Christmas Themes for the Early Years by Teacher Superstore

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Christmas Themes for r o e t s B r e oo p u k the Early Years S A resource book of ideas for Christmas craft, tree decorations, recipes, online activities and much more.

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Written by Judy Gabrovec. Illustrated by Melinda Parker. © Ready-Ed Publications (2000); Revised - 2012. Published by Ready-Ed Publications, 11/17 Foley St, Balcatta, Perth, 6021 Email: info@readyed.com.au Website: www.readyed.net COPYRIGHT NOTICE Permission is granted for the purchaser to photocopy sufficient copies for non-commercial educational purposes. However, this permission is not transferable and applies only to the purchasing individual or institution. ISBN 978 1 86397 267 3

Introduction This book, for teachers of young children, will prove an ideal aid in preparing classroom materials for the festive season.

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S in the book includes art and craft ideas The range of activities

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The book contains a range of Christmas related activities that will provide teachers with an interesting and stimulating series of activities in the weeks leading up to Christmas. and templates, tree decorations, Christmas cooking recipes, language-based activities and puzzles, and a variety of online tasks that can be used to allow children the experience of an "Internet Christmas".

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Contents Page Background Information .................... 4

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Gift Boxes and Bags: Cone Box ............................................... 14 Cone Box Stencil ................................... 15 Woven Gift Bag ...................................... 16 Easy Gift Bag ......................................... 17 Handy Christmas Tree ........................... 18

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Christmas Craft: Santa Sock Dolls ...................................... 6 Santa Doll Stencils ................................... 7 Santa Finger Puppet ................................ 8 Santa Puppet Stencils.............................. 9 Pyramid Advent Calendar ..................... 10 Santa's Advent Calendar ....................... 11 Santa's Advent Calendar Stencil ............ 12 Making Gift Wrap ................................... 13

Christmas Online: Online Activities for Young Children ...... 29 Christmas Art (Online): Christmas Tree ....................................... 30 The Snowman ........................................ 31 Christmas Language (Online): James and the Christmas Wagon.......... 32 When Santa Claus Comes ..................... 33 Mrs Claus' Kitchen ................................. 34 Christmas Language Activities : The Lonely Little Christmas Tree Story ................................................ 36, 37 Cloze ...................................................... 38 What Order? ........................................... 39 Which Character Am I? .......................... 40 Compound Words ................................. 41 Can You See It? ..................................... 42 Crossword Puzzle ................................. 43 Christmas Word Search ......................... 44

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Christmas Cookery: Easy Potato Sweets ............................... 25 No Bake Christmas Cookies .................. 25 No Bake Fudge Brownies ..................... 26 Gingerbread .......................................... 26 Santa Snowballs .................................... 27 Festive Nougat ....................................... 27 White Christmas ..................................... 27

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Christmas Templates ........................ 45-48

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Wax Ornaments ..................................... 20 Starburst ................................................. 21 Christmas Shapes ................................. 22 Poinsettia Christmas Wreath .................. 23 Poinsettia Wreath Stencils ..................... 24

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Notes

Background Information Christmas Symbols and Traditions The Christmas T ree Tree In pre-Christian times in the northern hemisphere bonfires were lit to represent the hidden sun, which was often obscured by clouds during the northern winter season. The pine tree, which was originally covered in candles, and in modern times is decorated with sparkling lights, evolved from the bonfire tradition. The first tree decorated in Britain was supposedly created by Prince Albert. Bells

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The ringing of bells at Christmas time dates back to pagan midwinter celebrations, when evil spirits were driven away by the ringing of bells and other noise like singing and shouting. Today church bells ring throughout the world on Christmas Eve to welcome in the spirit of Christmas rather than to drive the evil spirits away. Candles The use of candles during Christmas time also originated in pagan mid-winter ceremonies where light was thought to drive away the forces of cold and darkness. In the Christian community, the lighting of candles symbolises Jesus as the light of the world. Tinsel

One explanation of tinsel’s origin is that spider webs spun during the night glistened like tinsel in the early morning dew. Children may observe this on trees in the school yard, although the effect is dependent on the climate. Mistletoe and Holly These hardy plants were used to decorate homes in the northern hemisphere winters when greenery was scarce. Mistletoe was sacred to ancient Druids as a symbol of eternal life but the Romans valued it as a symbol of peace. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe was also a Roman custom. Bon Bons or Crackers

These started as a wrapped gift of sugared almonds, given as a sign of peace. An Englishman later added messages, riddles and trinkets, and saltpetre strips to create the excitement of an explosion. Candy Cane

