Slow Down Christmas - A Short Story Christmas Unit Study

While this curriculum is considered secular and is written from a neutral perspective, we acknowledge the many religious connections to Christmas, and this unit study reflects that. Several of the songs, poems, and stories contain Christian themes or references.

For Christian faith-based families, this provides a wonderful opportunity to deepen your children’s understanding of how your beliefs align with the Christmas season. For families who are not faith-based or hold different beliefs, this can serve as a chance to explore the religious aspects of Christmas, discuss their historical and cultural significance, and compare them to your family’s own values and traditions.

The religious elements are not the primary focus of any activity in the workbook and as always, you have the flexibility to adapt, use, or skip resources based on what works best for your family.

This unit has been intentionally designed to be meaningful, applicable, and have an appropriate level of rigor for students in early elementary all the way through high school. We have included activities appropriate for all ages that are easily adaptable.

Journal questions that accompany each short story are provided at three levels of processing (according to Costa's levels of questioning). Littles can give verbal or written answers, or draw a picture to show their understanding. Upper questions are appropriate for middle/high school.

Each music component comes with a list of activities for students to choose from. The selection is broad and each activity can easily be adapted to meet the needs of individual students.

Each poetry connection is accompanied by seven discussion questions designed to help students analyze and process the poem. The questions vary in rigor and there is something for everyone. There is a list of activities to go with each poem, and these also vary in ability and rigor to provide options for all ages and abilities.

The crafts are simple but contain purpose - we encourage you not to let older students skip the craft, and instead encourage you to help them lean into it and focus on the meaning and the purpose. All crafts can be completed by all ages!

Recipes are inclusive of all ages and abilities as well. Younger students will need more assistance in the kitchen - help your students as needed, and use these opportunities to find moments of connection with your students.

Each short story section concludes with an activity called Practice Slowing Down. These are intended to be completed all together as a family if possible, and provide moments of reflection and contemplation that all family members can participate in.

If you would like to see this unit implemented and adapted in real life, visit the "unit demo" highlight on our Instagram page!

This is our first time offering a seasonal unit. We will consider offering this as a printed version in future years if there is a demand for it.