Do you hear the sleigh bells ringing? Probably not over the excitement of your students during December, right? I totally get it! Walking into a classroom this month can feel like stepping into a whirlwind of energy. Our students, and let’s be honest, we teachers too, are eagerly anticipating winter break. Instead, here we are, trying to keep our kiddos engaged and learning while their energy levels skyrocket. So, today I’m sharing some fantastic December activities that will keep your students having a blast while still soaking up knowledge!
December Activities for Morning Work
Starting the day off right is crucial for setting a positive tone in the classroom. That’s why I love using morning work as part of my December activities. As soon as my students walk in and unpack, they know exactly what’s expected of them. They head straight to their seats and start their morning work. This routine helps them get into a focused mindset helping them to be ready to tackle the school day. Plus, it’s a great way for me to handle those morning tasks on my end while they’re busy and engaged.
1. December Morning Work Spiral Review
Spiral review is key to keeping our students consistently learning. The December Morning Work Spiral Review resource includes both math and ELA skills. I have students work independently each morning on one of these pages while I take care of attendance and other tasks. The beauty of spiral review is that it continuously builds upon previous knowledge, helping to reinforce and strengthen skills. Each page is differentiated to ensure that every student in our classrooms experiences success. The activities range from math problems to reading and writing skills.
2. Winter Solstice Worksheets
These Winter Solstice worksheets are perfect for integrating seasonal fun into learning. They cover a wide range of topics, from winter-themed math to literacy activities. Think mixed-up winter vocabulary words, crossword puzzles with picture clues, and winter riddles. There’s something for each of our learners, whether it’s a winter word search, graphing exercises, or ABC order practice.
3. Christmas Activities Practice Pages
These Christmas Activities are similar to the Winter Solstice worksheets but with a festive twist. They’re designed to review ELA and math skills through engaging puzzles and activities. My students enjoy fun tasks like “I Spy” winter-themed items, winter graphing, and even a winter game called “Capture the Snowflake.” It’s all about making learning enjoyable while still reviewing essential skills.
4. Penguin Unit
In December, I love using the Penguin Unit to keep my students engaged with a variety of activities. We start with the Penguin Memory Game, where my students test their memory and concentration by matching cards. They also practice counting with 1-1 Matching, where they pair numbers with the correct number of penguins. Activities like arranging penguins from smallest to tallest and ordering days of the week help with sequencing skills.
We explore temperature concepts with the Hot vs. Cold sorting game and measure penguins using snap cubes to strengthen their understanding of measurement. My students also enjoy building sight words with laminated cards, rolling and tracing numbers and letters, and creating CVC words with spinners. We use ten frames with fishy crackers, reconstruct penguin poems in a pocket chart, and solve addition and subtraction problems on laminated cards. These activities not only make learning fun but also reinforce important literacy and math skills and keep us busy!
5. Hanukah Practice Pages
Including Hanukah-themed activities in our December curriculum is a great way to promote inclusion and teach about different cultures. My Hanukah Worksheets mini-unit includes a variety of engaging activities. We start with a word search and an information sheet that includes activities to help students learn key facts about Hanukah. My students enjoy making words from the letters in “Festival of Lights” and coloring sheets that depict Hanukah symbols.
Another key activity is the writing center cards, where my students write about Hanukah traditions and celebrations. This unit also includes a matching activity with Hanukah-related terms and a quiz that reinforces what they’ve learned. These worksheets are perfect for fostering an understanding and appreciation of Hanukah!
If you have a different system for morning time, these activities can easily be adapted for centers, early finishers, or independent work periods. The key is to keep our students engaged and learning, no matter the time of day!
December Activities for Math Practice
Now that we’ve got our mornings off to a great start, let’s explore some math resources that will keep the December activities going strong throughout the day. Keeping math engaging can be a challenge, but with a little festive twist, we can turn numbers into something magical for our students. Here are some December activities that make math fun and festive!
1. Math Mystery Pictures
One of my favorite December activities is Math Mystery Pictures. This is a fantastic way to make math both fun and challenging. My kiddos love solving problems to reveal the picture by the end!
I make copies of the multiplication worksheet along with the matching puzzle piece sheet for each of my students. The key is to have them complete the multiplication worksheet first before handing out the puzzle pieces. This ensures that they’re truly working on their math skills and not just solving the puzzle through deduction.
Once students finish their multiplication problems, they get the puzzle piece sheet. They cut out the pieces and glue them to the correct products on their worksheets. If their answers don’t match, they’ll need to rework some of the problems, which reinforces their learning. After the puzzle pieces are in place, they can color the picture, revealing a fun, festive image.