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Candy cane was made in the U.S.A. by a candy maker who used white to symbolise the Virgin Birth and the shape of the letter 'J' to represent Jesus' name. Christmas Cards The practice of sending Christmas cards to friends was started by Sir Henry Cole in England in 1843. The first commercial card was designed by J.C. Horsley and 1000 copies were sold in London. The idea of Christmas cards have spread all over the world with the themes of the cards being as varied as are Christmas customs around the world. Mince Pies

Mince pies have been prepared as Christmas treats for as nearly as long as Christmas has existed. The pies represent the treasures that the Three Wise Men brought to Jesus in the stable. They are a symbol of wealth and greatness. Christmas Cake The Christmas cake is a relatively new Christmas tradition. Prince Albert (1819-1861) wanted a special treat for his children for Christmas dinner and he chose a plum cake which was decorated with white icing and snowmen, very much like our present day Christmas cake. Poinsettias Poinsettias are popular because of their red leaves. A Mexican legend tells the story of a young girl who had no gift to take to the crib on Christmas Eve. In the churchyard she found an angel carved of stone. The carving was overgrown with weeds and as the girl bent to clear them away she heard a voice that told her to take the weeds to Jesus. As she walked towards the crib, the tops of the weeds turned bright red like fire. Ever since, people have grown poinsettias for Christmas. Christmas Stockings The tradition of hanging Christmas stockings began with St Nicholas, who was a Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor in the 4th Century. St Nicholas tossed three sacks of gold down the chimney of a man who was so poor that he could not keep his three unmarried daughters. One of the bags fell into a stocking that was hanging by the fireplace.

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Christmas Cr aft Craft

Christmas Craft This section includes a variety of practical and easy to do Christmas craft activities for young children.

Santa Dolls Santa Sock Doll Santa Finger Puppets

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S Advent Calendars

Making Gift Wrap and Gift Boxes Gift Wrap Cone Box Woven Gift Bag Easy Gift Bag

Christmas Tree and Decorations Handy Christmas Tree Glitter Star Wax Ornaments Starbursts Christmas Shapes Poinsettia Wreath

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Pyramid Advent Calendar Santa's Advent Calendar

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Christmas Cr aft Craft

Santa Dolls Santa Sock Doll Santa or Father Christmas is the most well known of the gift bringers at Christmas. Materials v stencil for feet and hands v assortment of buttons v lightweight red card

v white ribbon v a red sock v scissors

v red felt v glue v pins

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v needle and thread v cotton wool balls v beans or rice

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How to make Santa from a sock 1. Cut the sock off at the heel. 2. Fill the sock with beans or rice and sew up the open edge. 3. Tie the white ribbon close to the toe end of the sock to make a neck. 4. Cut the feet and hands out of the red card using the stencil provided and glue or sew onto the body. 5. Use some red felt to make a hat and attach to Santa's head. 6. Use buttons for eyes and nose. 7. Decorate with cotton wool around the edge of the hat and cuffs and to make a beard. Other suggestions Angels and other Christmas shapes can be also be made from old socks. Stencils for the parts needed for this are on the following page.

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Santa Dolls

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Santa Sock Doll Stencils

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Christmas Cr aft Craft

Santa Puppet Santa Finger Puppets Dancing Santa (and other figures) Materials v stencil of Santa (see next page) v pencils and paint v cotton wool v stiff card

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Santa on your Finger

Materials v paper v glue v pencil and paints v cotton wool

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How to make Dancing Santa 1. Colour in the stencil of Santa. 2. Decorate with cotton wool balls. 3. Cut out the two holes and put in your fingers to control your Santa puppet.

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2. Draw Santa in the centre of the paper (or adapt the stencils on Page 9). 3. When you have drawn Santa remake the tube shape and glue it up. 4. Make a hat for Santa and glue it on his head. Decorate Santa with pencil, paints and cotton wool.

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Other suggestions v Santa puppets can be made from old red socks with felt and buttons being used for the eyes, nose and hat. v Children can make elves, reindeer, Mrs Claus, snowman and angels and write simple Christmas plays to perform. Some of the stencils at the back of the book can be adapted to use as stencils.

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Christmas Cr aft Craft

Santa Puppet Stencils

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Dancing Puppets

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Christmas Cr aft Craft

Advent Calendars Pyramid Advent Calendar ‘Advent Calendars’ are a special way of building the excitement of Christmas approaching. The countdown to Christmas is marked by small gifts or sweets.

r o e t s B r 24 e oo p u 22 23 k S 19 20 21

Making the Advent Calendar 1. A small trinket, toy or sweet is placed in each cylinder and covered with lightweight coloured paper. 2. The cylinders are glued together in the shape of a pyramid. 3. Each day one of the cylinders is opened to reveal a surprise.

