Christmas Unit Study - Social Studies
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A Christmas Unit Study (Social Studies)
Christmas is such an amazing time of year to celebrate the birth of the blessed baby, Jesus. While parents and teachers who are teaching about the events of the Bible, and the events of the seasons, why not turn it into a fun unit study? Add some math, science, social studies, language arts, art, and music to your lesson plans with some of these ideas. Following are some suggestions to enhance the Christmas story with geography and history!
Contents at a Glance
The History of the Christmas Holiday
PBS Special
From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians
PBS's Frontline presents many informational documents and videos about Jesus, His life, and the early church.
Many Faces ~ How well do the archaelogical clues historians are uncovering match up with the story Christians have long told each other?
A Portrait of Jesus' World ~ His was a deeply religious generation, spiraling toward war amid expectations of a coming cosmic battle of the Sons of Light against the Sons of Darkness
The Story of the Storytellers ~ The first gospel was written almost 40 years after Jesus' death. Were they historically accurate, objective accounts? Or intended as proclamations of faith?
The First Christians ~ The clash of customs and cultures among early Christians yielded a Jesus of many different interpretations and multiple messages
Why Did Christianity Succeed? ~ How did this small Jewish sect become the Christian church, embraced by the Empire that had sent Jesus to his death?
Additional Materials ~ Maps, Archaeology & Sources, Discussion, Bibilical Quiz, A Follow-Up Symposium, Behind the ScenesTapes, Transcripts & Events, Teachers' Guide, and Viewers' Guide .
Watch the Full Program Online!
- Christmas History
- Read this page for an overview of the history leading to our modern day celebration.
- The History of Christmas
- Watch Christmas history videos, read about Christmas history, stories, fun facts, Christmas trees, origins of Santa, world traditions, and the history of toys at History Channel.
The History of Christmas Celebrations
A Christmas Unit Study
Check out the other subjects in the unit!
Christmas Around the World
Fun ways to study world cultures!
One of my favorite websites for children, Kid's Cooking Activities, has an absolutely fantastic World Studies Cooking Unit that you may purchase in ebook form or you may download most of it for free right on the site! You will also receive a free copy of Kids Holiday Cooking and Celebrating and other ebooks when you subscribe to their newsletter! Great resource!
- *Christmas Celebrations Around the World
- Enjoy this 25 day unit about how Christmas is celebrated around the world from Teaching Mom. A summary of each country's customs and links are provided in these easy to use lessons. Countries include: Bethlehem, Russia, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, Poland, Great Britian, South Africa, Costa Rica, Greece, East Asia, Philippines, Ethiopia, Brazil, Mexico, Holland, India, Americas, Ukraine, Italy, and Hawaii!
- *Christmas Around the World Unit Study & Lapbook
- Another one of my very favorites that I will be using with my children, this huge unit from Homeschool Share has an amazing amount of information, resources, links, games, and lapbook components!
- *Christmas Around the World
- This is one that I will most likely use for my children. Besides having interesting information on several countries, there are recipes, crafts, activities, and links to find out more.
- Christmas Traditions Around the World
- After learning how to say "Merry Christmas" is several language, read a one page article about each of the following places on the earth: Christmas in Africa, African America, Alaska, America, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bethlehem, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Greenland, Guatemala, Holland, Holy Land, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Iran (Persia) , Iraq , Italy, Japan, Latin America, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malta, Mexico, Micronesia, Netherlands, New Guinea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Scotland, Sicily, Slovakia, South America, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Yugoslavia
- Christmas Traditions
- Each country listed has a small paragraph about it's Christmas traditions.
- Christmas Traditions Around the World
- Here is a one day lesson plan for elementary students about Christmas over the world.
- Christmas Worldwide
- Brief descriptions of Christmas in many lands
- Christmas Around the World
- Links for units from Woodland School
- *Christmas Around the World
- A full page of information from each country listed.
- World Advent Calendar
- "On each day in December 2009, test your knowledge on how Christmas is celebrated around the world, using our very own interactive advent calendar."
- Christmas Cultures
- Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Rep., Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, U.K., U.S.A., Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Celebrate Christmas Around the World
Christ's Love Spread Throughout the Earth
You will enjoy these units from Lynn!
Christmas Customs & Symbols
What do all these things we see at Christmas time have to do with the real Christmas anyway? Find out the meanings in the units below!!
- Christmas Customs Lapbook
- Free from Homeschool Helper! Mini books are about: gifts, yule log, Nativiy, wassailing, mince pies, Christmas crackers, stockings, shoes, Santa, Advent wreath, St. Lucia's Day
- Christmas Symbols Lapbook
- Another fantastic free lapbook from Homeschool Helper that contains minis on candy canes, Christmas trees, gingerbread, stars, wreath, angels, Nativity scene, ornaments, and holly.
