12 Days of Christmas Activities By: Sherrie Berry LISD Elementary Curriculum Specialist

Merry Christmas! Dear Teachers, I know this time of year can try your patience. Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle! Hang in there (like mistletoe)! Your holiday will be here soon. This power point contains engaging critical thinking and writing activities to inspire you and keep the students working all the way to the break. You may have to get creative to make the activities fit your grade level, but I’ll be happy to help! Love, Mrs. Berry Merry Christmas!

Day 1 – Sparkling Spelling/Writing assignment *Create a “facebook” page for Santa (or Rudolph) see the example on next slide Include 5 of your spelling words Day 1 – Sparkling Spelling/Writing assignment

You have a visitor from another country who has never seen a Christmas tree. Write a paper explaining HOW TO Decorate a Christmas tree step-by-step. Day 2 – a “How-To”

Click on the link to watch a short video clip: http://wonderopolis.org/?post_type=wonder&s=candy+canes&x=0&y=0 What is your favorite candy? Write a description of it. Include all of these sensory details.(see the next slide) Day 3 – Yumm!

Sensory Details -look like? -sound like? -smell like? -taste like? What does it -look like? -sound like? -smell like? -taste like? -feel like?

Day 4 - Diary of a Christmas Ornament   You are a Christmas ornament, write a few diary entries describing some of the events occurring during the month of December from your point of view on the Christmas tree. (See the example on the next slide) *Note to teacher: You can require the kids to include 5 spelling words or underline any sight words in the journal entries. Day 4 - Diary of a Christmas Ornament

Diary Example Dec. 8, 2012 Dear Diary, Today I was so glad to get out of that dusty box. Now my friends, the angel sisters, and I are just hanging around ‘til Christmas. Ha! Get it? “hanging around” One of the other ornaments is already beginning to annoy me. He is a little cow santa that sings Christmas Carols by “mooing” the words. The little boy in our house loves to press the button that makes him sing, “moo, moo, moo, moo, moo etc.” to the tune of “Fa- La-La-La- La” I am not sure that I can take much more of that!   Dec. 10, 2012 Dear Journal, Yeah! The little santa cow’s batteries ran down. We finally have some peace. Maybe tonight really will be a “Silent Night” Diary Example

You have been asked to come up with an idea for a new reality TV show that will air the week of Christmas. Write a paragraph describing the show and write a short script. *see the next slide for some ideas Day 5- NOT Reality TV

Elf Dynasty - The Toy Commander and his elves work in their workshop Elf Dynasty - The Toy Commander and his elves work in their workshop. The show script would have dialogue of the conversations that they have in the workshop. The crazy elves like goofing around instead of working. = example

Dancing with the Stars = Dancing with the Reindeer Survivor = Survivor Christmas shopping at the Mall America’s Top Model= America’s Top Reindeer The Voice = The Voice of Christmas Extreme Makeover The Christmas edition Be Creative! A few more crazy ideas

Watch this cool video clip of real reindeer: Click on the link below http://wonderopolis.org/?post_type=wonder&s=reindeer&x=0&y=0 What if you found one of Santa’s reindeer on the playground at school? Write about what you would do. Day 6 –

Santa Claus is your substitute teacher for a day Santa Claus is your substitute teacher for a day. Write a schedule of events or an agenda for the day. Day 7 – Naughty or Nice?

Day 8 – recycle or reuse? THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!! Describe 3 creative uses for tinsel from the Christmas tree. Tell what you could do with it after you take it off the tree. Day 8 – recycle or reuse? THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!!

Day 9 –Write!

Santa wears the same suit all the time!! Day 10 – If the suit fits…

Imagine you woke up on Christmas morning and discover that you shrank Imagine you woke up on Christmas morning and discover that you shrank! You are smaller than a mouse! Tell a story about your day. Day 11

Make a Christmas card for your teacher. He/She deserves it Make a Christmas card for your teacher. He/She deserves it!!! Write something that you think no one has ever said to him or her before. It must be totally unique! Day 12-