Shared Reading

Here is the chimney
Here is the top
Open the lid
Out Santa pops!

Day 1: introduce poem, invite predictions, discuss the message
Day 2: read poem together, discuss new/interesting vocabulary; talk about the difference between chimneys and fireplaces... often interchanged by 5-year-olds.   Graph who has a chimney and who doesn't.. 
Day 3: read poem together, use poem to introduce or reinforce any new print concepts; review sight words: is, the..
Day 4: read poem together, move/stamp/clap/snap to the rhythm, reinforce print concepts
Day 5: add poem to poetry journal, then illustrate; "highlight" (with yellow crayon) known words.

Guided Reading

Students complete an "I Can See" booklet to practice reading number and color words.  Students illustrate each page:
I can see one red hat.
I can see two blue eyes.
I can see one red nose.
I can see one white beard.
I can see one red suit.
I can see one black belt.
I can see two black boots.
I can see Santa!

Independent Reading

Level A
Christmas (Rigby)
Toys (Wright)

Level B
Dear Santa (Rigby)
Celebrating Christmas (CTP)

Shared Writing

Create a predictable chart:
All I want for Christmas is _______________.

Write several responses on sentence strips and use as a sentence building activity.   Illustrate all responses for a class Big Book.

Interactive Writing

Have students write about how they will use their senses during the holidays. Divide a chart paper into five vertical columns and label each column with one of the following category headings: hear, taste, see, smell, and feel. Under each heading, students list five or more ways they expect to use each sense during the holidays, such as taste cookies, smell spices, hear music, etc.
Using the above information, students write a five senses poem:
Christmas is the color(s)___________.
It smells like____________.
It tastes like____________.
It sounds like____________.
Christmas looks like______________
and it feels like_______________.
Illustrate poem when finished!!

Independent Writing

List four different things you could do to help someone at Christmas time. Draw a picture of what you will do.

Make up your favorite Christmas recipe. Write down all the ingredients and the directions on how to make it.

Write a letter to Santa. Tell him what you want and why you think you deserve it.

What are some of the special ways children can help around the home during the holiday season?

What gift would you like to give the world? Draw a picture of the gift and write a note to the world explaining why it is important

Christmas Chain

Near the beginning of December have the children make paper chains with enough links to make one for each day leading up to Christmas. Attach the chains to a paper bell with the following poem:

 How many days till Christmas?
 It's mighty hard to tell
 Take off a link every night
 When the Sandman cast his spell
 And Christmas Eve will be here
By the time you reach the bell.

 The children take the chains home and are told to take off one link every night to count down the days until Christmas.

Variation:
Christmas Countdown
Attach chains to a big yellow star and use this poem:

Each evening when goodnights are said,
Take off one link and hop into bed.
When only the star is left to shine,
When you will know it's Christmastime! 

Christmas Math

The dollar shops often sell the seasonal metallic confetti that you place inside greeting cards.  Use it in your class for a fun math readiness activity. 
Tape a few short rows of scotch tape (sticky side up) onto a small square of paper.   The children then place the seasonal shapes onto the tape and form patterns. They "read" them to the class when they are done...
"Snowflake, snowflake, holly, snowflake, snowflake, holly..."

Jingle Bells Sort

Collect several types of bells.  Put out four containers.  One for the small, medium,  and large bells and one to keep all the bells in.  Have the children sort them according to size.

Sorting Candles

Provide several candles.  Children can sort by height and color.

Christmas In The Housecorner

Provide small Christmas tree (two foot), plastic decorations, wrapping paper, tape, boxes, etc.

Block Area

Provide cardboard bricks and a few small logs encourage children to construct a fireplace for Santa to visit.

Christmas Concentration

Cut rectangular "cards" out of red construction paper, then cut slightly smaller rectangles  from wrapping paper (two from each kind) and glue to construction paper.   Laminate and play Memory/Concentration.  You can also use pairs of Christmas stickers.

