Gift Box Learning
By Caroline Wyman
Objective: The students will be able to open several holiday boxes and complete different holiday based activities/skills. Grades 3-6
Initiation: Have a quick discussion about the holidays and what the class thinks of when they think of the holidays. Make sure to discuss all holiday traditions.
Development: There is a bit of preparation for this activity. You need 4-5 wrapped boxes with activities that were prepared ahead of time in each box depending on class size or number of activities/lessons you want to incorporate. Try not to have more than 5 students per box. Let the class know that this will be an ongoing activity, set up as either centers or group lesson time for about 4 or 5 days. Here are some ideas for your gift box learning activities:
Box #1: Have lined paper ready for each student to write a rough draft with graphic organizers describing their perfect holiday. Make sure they write with details describing their thoughts and also developing a beautiful illustration of their perfect holiday idea. Have a cover page copied for the picture, lined paper for the writing assignment and supplies such as yarn, glitter, crayons...to make it look festive.
Box#2: Cut up some old Christmas cards and have the front of the cards ready to use to make new cards of their own. They can write a message on the back or use the front of the preexisting card and glue it on to the top of a new card made from construction paper. Have the students write a special holiday message or poem pretending that they are gift card writers.
Box#3: Print out online coupons (see link below) and use those coupons for your students to fill out and create a coupon book as a gift for their parents or grandparents. Their loved ones can redeem the coupons for a free hug, washing the dishes, vacuuming...what a great holiday gift! Have your students be creative with their coupon ideas.
http://parenting.leehansen.com/Printables/blank-love-coupons.htm
Box#4: Have your students read different stories about different holiday traditions already placed in the box in book form or as online information. Have compare and contrast sheets ready to use. Have them compare and contrast their holiday traditions to one other tradition or several depending on grade level. If this is for an older classroom or more advanced group, have them research the holiday traditions online themselves and then put together a compare and contrast organizer.
Box#5: Have a math activity prepared in the box. A copy of a holiday math sheet or have them graph holiday traditions or go online and find out statistical holiday information to share. Lots to do!
More boxes can be created depending on classroom size and skill level. This is a great way to incorporate a well balanced curriculum using the same theme.
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.