As I reflected on what I did with students in years past during the holidays, I came up with this. It’s a little sketchy, but it will give you an idea of what I do, and I hope it helps you with your own classes for next year. Be sure and email me (rickeyp@bayou.com) if you have any questions. I’ve enjoyed presenting my little Christmas programs to schools. It’s helped me personally to appreciate the holiday season better.

Holiday Lesson Plan for Gifted or Honors Students:

Lesson Objective: TLW experience the holiday season in a unique, thoughtful, and unforgettable way.

Texts and Topics:

“Gift of the Magi” by O’Henry.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
“Auld Lang Syne” by Robert Burns

Biblical References for Chanukah: II Maccabees (historical background), John 10 (Feast of Lights).

Winter Solstice (A survey of the Celtic holiday) Sources will vary.

Topics relating to Christmas: Chanukah, Santa Claus, mistletoe, gift-giving, Christmas and Church history, Christmas during the Civil War (includes discussion of the Christmas art of Thomas Nast) Christmas trees, Christmas in other countries, and other related topics. Sources will vary.

Christmas CD’s: There are SO many performers who have made CD’s to choose from. The music you use depends on your preferences and resources.

Christmas Movies: For a good list of Christmas movies, go to this site: http://www.auburn.edu/~vestmon/christmas_movie.html

Activities:

Students will create a quality holiday journal/portfolio. This portfolio will include photographs, (or drawings/paintings) and written materials of the following exercises.

1. TLW will decorate class Christmas tree with ornaments they make. Ornaments will be dated, have a quote relating to the holiday season, and a small photo of the student.
2. TLW will write and produce their own Christmas play or screenplay.
3. During class workdays, TLW will listen to Christmas carols from a variety of performers and in a variety of languages. TTW introduce the performer and student will record pertinent information in holiday journal.
4. TLW write his/her own Christmas or New Year’s poem or song.
5. TLW’s class will create an original “Night Before Christmas” poem.
6. TLW write a personal essay relating to the holiday season. Some possible topics:
“The Christmas I’ll Never Forget.”
“The Best/Worst Year of my Life.”
“Why We Need Christmas (or ___________).”
7. TLW view and write a movie review of a recent film relating to Christmas.