Updated November 2019
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada. This year (2019), Thanksgiving Day falls on the 28th of November. (Explanation adapted from Wikipedia) The following children’s stories, activities and videos are ideal for Thanksgiving. They can be used at home or in a classroom or Sunday School setting and will help children not only enjoy themselves but also remember the true meaning of the season. Stories, Books and Presentations
Bible Stories and Coloring Pages on Thankfulness
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Updated October 2019!
Families that share that common connection with God, whom the Bible calls love itself (1 John 4:8), are closer, more loving, more unified, and have far fewer serious problems among themselves than families that don’t. Why?—Because they have the most important things in common, besides a clear standard of right and wrong—the spiritual guidance and support they need to make the right decisions and stick to them. Click on the links for free illustrated and simplified Bible stories for children: NEW! Bible Story Flashcards All flashcards can be downloaded for free (in .pdf format): NEW! Bible Story Flannelgraphs These free Bible flannelgraphs cover stories from the life of Jesus, including the First Christmas, the healing of Jairus’ daughter, healing of the ten lepers, the parable of the lost sheep, the story of Zacchaeus and the story of the first Easter. All flannelgraphs can be downloaded in color or black and white. Bible Story Presentations The following two sections contain Bible stories in PowerPoint presentation format; just right click an image and then select “save file as” or “save as” to download any Bible story onto your computer. Basic Old Testament Stories – Simple, colorful and nicely illustrated Old Testament stories for children. The stories found here include Creation, Noah and the Ark, Joseph, Moses, David and Goliath and Jonah. Basic New Testament Stories – New Testament stories found at this link include Jesus Calls 12 Disciples, The Good Samaritan, Jesus feeds 5,000, Jesus calms a storm, Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar, Lazarus lives again, The 10 Lepers, The Lost Sheep and The Prodigal Son. Bible Stories: Obedience – This bilingual book (English and Spanish) features four well known Bible stories about obedience. Can be read online and downloaded (in .pdf format) NEW! Paul Becomes a Christian – The story of the life of Paul the Apostle for little children, with text in English and Spanish. Can be read online or downloaded (in .pdf format) from Scribd. NEW! Jesus Returns – The story of Jesus’ second coming for little children, with text in English and Spanish. Can be read online or downloaded (in .pdf format) from Scribd. Bible Story Books Some of these Bible story books can only be read online while others can be downloaded in .pdf, .epub or .mobi format. Tiny Bible Treasures: Tiny Bible Treasures is a series of New Testament Bible stories illustrated by French artist Didier Martin. The stories have large illustrations and a minimal amount of text, making them ideal for very small children. These can either be read online or downloaded in .pdf format from the site itself or from Scribd. Following are links to the stories available in this series so far:
My First Baby Bible – Unique children’s bible created using photo illustrations of babies and young children. Includes six short, attention-grabbing stories in both English and Spanish that young kids are sure to enjoy; these are Creation, Noah, Moses, David, Daniel and the Birth of Jesus. Created by Gold Quill; available to read online and download. You n’ Me Baby Bible – This is a preview of the full book and includes eight different Old Testament stories (Creation, Noah, Abraham and Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Ruth and Hannah). Created by Scandinavia Publishing. (can be read online but not downloaded) Great Adventures of the Bible – This is a preview of the full book and includes six basic New Testament stories for children. (Christmas, Jesus as a child, Feeding the 5,000, Jesus and the children, Resurrection of Jesus). Created by Aurora Productions. Available to read online and download. Stories of the Bible – Basic Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments for children, courtesy of Scandinavia Publishing (can be read online but not downloaded) Parables of the Bible – Parables of Jesus for toddlers. Includes the Parable of the Lost Sheep, The Prodigal Son, House on the Rock and the Lost Coin. Courtesy of Scandinavia Publishing; can be read online but not downloaded. Angel Stories in the Bible – Stories of Angels from the Old Testament and New Testament. Text is short and to the point and the attractive illustrations are sure to catch the attention of any toddler or preschooler. Produced by Scandinavia Publishing; can be read online but not downloaded. Ready – Set – Find!: Short Bible story books for children with simple text. These books give the children an opportunity to participate in the event by finding key people and things in the illustration. Available from Scandinavia Publishing (can read online but not download). Following are the books in this series:
YesKids! Bible Stories - These colorfully illustrated Bible Stories holistically teach Christian and moral values such as kindness, obedience, generosity and trust in God. Each story is accompanied by a prayer to help children connect with God. The YesKids! Story and Prayer Bible includes Bible stories from both the Old and New Testament while the books listed below feature stories on particular topics. These books are created by Christian Media Publishing and can be read online but not downloaded.
