Less than $5 7th Grade Christmas, Chanukah, & Kwanzaa Lesson (by date, oldest first)

Bring the holiday spirit into your science classroom with this engaging and educational “Christmas Candy Science” lesson pack! Perfect for middle school students, these hands-on experiments use festive candies to explore key scientific concepts aligned with NGSS and Tennessee state standards.

Students will love the festive twist on classic science experiments. This is the perfect activity to do the weird days right before Winter break when students are often absent! Each experiment is designed to reinforce important scientific principles and includes clear instructions to make it easy to implement these activities in your classroom.

Included Experiments:

• Candy Cane Dissolution Experiment
• Skittles Color Diffusion
• Chocolate Melting Point
• Gummy Bear Osmosis
• Baking Soda and Vinegar Balloon Inflation

Includes:

• Teacher tips and directions for each lab
• Materials list
• Student lab worksheets and data recording sheets
• Beautiful Winter themed slides to keep yourself and student on task

NGSS Middle School:

• MS-PS1-2: Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred
• MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed
• MS-LS1-2: Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function

Tennessee State Science Standards:

• MS.PS1.4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed
• MS.LS1.2: Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function

Use this Christmas-themed AVID speed philosophical chairs icebreaker team-building activity to promote debate through dialogue and public speaking in your classroom as well as get students in the Christmas spirit! Students will not only learn what speed philosophical chairs is but they will enjoy some exciting dialogue through 20 fun debate topics.

For example, students will choose to agree or disagree with the statement, "It is acceptable to play Christmas music after Halloween."

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Directions:

1. A central statement will be announced to the class and you will define the two sides of the debate (Agree/Disagree).
2. Students move to the side of the room that they intend to defend.
3. An embedded timer will be set for 5 minutes, and the debate will start between the two groups.
4. Students attempt to keep contributions to less than 30 seconds each.
5. A new prompt is displayed and we start another round of quick debates.

What's Included:

• A teaching slide for "the why" of speed philosophical chairs
• A slide that includes the rules of engagement for students
• A slide for the steps of this speed philosophical chairs activity
• 20-speed philosophical chairs Christmas-themed debate statements
• A 5-minute silent timer embedded in each slide

*These resources are available for Outschool teachers to purchase without the need for extra licenses.

Check out other AVID Christmas Resources HERE!

Check out other AVID resources HERE!

Check out more Speed Philosophical Chairs resources HERE!

Check out more Public Speaking resources HERE!

Check out more Collaboration resources HERE!

Use this Christmas ornament writing activity to decorate your classroom tree and to get your AVID (or any content area) students in the holiday spirit! Students will choose 1 of the 8 mandala ornaments to decorate or create their own with the blank version provided. Then they will write about their greatest gift, cut and glue that to their ornament!

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What's Included:

• A PDF Document with 8 Mandala Ornaments for students to choose from
• Ornaments for responding to "My greatest gift is..."
• One blank ornament for students to create their own mandalas

Directions:

• Students will choose a mandala ornament to decorate or use the blank one provided to make their own.
• After decorating their ornaments, students will respond to the prompt, "My greatest gift is..." using the writing-lined ornament.
• Next, students will cut out their mandala and writing ornament and glue the lined writing ornament to the back of their mandala ornament.
• Last, laminate and cut them out, hole punch the top, and add a string! Hang them on your classroom tree.

Check out other AVID resources HERE!

Check out other AVID Christmas Resources HERE!

AVID Winter Activity - Build a Costa Snowman Digital Resource: This digital lesson and activity is the perfect Winter or Christmas resource for building critical thinking skills in your AVID classroom! Use it as an inquiry icebreaker activity, a supplemental lesson for Costa's Level of Thinking, an inquiry lesson, a Fun Friday activity, or even for your Christmas/Winter party!

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Directions:

• This 18 interactive Google Slides presentation first goes over Costa's level of thinking with details and examples for all 3 levels.
• Then students will follow directions on drawing or creating their own Costa snowman while answering leveled questions on the way!
• After students create their snowmans and answer the Costa questions about them, they will write their own questions based on a winter scene!

What's Included:

• Essential questions slide
• 7 Costa's Level of Thinking teach slides
• 7 direction slides with step-by-step directions on how to create a Costa snowman and leveled questions for students to answer about their snowmen
• 1 slide with a winter scene where students will write their own leveled questions!

Check out other AVID resources HERE!

Check out other winter resources HERE!

Check out other Christmas resources HERE!

Check out more AVID Inquiry resources HERE!