- Christmas Symbols Lapbook
- Contains mini books for: candy cane, nativity scene, lights, tree, colors flip book, Xmas, wreath, cover, ornaments, star, angel, minibook pages, poinsettia, gift, and Jesus is Better than Santa ~ poem from 1 + 1 + 1 = 1 Blog. The minis are colorful and easy to use.
- Christmas Symbols
- Find 20 lesson plans on the symbols of Christmas. Each lesson contains the history, symbolis, Bible verse, activity, music, and resources. Topics are: Wreath and Advent, Christmas Tree and Ornaments, Christmas Food, December 25, Santa Claus, Elves, and Reindeer, St. Nicholas and Stockings, Candy Canes, XMas, Christmas Carols, Christmas Plants, Gifts and Wise Men, Colors of Christmas, Candles and Lights, Star, The Nativity, Angels, Christmas Cards, Bells, Nutcrackers, and the 12 Days of Christmas. ~~ These lessons fit very well with the above lapbooks! :)
- *A Blessed Christmas*
- A Blessed Christmas: A Unit Study Approach to Studying the Symbols of Christmas by Karen Caroe and Kathryn Martinez. You have probably already done or seen some of Karen's fabulous work. She has written many units for her children and generously shared them on 'Easy Fun School'. This 49 page document is a very complete, easy to use unit study that you will love. This is one of my favorites from this page! We did the unit many years ago, but will be doing it again and changing it to higher age appropriateness. ~ Lesson topics include Advent, bells, Christmas cards, St. Nicholas, gifts, ornaments, Christmas trees, candles, wreaths, holly, poinsettia, shepherd's staff, candy canes, "X-Mas", Christmas carols and carolers, star, manger scene, angels, Baby in a manger, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, lambs, wise men, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, and the 12 Days of Christmas. ~ Lesson activities include Bible verses, Bible applications, Christmas symbols, discussion topics, crafts, recipies, Advent activities and devotions, service projects, printables, coloring pages, poems, research, reading, book list suggestions, country customs, languages, and music and songs.
- A Blessed Christmas
- See the original form of the above unit by Mrs. Caroe at Funschooling Unit Studies.
- *Teach the Children
- Our family tries to avoid all the "Santa" hype at CHRISTmas time, but this story which includes him touched my heart, and therefore I wanted to share it. In the story, Santa gently tells of the Biblical symbols of Christmas.
.
"Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One who is, and I bow down to worship Him, our Lord, our God." ~ Santa
Woodlands Junior School in the United Kingdom also lists many other Christmas teaching activities and resources to use in your classrooms. - *The 24 Days of the Symbols of Christmas
- Also based upon Mrs. Caroe's original unit study, this mom adapted it and added a few bonuses!
Christmas Symbols Quiz
So Joseph also went
up from the town of
Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,
to Bethlehem the town of David,
because he belonged
to the house and line of David.
Luke 2:4
Biblical Lands
*Israel Maps: Worksheet Works is one of my favorite websites for maps for children! Create maps designing the content for the age and ability of your students.
~Freeform Israel Map - choose if you want cities, physical attributes, and neighboring areas on your map.
~ "Label Me" Israel Map - same as above except there are blanks of locations to fill in, an answer key is given - these are nice to use for practice or quizzess.
~ Israel Location Word Search - find the names of the places in the puzzle; choose their list or create your own
~ Scrambled Places of Israel - students unscramble the names of locations and identify them on a map.
~ Israel Crossword Puzzle - choose 10, 15, or 20 words in the categories of cities, neighbors, and physical attributes.
- The Land of Israel
- Learn about the country of Jesus' birth! Study the geography, natural features, history, Israeli media, fine arts, people, and the government of Israel.
- Geography of Israel
- Find out about the geography, physical geography, economy, people,and government, history of Israel .
- Israel Geography
- Simply put information from Kidport Reference Library
- Israel at Enchanted Learning
- Read a page about the flag, take a quiz, or try one of the simple geography research worksheets.
- The Holy Land ~ Israel & Palistine
- Resources for teachers and kids at Mr. Donn's site.
- Biblical Geography
- Info and maps on: The World Beyond Palestine ~ The Roman Empire ~ A History of Palestine ~ The Territories and Rulers of Palestine
- Cities of Ancient Israel
- Here is a large beautiful map of Israel - great for study.
The Christmas Truce
What an amazing story!
Silent Night, Holy Night ... Sleep in Heavenly Peace
The fighting stopped on both sides of World War I due to the celebration of Jesus' Birth. The Prince of Peace was working in the hearts of men for this truce.
And there were shepherds
living out in the fields nearby,
keeping watch over
their flocks at night.