The Life of Jesus for Children – Contains two dozen stories from the life of Jesus, starting with His birth and ending with His return. It is ideal for older preschoolers but can be read to younger children. You can also download this ebook for kids for free in epub or mobi format. The Story of Jesus for Preschoolers – Bilingual book (English and Spanish) about the life of Jesus. Unlike many other Bible books, this booklet focuses on the reason why Jesus came to earth instead of recounting specific miracles and parables in depth. It is ideal for toddlers and very young children and can be downloaded as well as read online. You can also download this ebook for kids for free in epub or mobi format. Bible Passages and Prayers NEW! Feed My Lambs - Feed My Lambs is a program that introduces young children to the Scriptures. It doubles as a complete memorization course. The set includes six booklets, each with 15 verses on topics such as Faith, God’s promises, God’s love, prayer, salvation and Christian living. These books, along with a guide for teachers and parents, can be read online or downloaded. The Lord’s Prayer – A simple yet engaging presentation of the Lord’s Prayer, with text in English and Spanish. Can be read online or downloaded in pdf format. This book is also available for free in epub or mobi format. The Beatitudes – The Beatitudes for children. This presentation has colorful, attention grabbing pictures with simple text that young kids can easily understand. Can be read online or downloaded in .pdf format. This book is also available for free in epub or mobi format. The Blessing - "The Lord bless you and keep you...". Text is in English and Spanish and the booklet can be read online or downloaded. Psalm 23 - The well-known "The Lord is my Shepherd" psalm. The book has colorful illustrations, text in English and Spanish and can be downloaded. Psalm 100 - A psalm of praise to the Lord. The book has colorful illustrations, text in English and Spanish and can be downloaded. Psalm 148 - A Creation Praise for children. The colorful illustrations and easy to remember text will make it easy for kids to learn this psalm of gratitude to God. The book is in English and Spanish and can be read online or downloaded Dial Into Heaven - The Dial into Heaven series is a fun and exciting way of introducing toddlers to the prayers and promises of the Bible (The following story books can be read online but not downloaded) 
Updated September 2019!
Parenting is more than comforting children when they fall down, or making sure they get proper nutrition, and brush their teeth, and so on. Parents are responsible for their children’s spiritual training as well. You can constantly point a child towards the Lord, even from the time he or she is born, by talking to them about Jesus. You can pass a knowledge of the Bible on to them by daily using Bible story books and other devotional materials appropriate for their age. Following are some links to free online devotionals for toddlers, preschoolers and young children. These short, illustrated books, booklets and presentations will grab your little one’s attention and make him want to learn more about Jesus. Free Devotional Books: Big Thoughts for Little Minds – This series of five books brings key Bible passages to life in a relatable way for young children. The books include simple text, colorful illustrations and points for discussion to help little kids better understand Biblical principles. Click the following links to read or download the books for free: Jesus and Me – A series of books with messages from Jesus for children on themes such as: waking up, bedtime, kindness, healthy habits, learning new things, guardian angels, and protection. Click the following links to read or download portions of these books for free:
NEW! Seasonal Devotional Books – The following daily devotional books have been created for specific seasons:
Free Devotional Series: NEW! In the Garden – An ongoing series of comics featuring a gardener and the children he works with. Children reading the booklets will learn valuable lessons about God’s love and care, kindness and consideration, obedience and the importance of spending time with Jesus each day. Coloring pages accompany the stories for added fun. NEW! Pray a Way – Colorful posters (with accompanying black and white pages to color) featuring rhyming prayers for just about every activity. A bible verse is included for each prayer. Topics covered include schooltime, mealtime, bedtime, holidays, grandparents and even pets. Bright Pebbles – Bright Pebbles is a collection of Christian and character-building books written for children ages four on up. Each devotional is built on a Bible verse, and explains to a child in simple terms what the principles of that verse mean and how it applies to daily living. The Bright Pebbles series is created by My Wonder Studio and there are currently over 85 of these devotionals posted online in pdf format for easy downloading. Additionally, a compilation of several books from this series can be downloaded for free in epub and mobi format. My Little Talks with Jesus – An ongoing series of short, devotional articles where Jesus talks with little children about day to day issues such as happiness, trying new