Use this Spanish Christmas ornament writing activity to decorate your classroom tree and to get your Spanish students in the holiday spirit! Students will choose 1 of the 8 mandala ornaments to decorate or create their own with the blank version provided. Then they will practice their Spanish writing skills while writing about their greatest gift and responding to the prompt, "Mi mejor regalo es." Afterward, they can cut and glue that to their ornament and hang them on your class Christmas tree or bulletin board!

What's Included:

• A PDF Document with 8 Mandala Ornaments for students to choose from
• Ornaments for responding to "Mi mejor regalo es..."
• One blank ornament for students to create their own mandalas

Directions:

• Students will choose a mandala ornament to decorate or use the blank one provided to make their own.
• After decorating their ornaments, students will respond to the prompt, "Mi mejor regalo es..." using the writing-lined ornament.
• Next, students will cut out their mandala and writing ornament and glue the lined writing ornament to the back of their mandala ornament.
• Last, laminate and cut them out, hole punch the top, and add a string! Hang them on your classroom tree or bulletin board display.

Check out other Spanish resources HERE!

Right in time for your Christmas instrumentalists, we present to you Brenda Lee's hit Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree re-imagined as a HIP HOP TRAP MIX for BUCKET DRUMMING!

There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are grouped 2 or 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!

All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)

The mp3 track is included in this one, so no need to YouTube it. Have fun with this and let us know how it goes!

Terms of Use:

All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.

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*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!

Right in time for your Christmas instrumentalists, we present to you the smash Christmas hit Mele Kalikimaka re-imagined as a HIP HOP TRAP MIX for BUCKET DRUMMING!

There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are grouped 2 or 4 times). Then, apply it to drums!

All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)

You can find the hip hop remix track below to play along with:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvtUZfARn98

Terms of Use:

All images/photos/clip art in this resource were created by me.

__________________________________

*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!

By popular request, here's an arrangement of the holiday hit that'll sure to get your bucket drumming kids fired up, here's an advanced arrangement of Christmas Jam, by the Trans Siberian Orchestra!

There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 2,3, or 7times). Then, apply it to drums!

All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)

This version differs from the standard version with the implementation of sixteenth note patterns (which is great to work on with your kids for alternating hands!)

Here's the track so you can play along...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1mHMZkR9Ss

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By popular request, here's an arrangement of the holiday hit that'll sure to get your bucket drumming kids fired up, Winter Palace by the Trans Siberian Orchestra!

There are three all-color coded slides along with the form identifiers listed next to each phrase. Discuss form with the students and teach them (by rote) the rhythms on the powerpoint with the corresponding repeats (most are repeated 2, 4, or 8 times). Then, apply it to drums!

All regular notation is to be played on the buckets (or drums, or ground, however you wish), and the X notation (with a down stem) are played as stick clicks above their head (or you could apply it to a tambourine or other auxiliary instrument)

Here's the track so you can play along (the arrangement begins at the downbeat of :51

https://youtu.be/Tjrhq9CVl\_c?si=U8GOae8znZp2L\_8w

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*** Looking for more BUCKET DRUMMING resources? *** Find them here!

Recalling a Christmas Memory Project

Students will be able to use brain mapping worksheets to recall and answer the questions who, what, when where and why in reference to a Christmas memory. The project is a four-paragraph writing project.

Materials Included:

· Goals and Teacher Instructions

· Student Introduction Page

· Student Planning Page

· Grading Rubric

· Optional Writing Page

This product features the perfect activity to include in your holiday repertoire! In this differentiated lesson plan, students examine the figurative language in the classic poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, in a thoughtful, engaging, and creative way. Teach this lesson any time in the month of December to practice figurative language identification and your students will thank you for such a fun activity!

Product Includes:

• Detailed Lesson Plan
• 'Twas the Night Before Christmas lines
• Worksheet
• Student Example
• Color-coded Teacher's Answer Key

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Also, check out more great holiday products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Christmas ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Winter Figurative Language Practice

⭐ Christmas Collaborative Writing Activity

⭐ "Christmas Talk" Lesson Plan

⭐ The Little Match Girl Sensory Details Lesson Plan

⭐ Christmas Song Figurative Language {{BUNDLE}}

⭐ Christmas Song Figurative Language Powerpoint Presentation

⭐ Figurative Language in Christmas Songs

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This product features 3 engaging, differentiated activities that focus on the rich sensory details of Hans Christian Andersen's devastatingly beautiful fairytale, "The Little Match Girl." The activities span before, during, and after reading the story with the intent to not only identify the sensory details, but to analyze their importance and how they add to the reader's experience with the tale and the little match girl herself. The activities support multiple learning styles so that all students walk away from the story with an appreciation for this heartbreaking tale and empathy for those less fortunate during the holiday season.

