Holiday Resources
For EMIS
Christmas Reading
Math Links
Christmas/Holiday Traditions Projects
Logic
Christmas Fun
Tree Decorating
History of Christmas
Discovery Education Ideas
These are some great holiday ideas from Discovery Education to get your students involved in some very cool learning and for you to try out some new teaching strategies (like the AEIOU strategy which was new to me)! Login to discovery, then check out the links (they won’t work if you click on them first).
If you want to try one out and want my help, please let me know!
What is Kwanzaa?, The History of Hanukkah, Winter Holidays Around the World
Grades K-2, 3-5
Through SOS: Jigsaw, student groups become experts in various December holidays, such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas. As students share their findings with the class, students use a graphic organizer to identify similarities and differences as suggested in SOS: Get VENN-y With It.
Stuff You Missed in History Class Podcast: What was the Christmas truce?
Grades: 6-8, 9-12
Singing, juggling, soccer, exchanging gifts - these scenes may not be what students picture when they imagine a battlefield, but in 1914, WWI soldiers participated in a spontaneous and unofficial ceasefire around Christmas. After students listen to What was the Christmas Truce?, they identify vocabulary in the five descriptive categories A-E-I-O-U (Adjective, Emotion, Interesting, Oh!, Um?) as described in SOS: A-E-I-O-U.
Preserving Christmas Trees, Prepping the Trees, Testing the Trees, Christmas Tree Results
Grades 6-8
Students practice active listening and communication skills with SOS: Talking Stick as they share, predict, and support their ideas for which method will keep trees green. Students pre-watch Preserving Christmas Trees, and then go home to find out how their families keep their own trees green. Using the talking stick in small groups the next day, students discuss their methods and why they think it works. Then watch Prepping the Trees and Testing the Trees, pausing to discuss and adjust predictions, before final results are revealed in Christmas Tree Results.
Grades 6-8
Using The Meaning of Gifts model lesson, students view and analyze videos and images and read The Gift of the Magi to explore the significance and meaning of gift giving in a variety of cultures. They will also explore a scientific theory about how gift giving strengthens a society. Students then write and present arguments about whether givers or recipients benefit more from gift giving.
Grades: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
See how student Ria uses Discovery Education Board Builder to share how she participates in multiple holiday traditions with this Holiday Mashup board.