Curriculum Corner
December Writing Journal
December writing activities galore! With everything from poetry to research to descriptive writing to writing about things that represent December, there's no way you will run out of options.
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Christmas Candy
Here is a tasty topic for a lesson: Christmas candy! Third and fourth graders research classic Christmas candies, then create their very own! They write a descriptive paragraph about their candy, then use KidPix to create an illustration...
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Christmas Spirit?
Pupils examine how they greet the holiday season and participate in a class discussion to explore the ongoing debate on how best to celebrate the holidays. They read and discuss an article, and write a personal essay.
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Poets of Christmas Past
Students consider the meanings of Christmas by reading an op-ed. As a class, they then create a sequel to the poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," in which "Mamma" tells a story about the history of Christmas.
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A Christmas Project
Seventh graders publish a letter and spreadsheet using the computer. They build a three-dimesnsional object with construction paper and develop a Christmas object using coordinates on a graph. Students compose a response in their journals.
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Christmas Makes Me Think
Third graders discover that Christmas is a time for giving and sharing. In this Christmas spirit lesson, 3rd graders read a book about a child who is excited about Christmas trees and presents, but comes to realize that Christmas is...
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Ho Ho Poetry
Students read about the sights and sounds of a Las Vegas Christmas. They use words and phrases taken from articles in a recent issue of the New York Times to create a holiday-themed "found Poem."
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Snowman in Winter Sequence Writing
Students develop a creative snowman using step-by-step stickers. They write a short story about the snowman they have created, explaining the sequence they used to create their snowman. Students present their completed story in front of...
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Who's Who
Ninth graders read a review three pieces of literature. They then compare and relate each piece to the time period in which they were written. Next, they consult different resources and explain how these sources are similar and different...
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Make a Journal
Students decide what kind of journal they want to keep. They make the cover for their journal using construction paper and markers or paint and other types of art equipment like sequins.
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Getting Green for Christmas
Students examine their family's particular spending habits for a holiday they celebrate, research the financial expectations of retailers during the holiday season and at other times during the year.
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Migrant Struggle
The American Dream is a goal that many pursue, but is it truly attainable for all people? An in-depth lesson explores the plight of migrants in twentieth-century America. The resource includes a video and author biographies and...
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Dear Santa Claus
Learners watch the video Santa Claus is Coming to Town and create letters asking questions to Santa Claus. Other students answer the letters of their classmates.
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Current Connections
Many of us read our history books and take each word as truth. Show learners that history can easily be altered depending on who writes it. Your class will watch a series of videos, read a first person testimony, and discuss the...
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The School Holiday Calendar
Various Muslim holidays and their meanings are researched and your students will predict whether or not they should be recognized on the New York City school calendar. An extension could be to write a letter to the Mayor about their...
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Lesson: Journey of a Tree
Third graders explore the operation of a Christmas farm and how trees are shipped. After taking a tour of a Christmas tree farm and researching transportation, location and cost issues, 3rd graders create a map to show the distribution...
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Ghosts of Holidays Past
Students write in their journals to analyze the use of nostalgia. After reading an article, they identify aspects that are universal for holidays. They describe and examine their own memories of a specific holiday and interview someone...
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Freak the Mighty Vocabulary/Question Journal Ch. 13-25
In this novel study learning exercise, students review the vocabulary and plot structure of chapters 13-25 of Freak the Mighty as they respond to 21 fill in the blank and short answer questions.
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Using Lists to Generate Ideas
Students create lists about a topic that they choose to generate ideas for writing without worrying about grammar or punctuation. In this lists lesson plan, students first create a list about snow with their teacher.
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Needs of the Homeless
Students explore the needs of the homeless. In this philanthropy lesson plan student read chapter 1 of Trevor's Place and discuss facts regarding homelessness. Students write their impressions about homelessness in journals.
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POP! Goes the Popcorn!
Students complete a variety of activities based on examining corn and popcorn as one of the major crops of Kansas. They journal the results of the multidisciplinary activities in this unit.
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Word Books
Students explore art and writing. They create a word book consisting of new words that they come across in their reading or words they hear from people. Students create a cover for their word books.
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High-Tech Heaven?
Students read and discuss, "Post-Christmas Comes a Geek's Gizmo-Rama" by David Pogue. They consider how technologies they use impact their lives.
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Waking Up, Stepping Out
Students examine cultural differences. In this Peace Corps activity, students compare their culture to Nepali culture as they read and discuss Waking Up, Stepping Out by Steve Iams.