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Materials v 24 cardboard cylinders v small trinkets, toys or sweets v coloured paper v glue or elastic bands

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Other suggestions v A similar advent calendar could be made with a collection of matchboxes.

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v Each box can be individually named so as each child has a turn they can choose a small gift that has been chosen individually to suit them.

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Christmas Cr aft Craft

Advent Calendars Santa's Advent Calendar Count down the days to Christmas by watching Santa's fluffy white beard grow or disappear.

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Materials v stencil of Santa (on following page) v 24 cotton balls v crayons or paints v glue v firm card

How to make Santa's Advent Calendar 1. Colour in the Santa stencil, glue on firm card and cut out. 2. From December 1st, glue one cotton ball on Santa's beard for every passing day until Christmas Day.

© ReadyEdPubl i cat i ons Other suggestions v To enlarge ther Santa stencil do projector Using then overhead projector, •f o r e vi eanwoverhead pu r pocopy. se so l y• project the stencil onto a large piece of white paper. Trace the picture of Santa onto the

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white paper. This could be used as a class Santa Advent Calendar. v Instead of adding cotton wool balls, they could be already attached, to be removed and revealing a message to the child underneath. A quick and easy way to attach the cotton wool is with small pieces of velcro. This means that the Santa Advent Calendar can be used again. v Another simple Advent calendar can be made by gluing 24 pegs to a piece of firm cardboard. Put a joke, puzzle or a message into 24 small envelopes. Peg each envelope onto the cardboard. The pegs, backboard and envelopes can be decorated or simply sprayed with gold spray paint.

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Christmas Cr aft Craft

Santa's Advent Calendar Stencil

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Christmas Cr aft Craft

Making Gift Wrap Gift Wrap Using your own home-made gift wrap is the perfect way to add a personal touch to Christmas and it's really easy, too! Materials v paint v butcher paper or plain white paper v plastic cling wrap

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Use vegetables or fruit to make a stamp to print a repeated pattern on the paper. For instance, you could use a potato to make a Christmas tree shape. Use a straw to blow some paint over the surface of the paper to make an interesting design. Use a sponge to randomly print over the paper. Use a toothbrush and a piece of wire to splatter paint over the paper. If you place Christmas stencils on the paper first, the shapes will appear in the background colour. Use cookie cutters or stencils of Christmas shapes to paint shapes on the paper. Decorate with glitter or small pieces of tinsel. If you form words such as Merry Christmas with glue, then shake glitter over the glue, Merry Christmas comes out in glitter. Use a piece of string dipped in paint and drag it along the paper.

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How to make the paper 1. Paint the piece of paper one colour and let it completely dry. 2. When the paper is dry, brush generously with other selected colours. 3. While the paint is wet, layer a piece of plastic cling wrap over the paper and crinkle. 4. When the paint has dried, remove plastic. 5. To add to the design the following techniques can be used

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N.B. All the above techniques can be used to make home-made paper without going through Steps 1-4 first.

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Other suggestions v The above techniques can be used to decorate gift boxes, Christmas cards, room chains, Christmas place mats and Christmas lanterns.

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Gift Boxes and B ags Bags

Gift Boxes and Bags Cone Box Gift presentation can be easy and fun using gift boxes decorated in a variety of interesting ways. This cone box can be used for small gifts like jewellery and home made chocolates.

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Materials v stencil (see following page) v thin card v variety of giftwrap paper v glue v cord

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How to make the gift box 1. Using the pattern on the following page, trace shape onto thin card. 2. Cut out outline of shape and bend into shape using the guidelines. 3. Flatten the shape and cover with Christmas giftwrap. 4. Reform shape of cone and glue the flaps together. 5. Pierce a hole in the lid and thread some cord through. Other suggestions v Decorate the outside of the cone with pictures of candles, angels etc. cut from wrapping paper. v Ribbons, glitter, beads, silver and gold aluminium foil, snowflake shapes and paper flowers can be used to decorate the outside of the cone. v To make the box larger, enlarge the stencil using a photocopier. Page 14

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Gift Boxes and B ags Bags

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Cone Box Stencil

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Gift Boxes and B ags Bags

Gift Boxes and Bags Woven Gift Bag A simple and beautiful way to create a gift bag or an excellent decoration for the tree. Material v variety of strong, brightly coloured Christmas paper. v glue

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How to make a woven gift bag 1. Cut an 11 cm × 25 cm shape from one sheet of Christmas paper. 2. Fold in half. 2. Leaving about 1/2 cm at each side, cut 6 lines about 2 cm apart. Do not cut to the edge. Leave about 1 cm at the top of the bag. 4. Cut 12 strips of a contrasting Christmas paper 2 cm wide and 12 cm long. 5. Flatten the base and weave each strip in and out, tucking the overlap inside of the bag. 6. When all the strips have been woven in, fold the bag in half and glue together. 7. Make a handle and attach it to the bag.

