Christmas Class Activities 3rd Grade

[teach1027]

What do you do with 3rd grade students for Christmas? This is my first year in 3rd grade are they to old to write a letter to Santa? That is what I would have my 1st graders do. Please help.

[kingrichie]

I like to have my students write letters to different people here at the school. Especially ones like: custodians, librarians, office staff, people who are not always recognized for their hard work. I let them thank them and draw a picture for them. Then we bind it together, decorate a cover and present it to them on the last day before break.

[Chef Dave]

Have students construct gingerbread houses but use graham crackers instead of gingerbread.

[Boxcar]

During one of the last periods of the day, go caroling to other classrooms. (Okay it with your colleges first.)

If you feel your kids are too old to write to Santa, maybe have them go down to the first grade and help those children. Both groups would probably enjoy working with older/younger peers.

Painting the windows is always fun. You can have them do things with a Christmas theme.

Paper chains are great and they are educational. They can be used to do length, patterns, and all that. They are fun to make with staples or tape, and the students can work together to make the longest one ever. You can then hang it from the ceiling.

If you are allowed to do religion, tell them the story of the candy cane and what it symbolizes.

Also read or watch the Polar Express. Hand out Jingle Bells afterward. You can get these for cheap at stores like Walmart.

[mopar]

I liked to set up different centers when I taught the younger grades. I had a center that involved food...using decorating cookies or gingerbread houses or chocolate coating pretzels. Then I have some kind of craft, nothing related to Christmas (not allowed), relating to winter. Making a snowman, an ornament (not just for a tree), picture frame, etc. Mostly making a present for mom or dad. Then I bring in the dreidle game as a station. I have a story station where the students listen to a book on tape or a parent volunteer. Usually it involves a winter holiday (Christmas, Hanukkah, etc). At this station I supply hot chocolate and marshmallows for the students to enjoy. I try to end the festivities with a writing assignment. The students write about what they look forward to the most over the holidays and then we spend the last 20 minutes sharing stories. This way the students can be all packed up and you can do little things like wrap presents, etc.

[mopar]

Oh yeah, I begin the day with some holiday worksheets: crosswords, word searches, coloring pages, etc.

[teach1027]

These are all great ideas. Thanks so much. I am going to try to incorporate them. I appreciate the help.