things, forgiveness, going to sleep at night and more. This series is created by My Wonder Studio and all articles are in .pdf format for easy downloading. NEW! Download the ebook for free in epub or Kindle format. One Kind Deed at a Time – A series of ten devotional articles on the topic of kindness, consideration and forgiveness. Each devotional includes a Bible verse and practical ideas to put the article into action. This series is created by My Wonder Studio and all articles are in .pdf format for easy downloading. Other Free Devotionals for Little Kids Devotionals from the Freekidstories Website - Freekidstories offers a range of free children’s devotional resources for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, including presentations of songs, illustrated simplified Bible verses and short devotional articles. Songs:
My Wonder Studio - The My Wonder Studio website is dedicated to creating free children’s stories, devotionals and activities that can be read online or downloaded at no charge. You can find materials for children ages 0-5 years here or check out stories and devotionals listed by category. Nurture, Inspire, Teach: Nurture, Inspire, Teach is a website dedicated to providing great online resources for children, teenagers and parents. Following are links to the site’s children’s devotionals for little ones.
You can also find numerous free Bible stories online that your little ones are sure to enjoy. Some of these are available as PowerPoints while others are in .pdf and/or ebook format. Image courtesy of Microsoft Clipart 
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Updated July 2019!
Treasure Attic Bible Specials Treasure Attic is a series of videos for children from 4 to 9 years of age. Each episode uses songs, stories and an entertaining narrative to teach kids moral values such as honesty, compassion, obedience and teamwork. The show also includes two Bible episodes. Fantastic Journey features stories from the Old Testament while Forever Friend retells stories from Jesus' life on earth. Bible for Beginners The Bible for Beginners series is ideal for children up to six years old. It teaches stories from the Old and New Testament in a fun, easy to understand way. Each show is half an hour and includes a theme song. Featured Bible stories include The Story of Creation, Noah and the Ark, Moses, Daniel, Jonah, The Nativity, Miracles of Jesus, The Prodigal Son and The Story of Easter. Click here to watch the videos in this series. Animated Stories from the Bible "Animated Stories from the Bible" is a video series produced by Nest Family Entertainment. These cartoons provide a dramatic retelling of both Old and New Testament Bible stories and were created to be a non-sectarian, informative and educational tool to help parents, caregivers, and educators instill positive spiritual values and character traits to those in their care. Click here to watch these cartoons. Cherub Wings Cherub Wings is a popular Christian video series for children up to 10 years of age. The main characters, Cherub and Chubs, are young angels who teach children how to pray, praise God, read God’s Word and follow what it says. This series also teaches moral values such as obedience, forgiveness, generosity and kindness. Each episode is about half an hour long and has songs, stories and plenty of entertaining dialogue. Click here to watch the following episodes (Click play on the video you would like to watch instead of opening in a new tab)
You can also watch individual stories and songs found on these entertaining children’s videos here. Story Keepers The Story Keepers tells the story of a Christian leader and his family's adventures living in Ancient Rome whose mission is to keep Jesus's stories alive during the 1st century. Each episode is half-hour long and includes stories from Jesus' life as well as many of the parables. The shows are ideal for kids ages 4 to 10. Click here to view the videos. Torchlighters Torchlighters is a video series for children ages 8 – 13 years. It features the stories of Christian heroes and martyrs who lived their faith even when it was difficult. These stories are done in anime style and are sure to not only captivate children’s attention but also help them to understand what believing in Jesus and living for Him is all about. Click here to watch nine of these episodes online. King of Glory With plain yet profound text alongside bright and bold paintings, KING of GLORY tells the story of the Creator-Owner of the universe and His plan to rescue His rebellious subjects from the kingdom of darkness. For a worldwide audience of all ages. The video, which is nearly 4 hours long, can be divided into 15 episodes for easy viewing. It is ideal for preteens but can be showed to younger children with a teacher's or parent's explanation. Click here to view or download the video. The Bible Project These short, animated videos are ideal for preteens and teens who want to learn more about Books of the Bible, Bible terminology, Bible characters and Biblical themes. Videos tend to be anywhere from 4 - 6 minutes in length and include engaging yet clear dialogue that helps young people understand the Bible and its teachings. Click here to view the videos on The Bible Project's official YouTube channel. 