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Other suggestions v Contrasting plain colours such as green and red, or gold and silver make a colourful option. v Different sized bags can be made. v This technique can also be used to make Christmas place mats.

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Gift Boxes and B ags Bags

Gift Bags and Boxes Easy Gift Bag This bag is really easy to make and can be decorated with the children's own designs, with old Christmas cards and wrapping paper.

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Materials v variety of different sized paper bags (They can be plain or coloured.) v selection of gift wrap and used Christmas cards v coloured paper v glue v tinsel, glitter, ribbons, paper flowers, beads, coloured foil, paints etc. v Christmas stencils

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How to make this easy gift bag 1. Decorate the paper bag. 2. Use the stencils and shapes from the back of this book to make a picture that can be decorated using the coloured construction paper. Other suggestions v Decorate the paper bag using the same techniques suggested on Page 15.

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Tree D ecor ations Decor ecorations

Christmas Trees Handy Christmas Trees

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How to create a "Handy Christmas Tree" 1. Create a large cone shaped tree from cardboard and glue to a cardboard tube. 2. Secure the tube in a bucket or pot plant decorated with Christmas paper. 3. Children trace around their hands and then paint and decorate them. 4. Glue the hands onto the tree, overlapping each one.

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Materials v long cardboard tube v cone tree cut from a large circle v paper v glue v scissors v decorative materials

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v Make a Christmas tree using a dead branch securely placed in a decorated bucket or pot plant. Spray paint the branch gold and decorate with children's Christmas craft. This tree could be used to hang gifts when using the 'secret friend' approach to Christmas gift giving in your classroom. v Use glitter, tinsel, old Christmas cards to decorate hands.

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Tree D ecor ations Decor ecorations

Tree Decorations Glitter Star A beautiful glittering star to decorate your tree. These ornaments can be made in a variety of festive colours by using different coloured glitter.

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Material v small foam ball (about 40 mm diameter) v box of 250 round toothpicks v gold glitter v hair pin v craft glue

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How to make the glitter star 1. Cover the ends of the hairpin with glue and push into the foam ball. Let dry. 2. Put glue on the end of the toothpicks and push into the foam ball. Space the toothpicks evenly around the ball. 3. Let the toothpicks dry and then place a coloured ribbon through the hairpin loop. 4. Make sure the toothpicks are very dry and then coat each toothpick with thin glue using a soft paint brush. 5. Hold the ball by the ribbon and sprinkle glitter over it. Let dry.

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Other suggestions v The dry toothpick balls can be spray painted gold, silver or other bright Christmas colours. v Glitter can be added before the spray paint dries.

v Commercial spray adhesive could be used to ensure the glitter sticks to the toothpicks.

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Tree D ecor ations Decor ecorations

Tree Decorations Wax Ornaments Materials v white wax candles v ribbon v Christmas chocolate moulds (or any appropriately shaped moulds) v double boiler or microwave

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How to make wax ornaments 1. Melt the wax in the microwave or in the double burner on the stove-top. 2. Form a small loop with the ribbon and dip the ends into the wax. Let dry. 3. Pour wax into the mould and place ribbon into one end to form a loop to hang the ornament from the tree. You may need to hold this until it dries.

Other suggestions v Add small pieces or shavings of coloured crayon to the wax just before it is used. v Cut up small pieces of coloured cellophane or glitter and add to the mould before you add the wax. v Sprinkle beads, tinsel, small pieces of coloured foil in the mould before you add the wax. v Use coloured candles to make coloured wax ornaments. v To make a mould for the wax, use the technique outlined on Page 25.

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Tree D ecor ations Decor ecorations

Tree Decorations Starbursts Materials v coloured construction paper (15 cm by 24 cm) v glue v ribbon v glitter, sequins, beads

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How to make a starburst 1. Pleat the piece of coloured construction paper sideways. 2. While folded, cut a decorative edge. 3. Glue both sides together to form a circle. 4. Decorate with glitter, sequins and beads. 5. Glue on some ribbon to make a loop. Other suggestions v Use different size paper. v Use metallic foil paper to get some wonderful colourful starbursts. v Join two starbursts together to get stars that are two toned and larger in size. v Use two different sized and coloured rectangles with the smaller one placed on top of the larger one. When constructed this forms a different coloured circle in the centre of the star.

