Are you looking for a way to keep your students engaged and learning during the busy holiday season? Balancing holiday excitement with meaningful classroom activities can be challenging as December approaches. To help you maintain a productive classroom atmosphere, I’ve developed a resource that blends holiday fun with a timeline activity. This resource, designed as part of my Winter Holiday Classroom Activities, will make your December lessons both educational and festive.
Winter Holiday Classroom Activities
This activity is designed to span seven days, making it perfect for those first few minutes of class when students are settling in and you’re handling your morning tasks like taking attendance. Students will read about a different December holiday each day, learn about its origins and traditions, and then add this information to a timeline.
What’s Included:
The resource includes a printable 8-page booklet with articles on seven holidays:
- St. Nicholas Day (December 6)
- Hanukkah (Dates vary in December)
- Winter Solstice (December 21-22)
- Christmas (December 25)
- Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1)
- Boxing Day (December 26)
- New Year’s Eve (December 31)
The handout for this blog post is now available in the Winter Vault. It includes printables and instructions for all activities listed in this post.
To access this handout and other winter-themed resources, click the button below. Sign up using your email, and we’ll send you the username and password immediately.
In addition to the booklet, I’ve provided a timeline template for students to track the holidays chronologically. There’s also a sample answer key to guide you.
How to Use This Resource:
Daily Reading
Have your students read one article from the booklet each morning. This should take just a few minutes and will give them a brief overview of the holiday, its history, and its cultural significance.
Timeline Activity
After reading, students will fill in the timeline template with key details from the article. This helps reinforce what they’ve learned and allows them to see how different holidays are spread throughout the month of December.
Extension Option
If you want to incorporate digital tools, students can convert their paper timelines into a digital version. This is a great way to practice using technology and can be done using simple online tools or presentation software.
Why This Activity Works:
December is a busy month, and this activity offers a low-prep way to keep your students learning while tapping into the festive spirit. The timeline format is educational and visually engaging, helping students better understand the cultural significance of each holiday. Daily reading helps students develop literacy skills while introducing them to global traditions.
Winter Holiday Classroom Activities
Get Started Today!
Download the booklet and timeline template now by opting into my newsletter. By subscribing, you’ll not only gain access to this Winter Vault activity but also get exclusive access to various seasonal activities. Don’t miss this opportunity to bring this holiday-themed learning activity into your classroom. Sign up for my newsletter today and start using the Winter Vault resources in your classroom!