Updated June 2019!
A short list of Father’s Day stories, videos songs and activities for children that will help kids fully appreciate Dad and all that he is and does. Stories:
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Updated May 2019! Mother’s Day is a special time when children can express their appreciation to mom for all that she is and does. Following are some free online resources for parents, teachers and anyone else who is looking for Mother’s Day stories and activities for kids of all ages! Enjoy! Mother's Day Stories Dear Mom - A bilingual English and Spanish book for children that is ideal for Mother's Day Honor your Parents – A short PowerPoint on the topic of loving and respecting mom (and dad) not just on Mother’s Day but throughout the year. Includes activity ideas at the end.
God's Splendid Mothers – Stories about famous mothers in the Bible for children.
What is a Mother? – Entertaining story for Little kids about what a mother does and why she is special. Includes cute photos of animal mothers with babies. Mother's Day (ppt) - This PowerPoint is ideal for older children and explains how Mother’s Day originated and what the true meaning behind the day is meant to be. Lesson Plan Appreciate Your Parents - Lesson plan from My Wonder Studio that includes reading, discussion ideas and fun activities. Activities NEW! Mother's Day Coloring Pages for older children. NEW! Mother's Day photo vase craft - a cool DIY Mother's day activity for older kids. Pray a Way Poster and Coloring Page: Grandparents - Poster and coloring page with short prayer for grandma. Mother's Day Cutouts - Two pages of colorful cut-outs that are ideal for Mother's Day cards and other activities. Bible Mothers Coloring Pages - Six coloring pages featuring well known Bible mothers from the Old and New Testaments. Each page includes a brief overview of the mother depicted. “Active Appreciation Activities” – Entertaining activities from My Wonder Studio that can be easily adapted to show special appreciation to mom on Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day Cards – printable Mother’s Day card templates, available in black and white and color. Mother’s Day Crafts, Activities, and Worksheets – An assortment of Mother’s Day arts and crafts activities for kids of all ages, courtesy of Enchanted Learning Mother’s Day Treats – Breakfast in bed and special treat ideas and recipes that many older kids could do with just a little bit of help and supervision from a parent, grandparent or babysitter. Even younger kids will enjoy helping make at least one of these treats for Mom, although they may need a bit of extra help and assistance.
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Updated November 2018!
Christmas is a great time to curl up on the couch together and enjoy a good Christmas movie. Following is a list of some Christmas classics that are not only entertaining but also meaningful. These children’s movies, cartoons and music videos help children remember that Christmas is about more than just giving and getting presents – it’s about love, gratitude and God’s wonderful gift to us in giving us His Son, Jesus. Click on the links to watch any one of these Christmas videos online. Movies It’s a Wonderful Life - George Baily is a man who has given up his dreams in order to help others. When he loses a large sum of money, he contemplates suicide on a bridge on Christmas Eve. This brings about the intervention of his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody. Clarence shows George all the lives he has touched and how different life in his community of Bedford Falls would be had he never been born. (This movie has English subtitles and you can download it as well using the link at the bottom right hand side of the video) Miracle on 34th Street (1955 made for TV version) - Macy's inadvertently hires the real Santa Claus to be the store Santa, with life-changing results. White Christmas - Two army buddies, who have become a successful performing team, work together to create a fantastical Christmas surprise for their former general. A Christmas Carol (1984) - The classic story of Scrooge, an old, miserly man who wants nothing to do with Christmas or good will. After being visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, he changes his ways and dedicates the remainder of his days to helping those around