I have a whole collection of mystery pictures that focus on various multiplication skills and using grids. During the month, I make sure my centers are prepped with these, and my early finishers have access to them!
2. Christmas Jokes and Riddles December Activities
Another fantastic addition to our December activities is my Christmas Jokes resources. My students love these because they get a kick out of revealing the joke at the end. It’s like their reward for working through each of the problems!
For this activity, students solve multiplication or addition problems. Each correct answer unlocks a letter that helps them solve a Christmas joke or riddle. I have different sets of practice pages for adding with regrouping and using the lattice method for multiplication. The best part? The jokes! My kiddos laugh with a mix of groaning and good-natured eye-rolling at the cheesiness of the jokes. They always say these are their favorite review activities.
3. Multiplication BOOM Cards
The next resource in our lineup of December activities is Multiplication BOOM Cards. These digital task cards are a game-changer in my classroom. This set comes with 50 cards. The goal for my students is to choose two numbers on snowballs that, when multiplied, give the product displayed on the snowman. This interactive activity allows them to learn, practice, and review their multiplication skills up to the 12 times tables.
BOOM Cards are fantastic because they can be used on various devices like smartboards, computers, tablets, and more. They track student progress and are self-grading, which means less work for me! Plus, they are no prep. Just load and go. My students love that they can play these games at their own pace, whether at school, at home, or even on the go.
December Activities for ELA
With math covered, let’s shift gears and explore some amazing ELA resources that I love to use as part of my December activities. Keeping reading and writing engaging during the holiday season is just as important as math. With these resources, you’ll have your students excited to dive into their ELA work!
1. Secret Codes
One of the most exciting December activities in my classroom is the Secret Codes literacy center. Students read a riddle to kick off this center. Then, they use a decoder to figure out the letters that spell the answer. This activity is a fantastic way to practice printing, decoding, reading, and predicting answers. I’ve got a holiday bundle, a winter-themed set, and a Christmas-themed set. The kids love decoding to uncover the riddle or joke at the end! Their giggles warm the heart!
2. Cootie Catchers
Another engaging resource I use is Cootie Catchers. These are a fun twist on the classic fortune tellers. These activities are filled with themed jokes based on the season or holidays. My students love crafting their cootie catchers and then using them to read and share jokes with their classmates. This activity is great for practicing fine motor skills and following instructions. It also encourages social interaction and speaking skills. The jokes add a layer of humor that keeps all my kiddos entertained while reinforcing their literacy skills.
3. Sight Word Practice
Color By Code December Activities
One of my favorite December activities for reviewing sight words is using Color By Code practice pages. These are not your typical coloring pages. I designed them to combine coloring and sight word practice seamlessly.
Students color different sections of the page based on the sight words they are learning. Each section corresponds to a specific word. As they color, they repeatedly see and say the word, reinforcing their recognition and understanding. This activity is perfect for centers, early finishers, or as a fun, calming activity after more intense lessons. The festive themes from Christmas to Hanukah to winter keep students engaged. The coloring aspect makes it feel less like work and more like play.
Sight Word Scoot Games
One of the fun December activities I use to help my students review their sight words is the Christmas Sight Word Scoot games. I set up the classroom with a scoot card on each desk. Each student starts at their desk with a recording sheet and a pencil. When I say “go,” they solve the problem on their card and record the answer by matching the symbols to the correct letter on the decoder. Every 30 seconds, I call out “scoot,” and the students move to the next desk to solve the next problem. This continues until all students have completed all the cards and returned to their original desks.
This game is fantastic for keeping them engaged and moving while they practice their sight words. It’s a lively, interactive way to reinforce their word recognition and writing skills, making learning fun and festive during the holiday season. If you’re looking for a more general winter-themed version, make sure to check out all the available Sight Word Scoot Games.
Winter Writing Comic Strip
One of my students’ favorite December activities for ELA is using the Winter Writing Comic Strips. This resource allows my students to engage in a creative and fun writing project. They get to create their own winter-themed comic strips!
This involves brainstorming a story, planning out the sequence of events, and writing dialogue for their characters. They also illustrate their comics, adding a visual element to their storytelling. This activity helps develop their writing skills, creativity, and ability to sequence events, all while having fun with a winter theme.
By incorporating comic strips into our December activities, my students get to enjoy a writing experience that keeps them excited about writing. It’s a great way to combine literacy skills with creativity.
