1. Small vials that each child can put a piece of gold, frankincense, and myrrh into, and then a Christmas card they can write to someone who they want to give the gifts to. I thought we could do this as a whole group so I could just explain the importance of each of the gifts once.Then, in smaller groups:2. Giant Word Search of Catholic Christmas words3. Giant coloring sheet with a Christmas tree and gifts; I will bring colored pencils and the children can use whatever other coloring utensils they have4. Foam ornaments they can decorate with religious or secular Christmas stickers5. Small ornament sphere they can fill with beads, embroidery thread, and other small items6. Cardboard stars they can wrap different colored yarn and ribbon around

Art

• The children can express their creativity by decorating foam ornaments and cardboard stars with a variety of materials, allowing them to explore different textures and colors.
• Decorating the small ornament spheres with beads and embroidery thread engages fine motor skills and encourages attention to detail.
• Coloring the giant sheet with a Christmas tree and gifts allows the children to practice blending colors and creating depth in their artwork.

English Language Arts

• Writing Christmas cards provides an opportunity for the children to practice their writing skills and express their thoughts and feelings through words.
• The activity of filling small vials with gold, frankincense, and myrrh can be linked to a discussion about the significance of these items in Christmas, providing an opportunity for literacy-based learning.

History

• Exploring the significance of gold, frankincense, and myrrh in the context of the Christmas story connects the children to historical and cultural aspects of the holiday.

Music

• While not directly related, incorporating Christmas carols or hymns in the background can infuse the activity with a festive and musical atmosphere, creating a multisensory experience for the children.

This activity provides a variety of opportunities for continued development in different subjects. To further integrate the subjects, consider linking the history of the gifts with an English language arts lesson on persuasive writing, asking students to write a persuasive piece on why they would choose to give one of these gifts to someone. Additionally, you could incorporate music by discussing the historical and cultural significance of Christmas carols.

Book Recommendations

• The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski: A heartwarming tale of love, loss, and the true spirit of Christmas.
• Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola: Join Strega Nona and her neighbors in a festive Christmas celebration in this beloved holiday story.
• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson: A humorous and poignant story about the true meaning of Christmas, featuring the Herdman kids who have a reputation for causing trouble.