Luke 2:8
Biblical Occupations
- Bible Occupations
- Here you will find a Bible lesson / filll in the blank study about careers in the Bible. It includes beggars, cupbearers, carpenters, fishermen, potters, and shepherds.
- *Jobs in the Bible
- Find here a long list of Biblical jobs and their references to use for study.
- *Bible Jobs Scripture Game
- What a great idea from Scripture Lady! Learn the fun way with occupations, Scripture study, and charades!
- Occupations in the Bible
- Try this fun online crossword puzzle!
- Bible Occupations
- Try another online crossword puzzle about careers found in the Bible.
- Occupations Scramble
- Can you figure out what jobs these are? Unscramble the words to discover Biblical occupations.
- Occupation Quiz
- Test your knowledge of the Bible. Can you name who had each of these occupations?
- The Apostles
- What were the occupations of the apostles? Where did they come from? What was their role? Find out here.
- Jesus Christ the Carpenter
- A sermon from Crystal Lake Church
- The Biblical Wood Shop
- Look at the pictures of carpenter tool, and read information about the trade.
- Carpenter
- A definition and references from Easton's Bible Dictionary
- How to Hook a Fisherman
- An interesting sermon about the events of Luke 5:1-11 is from Bible.org.
- The Big Fisherman Speaks
- I enjoyed reading this story from the perspective of Peter.
- *The Shepherd: Bible Usage
- Read several pages of Bible study on sheep and shepherds throughout the Bible.
- The Shepherd
- Did you ever stop to think about what a Biblical shepherd carried with them on their job? No? Me, neither. But know I have a better perspective of these important workers.
- Sheep Crafts
- Danielle's Place has the most adorable lessons and crafts! Make sure to click on "Sheep Crafts for Kids Page" in lesson 6.
- Shepherds, Angels, and a Manger
- Read an interesting shepherd story.
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Luke 2:16-20
"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?
Matthew 13:55
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-19
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:20-22
Great Reading Material
If you lived in Biblical times ...
Roll Playing Careers
Family & Genealogy
Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Study the passages about the genealogy of Jesus Christ n Mathew 1:1-17 (Joseph's lineage with a Jewish perspective) and Luke 3:23-38 (Mary's family with a Greek perspective). Why did the Israelites maintain years of family records? With such a long list of male ancestors, why are there a few women? Who are they and why were they set apart?
Children's Reading
Bethlehem
The Birthplace of our Savior!!
In the City of David ...
- Share the Christmas Story through Geography
- Use this lesson plan for 3rd - 6th grade to teach about Biblical geography in Bethlehem.
- Bethlehem
- Information from the WebBible Encyclopedia
- Bethlehem Pictures
- An archieve of pictures
- Nativity Church
- A virtual tour of Nativity Church in Bethlehem
- Nazareth
- Information from WebBible Encyclopedia
- Palestine
- Information from WebBible Encyclopedia
- The Road to Bethlehem Game
- I love the games that Valerie at Christian Preschool Printables makes! This colorful game will be a hit with young students!
O Little Town of Bethlehem ...
Fun Resources for Studying Geography!
More Map Skills
- A Variety of Geography
- Learn about time zones, world travel (Santa), poles (North Poles especially), latitude and longitude, and compasses.
- Christmas Tree Lighting
- This lesson uses tree lighting celebrations as a base to teach geography and social studies.
Countdown to Christmas
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Saint Nicholas
The real man and the legend ...
Thought to Ponder from Santa
"Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center,
for I am but a humble servant of the One who is,
and I bow down to worship Him, our Lord, our God." ~ Santa
The quotation is from the story "Teach the Children"
at the Woodlands Junior School Website.
Thanks for for showing the true meaning of Christmas!
May God bless you with the
true significance of Christmas ~
The birth, life, and death
of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
Have a wonderfully blessed Christmas!
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Reply
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vallain
Oct 12, 2011 @ 8:15 pm | delete
- Wow, you've really loaded this page with resources. Homeschooling parents will be thrilled and teachers too.
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Reply
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Blessedmombygrace
Dec 2, 2009 @ 6:46 pm | delete
- Another fabulous lens Pamela! I'll be back to look more closely later. I lensrolled you to my homeschooling on a shoestring page. You are so amazingly talented when it comes to all this!
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Unit Study Contents
- The History of the Christmas Holiday
- Christmas Around the World
- Christ's Love Spread Throughout the Earth
- Christmas Customs & Symbols
- Christmas Symbols Quiz
- Biblical Lands
- Biblical Occupations
- Family & Genealogy
- Bethlehem
- Fun Resources for Studying Geography!
- Thought to Ponder from Santa
- Thank you for the Squidoo Angel Blessing!
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