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Tree D ecor ations Decor ecorations

Tree Decorations Christmas Shapes Materials v Plasticine v newspaper v wallpaper glue v scissors v paint v cardboard

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Optional v varnish (spray-can or tin)

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How to make Christmas shapes 1. Make a Christmas shape using Plasticine. Some suggestions are Christmas stockings, stars, Santa Claus, angels, Christmas trees, birds and reindeer. Children can use pictures of these Christmas objects to help them with their Plasticine model. 2. Cover the top of the Plasticine shape with small pieces of newspaper dipped in wallpaper glue. Set aside to dry. 3. When dry, pull the Plasticine out and trim the edge of the shape. 4. Using the shape as a stencil, cut out a cardboard shape for backing. 5. Glue a piece of string or ribbon and glue onto backing shape. 6. Glue backing shape onto Christmas shape with strong glue. 7. Paint shape. 8. For a glossy finish, use the varnish. Other suggestions v This method can be used to make refrigerator magnets all year round on different themes. v Brooches and earrings can be made using this technique. A pin can be glued on the back for the brooches. This method is ideal for earrings because of the lightness. Pipe-cleaners can be used to hook over the ear.

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Tree D ecor ations Decor ecorations

Christmas Wreath Poinsettia Wreath Materials v newspaper v spray paint v glue v poinsettia stencil (Enlarge and reduce as necessary.) v paper plates

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How to make the wreath 1. Spread craft glue evenly over a full size sheet of newspaper. 2. Lay another sheet of newspaper over the top. (Allow about 3 cm overlap so that the uncovered edge with glue on it will hold the roll together). 3. Roll the newspaper into a tight tube beginning at the bottom. 4. Twist the tube into a rope. Make six of these ropes. 5. Lay three ropes together and tape at one end securely. Plait the ropes together. Repeat with the remaining three ropes. 6. Glue the plaits together to form a wreath. Tape them together until they are completely dry. 7. Spray paint the wreath in a Christmas colour. How to make the poinsettias (See diagrams on next page.) 1. Use the paper plates to make one large petal shape, and two smaller petal shapes as shown. 2. Paint the large petal green and the smaller petals red. 3. Glue the two red petals on top of the green petal. 4. Add some small yellow and white dots to the top petal. 5. Glue the poinsettias onto the wreath.

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Other suggestions v An easier way to make the poinsettias is to use red and green paper plates.

v The newspaper ropes can be used for a variety of other Christmas craft like gift baskets.

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Tree D ecor ations Decor ecorations

Poinsettias for Poinsettia Wreath Step 1

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Christmas Cookery

Easy Christmas Cookery The Christmas recipes in this section have been chosen because they are quick and easy to do. The most difficult recipe is gingerbread which can be made easier if the dough is prepared before the lesson. Most of the other recipes do not require baking and the ingredients are easy to find.

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Here are some easy recipes for some wonderful Christmas treats.

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Ingredients v 1 medium size potato v 500 g icing sugar v peanut butter

Method 1. Boil the potato until soft and then mash. (For young children, this step can be done before the lesson.) 2. Stir in the icing sugar to form a dough. 3. Roll dough onto a sugared surface in a rectangle. 4. Spread thinly with peanut butter. 5. Roll up and slice into pieces.

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Ingredients v 1/2 cup of butter or margarine v 1/2 cup peanut butter v 1/2 cup milk v 1/2 cup cocoa v 2 cups sugar v 1/2 cup coconut v 3 cups oatmeal

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Method 1. In a large pot add butter, peanut butter, milk, cocoa and sugar. 2. Boil for a minute then add coconut and oatmeal. 3. Drop teaspoon size cookies on a greased tray and let set.

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Christmas Cookery

Easy Christmas Cookery No Bake Fudge Brownies Ingredients v 2 cups of choc bits v 250 g tin of condensed milk v 1 pack of crushed biscuits v 1 cup of nuts (pecan, walnut, peanuts)

r o e t s Bo r e p ok u S Gingerbread

Ingredients (for six shapes) v 125 g butter cut into small pieces v 1/2 cup brown sugar v 1 egg yolk v 2½ teaspoons golden syrup

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Method 1. Melt chocolate in double boiler or microwave. 2. Blend in condensed milk, chocolate biscuits and half the nuts. 3. Spoon mixture onto greased tray. 4. Sprinkle with nuts and allow to cool.

v 2½ cups plain flour v teaspoon bicarbonate of soda v 3 teaspoons ground ginger v icing sugar, sweets

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How to make gingerbread 1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 2. Add egg yolk and beat well. 3. Sift in the flour, bicarbonate of soda and ground ginger. 4. Gradually add to butter mixture. 5. Add the golden syrup and mix well. 6. Knead the dough lightly and divide into six pieces. 7. Roll each piece between two pieces of grease-proof paper until the dough is 3 mm thick. 8. Gently remove top piece of grease-proof paper. 9. Cut out desired shape with cookie cutter or stencil. 10. Lift off paper gently and turn onto lightly greased oven tray. Peel away paper. 11. Bake figures in oven for ten minutes. 12. When cooled, decorate with coloured icing and sweets.

