Our homeschooling week was spent on more Thanksgiving themed studies.  But, on the homeschooling social media groups and the e-mails I’ve received, it is all about Christmas.  And with the  Christmas teaching season starting in just another week,  I’ve started my Christmas study link collection and I’m passing those links on to you today.

50 fun activities and projects for advent  http://www.onlypassionatecuriosity.com/holiday-traditions-free-printable-activity-advent-calendar/

Resources and lesson plans for all grades and ages that teach giving and volunteerism, civic engagement, and character through service.  This looks just perfect for countering the commercialism and greediness that comes along with the season.  http://learningtogive.org/teachers/

5 Days of Christmas Carols study with lyrics, printables, videos, and more http://www.homegrownlearners.com/home/2012/12/20/5-days-of-christmas-carols-day-5-o-come-o-come-emmanuel.html

100’s of free Christmas themed printables for all grade levels and most subjects  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/PreK-12-Subject-Area/ChristmasChanukahKwanzaa/Grade-Level/Homeschooler/Price-Range/Free

Interactive Christmas themed games  http://www.akidsheart.com/holidays/christms/chgames.htm

Science, language arts, history, and art resources and lessons plans with Christmas themes https://www.teachervision.com/christmas/celebrations-and-festivals/6604.html

3 levels of Christmas Trivia  http://triviapark.com/quizzes/xmasquiz.html

Printable notebooking and journaling pages here http://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_bp_holidays.htm and here http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas-writing-paper

Holiday TV Guide  http://m.washfm.com/articles/happy-holidays-444238/holiday-tv-guide-2013-9483051/

Since our history studies are centered around early America this year, we will be learning about the Christmas celebrations of that time.  This article explains some of the Christmas traditions of the American colonists.  http://foundersacademy.net/2013/colonial-cmas-decor/

This site has an overview of American Christmas history  http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/ch/in_america.htm

“Bet You Didn’t Know” is a short Christmas history video which includes a bit of American Christmas history http://www.history.com/topics/christmas/videos#bet-you-didnt-know-christmas

Colonial American history, decorations, and recipes  http://www.history.org/almanack/life/christmas/

Video, Christmas in 18th Century America  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ9Iaw0iKLY

Short story, Christmas in 1776, http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/christmas/stories/christmas-in-seventeen-seventy-six.html

Of course Christmas is not the only special day in December.  Be on the lookout for my listing of special days in December coming soon!

To find your own study links and tons of “freebies”, consider joining some homeschooling social media groups.  I recommend these!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/567122276640599/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/210519735725683/

Happy Holiday Teaching!

betty jo