him. You can watch the 2009 version of this classic Christmas movie here. The Nativity Story (2006) - Mary is a simple teenage girl whose life is changed forever when the angel Gabriel comes to her and tells her that she is chosen to be the mother of God's son. She subsequently heads to Bethlehem with her husband Joseph, finds nowhere to stay in the city and gives birth to Jesus in a stable. The Fourth Wise Man - Artaban is a wise man who intends to set off with the three Magi to find the Christ child. However, he stops en route to help a sick man on the way and misses his chance of finding baby Jesus. He then dedicates his life to doing good and helping those in need, never dreaming of the dramatic meeting that he will one day have with the Savior. Cartoons and Music Videos: NEW! The Crippled Lamb - Joshua was a lamb with a crippled leg who felt left out because he couldn’t run and play like the other lambs. But God had a very special plan for Joshua’s life. NEW! Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa - The story of the boy whose charity and care for people helped him become Saint Nicholas, a great bishop whose spirit lives on as Santa Claus. Based on historical facts. NEW! The Christmas Chest - Once a year, the family Christmas chest comes out! The Dino friends learn to give and take and have a great time getting ready for Christmas! Treasure Attic: Christmas Friends - This fun, festive Christmas edition of Treasure Attic is full of excitement, songs and surprises to thrill young hearts as they discover the miracle and meaning of Christmas. Animated Stories from the New Testament: A King is Born - The story of the First Christmas, starting with the annunciation and ending with Joseph, Mary and Jesus' return to Nazareth from Egypt. Bible for Beginners: The Nativity - The story of the First Christmas for preschoolers and younger children Veggie Tales: The Toy that Saved Christmas - A small toy is bewildered by the commercial hype surrounding Christmas and sets out to find what Christmas is all about. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Classic 1966 cartoon) - The Grinch hates Christmas and sets out to steal all the decorations and presents from the townspeople. However, he finds in the end that the spirit of Christmas is not something that can be stolen. A Charlie Brown Christmas - Based on the Peanuts cartoon strip. The story touches on the over-commercialization and secularism of Christmas, and serves to remind viewers of the true meaning of Christmas. Annabelle’s Wish - Annabelle is a calf whose greatest wish is to become one of Santa's reindeer. However, she makes a surprising decision that leads her to lose what she holds most dear in order to help a mute boy that she has befriended. The Little Drummer Boy - An orphan drummer boy who hated humanity finds his life changed forever when he meets three wise men on route to Bethlehem. Nester the Long-Eared Donkey - An outcast donkey in Roman era Judea with overlong ears finds his destiny on the way to Bethlehem. Kiddie Viddie: Christmas Joy – Children’s music video featuring well known and original Christmas songs for children. Ideal for babies, preschoolers and kids up to four years in age. (This playlist also includes several songs and a story from the “Treasure Attic” children’s video, as well as a short Nativity drama of the First Christmas.) Alabaster's Song - The touching story of a boy who befriends a Christmas Angel. From the well-known book "Alabaster's Song" by Max Lucado. Timmy's Gift: A Precious Moment's Christmas Story - Little Timmy the Angel is given the greatest honor in all of Heaven: to deliver the jeweled crown to baby Jesus. But he's sure they've made a mistake. He's much too little for such a long journey. And who knows what frightful things lie ahead... Click here for free children's Christmas stories. Click here for children's coloring pages.
Some of the descriptions are courtesy of IMDB, Amazon and Wikipedia. Image courtesy of Sean Dreilinger via Flickr.com
If you are a teacher looking for ESL ideas for the Christmas season or a parent who wants to help a child improve his or her English while on vacation, then this post is for you. This list of free resources, and ideas can help you make any English class fun and educational without having to spend a lot of time creating your own flashcards, booklets and teaching materials.
