Check out December’s featured resources – seasonal lessons, subject area content, and some of our staff favorites too! 

How to Speak Computer

Grade(s): 1, 2

Subject(s): ELA, Science

In this activity, students start to learn about the concepts behind computer programming by creating games and “programming” other students in a kinesthetic simulation appropriate for primary grades. Get students introduced to the basic concepts of computer programming in a fun and engaging way!

You don’t need students to use computers for this activity and you don’t need any programming knowledge yourself.

Preposition Penguins

Grade(s): K, 1

Subject(s): ELA

In this activity, students are introduced to prepositions using Preppy the Penguin.

Students use visuals of a penguin and an ice cube to help them create a list of prepositions. They then practice relating the preposition between two words by moving a small penguin around their body based on the clues given by the teacher.

A Blizzard of Fun

Grade(s): 1, 2

Subject(s): Math, Science, Social Studies

Snow storms are an amazing phenomenon, especially for younger students. In this activity, students use blizzards and cold weather to help them understand changes of state, the word “blizzard”, as well as locating 2015’s Snow Storm Juno on a map of the USA and comparing it to their own weather.

They carry out their own investigation of water existing in different forms – as a solid and a liquid. They measure temperature change to determine how quickly ice melts in different locations, make predictions and observations, and draw conclusions.

Holiday Family Traditions

Grade(s): K, 1, 2

Subject(s): ELA

In this fall and winter holiday-themed activity, students will define the word tradition. They will brainstorm the various traditions and activities that their families do during the holiday season. The students will use a graphic organizer as a pre-writing tool to sort their thoughts. Next, they will utilize a rubric to help them create a writing piece about their family tradition. Finally, they will share their writing with the class.

The Twelve Days of Chirstmas

Grade(s): K, 1

Subject(s): Math, ELA

This cross curricula extended activity will engage students in a variety of learning situations. This plan can be used over twelve days or compacted into a shorter period. Using the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” as a basis, students will learn numbers, take part in discussions and rotate through activities either individually or in small groups. There are creative crafts to make, stories to explore, and many opportunities for experimenting with various materials. There is a rubric supplied to track the progress of each student.

B is for Blizzard

Grade(s): K

Subject(s): ELA, Science

In this activity, students learn about blizzards. Through whole class activities and visuals, students will explore weather and blizzards and identify Boston and their own home town on a map.

At the end of the lesson, students will use their knowledge to write a short informative text about blizzards.

New Year’s Resolutions

Grade(s): 1, 2

Subject(s): ELA

In this Rank & Reason, students consider the most important New Year’s resolution. They rank these according to importance.

This question is designed to have no right answer. Students must think critically and provide justification for their rankings. Interactive features allow students to compare their rankings with others and to the class average.

New Year’s Eve Celebration Sight Words

Grade(s): K, 1, 2

Subject(s): ELA

In this activity, the students will practice reading and writing their sight words centered around a New Year’s Eve theme.

The students will watch a video about the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop and practice counting down by reading their sight words. The class will also practice reading their sight words by catching “fireworks”. The students will practice writing their sight words by tracing their sight words in glue and covering them in glitter. An assessment and recording tool for the teacher is included.

Sight words included in this lesson: the, of, to, you, she, my, is, are, do, and does.

Be sure to check out all our K-2 Seasonal content here.