Roll-A-Story
I love incorporating creative writing prompts into my December activities to spark my students’ imaginations. One resource I use is the Write a Seasonal or Holiday Story prompts.
Students roll a die three times to generate a unique story prompt based on three columns. For example, they might roll and create a sentence like “A happy reindeer found a snowball behind a tree.” This activity encourages them to develop and expand their sentences. It also encourages creativity and writing skills. At the end, they get to illustrate their stories, which adds a fun, artistic element to the project.
December Activities to Use for Class Parties or Time Fillers
Let’s shift our focus to activities that are perfect for class parties or those unexpected moments when you need a quick, fun time filler. Whether you’re planning a festive celebration or looking for ways to keep your students entertained and learning, I’ve got some great December activities that will bring joy and excitement to your classroom.
1. Word Searches and Crosswords for December Activities
When it comes to class parties or those moments when you need a quick and engaging time filler, I love using word searches and crossword puzzles. They are perfect for keeping students entertained and learning in a fun, festive way.
Christmas Word Searches
One of my go-to December activities is Christmas word searches. These are not only a hit with the kids but also a great way to reinforce vocabulary and spelling skills. I usually print out a variety of themed word searches, like Santa, Snowman, and Reindeer. My students get excited about finding words related to Christmas. It keeps them engaged while still practicing their literacy skills. Plus, it’s a quiet activity that’s perfect for calming the classroom after a more energetic event.
Christmas Crossword Puzzles
Another great resource is Christmas crossword puzzles. These puzzles are great for a little friendly competition and critical thinking. Each crossword puzzle has clues related to Christmas traditions, characters, and objects. I love watching my students collaborate and discuss the answers, building teamwork and communication.
2. Christmas Bingo Game
A must-have December activity for class parties or time fillers is the Christmas Bingo Game. It’s a favorite among my students and so easy to prepare!
All I do is print and cut out the bingo cards and calling cards. Each student gets a bingo card. I use the calling cards to call out the different Christmas-themed pictures. Then, my students mark off the images on their bingo cards as they are called. I use colorful pieces of paper or clear counters so the cards can be reused. The first student to get a row of marked images calls out “Bingo!” and wins a small prize. This game is always a hit and keeps my students excited and engaged.
3. Christmas Memory Game
This next activity is quick and easy, making it perfect for class parties or time fillers. It’s the Christmas Memory Game, a digital PowerPoint game that I project onto the screen for the whole class to play together. The game consists of 20 memory cards, all with a festive Christmas theme.
We take turns clicking on two cards to flip them over. If the cards match, the player earns a point. If not, the cards are flipped back over, and the next student takes their turn. This game is fantastic for improving memory and attention to detail, and the Christmas theme adds an extra layer of excitement and fun. It’s a great way to give students a quick brain break!
4. Pictionary or Charades
When it comes to adding some excitement to our December activities, I love using Pictionary and Charades with a Christmas twist.
Christmas Pictionary
For Pictionary, I use the Christmas Pictionary cards. I divide my class into teams. Each team takes turns drawing the Christmas-themed words or phrases while their teammates try to guess what they are drawing. Words like “angel,” “stocking,” and “reindeer” bring out the festive spirit and keep everyone engaged. This game sparks creativity and encourages teamwork and laughter.
Christmas Charades
For Charades, I use the task cards from my Christmas Games. Each of my students draws a card and acts out the Christmas-themed word or phrase without speaking. Meanwhile, their classmates try to guess what it is. Actions like “wrapping presents,” “shoveling snow,” and “Santa in the chimney” are sure to get your kiddos giggling and having a great time. This activity is perfect for quick thinking and strengthening expressive skills in a fun, interactive way.
5. Scattegories
My kiddos and I enjoy playing Christmas Scattegories among our December activities. I project the Scattergories categories on the screen. Each student or team gets a sheet of paper and a pencil. I then roll a die to select a letter and start the timer. My students have to come up with words that fit each category and start with the chosen letter. Categories might include things like “Christmas Songs,” “Treats for Santa,” and “Gifts for Mom.”
When the time is up, we go through the answers together, awarding points for unique answers. This game is fantastic for encouraging quick thinking, creativity, and vocabulary skills.
Keep Your Students On Track With These December Activities
December is such a magical time in the classroom. With these engaging activities, we can keep our students excited and on track. From morning work routines and math fun to ELA enrichment and festive games, there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s practicing sight words with Christmas-themed worksheets or learning about Hanukah traditions, these activities make learning joyful and meaningful. Let’s embrace the holiday spirit and ensure our students are learning and having fun all month long!
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