Wintertime Educational and Recreational Offerings without Cost: Lessons and Fun Activities
In the spirit of the festive season, we've rounded up a collection of engaging and educational resources for teaching about various winter holidays. From the ancient traditions of Diwali to the vibrant celebrations of Chinese New Year, these free lessons and activities cater to a range of ages and interests.
Chinese New Year
Embrace the Year of the... (insert the appropriate zodiac animal) with a variety of printable crafts and cultural activities. Create customized paper lanterns using free templates, colour traditional and simplified Chinese New Year banners, and engage with an informational Lunar New Year wheel activity to delve into the holiday's meaning and customs. Age-appropriate creative play ideas are also available for early years learners.
Diwali
Though specific free resources for Diwali may not be as abundant, effective lessons generally focus on the festival's significance, traditional stories, and crafts such as making paper diyas (lamps) and creating intricate rangoli designs. Multicultural education sites and dedicated Diwali lesson plan sites offer free printable activity kits that include these elements for classroom use.
Winter Solstice Celebrations
Delve into the history and customs of eight winter solstice celebrations from around the world, courtesy of National Geographic Kids. From Yule logs in Scandinavia to Inti Raymi in Peru, these lessons offer a global perspective on winter festivities.
Christmas
Explore the themes of poverty, inequality, and treating our fellow humans with kindness by studying Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol. The National WWI Museum and Memorial also offers an online exhibition about the Christmas Truce of Winter 1914, a poignant reminder of the power of peace during the holiday season.
Hanukkah
Learn about the Festival of Lights with grade-based reading, writing, and art activities. Science Buddies offers a lesson about why skis are long and how shorter skis would affect movement, providing a fun twist on winter-related science.
Kwanzaa
The History Channel provides detailed information about the history, principles, and symbols of Kwanzaa, which can be used to launch a classroom discussion about the importance of rituals in building communities. Online Kwanzaa games and puzzles are available to practice math and language skills.
Online Resources for Holiday Fun and Learning
Google expert Eric Curts presents a collection of digital activities for holiday fun and learning, including all-digital magnetic poetry, holiday greeting cards, pixel art, and more. PBS Learning Media offers a standards-aligned interactive lesson on why we have seasons, accessible to grades 3-12 and shareable to Google Classroom.
Weather-Related Activities
Weather for Kids offers a collection of experiments, videos, lessons, projects, and games related to weather. Online Christmas puzzles and games, featuring Santa and the elves, a Santa and Rudolph coloring page, and a digital math game, are designed for younger learners.
Stay Informed and Engaged
From the history of Kwanzaa to the science behind skis, these free lessons and activities offer a wealth of knowledge and fun for the winter season. As the world continues to evolve, it's essential to stay informed and engaged, and these resources provide an excellent starting point for exploring the rich diversity of winter holidays.
[1] [Link to Chinese New Year resources] [2] [Link to Diwali lesson plan sites] [3] [Link to multicultural education blogs or sites like Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers] [4] [Link to age-appropriate creative play activities for young learners]
- To further your learning, delve into the science behind climate-change and environmental-science, incorporating the latest findings into your classroom discussions on the environment and our lifestyle choices.
- For those interested in fashion-and-beauty, educate your students on the impact of fast fashion on the environment and introduce sustainable fashion practices to your curriculum.
- In the realm of food-and-drink, discuss the importance of eating locally sourced, organic produce and the benefits it has for our health, the environment, and local communities.
- With the increasing interest in home-and-garden, teach your students about sustainable home-building techniques and eco-friendly living practices.
- Encourage your students to explore travel opportunities in a responsible and sustainable way by discussing eco-tourism and ethical travel practices.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, promote the importance of lifelong learning and encourage your students to set personal development goals for the upcoming year.
- Broaden your learning by diving into the political climate of various countries and regions, addressing current issues and events to foster informed and engaged citizens.
- Keep yourself updated on general-news by following reputable news sources and incorporating current events into your daily lessons, fostering a culture of critical thinking and informed decision-making.
- As we embark on a new year, encourage your students to learn about the weather patterns and forecasts for the coming season, utilizing interactive online resources and weather-related activities to enhance understanding.
- Throughout the winter season, cultivate a love for learning by engaging your students in a variety of interactive, age-appropriate resources, from Chinese New Year crafts to science experiments, and foster a lifelong enthusiasm for continuous learning.