Beginners Flashcards Common Christmas Flashcards - Can be printed with only the pictures or with pictures and words. Flashcards of the Story of the First Christmas - Various bilingual versions are available for free download: Stories & Comics The Story of the First Christmas - This story accompanies the flashcards listed above. You can also watch the video in English for further review. Click on one of the following links to download the book that is best for your class: The Home of Your Heart – A simple children’s comic explaining the true meaning of Christmas. Songs Songs are catchy, making it easy for kids to remember English words. Here are some good ones for little kids or new learners: Jingle Bells – This classic song is so well known that kids are almost expected to learn it I’d like to be a Christmas Tree – Another simple yet classic song. It’s short and repetitive so young learners will grasp it easily. Click here for the lyrics. We Wish You a Merry Christmas – This version is pretty simple for children to learn. Click here for the lyrics. Activities My Christmas Events (color or black and white): Christmas is a special time of year with plenty to look forward to! Print out this poster and write down some of the events you can enjoy this Christmas season. Are there Christmas outings or events you are planning? Write those down. Or maybe there will be baking projects, gift-wrapping for friends, or carol singing? Add those to the list, and see how your Christmas season fills up with fun-filled events that you can share with family and friends. (Courtesy of My Wonder Studio) Christmas Card Frames – Printable Christmas cards for little children. The cards have borders but leave plenty of room for children to draw a picture on the outside and then write a short message on the inside. (Courtesy of My Wonder Studio) Christmas Bingo – Can be printed in color or black and white. A great game for helping children remember the words learned from their Christmas flashcards. Intermediate Christmas stories and plays The Story of the First Christmas - Available in various bilingual formats. Click on the download choice that is best for your classroom:
The Story of Santa Claus – The story of the first Santa Claus, available in various bilingual formats:
As Little Ones – A cute story for children. It can be downloaded as a coloring book to help kids learn the words and can also be adapted into a Christmas play for a small class. Santa Claus’ Secret: A short play adapted from the book listed above. Text is in English and Traditional Chinese. The Story of the First Christmas: A short play of the story of the First Christmas, adapted from the play in Treasure Attic: Christmas Friends (see link for video below) Videos Treasure Attic: Christmas Friends – A half-hour Christmas show that includes songs, stories and fun dialog that most children will understand fairly easily. Click here to watch it on Tudou. The Story of the First Christmas – English with Simplified Chinese subtitles. It’s on Tudou, China’s video-sharing website, making it a good choice for ESL teachers in China. Charlie Brown Christmas – A cute cartoon from the famous “Peanuts” comics about Christmas. Alternatively, this video shows the same story but is read slowly by a native English speaker. It’s on Tudou, China’s video-sharing website, making it a good choice for ESL teachers in China. How the Grinch Stole Christmas – A classic cartoon about how the Grinch tried to steal Christmas from Whoville. Christmas Songs Jesus our Savior – This one is great to sing on stage as each child can have a part to sing. Click here to download the words. Silent Night – Download the free bilingual coloring book so kids can learn the words easily:
Activities Christmas Cards: Nothing shows love at Christmas like a basket full of Christmas cards. The holidays are often the one time of year we hear from long ago friends and distant family. For intermediate students, point out that many card senders often add a personal greeting before signing their name. Have these students design their own card and then personalize at least two with a little note at the bottom for different friends and family members. (Adapted from FluentU’s English Educator Blog) Christmas Paper Stocking – Children learn how to make stockings for people in their family and then add papers listing kind deeds they want to do for people in their family. (Courtesy of My Wonder Studio) Advanced Stories & Plays Christmas Around the World: Learn about Christmas traditions in countries around the world as well as common traditions and decorations used worldwide. Available in the following bilingual formats: A King is Born – The story of the first Christmas for older children. How the Grinch Stole Christmas – The classic story by Dr. Seuss about a creature who learns to appreciate Christmas. A Christmas Carol – There are many adaptations of this story but this one is likely to be the most interesting for older children. It is written as a comic book and the main characters are listed before the story begins, making it fairly easy to adapt into a Christmas play. A Christmas Carol (reader) – If you want your class to practice reading the book instead of just listening to it, then this book will be perfect. It is a fairly advanced reader but not too hard for children who still need English reading practice. The Christmas Star – An adaptation of a Mexican Christmas Legend. Can be downloaded in various bilingual formats:
A Christmas Guest – Adapted from a well-known Christmas legend. Can be downloaded in various bilingual formats: Wise Men from the East – Epiphany (also known as Kings Day or Three Kings Day) is celebrated in countries in South America and Europe. If you want to teach your class about the history of the holiday then this presentation is ideal. It can be downloaded in various bilingual formats:
