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Classroom Christmas lessons and activities – reblogged from readilearn

classroom Christmas lessons and activities

It’s almost Christmas again and here in Australia we’re on the countdown to the end of the school year and our long summer holidays. Whether you’ll be enjoying a long break or a shorter break over the festive season, here at readilearn we’ve got many ready-to-teach lessons and activities to support your teaching in the lead-up to Christmas.

Get an early start with these lessons and activities

You will get most benefit from some activities if you begin them a few weeks before the finish of term.

Friendship Trees, one of readilearn’s most popular Christmas activities is best begun three to four weeks before school closes for Christmas. Children make their own friendship trees which are then placed on display in the classroom.

Each day children write anonymous messages of affirmation or friendship to each other and place them in the trees. At the end of term, children take their trees home and read the positive messages contained within.

The trees help to develop self-esteem, confidence and friendship skills and are perfect for those last few weeks when temperatures soar and children can become edgy with excitement for the holidays.

A 3D Christmas tree makes a beautiful focal point of the classroom Christmas display. Children cooperatively construct the tree by contributing leaves made by tracing or printing their hands. It is a visible recognition of the value of teamwork and will be admired (and envied) by many. It makes a beautiful background for photographs of individual children to be given as gifts to parents or other loved ones.

Continue reading: Classroom Christmas lessons and activities – readilearn

Comments

27 responses to “Classroom Christmas lessons and activities – reblogged from readilearn”

  1. Mabel Kwong Avatar

    This was such an informative piece to read about Christmas and the classroom, Norah. Growing up in Australia and Asia, how my school celebrated Christmas was by singing carols and passing around gifts like a Kris Kringle. I really like the idea of Friendship Trees. It really makes children more observing and thoughtful towards one another, and learn to see the best in others too. I also like that these wishing trees make you write handwritten note for each other – that is so personal 🙂

    The countdown calendar is a great idea too. Makes for something to look forward too. It reminds me of advent calendars which I have mixed feelings about – for most of them, you open a day for a prize when in reality, the experience of Christmas and spending time with each other is what matters.

    I like that most of the activities in the post is interactive. Nothing like having a good time with others around you this time of the year. Hope you are doing well, Norah 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Hi Mabel, It’s lovely to hear from you. Thank you for popping over to read and comment. I’m pleased you enjoyed the post and consider the activities positive. I always try to create resources that will encourage friendship and positive attitudes. The children always enjoyed the friendship trees and I was always amazed at the personalised affirmations they wrote for each other. They are more perceptive than we sometimes give them credit for.
      I agree with you that spending time with each other is what is important at Christmas time. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

      Like

      1. Mabel Kwong Avatar

        It’s lovely stopping by, Norah. It’s great that you and others encourage children to develop friendships all the time in the classroom. It makes for more conducive learning. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with the ones you love 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Norah Avatar

          Thank you again, Mabel. I’ve received notification that you have posted too (I’ve missed your posts). I’ll be over to read as soon as I can.

          Like

          1. Mabel Kwong Avatar

            So kind of you, Norah. Lovely to know you in the blogging world 🙂

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Norah Avatar

              It’s a pleasure to have met you, Mabel.

              Like

              1. Mabel Kwong Avatar

                Likewise, Norah. I really am glad to have met and connected with you on here. It really is lovely to see another Australian blogger in Australia who blogs regularly 😊

                Liked by 1 person

                1. Norah Avatar

                  I agree. And I still haven’t got to you for a visit. Tonight. I promise. 🙂

                  Liked by 1 person

  2. LucciaGray Avatar

    I love this post! Friendship Tree is a fabulous idea. We had a huge wishing tree once at school where everyone added their Hopes and wishes for themselves and others anonymously. But this is a much better idea! I’ll send the link to my daughter who’s a great primary teacher!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much for your enthusiasm, Luccia. The wishing tree sounds like a lovely idea too. There are so many wonderful things we can do. As ‘they’ say, when you can choose to be anything, be kind. Let me know if your daughter is interested in having a look. 🙂

      Like

  3. Prior... Avatar

    Looks like some great ideas here. We have made the handprint wreaths but I have not seen the trees like that last one – very group friendly and has a nice frill from fingertips

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks so much, Yvette. They are good fun to make.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Annika Perry Avatar

    Norah, I love these friendship trees – I reckon us adults could do with them as well! 😀

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Anne Goodwin (Annecdotist) Avatar

      Hi, I agree, and Norah is great at modelling adult friendships too.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Norah Avatar

        Thank you, Anne. I appreciate your kind words and friendship.

        Like

    2. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Annika. I do too! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Patricia Tilton Avatar

    Wow! You have some really wonderful and fun Christmas activities. I think my favorite is the hand Christmas Tree — which you could actually use again for Valentines Day, Arbor Day and other special days. Love this meaningful tree!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you so much for your additional thoughts about using the tree, Patricia. Yes, it could have so many more applications. My children and I always loved it. They took every chance to show it off to others and, as it was opposite my doorway and could be seen from the building’s foyer, there were many who came to admire it. 🎄

      Like

  6. Jacqui Murray Avatar

    I love this idea. I’m curious how to do it (clicking through)…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Jacqui. I’m happy to give a fuller explanation if you wish. 🙂

      Like

  7. petespringerauthor Avatar
    petespringerauthor

    Great idea with the Friendship Trees. That’s the kind of thing I would use if I were still teaching.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thank you, Pete. It was always a very special part of the day for us. I was always impressed by the lovely, and individual, things children would think to write about others. Even the children who weren’t so popular had a tree full of lovely things written about them. There was never a nasty word written.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Book Club Mom Avatar

    What a great idea, Norah!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Barbara. 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  9. robinettercleave Avatar

    Love your resources, Norah!!! Great work!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Norah Avatar

      Thanks, Robin. 💖

      Like

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