5th Grade Winter Unit Plans (by date, latest first)

Need an awesome Art Unit? I have just the thing for you! This creative Fall/Winter Birch Tree Unit was designed to be printed and displayed as examples while you teach. Use this Google Slide file to display these beautiful images one-by-one on a large screen. It is best to use watercolor paper for this unit, since it does the best job of absorbing and working with the watercolor paint. However, if watercolor paper is not at your disposal, please find the heaviest white drawing paper you can find. Painter’s Tape is also best for this assignment, but in a pinch, you may use masking tape- although masking tape may need to be stuck to a different surface (shirt/), it isn’t too sticky on the paper. I hope you have as much fun with this artwork as I have! I hope you and your kiddos love this! Enjoy.

Need an awesome Art Unit? I have just the thing for you! This creative Fall/Winter Birch Tree Unit was designed to be printed and displayed as examples while you teach. Use this Google Slide file to display these beautiful images one-by-one on a large screen. It is best to use watercolor paper for this unit, since it does the best job of absorbing and working with the watercolor paint. However, if watercolor paper is not at your disposal, please find the heaviest white drawing paper you can find. Painter’s Tape is also best for this assignment, but in a pinch, you may use masking tape- although masking tape may need to be stuck to a different surface (shirt/), it isn’t too sticky on the paper. I hope you have as much fun with this artwork as I have! I hope you and your kiddos love this! Enjoy.

Need an awesome Art Unit? I have just the thing for you! This creative Fall/Winter Birch Tree Unit was designed to be printed and displayed as examples while you teach. Use this Google Slide file to display these beautiful images one-by-one on a large screen. It is best to use watercolor paper for this unit, since it does the best job of absorbing and working with the watercolor paint. However, if watercolor paper is not at your disposal, please find the heaviest white drawing paper you can find. Painter’s Tape is also best for this assignment, but in a pinch, you may use masking tape- although masking tape may need to be stuck to a different surface (shirt/), it isn’t too sticky on the paper. I hope you have as much fun with this artwork as I have! I hope you and your kiddos love this! Enjoy.

Need an awesome Art Unit? I have just the thing for you! This creative Fall/Winter Birch Tree Unit was designed to be printed and displayed as examples while you teach. Use this Google Slide file to display these beautiful images one-by-one on a large screen. It is best to use watercolor paper for this unit, since it does the best job of absorbing and working with the watercolor paint. However, if watercolor paper is not at your disposal, please find the heaviest white drawing paper you can find. Painter’s Tape is also best for this assignment, but in a pinch, you may use masking tape- although masking tape may need to be stuck to a different surface (shirt/), it isn’t too sticky on the paper. I hope you have as much fun with this artwork as I have! I hope you and your kiddos love this! Enjoy.

• 10 Winter Holiday Narrative Essay Picture Prompts & Planner: Engage students in narrative writing with holiday-themed picture prompts and a structured planner to develop plot, character, and setting in alignment with creative writing standards.
• Christmas Hip Hop Lyrics Analysis: Teach figurative language, rhyme schemes, and tone through an engaging analysis of hip hop lyrics, blending music and ELA standards for Grades 6-8.
• St. Nick: Informational Text Structures: Explore main ideas, text structures, and author’s purpose with this winter-themed set of informational texts designed to strengthen critical reading skills.
• Unraveling Krampus: Text Structures and Critical Analysis: Develop students’ ability to identify text structures and analyze information critically with this high-interest resource focused on the Krampus folklore.
• Informational Text Structure Coloring Sort: Combine creativity and learning as students sort and color-code winter-themed informational texts to practice identifying text structures.
• Winter Wonders: Exploring Text Features Through Snow-Themed Articles: Strengthen comprehension and analysis skills by examining text features in engaging snow-themed articles, perfect for enhancing nonfiction literacy.
• Christmas Winter Holiday Characters from Around the World Research PBL: Dive into global holiday traditions with this project-based learning activity that encourages research, critical thinking, and presentation skills.
• Holiday Figurative Language & Movie Clip Standard-Based Learning Activities: Analyze figurative language through fun, holiday-themed movie clips that align with ELA figurative language standards for middle schoolers.
• Virtual Winter Sports Exploration: Engage students in a digital exploration of winter sports, focusing on informational text comprehension and analysis for Grades 4-6.
• Analyzing Narrative Point of View Winter-Themed: Develop higher-order thinking with winter-themed narrative texts that challenge students to analyze and compare points of view using Bloom’s Taxonomy.
• Winter Vacation PBL: Inspire creativity and practical application with this low-prep, project-based learning activity where stude

Transform your classroom into a winter adventure with this Winter Wonderland Vacation PBL! This engaging, print-and-go project-based learning unit is perfect for the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas or any time during the winter months. Students will plan their dream winter vacation while developing critical skills in research, budgeting, creativity, and presentation. With minimal prep for teachers and maximum excitement for students, this resource is a must-have for your seasonal curriculum!

What’s Included:

✅ 8 Comprehensive Lesson Plans – Covering daily tasks with clear pacing and objectives.
✅ Task Rubrics – Detailed rubrics for all 8 tasks, ensuring easy grading and clear student expectations.
✅ Printable PDFs – Research guides, worksheets, and templates to guide every step of the project.
✅ Editable Slideshow Template – Students create a final presentation showcasing their vacation plans.
✅ Total Budget Sheet Template – A fun and practical way for students to manage costs within a $5,000 limit.
✅ Pacing Plan – Simplified day-by-day instructions for a stress-free implementation.

Skills Covered:

This interdisciplinary project incorporates:
Research Skills: Students investigate destinations, transportation, lodging, activities, and meals.
Math and Budgeting: From calculating costs to managing a $5,000 budget.
Creativity and Design: Crafting a visually appealing slideshow and planning unique trips.
Critical Thinking: Balancing priorities to stay within budget and justifying decisions.
Presentation Skills: Sharing their vacation plans with confidence and clarity.

Why Teachers Love It:

Low Prep: Simply print and go! All materials are ready to use or easily editable.
Flexible Use: Perfect for grades 5+, with extensions for higher or lower ability levels.
Seasonal Fun: Keeps students engaged during the weeks leading up to winter break.
Real-World Learning: Combines academic rigor with practical life skills in a fun, meaningful way.
Time-Saving: Includes ready-to-use rubrics and templates for smooth implementation.

Perfect for:

❄️ The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
❄️ A winter-themed project in January or February.
❄️ Enrichment activities for early finishers or gifted students.
❄️ Cross-curricular lessons with ELA, math, and social studies connections.

Need an awesome Art Unit? I have just the thing for you! This creative Fall/Winter Birch Tree Unit was designed to be printed and displayed as examples while you teach. Use this Google Slide file to display these beautiful images one-by-one on a large screen. It is best to use watercolor paper for this unit, since it does the best job of absorbing and working with the watercolor paint. However, if watercolor paper is not at your disposal, please find the heaviest white drawing paper you can find. Painter’s Tape is also best for this assignment, but in a pinch, you may use masking tape- although masking tape may need to be stuck to a different surface (shirt/), it isn’t too sticky on the paper. I hope you have as much fun with this artwork as I have! I hope you and your kiddos love this! Enjoy.