays are supposed to be a time of enjoyment and happiness, but instead you and your family may feel stressed because of the extra demands placed upon already busy schedules. More …