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December Project-Based Learning: Sharing Through the Season

Every classroom teacher knows how crazy the classroom can be from Halloween to winter break. There are fun community activities, holidays, and a lot of excitement! I learned instead of trying to fight against the hype, to channel the excitement into projects! 
 
This time of year the necessary elementary classroom routines become dull and have a harder time keeping student interest. So what better time to introduce project-based learning!
I feel strongly about learning about the culture and traditions of others. In my classroom, over the years I have learned traditions celebrated in holidays I was familiar with and traditions from holidays I was not aware of previously. This project was created to provide a way for students to share their personal family traditions during this exciting time being all-inclusive and without making religious statements. 

Project Objective: The students will each select and read a picture book to the class asking questions as they read. After the reading students will pass out a trinket that represents the story to each student.  
Activity: 
1. Students choose their favorite pictured book from this time of year. It can be a holiday book: Christmas,  Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa... Or it can be a winter book. 
2. Then the students practice reading and rereading the book. They must complete a story map from the book.
3. Students must prepare three questions to ask the class before, during, or after the reading. 
4. Students must make a trinket for each student that represents the book in some way. 
I introduce the project by reading The Polar Express. As I read I ask questions. While reading I have a hidden bell in my hand that I ring when the book describes the sounds of Santa's bells. After the reading, I pass a small bell on a ribbon to each student. This reading demonstrates the project for students. The bells and ribbon cost me $3.
The resource includes; 1. a letter to parents explaining the project, 2. A project guide for students, 3. a question template, 4. story map, 5. personal student evaluation, and 6. lesson plans.
  
Sample trinkets made by students
I have examples of trinkets students have made from years past. We get anything from drawings to clay, to more expensive crafts. I explain that students must make the trinkets not buy items. The trinkets can be made at school using school supplies or at home based on your students. They are very basic, homemade, and inexpensive but I do have students make enough for everyone- "Sharing" through the Season.

 If you are looking for a project or activity to break up the chaos of December without being holiday specific, this is a fun way to build relationships by getting to know your students better. Project-based learning brings the play into learning! 
Find this resource in my TPT store.

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