Activity Overview
There are a lot of stories surrounding the winter holidays, both familiar and obscure. After reading stories or articles in the classroom, have your students create a summary or retelling of the story. Use a traditional or a timeline storyboard to lay out the events.
- Origins of the Holiday
- Notable Occurrences on the Anniversary of the Holiday
- wartime battle
- wartime cease-fire
- natural disaster
- social issues
- Favorite Characters
- Santa Claus
- Mrs. Claus
- elves
- Frosty the Snowman
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen
- Books
- Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel
- Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
An extension of this activity could be for students to write their own holiday story using a traditional storyboard, preferably a story on a holiday they do not celebrate.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Summarize the story of your chosen holiday in the description boxes.
- Add illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
There are a lot of stories surrounding the winter holidays, both familiar and obscure. After reading stories or articles in the classroom, have your students create a summary or retelling of the story. Use a traditional or a timeline storyboard to lay out the events.
- Origins of the Holiday
- Notable Occurrences on the Anniversary of the Holiday
- wartime battle
- wartime cease-fire
- natural disaster
- social issues
- Favorite Characters
- Santa Claus
- Mrs. Claus
- elves
- Frosty the Snowman
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen
- Books
- Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel
- Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
An extension of this activity could be for students to write their own holiday story using a traditional storyboard, preferably a story on a holiday they do not celebrate.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Summarize the story of your chosen holiday in the description boxes.
- Add illustrations using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events | Each of the cells represents a different part of the story. The cells are in order from beginning to end. | One cell is out of order, or the storyboard is missing important information. | Important information is missing and/or two or more cells are out of order. |
| Images | Cells include images that accurately show events in the story and do not get in the way of understanding. | Most images show the events of the story, but some are incorrect. | The images are unclear or do not make sense with the story. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions match the images and show the change over time. | Descriptions do not always match the images or mention the importance of the event. | Descriptions are missing or do not match the images. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Spelling and grammar is mostly accurate. Mistakes do not get in the way of understanding. | Spelling is very inaccurate and hinders full understanding. | Text is very difficult to understand. |
How Tos about The Story of [Insert Holiday Here]
How to facilitate a collaborative holiday story-writing project
Encourage teamwork by having students work in small groups to brainstorm and write a holiday story together. Collaboration sparks creativity and helps students practice communication skills.
Assign group roles for effective collaboration
Designate roles such as writer, illustrator, idea generator, and editor. Clear responsibilities keep everyone involved and ensure the project runs smoothly.
Guide students to research unique holiday traditions
Direct students to explore lesser-known traditions from around the world. New perspectives help make their stories more diverse and engaging.
Support drafting and peer feedback
Encourage students to create a first draft, then exchange stories with another group for positive, constructive feedback. Peer review builds editing skills and strengthens final stories.
Showcase student stories in a classroom celebration
Organize a reading day where groups share their holiday stories with the class. Celebrating their work boosts confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Story of [Insert Holiday Here]
What is an easy winter holiday story activity for K-12 classrooms?
An easy winter holiday story activity is to have students read a holiday story, then create a summary or retelling using a traditional or timeline storyboard. Students can illustrate events, add characters like Santa or Frosty, and present their version to the class.
How do I use storyboards to teach the origins of winter holidays?
To teach the origins of winter holidays, have students research a specific holiday and use a storyboard to lay out key events, such as notable occurrences or historical moments. This visual approach helps students better understand timelines and causes of the holiday.
What are some good books for winter holiday classroom lessons?
Recommended books for winter holiday classroom lessons include Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel, Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story by Angela Shelf Medearis, and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. These books offer engaging stories from diverse traditions.
How can students write their own holiday story in class?
Students can write their own holiday story by choosing a holiday they don't celebrate, planning the plot using a storyboard, adding illustrations, and summarizing the story in description boxes. This encourages creativity and cultural exploration.
What are the benefits of using storyboards for holiday lessons?
Using storyboards for holiday lessons helps students organize events, visualize key characters, and improve comprehension. It also supports creativity, engagement, and retention by combining writing with visual storytelling.
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