Product Includes:

- Anticipation Guide - "Creative Quick-Write and Story Time"

- Sensory Detail Chart

- Sensory Detail Drawing Activity

- Suggested Lesson Plan for Anticipation Guide (Before Reading)

- Suggested Lesson Plan for Sensory Detail Study (During Reading)

- Sensory Detail Analysis Open Response (After Reading)

- Answer Key

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Also, check out more great holiday products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Christmas ESCAPE ROOM

⭐‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Figurative Language Lesson Plan

⭐"Christmas Talk" Lesson Plan

⭐The Gift of the Magi & The Necklace Compare/Contrast Essay

⭐Christmas Song Figurative Language {{BUNDLE}}

⭐Christmas Song Figurative Language Powerpoint Presentation

⭐Figurative Language in Christmas Songs - 32 Task Cards

⭐Letter to a Member of the Military

⭐We Didn’t Start the Fire Activity

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Celebrate the holidays in ELA with this whimsical powerpoint presentation covering the figurative language devices in Christmas songs! This fun and colorful 32-slide presentation is the perfect resource for the holiday season. Each slide features lines from popular Christmas songs for students to practice identifying figurative language devices. Your students will love seeing how many of their favorite Christmas songs are brimming with figurative language! Presentation covers: - Metaphor - Simile - Hyperbole - Oxymoron - Idiom - Personification - Onomatopoeia - Allusion - Alliteration Powerpoint also includes directions, a colorful student answer sheet, and answer key for teachers. _____________________________________________________________________ You can also save 20% by purchasing this product in a bundle along with the best-selling Christmas Song Figurative Language Task Cards! Christmas Song Figurative Language {{BUNDLE}} _____________________________________________________________________ More engaging holiday products by Language Arts Excellence: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Figurative Language Lesson Plan The Grinch Figurative Language Lesson Plan "Christmas Talk" Lesson Plan The Gift of the Magi & The Necklace Compare/Contrast Essay Letter to a Member of the Military We Didn’t Start the Fire Activity The Little Match Girl Sensory Details Lesson Plan Figurative Language in Christmas Songs - 32 Task Cards

This resource features an anticipation guide for O. Henry's ironic tale of love and sacrifice, "The Gift of the Magi", and a meticulously-explained lesson plan that I believe is the absolute best way to approach a new story. Using a non-intimidating method called "Numbered Heads", this activity will get your students thinking, writing, conversing, and reporting about themes you will be encountering during your study of "The Gift of the Magi" and your overall short story unit. I am confident that your students will enjoy this thoughtful, engaging activity and beg you to begin reading the classic story this holidayseason.

Product Includes:

- 2 Page Anticipation Guide with 7 Debate Statements

- "Numbered Heads" Lesson Plan

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Also, check out these resources to round our your unit on The Gift of the Magi:

⭐ The Gift of the Magi ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Gift of the Magi Socratic Seminar Materials

⭐ The Gift of the Magi & The Necklace Compare Contrast Essay

More great holiday products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Christmas ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Christmas Poetry ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ A Christmas Carol ESCAPE ROOM

⭐‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Figurative Language Lesson Plan

⭐ The Little Match Girl Sensory Details Lesson Plan

⭐"Christmas Talk" Lesson Plan

⭐Figurative Language in Christmas Songs Task Cards

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Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as I like to call them with my students) are fantastic, higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to your class text. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, I have done the work for you!

This packet includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom surrounding the classic short story, The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry - NO PREPARATION NEEDED!

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom

• 5 Discussion Questions for each “Fish Bowl”

• “Fish Bowl” Preparation Sheet

• Conversation Builder Prompts

• Observation Sheet

• Rubric

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Also, check out these resources to round our your unit on The Gift of the Magi:

⭐ The Gift of the Magi Anticipation Guide & Lesson Plan

⭐ The Gift of the Magi ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ The Gift of the Magi & The Necklace Compare Contrast Essay

More great holiday products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Christmas ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Christmas Poetry ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ A Christmas Carol ESCAPE ROOM

⭐‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Figurative Language Lesson Plan

⭐ The Little Match Girl Sensory Details Lesson Plan

⭐"Christmas Talk" Lesson Plan

⭐Figurative Language in Christmas Songs Task Cards

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

This may be the most meaningful and memorable lesson you teach in December!