The Grinch who Stole Christmas: This play is an adaptation of the story of the Grinch done by a Christian school. The cast includes about 20 characters, making it ideal for large groups to perform; however, it can be adapted fairly easily for smaller groups. A Christmas Carol (cartoon) – Cartoons aren’t just for little kids. This one uses old English words that you will need to explain to your students throughout the video. You will probably want to read one of the Christmas Carol books listed above before watching this half-hour cartoon. Activities Christmas Letters – Show your advanced students some examples of a Christmas letter, which some families write to catch up friends and family on the happenings of their spouse and children. Encourage your students to think about the past year, to identify important events and milestones, and then have them write a Christmas letter to include in their cards. (Adapted from FluentU’s English Educator Blog) Christmas Word Puzzle - In this enjoyable puzzle worksheet, students race to write down 20 Christmas words by matching numbers to letters. Each student is given a copy of the worksheet. Working alone, the students look at the numbers for each word and find the corresponding letters in the chart on the worksheet. The students then write the Christmas word in the space provided. When a student thinks they have finished, their answers and spelling are checked. The first student to complete the worksheet correctly wins. When everyone has finished, the correct answers and meaning of each word are reviewed as a class. (Courtesy of TeachThis.com) Christmas Word Search - In this entertaining worksheet, students have to find words relating to Christmas in a word search. This word search can be used to review spelling and Christmas vocabulary. An answer key is provided. (Courtesy of TeachThis.com) Mammoth Christmas Crossword – This one is pretty challenging but can be great for advanced students. (Courtesy of My Wonder Studio) Songs 12 Days of Christmas – A fun traditional Christmas carol. It’s a bit long but not too hard for advanced students. Click here for the words. Joy to the World – A traditional Christmas carol. O Holy Night – A traditional Christmas carol. Click here for the words. 
Jewel Roque
On the way home after an evening outing with some friends, I asked my youngest if he had a good time. “Sort of,” he answered. “But the kids on the playground were teasing me.” “About what?” I asked. He sometimes reacts strongly to comments, so I assumed it wasn’t a big deal. “Eric said he saw a picture of me sleeping while doing homework, and then Leslie said she saw it too, and all the kids started laughing.” I didn’t know how to respond. I had posted a photo on Facebook of my son sleeping at his desk, his homework beside him. I had thought it was cute. My son puts his all into his activities, but when he’s tired, he’s tired. And he sleeps. It runs in my family. My siblings and I know that once we reach a certain point of fatigue, we can’t push past it. Sleep is the only solution. My son has somehow learned that early. When he’s tired, even if it’s when we’re about to sing happy birthday at a party or when he’s supposed to be finishing up his homework, he will sleep. My husband and I understand that and work around it. Our son’s teachers, for the most part, have also been understanding that at times he might fall asleep at his desk. I try to get him to bed on time when he’ll have an early morning or a long day. Parents and teachers generally understand these things. Other kids often don’t. When I posted the photo, I didn’t think about the possibility of parents showing their kids the “cute” post, which in the mind of a child might not be “cute” but “silly” or “funny” or “embarrassing.” Material to tease with. Something I had done unthinkingly caused my son hurt. It cast him in a negative light in the minds of his friends. They probably forgot about it a minute later, and they were all playing again. But that moment, I had to admit to my boy that it wasn’t their fault; it was mine. I pulled up the Facebook photo and showed it to my son, saying, “I posted this photo of you the other day. I didn’t think anyone would tease you about it.” Then I promised, “I won’t post anything of you unless I ask you first.” I already have that agreement with other members of my immediate family, but I didn’t think it would matter to my youngest. I was wrong. It’s strange I would make a mistake like that. Thinking back to my own childhood, my strongest emotions resulted from teasing. I can remember half a dozen separate occasions, before the age of five, where I was brought to tears by teasing. Painful moments tend to remain in the mind and the heart long after the echo of the actual words fade. How often do my own words or side comments have the same effect as those children on the playground? When I’m trying to focus on work, and after one too many interruptions, snap at the kids, telling them to leave me alone so I can get something done. Or when they’re arguing and I can’t stand the contention, so I tell them I don’t care who said what and whose fault it is—I just want peace. After careful reflection, I vowed to see every moment of life through the eyes of my child.That’s not a promise I can make, nor one I can keep, but it is something I can try. Not a once-and-for-all decision, but a moment-by-moment choice. To slow down. To think. To pray. To love. Photo and article courtesy of Activated magazine. Used by permission. |
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