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Other suggestions Instead of gingerbread men, a variety of Christmas shapes can be used. A cardboard stencil of the shapes can be used to carefully cut around. Shapes that are suitable are snowman, bells, Christmas tree, angels, stockings, Santa Claus, etc. Stencils for these can be found at the back of this book.

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Christmas Cookery

Easy Christmas Cookery Santa Snowballs Ingredients v 1/4 cup butter v 1/4 cup milk v 3 tablespoons cocoa v 1 tablespoon vanilla essence

v 2 cups coconut v 1 cup sugar v 2 cups rolled oats v extra coconut

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Ingredients v 1/4 cup of condensed milk v 1 teaspoon vanilla essence v 1 tablespoon brown sugar v 3/4 cup skim milk powder v 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans) v 1/4 cup of green and red glacé cherries cut into small pieces

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Method 1. Boil butter, milk and sugar for five minutes. 2. Add cocoa, vanilla and coconut. 3. Roll into balls and cover with extra coconut. 4. Place in fridge to cool.

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2. Stir in milk powder, nuts and cherries. 3. Knead the dough until it is smooth. 4. Roll the dough into a 2.5 cm thick rope using the palms of your hands. 5. Dust with sugar and cut into 2.5 cm pieces.

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Ingredients v 250 g copha v 1 cup of rice bubbles v 1 cup full cream milk powder v 1 cup coconut

v 60 g red and green glacé cherries v 1/2 cup glacé fruit (apricots, pineapple) v 1 cup icing sugar v 1/2 cup sultanas

Method 1. Chop glacé fruit into small pieces. 2. Place the chopped fruit, rice bubbles, powdered milk, coconut and sultanas in a bowl. 3. Sift in the icing sugar. 4. Melt the copha. 5. Pour the copha over other ingredients and stir well. 6. Press mixture into lamington tin lined with grease-proof paper. 7. Chill until set and then cut into squares. Ready-Ed Publications

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Christmas Online

Christmas Online There are many websites on the Internet that have a vast amount of information about Christmas and everything associated with Christmas. There are websites that have games, competitions, quizzes, clip-art, information about how Christmas is celebrated around the world and information on the symbols of Christmas. You can even e-mail Santa or send a friend an electronic Christmas card! There are also clip-art websites to help decorate Christmas cards, projects or even your very own Christmas web.

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o Here is a list of websites that can be used for children's activities, as well as research. Send a Christmas card to a friend www.123greetings.com/events/christmas/

Christmas Clip-art http://www.christmas-graphics-plus.com/ Email Santa Claus http://www.the-north-pole.com/santamail.shtml Christmas Humour www.netcore.ca/~gkillops/xmas.html

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Christmas Stories www.christmas-stories.com/christmas-stories.php

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Christmas Animations http://heathersanimations.com/xmas1.html Christmas Around the World www.the-north-pole.com/around/

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Christmas Stuff for Little Kids www.alittlechristmasmagic.com/Christmas_Stuf.html

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Christmas Online

Online Activities for Young Children The following pages contain Christmas activities that are linked to a website. The website address is at the top of each activity page. To save time, the website address can be bookmarked or added to favourites (depending on your browser) before the lesson begins. This will make it easier for the children to locate the website. All the activities are suitable for young children and some are even easy enough for pre-primary students. They can do the online activity but perhaps it would not be necessary for them to use the activity sheet to record the lesson. Other more appropriate methods of recording the lesson, such as oral reporting or simple illustrations, could be used.

r o e t s B r e oo Useful links p u k S Sally Saves Christmas www.candlelightstories.com/page1.htm When Santa Claus Comes www.night.net/christmas/p-santa-comes.html-ssi Mrs Claus' Kitchen www.northpole.com/kitchen.html

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James and the Christmas Wagon www.imagitek.com./james/

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Christmas Games from Billy Bear www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/christmas/games.htm Squigly's Online Christmas Activities www.squiglysplayhouse.com/Games/Holidays/Christmas.html

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Christmas Links - Activities, Resources and Games www.teachers.ash.org.au/denise/Christmas.htm

Christmas Activities - Yahoo! dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Holidays_and_Observances/Christmas/ Activities_and_Crafts/

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Christmas Online Go to http://www.akidsheart.com/chela/trimtree.html

Christmas Art The Christmas Tree

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o Click on the picture of the Christmas tree. Drag it onto the mat. Click on the labels and then the picture in the box. Drag the item to place it on the tree or in the room. Draw a picture of your beautifully decorated tree below.