This product features an engaging "Christmas Talk" activity that will have your students thinking, writing, collaborating, speaking, and moving around in one class period! In this activity, they must choose between 5 different quotes from famous figures about Christmas and articulate why the quote aligns with their own perspective about the holiday. I use this lesson every year during the week leading up to Christmas vacation to make sure that my students take some time out of their hectic lives to consider what Christmas truly means not to society, not to others, but to them.

Product includes:

• Comprehensive lesson plan
• "Christmas Talk" Sheet for students to fill out
• 5 Corresponding "Christmas Quote" signs to hang up around your room

I hope that this lesson is as meaningful and successful in your class as it is in mine!

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Also, check out more great holiday products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Christmas ESCAPE ROOM

⭐‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Figurative Language Lesson Plan

⭐The Little Match Girl Sensory Details Lesson Plan

⭐The Gift of the Magi & The Necklace Compare/Contrast Essay

⭐Christmas Song Figurative Language {{BUNDLE}}

⭐Christmas Song Figurative Language Powerpoint Presentation

⭐Figurative Language in Christmas Songs - 32 Task Cards

⭐Letter to a Member of the Military

⭐We Didn’t Start the Fire Activity

___________________________________________________________________

Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

This may be the most meaningful and memorable lesson you teach in December!

This product features an engaging "Christmas Talk" activity that will have your students thinking, writing, collaborating, speaking, and moving around in one class period! In this activity, they must choose between 5 different quotes from famous figures about Christmas and articulate why the quote aligns with their own perspective about the holiday. I use this lesson every year during the week leading up to Christmas vacation to make sure that my students take some time out of their hectic lives to consider what Christmas truly means not to society, not to others, but to them.

Product includes:

• Comprehensive lesson plan
• "Christmas Talk" Sheet for students to fill out
• 5 Corresponding "Christmas Quote" signs to hang up around your room

I hope that this lesson is as meaningful and successful in your class as it is in mine!

___________________________________________________________________

Also, check out more great holiday products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Christmas ESCAPE ROOM

⭐‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Figurative Language Lesson Plan

⭐The Little Match Girl Sensory Details Lesson Plan

⭐The Gift of the Magi & The Necklace Compare/Contrast Essay

⭐Christmas Song Figurative Language {{BUNDLE}}

⭐Christmas Song Figurative Language Powerpoint Presentation

⭐Figurative Language in Christmas Songs - 32 Task Cards

⭐Letter to a Member of the Military

⭐We Didn’t Start the Fire Activity

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

Sometimes the best classroom discussions arise when students say nothing at all!

This product features a thoughtful and engaging activity for use during your study of Charles Dickens' beloved classic tale, A Christmas Carol. Centering around 5 different provocative passages from the short novel, this lesson provides your students with a chance to think, reflect, and respond to their peers without ever saying a word. This creative approach is a great way to differentiate instruction among your students and allows even your most quiet students to shine. I am confident that this no-prep lesson will become a must-do activity within your unit on A Christmas Carol!

Product Includes:

- 5 "Silent Conversation" worksheets with 5 different quotes from the story

- Full Lesson plan

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Check out more great holiday products by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ A Christmas Carol ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Christmas ESCAPE ROOM

⭐ Christmas Poetry ESCAPE ROOM

⭐‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Figurative Language Lesson Plan

⭐ The Little Match Girl Sensory Details Lesson Plan

⭐"Christmas Talk" Lesson Plan

⭐The Gift of the Magi & The Necklace Compare/Contrast Essay

⭐Christmas Song Figurative Language Powerpoint Presentation

⭐Figurative Language in Christmas Songs - 32 Task Cards

⭐Letter to a Member of the Military

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Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence

13 color-coded, figurative language Santa-themed activities that include definitions, examples, and writings. Fun for learning and using figurative language! Includes: Alliteration Hyperbole Idioms Imagery Internal Rhyme Metaphor Onomatopoeia Personification Simile Symbolism Writing Activity Word Search Activity Mix and Match Activity Answer Keys to Activities Use individually, small/whole group, as competitive activities and for Common Core Standards review or assessment of figurative language. Colorful Santa images to spark creativity!

Where did Rudolph get his red nose? How did it come about? When did it happen? Why is it red? Become a reporter and uncover the facts! Students get the opportunity to create facts and/or interview others about Rudolph's red nose. Then, students compile a report using proper dialogue. The 7 page lesson can be used with early learners as well as middle school learners. Packet includes: Directions with optional activities Media/Video Links Working with Dialogue and Facts sheet Rudolph's Red Nose: The Facts (handout for higher level learners) Lined, themed paper for writing Reindeer handout for lower level writers Introduces use of dialogue and quotations for future fact-based assessment writing. Meets Common Core Standards.