Crystal Stars

Materials per Child:
2 liter soda container with the top cut off
1 gold or silver metallic pipe cleaner
1 unsharpened pencil
12 inches of string
tape
3/4 cup Borax (you will need 2 boxes of Borax for a glass of 20)
3 cups very hot water

Directions: Bend the pipe cleaner into the shape of a star. Tie one end of the string to the top of the star. Tie the other end to the center of the pencil. Suspend the star in the middle of the soda container, at least one inch from the bottom. Wind the string around the pencil to adjust the height.

In another container, dissolve the Borax in the hot water. Pour the mixture into the soda bottle so it covers the star completely. Return in about an hour and you will see crystals forming on the pipe cleaners.

The next day, remove the star from the mixture and hang it to dry. Hang the star from the ceiling of your classroom; send them home as keepsake ornaments.

Easy Ornament

Materials: One clear round ornament per child
Different acrylic colored paints with the flip top lids

Just squirt some paint into the top of the ornament (can put a couple different colors in it ). Let the children roll the ball around in their hands being careful that they don't roll the opening upside down so the paint does not pour out.  When you can not see in the ornament any more, it is done.  Place it upside down to get all the extra paint out and to dry on some paper towels.  Put lid/top back on top of ornament.
Add the words "Christmas (year)" and the child's name to the outside with a gold pen. 

Christmas Collage

Give the children large Christmas shapes cut out of heavy paper. Provide them with glue and items such as the following: glitter, sequins, red and green paper chips, aluminum foil, colored foil and bits of tinsel. Then let them glue as they like.

Christmas Art

If you plan on doing marble painting this holiday season use a few jingle bells instead of marbles.  It adds a festive sound at the art table.
Jingle bell paint on white paper with red paint.  After the papers are dry the students cut out two candy cane shapes.  Glue them together to make a heart shape.  Hang them up on a wall with the words "We Love The Holidays!" 

Holiday Candle Ornaments

Materials:

1/2 Styrofoam ball
gold glitter
glue
red or green ribbon
gold pipe cleaner
plastic straw

Directions:  Paint the Styrofoam ball with white glue and roll in gold glitter to cover all sides. Let dry.  Cut the straw in thirds and use one piece to form a candle (Use the rest for other candles).  Poke a hole in the center of flat part of the Styrofoam ball.  Insert the straw.  Add a piece of gold pipe cleaner to form the flame.  Loop the ribbon around the bottom of the ball, allowing about 3" free on  each side.  Tie the loose ends together to make a hanger.

Ask children to design holiday packages using real wrapping paper and ribbon. Each student then writes a paper about a "gift of love" they would like to give to anyone of their choice. Display the paper underneath their package. Visitors can flip up a corner of the package to read the paper.

Cinnamon Ornaments

You will need 4 cups of Cinnamon and 3 cups of Applesauce: Mix the cinnamon and applesauce well until it is of play-doh consistency.  Use cookie cutters to achieve different shapes.  To hang them, cut a hole out of the top with a straw.   Allow them to air dry until they are hard.  They are so cute and can be used for any theme shape.

Cinnamon Cut-outs
This dough is a little more durable than the previous one.
1 1/8 cup flour
3/4 cup ground cinnamon
1 cup salt
1 cup water
1 Tbs. ground nutmeg (optional)
1 Tbs. ground cloves (optional)

Mix dry ingredients with water to form smooth, stiff dough. Divide dough into three or four portions. Place each section between two sheets of waxed paper, and roll to 1/4-3/8 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut Christmas shapes out of dough. While dough is still soft, use a straw to make a hole near the top of each shape where ribbon can later be inserted for hanging. Bake cut shapes at 350 degrees 15-20 minutes to dry. Insert ribbon in hole, tie, and hang as Christmas ornaments

Goin' Christmas Fishin'

Get out your familiar fishing game (magnet on a string) for this:
Place greeting cards in the bucket and as each child "catches" a card, they discuss the picture (what is happening in this picture, what color is Santa's suit, etc.).