Students investigate the traditions associated with winter holidays. They examine why most of the holidays are associated with light. They examine the origins and customs of these holidays before creating an original holiday.

How much do you know about the holidays around the world? Second graders put their knowledge to the test with a 14-day lesson about global celebrations. They read informational text, employ KWL charts, and compare and contrast the many...

Students study customs of various winter holidays. For this holiday lesson, students read the book The Reasons for the Seasons and complete a winter glyph. Students use graphing software to create a chart of the holidays that are...

Learners examine ways in which holiday television specials reflect some of the religious, historic and cultural themes of the holidays on which they focus. They create their own holiday television specials in groups, each focusing on a...

Students celebrate winter holidays. In this winter holidays lesson, students have a Hanukkah party and make latkas, celebrate Christmas by making Christmas tree cones, and observe Kwanzaa with a special activity. A game, a song, a...

Students explore December climates in Southern and Northern Hemispheres, including areas close to the equator. In this surfin' Santa card lesson, students research how Christmas is celebrated in warm climates and create greeting cards to...

Students define culture and explore elements that are part of the custom or culture of a place.  For this holiday lesson, students identify the cultures they participate in.  Students identify the differences in people's...

Young scholars create a list of the five most important things they need to survive a winter night. In this survival lesson, students work in groups to list things they would need to survive a night outside in winter. Young scholars...

Students use waste materials to build a snowman decoration. In this reusing instructional activity, students create a new object out of disposable items left over from the holidays. Students discuss ways of cutting down waste. Students...

Students use the internet to gather information about holidays around the world. They create a calendar with all of the holidays outlined and calculate the percentages of countries who celebrate each one. They design a greeting card to...

Examine the holidays of La Posada in Mexico, Hanukkah in Israel, and Kwanzaa in the United States. Learners identify the countries on a world map, listen to stories, create art projects for each holiday, and make recipes celebrating...

Students draw and label pictures about holiday customs and traditions from their countries.

Sixth graders use Internet research to find out about holidays based on the winter solstice, Christmas, and Christmas traditions around the world. They create a PowerPoint presentation about what they learned.

A great ESL lesson focuses on Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims, and the Mayflower. Printable versions of the Mayflower, a Thanksgiving booklet, a Pilgrim house pattern, and links to other free sites that offer all sorts of Thanksgiving...

First graders examine the seasonal changes that occur. Students listen to the book "Caps, Hats, Socks, and Mittens" before discussing the current weather and any approaching holidays. After a brief lecture on the different seasons, they...

Students trace body parts to create a deer in this excellent Kindergarten lesson that teaches basic Art skills and cultural awareness. The lesson includes a materials list, vocabulary used, a bibliography, and is best suited for use...

Students create light bulb Santa's using old light bulbs, acrylic paints, ribbon, and cords in this art lesson for the second through eighth grade classroom. This is a great activity to do before winter break. A picture of the final...

Students compare their own special holidays and traditions and then use their imaginations to create their own holiday.

Students create clay replicas of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in this early-elementary Art lesson for the holiday season. Directions are included for both Mrs. Claus and Santa. The lesson also includes links for more art activities using...

Learners create a Thanksgiving coupon book. In this holiday instructional activity, students review the history of Thanksgiving and create coupon books to give to someone who they are thankful for.

Students examine various Halloween traditions and the legend of the Jack O'Lantern. They listen to the story "Pumpkin Pumpkin," examine a map and locate the origins of pumpkins, weigh and measure a pumpkin and graph the results, and...

Students draw Santa's face on white paper, add color construction paper for his hat, and use the beard section for a "countdown calender" until the end of the month in this creative December activity. Each day another cotton ball is...

Students use the SMART Board to learn about Groundhog day and create a tally chart of predictions for whether he will see his shadow or not. In this Groundhog day lesson plan, students respond to questions throughout the lesson.

Students create "wiggly spiders" using black paint, construction paper, yarn, and their hands in this fun, messy, art lesson for the early elementary classroom. An ideal lesson for the Halloween holiday or for a lesson/unit on spiders.