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Christmas Online Go to http://akidsheart.com/holidays/christms/snowman.htm

Christmas Art The Snowman

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o Click on the snowman. Pick your favourites from each row. Click on Create to see the snowman you have made. Draw your snowman below.

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Christmas Online Go to www.imagitek.com./james/

James and the Christmas Wagon o Read the story "James and the Christmas Wagon". Click on the picture at the bottom of

the page when the arrow changes to a hand to go to a new page of the story. Read the story again to do the activities.

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1. What kind of animal was James? ........................................................................................... 2. Draw a picture of James and the wagon that he wanted for Christmas.

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.............................

5. What did James think was the best present of all at the end of the story? ............................ Page 32

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Christmas Online Go to www.night.net/christmas/p-santa-comes.html-ssi

When Santa Claus Comes o Read the poem "When Santa Claus Comes" on the website. Fill in the

missing words from the poem.

A good time is ............................................... , I wish it were here,

r o e t s Bo r e p oClaus comes. the weeks that must pass before ............................ k u S Then when the first ...................................... begin to come down, The very best time in the whole of the .......................................... ;

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I'm counting each day on my ................................... and thumbs,

And the wind whistles .................... and the branches are brown,

I'll not mind the ............................... , though my fingers it numbs,

For it brings the time............................ when Santa Claus comes. --Author Unknown

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o Draw Santa Claus on his sleigh flying over all the roof tops on his way to your house.

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Go to www.northpole.com/kitchen.html

Christmas Online

Mrs Claus' Kitchen Mrs Claus has many wonderful Christmas recipes in her cookbook. o Click on the book to find out more about these tasty treats. 1. What are the six different types of recipes in Mrs Claus' book? ....................................................................................................................................................

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2. Which is your favourite type of recipe?

My favourite recipe is ....................................................................... Ingredients

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.................................................................................................................................................... o Click on the picture of your favourite type of recipe. Choose a recipe from the list. Find the ingredients for your recipe and how to make it.

How to make my favourite recipe

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.................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... What I think my recipe will look like.

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Christmas Language

Christmas Language Activities

The Lonely Little Christmas Tree (a Christmas story) Cloze (comprehension activity) What Order? (sequencing activity) What Character Am I? Compound Words Can You See It? (pictorial interpretation) Crossword Puzzle Word Sleuth

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A collection of language activities relating to the Christmas story "The Lonely Little Christmas Tree".

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Christmas Language

The Lonely Little Christmas Tree Hi! My name is Chrissy and I am a Christmas tree. I live on a Christmas tree farm in England, just out of a small town. My owner, Jack, is a wonderful kind man who has looked after me and nurtured me since he put me in the ground as a seed three years ago. Every day Jack comes and waters me and talks to me. "Little tree, little tree," he says sadly. "I wish you would grow. You are so small and skinny. If you don't grow you will be the only tree left in my Christmas nursery. You will be very lonely."

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It was getting close to Christmas. One by one the trees around me were sold to families who came to the farm. The children who visited the tree farm were excited and ran around the trees shouting happily,

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"Pick this one, Mum. No, pick this one. Look how tall and strong it looks. It will look wonderful with all our beautiful decorations on it." None of the children ran around me. I became very sad.

On Christmas Eve, the very night before Christmas, every last one of the Christmas trees in Jack's farm were sold - except me. Jack came out into the nursery and looked at me.

"I'm sorry, little tree. You are not big enough or strong enough to be a Christmas tree. I've come to say goodbye. I am too old to look after the Christmas tree farm any longer. I am going away to live with my son and his family in town. They are coming to pick me up soon." I had never felt sadder in my life. My branches and my leaves drooped as Jack sat on the garden bench to wait for his son.

© ReadyEdPubl i cat i ons A car came up the hill. In it was Jack's son, his wife and their two children. The car stopped •Mike, f oJack's rr e vi ewranp pgrandfather oses o nl y • and Susan and grandchildren, upu tor their and hugged him.

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"Granddad, you look so sad, " said Susan. "You should be happy. It's Christmas and we are really looking forward to you living with us."

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"It's Chrissy, my favourite Christmas tree," replied Jack. "Nobody wanted him and now he will be all alone." The family helped Jack into the car and slowly the car drove away into town. I was all alone.

