Grades K–1: Language Arts

Christmas Alphabet Book

Students will love making these cute alphabet books, which will help them learn initial consonants and vowels.

• A Teeny Tiny Book
• http://www.bry-backmanor.org/actpag75.html

Grades K–2: Language Arts

A Christmas Wish for the World

If your students could have Santa and Rudolph bring a special Christmas present for the world, what would it be? Have students color these pictures. Then have them write (or write for them) a special Christmas wish for the world.

• Santa in His Sleigh
• http://www.thefamilycorner.com/gif/color/santa_sleigh.gif
• Santa and Rudolph
• http://www.thefamilycorner.com/gif/color/rudolph_santa.gif

Grades 1–2

Pasta Christmas Tree Decorations

Have your students create Christmas wall decorations.

• Christmas Tree Decoration
• http://www.eduplace.com/activity/christmastree.html

Grades 1–3: Art

Tree People

Your students can make snowmen out of envelopes to decorate a Christmas tree.

• Snowman Christmas Tree Ornament
• http://www.kid-at-art.com/htdoc/lesson15.html

Grades 1–3: Art

Holiday Scrapbook

Have your students look through these “snapshots” of Christmas in an online scrapbook that belongs to Sue Ellen from the “Arthur” series. Then have them draw a picture illustrating a family holiday moment. Hang the pictures around the room to create a class Holiday Scrapbook.

• PBS Kids: Arthur: Sue Ellen's Scrapbook
• http://pbskids.org/arthur/holiday/scrapbook/xmas1.html

Grades 1–5: Social Studies

Holiday Stamps

The U.S. Post Office designs stamps for most holidays. Keep one step ahead of the post office and have students design their own holiday stamps.

• Large Stamp Outline (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/pdf/stamplg.pdf
• Small Stamp Outlines (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/pdf/stampsm.pdf

Grades 1–8: Language Arts

Holiday Cards

Have children celebrate their favorite December holiday by creating their own greeting cards. You might want to send children's greetings to a local senior center, nursing home, or shelter.

• E-Cards
• http://www.e-cards.com/catalog/cat-selection.pl?cat=Christmas

Grades 2–5: Art

3D Paper Christmas Tree

Make a forest of trees to decorate the classroom or the lunchroom. You can also send the trees home with students.

• Make a Paper Christmas Tree
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/papertree/

Grades 2–5: Language Arts

Ah, Nuts!

Guess the word, before the Nutcracker cracks all the nuts.

• 12days.com presents The Nutcracker Game
• http://www.12days.com/playground/nutcracker/

Grades 2–8: Language Arts

Word Finds

Have students find Christmas-related words hidden in a puzzle.

• Christmas (grades 2–4) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/december/pdf/christmas_easy_wf.pdf
• Christmas Answer Key (grades 2–5) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/december/pdf/christmas_easy_wf_key.pdf
• Christmas (grades 5–8) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/december/pdf/christmas_hard_wf.pdf
• Christmas Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/december/pdf/christmas_hard_wf_key.pdf

Grades 3–8: Reading

A Page a Day

The story of Tate the Lucky Cat is told in daily episodes, one for each day in December. The stories can be read in English, French, Dutch, German, Italian, and Swedish.

• Tate's 2003 Web Advent Calendar
• http://www.advent-calendars.com/2002/index.html
• Tate's 2002 Advent Calendar
• http://www.advent-calendars.com/2002/index.html
• Tate's 2001 Advent Calendar
• http://www.advent-calendars.com/2001/index.html

Grades 3–8: Social Studies

Holiday Recipes

Have students bring home a booklet of traditional recipes.

• Christmas on the Net - Christmas Recipes
• http://www.holidays.net/christmas/recipes.htm

Grades 3–8: Language Arts

Holiday Wacky Web Tales

Students can create wacky holiday stories and practice their grammar skills at the same time.

• Holiday Sing-Along
• http://www.eduplace.com/tales/content/wwt_011.html
• Jingle, Jingle!
• http://www.eduplace.com/tales/content/wwt_012.html
• Twelve Holly Days
• http://www.eduplace.com/tales/content/wwt_044.html

Grades 4–8: Language Arts/Social Studies

Matchup

All over the world, there are many ways to wish someone a Merry Christmas. How many can your students match up?

• Around the World Merry Christmas Matchup (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/december/pdf/christmas_match.pdf
• Around the World Merry Christmas Matchup Answer Key (PDF file)
• http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/december/pdf/christmas_match_key.pdf

Grades 5–8

I Hear Hooves on the Roof

Share with students the traditional poem “'Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and have them write modern versions of a visit from Santa Claus.

• On the Night Before Christmas
• http://www.eduplace.com/activity/nightbefore.html

Grades 5–8: Social Studies

Christmas Beginnings

Learn how many Christmas practices had their origins in Ancient Mesopotamia.

• Christmas on the Net - The History of Christmas
• http://www.holidays.net/christmas/story.htm

Grades 5–8: Social Studies

Traditions

Why do you have holly draped over the mantel and staircase? Why are there poinsettias on the hearth? Students can find out the answers to these questions and more.

• How Christmas Works
• http://www.howstuffworks.com/christmas.htm

Grades 5–8: Social Studies

Colonial Christmas Party

Have your students organize an old-fashioned Christmas party.

• A Colonial Christmas in Williamsburg
• http://www.history.org/history/teaching/colxmas.cfm

Grades 5–8: Social Studies

Holiday Quizzes

Test students' knowledge of Christmas trivia with these fun online quizzes.

• Christmas Quiz - Novice
• http://www.familygames.com/features/quizzes/xmasquiz.html

Grades 6–8: Social Studies

Tour Jerusalem

Now is a great time for students to take a virtual tour of this historic city.

• Virtual Tour of Jerusalem
• http://www.md.huji.ac.il/vjt/

Grades 6–8: Art

Luminaries

These beautiful lanterns make a great gift for friends or relatives. Adult assistance may be required.

• Craft a Luminary
• http://users.hsonline.net/kidatart/htdoc/lesson51.htm

Grades 6–8: Social Studies

A Season for Giving

Help students learn the true meaning of giving by organizing a bake sale to benefit a local charity. Students can create posters announcing the sale and bring in baked goods from home. Have the class vote on where to send the proceeds from the sale.