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Christmas

Know everything about Christmas? You might be surprised if you do some investigation!

• Teachers: Challenge your students to learn more about Christmas with their families.
• Parents: Share the joy of the season by exploring Christmas holiday traditions with your child.

Indiana Academic Standards
English/Language Arts

Standard 4: Writing Process/Research and Technology

English/Language Arts

Standard 7: Listening and Speaking

Social Studies

Standard 5: Individuals, Society, and Culture

Research Reindeer: A Webquest

visit this site
A second grade class helps you explore facts about reindeer and create a class Power Point.

Suggested Activities for Students

1. This simple web quest will guide you as you research and record facts about reindeer. Begin by opening up a blank Power Point file, then follow the Web Quest directions.
2. Once you have completed your project, present this slide show to your class!

Tips for Teachers

Preview the student links listed above, then encourage them to explore the sites with their families.

Tips for Parents

Team up with your child to explore this site. Once you've learned your reindeer facts, have fun visiting the online reindeer color page!

The History of Christmas

visit this site
Sponsored by the History Channel, explore the facts behind the Christmas celebration.

Suggested Activity for Students

1. What is Christmas and why it is celebrated?
2. How did Santa Claus become part of this celebration?
3. Explore "World Traditions."
   1. Pick a nation from the list to see how they celebrate Christmas.
   2. How are those Christmas celebrations different?
   3. Make a poster or draw a picture that shows how another nation celebrates Christmas.

Tips for Teachers

Encourage children to work at home with their parents to discuss religious holidays and their own customs compared to others around the world.

Tips for Parents

• Before your child and you explore this site, discuss and record how your family celebrates important religious holidays.
• As you visit the site together, make a list of facts about how Christmas is celebrated around the world.

Additional Christmas Activities

North Pole Weather Report

Check the current weather and wind factors on the North Pole. visit this site

Live from the North Pole

View images from cameras that track the North Pole snow cover, weather conditions and more! visit this site

Sally Saves Christmas

An online story of how Christmas is saved. visit this site

Christmas Crossword Puzzle

This word puzzle can be printed for offline fun. visit this site

Suggested Activity for Students

Visit one or more of the sites listed above. Pick out your favorites and share them with a family member. Think about your favorite family celebrations, share a story about one with a friend.

Tips for Teachers

Encourage families to talk about their religious holidays and the celebrations that surround them.

Tips for Parents

• Take time to discuss the reasons behind your family celebrations of religious holidays.
• Specifically talk about your own family traditions and how they came to be passed down.

Buddy² Resource Links

Visit additional resources that are on our site as you develop your holiday thematic unit:

Holiday Lesson Plans