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It was a very cold and lonely winter. Not even birds visited as my branches became covered in snow and ice. Spring came and the winter snow melted. I began to feel stronger and happier as flowers sprung up around me and birds built their nests in my branches. Still I was lonely as I remembered how kind Jack had been to me. All through summer, I grew and became stronger and thicker. Then the cooler weather of autumn approached and I became sadder as Christmas got nearer. The memories of last Christmas when nobody wanted me made me very unhappy. On Christmas Eve I huddled in the winter cold, my branches drooping towards the ground.

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Christmas Language Suddenly, I heard a car coming up the drive. It's was Jack's son's car! Out stepped Jack. He walked up to me with a look of delight in his face. "You look wonderful, Chrissy. We are going to take you home to be our Christmas tree." Susan and Mike got out of the car and helped Jack dig me out of the ground and carry me to the boot. They tied me in securely and off we went towards town. When we arrived at Jack's son's house they carefully lifted me out of the boot. A large hole had been dug in the garden,

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"Look Chrissy," said Jack. "You are such a special Christmas tree that we are going to plant you in the garden so that you can be with us year after year."

"You are the best looking tree in the street," said Jack.

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My branches lifted towards the sky with pride as Susan and Mike draped some colourful Christmas lights around my branches.

I looked at my reflection in the window of the house. Do you know what? HE WAS RIGHT.

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Christmas Language

The Lonely Little Christmas Tree Cloze o Read the story "The Lonely Little Christmas Tree". Put the missing words into the sentences.

1. Chrissy started out life as a ..............................................................

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2. Chrissy was a ............................................................. tree.

3. ............................................ was the owner of the Christmas tree farm.

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4. Chrissy was Jack's .................................................... Christmas tree. 5. Jack went into .................................... to live with his ........................................

6. ...................................... and .................................... were Jack's grandchildren.

7. Jack and his ...................... took Chrissy to town in the boot of the .................... 8. Jack planted Chrissy in the ....................................................

9. Susan and Mike decorated Chrissy with Christmas ...........................................

Missing words

o Read and draw

Jack and his grandchildren put Chrissy in the boot of the car.

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car favourite Jack seed lights Christmas town grandchildren son

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Christmas Language

The Lonely Little Christmas Tree What Order? o Number the events from the story in the order that they happened.

Susan and Mike helped Jack plant Chrissy in the garden. ..... Jack went to live in town with his son. .....................................

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Chrissy was left all alone. .........................................................

In autumn, Chrissy was very sad. .............................................

Snow and ice covered Chrissy's branches. ............................ Jack returned to get Chrissy. .................................................... o Draw a picture of Chrissy decorated in Christmas lights.

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In spring, Chrissy began to feel stronger. ................................

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Christmas Language

The Lonely Little Christmas Tree Which Character Am I? o Draw a picture of each character.

I am green, small and skinny. Nobody wanted to take me home on Christmas Eve.

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I am an old man. I owned a farm full of Christmas trees. I went to live with my son.

I am ................................................................

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I am ................................................................

I am one of Jack's grandchildren. I am a girl. I helped to decorate the Christmas tree.

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I live in town. I own a car. Jack came to live with me.

I am ................................................................

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Christmas Language

The Lonely Little Christmas Tree Compound Words Some compound words from the story are grandfather, grandchildren and granddad.

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s f ..........................................

...........................................

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o There are lots of Christmas compound words. Use the picture clues to work them out.

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..........................................

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s.......................................... b

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Christmas Language

The Lonely Little Christmas tree

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Can You See It?

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the things that you can see in the picture.

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v a Christmas stocking v children

Add these things to the picture and then colour.

v Santa Claus

v an angel

v a reindeer

v a lantern

v clouds in the sky

v a star

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Christmas Language

The Lonely Little Christmas Tree Crossword Puzzle 1.

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o Use the story to help you complete the crossword puzzle. Across Clues

Down Clues

2. A season of the year.

1. Jack's grandson.

4. The name of the Christmas tree.

3. What Jack owned.

6. Used to make Christmas trees beautiful. 5. The season that follows winter. 9. What Chrissy was.

7. Used to decorate Chrissy. 8. The hottest season of the year.

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Christmas Language

So Ue T D Z B J t r s B r e o C M A R L Y CoF D Op u k US Z L L E E E E R T

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oCrr v ew pRos s nl y H Z • C Fo Le Sr Gu E p Ai Oe Af R•

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Christmas Word Search

o c . c Dh ecor ations Snowmen ecorations e r e o t r Gingerbr ead Gingerbread sStar s r u e p Mistletoe Stocking

o Find the words below in the puzzle. They may run up, down or diagonally.

Angel Bells Cake Candle Car d Card Carol Cr acker Cracker Page 44

Mistletoe Pudding Reindeer Sack Santa Claus

Stocking Tinsel Tree Wr eath Wreath

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Christmas Templates

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