T'was the Last 5 Days Before Christmas Break

Oh-my-word! How can there possibly be 5 more days before the Christmas Break?!? This year has really flown by so far, never mind the past few weeks. Maybe it's the lack of snow on the ground that is making it seem 'too soon' to be Christmas?!

Here's what's on tap in my room this week. Nothing crazy.....but just enough to get us through the nuttiness, as while keeping in school mode.

1.) Finishing our Christmas Cards for the St. Vincent de Paul Society:

Every year the St. Vincent de Paul Society sends out Christmas gift packages to those who are less fortunate in our community. They have asked some of our students to create Christmas Cards this year to attach to their packages.

A few ideas for the messages were:

I had each student in my class choose a symbol that best fit their message of choice and create a stained glass inspired card. A really easy 'go to' art piece that looks beautiful when it is complete.

Coloured pencil, crayon or pastels all look lovely.

  

2.) Movie Viewing Analysis: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer:

Last year I used this Literary Analysis Pack and I loved it! I am planning on using it again this year.

Each student will be provided a "viewing guide" as a reminder of all that we have learned, thus far throughout the year. Elements such as Character Traits, Plot Structure, Fictional Features etc. are all present on their guide. The students will have to analyze this movie and determine the important elements. I love this activity.

My plan is to make up some crockpot hot cocoa. The students will hopefully be relaxed and won't even realize they are still doing work.

3.) Shared Reading of The Gift of the Magi:

Students are very familiar with the popular Christmas stories, but not many have not heard of The Gift of the Magi.

You can do so much with this story! Students can really interpret this story in so many ways, yet it still brings us all back to one main message about the act of giving and receiving.  

We are going to be using this text to launch some word study activities, as well as to learn to annotate various stories so that we are able to comprehend them better.

4.) Continue our Advent Reflections:

As mentioned in my last post, my students have been participating in daily written and oral Advent Reflections using Busted Halo's Digital Advent Calendar. I LOVE this site!

I will be playing this video at the start of each reflection, this week, to remind students of the reason behind the season.

Here was Sunday's Reflection. The kids like Monday's, because they get to choose from Saturday's, Sunday's or Monday's reflections... and some are easier than others.

 5.) Completing our Perspective Writing
(To see more about this....click here for last weeks post):

 The students were asked to choose a villain from a book or movie that they are familiar with and convince Santa that they should receive gifts, after all.

 Here is what the letter needed to include:

Lots more on the go.... but a good jump on the week :)

Have a great last 5 days!!

~Kaitlin~