Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care! (The above photo is our latest chalkboard mural)
It’s Christmas Eve and our family is wrapping presents (yes, science toys and art supplies and books), baking cookies for neighbors, and listening to Christmas music! As busy as I am today, I just had to stop by the blog, and wish you all TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY! And send you our family’s new favorite Christmas song.
Have a very merry CHRISTmas!
betty jo
What goes “oh, oh, oh”? Santa walking backwards! Ah yes, my Z has been telling Christmas jokes, and some are actually funny! Click here for the resource site for his “comedy act”! http://www.hellokids.com/r_563/reading-online/jokes-and-riddles/christmas-jokes
I hope you have a few minutes to check out this creative and fun performance of the story of Jesus’ birth set to the rock classic tune , “Bohemian Rhapsody”! http://www.crosswalk.com/video/bethlehemian-rhapsody.html
Wishing you and your family Christmas Cheer!
betty jo
Our homeschooling winter break has officially started! Though practicing skills with last minute shopping, crafting, baking, parties, and parts in a Christmas play, the learning doesn’t stop.
Since studies won’t be mandatory, our thoughts can be focused on Christmas, fun, and playing Santa, (We decided when our oldest was young not to encourage a “belief” in Santa, but to encourage idea and play of Santa. We each draw a name and are responsible for filling that family members stocking, wrapping a gift or two and eating the cookies left out.)
Without lessons, my kids will no doubt be asking for extra computer time. I found these fun “Santa” sites for the kids to play on.
Track Santa on the map, play interactive games and more http://www.noradsanta.org/
Join Raymond the Reindeer for a tour of the North Pole, short stories, and interactive games http://www.northpole.com/
A wonderful selection of Christmas themed games http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/christmas/games.php
The “Naughty or Nice ” rating from this site may not be accurate because this is what Santa said about me, “Nicer than nice. A real champ! I was really proud of all the hard work that went towards changing those “naughty” habits of last year. Treated friends nicely and was exceptionally honest (which happens to be one of my favorite traits!) It’s amazing what a good old fashioned “I’m sorry!” can do for a rating. Keep up the good work!” http://www.claus.com/naughtyornice/index.php
Claus.com has many other activities including an updated North Pole weather forecast, attend “Elf School” and earn your diploma, and more activities http://www.claus.com/village.php
Christmas Jokes for Kids https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas-jokes
All of our Christmas fun won’t be from the computer, but will come from just being together as a family. These game ideas are great for that special family time http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/printable-christmas-party-games-for-teens/
Have a Very Merry Christmas Break!
betty jo
The first week of homeschooling Christmas we had 4 sick kids, 3 canceled events, 2 visitors, and roads closing due to a winter storm. Hey, that could (almost) be sung to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”!
We are making a slight change of plans this week with our “Christmas in Early America” studies, too. After a three day study/review of the original colonies, we started researching Christmas in the colonies. That was when we learned that in Boston, Christmas celebrations were against the law! In the other early colonies, Christmas was decorated , foods prepared, and celebrated by whatever traditions those early colonists brought with them when they sailed over.
So, for the rest of our learning days before we break for the holidays, our new lesson focus will be more of a “Christmas Around the World” theme.
This study will not actually take us away from our years course of study of Early American History, it truly relates to an early American theme…”The Melting Pot”. America is called this because we, the people, came from everywhere around the world, but coming to America made us one nation.
Below are the best of the internet links I’ve found for studying Christmas Around the World!
Interactive advent calendar which features Christmas facts and information from a different country each day http://projectbritain.com/Xmas/calendar/index.html#calendar
Clever video from Team Marco Polo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQCxRLo8rGs&list=PLlQeGlB7ezHZhmCjzXrQGvMAg2rTC9ct_
Christmas customs, traditions, and how to say “Merry Christmas” in more than 50 languages http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/
Free Christmas Around the World printables for all grades and subjects (you will need an account to access, but it’s simple to set up and worth the effort for printable resources to use throughout the year) http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:christmas+around+the+world/Price-Range/Free
Unit Study and Lapbook Printables – http://www.homeschoolshare.com/christmas_around_the_world.php
Fun Fact Note Cards Printable – http://teachmama.com/holiday-time-fun-fact-lunchbox-notes/
Though we already have our crafting ideas and supplies ready to add to our learning, we may try to include an idea or two that goes along with our new theme. Christmas Around the World craft ideas http://www.benandme.com/2010/12/christmas-crafts-from-around-world.html
A nice collection Christmas songs from around the world
And just thinking of “melting pot” conjures images of melting chocolate chips for fruits, cookies, and pretzels and also of warm soupy cheeses for breads, veggies, and meats.
Our holiday cooking lessons and potluck dishes to share will most definitely have to be fondues!
Kid friendly instructions, tips, and fondue recipies
https://www.momjunction.com/articles/cheese-fondue-recipes-for-your-kids_00359234/#gref
For other Christmas study related posts see here
https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/11/23/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas/
https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/11/29/free-christmas-themed-teaching-resources/
https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/12/06/countdown-to-christmas/
https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/12/06/learning-christmas-with-countdowns/
https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/11/26/special-days-in-december/
May our Christmas plans not just be merry and bright, but FLEXIBLE!
betty jo
This first week in December has been all about counting the days until Christmas. I am just as bad, if not worse than the kids when it comes to the rush and excitement of the holidays. Also, we look forward to surprises each day and a welcomed break from learning as usual.
We’ve had special activities each day this week. We dug out the box of Nativity collectables from the garage and cleaned off our school shelves for them. We made a couple of trips to the grocery to buy cookie and treat ingredients for baking/cooking projects. We have also visited the craft store to stock up on the supplies we’ll be needing for our holiday art creations. There’s been old favorite Christmas movies watched. And of course, we loaded our bookbags up with stacks of library books with holiday themes. Finally, there were web sites with holiday studies that we have linked to each day. Below are the best of the online resources we have kicked off our learning through December with.
For our daily Bible devotions we have started the Advent Chain from this site. It’s simple to print and assemble but meaningful and thought provoking http://www.spelloutloud.com/advent-chains-easy-christmas-craft.html
Daily Christmas countdown activities for both my teens and younger boys . One is a calendar which features an interactive game or activity for each day and another calendar with a different Christmas themed geography and history lesson. Both calendars are found here http://primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/teacher/christmas.html#advent
NORAD also has a site with a new interactive activity each day as well as some other north pole and Santa activities and resources http://www.noradsanta.org/
The teens also have an interactive calendar to link to each day. This one offers a new secondary level math video each day http://nrich.maths.org/10472
Even more Christmas Countdown and Advent resources
I haven’t made this yet, but plan to. This mamma NEEDS a countdown activity too! Candy Countdown Calendar! http://www.franw.com/2011/11/make-your-own-candy-countdown-calendar.html
More Christmas Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/11/23/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas/
And More Christmas Resources here https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/11/29/free-christmas-themed-teaching-resources/
Hope you are having a wonderful time counting down the days till Christmas!
betty jo
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
Still Learning Something New 