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Winter English Teaching Resources
December, Christmas, and January Reading and Writing Activities
Welcome to my Winter English Teaching Resources page. Here you will find a variety of reading and creative writing activities and lessons plans to use for December, Christmas, and January.
On this page, you will find: unique story writing templates, reading sticker charts, teaching resources for particular novels, newspaper writing, poetry, cooperative group projects, and powerpoint presentations. I hope that you find some refreshing and new ideas to use with your own students during the months of December and January with these winter English teaching resources.
These two months are a perfect time to have your students cozy up with a good book and read at home each evening, and to provide your students with creative writing activities for the end of the calendar year and the beginning of the calendar year.
For final draft writing assignments, when I give my students uniquely shaped templates or colored worksheets to write on, I have found that they tend to use their best effort on these assignments, and they are more careful to not make careless spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
My students are encouraged to read during the month of December and January with unique reading sticker charts that are designed especially for the winter months.
For books to read with your students for the months of December and January, I have two books that I have created a complete set of teaching resources for. I have a separate web page for each of these books that gives details and photographs of the resources that are available for these books.
Click on each underlined book title below to go directly to that particular web page to find resources that were created for that specific book.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens This book is a Christmas classic that has been adapted into different versions of reading levels and there are many movie versions of this popular novel. I have created two projects based on this book. The first is a group project that is in the shape of a wreath (an example is shown below). The second is a Scrooge Character Body project which requires students to create a body for Scrooge and write a character description about him.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss This book is a Christmas classic by one of the most popular children's authors of all time. This book has also been created into a movie version. The main project on this page is a set of writing templates in the shape of the Grinch's head (an example is shown below). Your students will enjoy coloring their Grinch templates and responding to the story on these uniquely shaped Dr. Seuss writing templates. The other teaching resources on this page are some fun activities that you can use with your students that are related to Dr. Seuss' use of rhyming words and comparing how the Grinch changed from the beginning of the story to the end of the story.
Snowman Creative Writing Set
Click on the BUY NOW button below to purchase this downloadable teacher resource: Snowman Creative Writing Set
$3.50
This "Snowman Creative Writing Set" is a complete story writing set. Students start off using their story map, and at the end, they complete their snowman shaped final drafts. This complete set contains 29 pages of printable resources.
Once you cut out these templates along the thick black lines, you will have unique snowman shaped story writing worksheets which measure 16 inches in length and 7 inches in width (not including the arms).
This "Snowman Creative Writing Set" comes in a second UK spelling version. This set contains the following components:
directions
story map for students to brain storm their ideas before they begin writing their stories
first draft writing response worksheet
three final draft black and white templates that assemble into the shape of a snowman
three final draft color templates for you to show your students as a model example
4 snowmen (12 templates) to use as accent pieces to help you decorate your bulletin board display
Below is an example of the directions page and the story map worksheet. Students should use this story map before they begin writing their first drafts.
Below is an example of the first draft page and the grading rubric that has both a student and teacher assessment component to it.
Below are examples of the final draft snowman templates that your students will write their stories in. There are two versions of the snowman's head, one with eyes and a smile (shown below) and another version of this template that is blank so that students can draw their own face (not shown).
I have included a color version of these templates for you to post on your board as an example for your students.
Below: This set includes 4 different colored snowmen to use as bulletin board accent pieces to help you create your eye-catching bulletin board display.
The 4 writing slogans that are written inside the snowmen are:
Our Snowman Stories
Writing is SNOW Much Fun!
Frosty Winter Stories
We are Cool Authors!
Below is an example of one of these snowman bulletin board accent pieces.
A Gift From The Heart 3 Dimensional Gift Box Set
Click on the BUY NOW button below to purchase this downloadable teacher resource: A Gift From the Heart 3D Box
$2.99
This gift box display is from Teresa's classroom. She teaches Grade 4 in New Jersey.
This "A Gift From the Heart Creative Writing Set" is a 3 dimensional writing set. Students start off using their first draft, and at the end, they complete their gift box shaped final drafts. This complete set contains 21 pages of printable resources. The assembled 3D box measures 5.5 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches. (see example in photograph above)
This does not have to be a "Christmas Project," but December is an ideal time to use this activity. Before I begin this activity, I discuss with my students different times that we give gifts to people. Besides birthday presents, we discuss Christmas, Hanukkah, and other important religious holidays celebrated by the students in my class.
I lead my students into a discussion of the best gifts, are gifts from the heart. We discuss thoughtful things that people do for us, and ways that we have been thoughtful to others.
This "A Gift From the Heart 3D Box Set" comes in a second UK spelling version. This set contains the following components:
directions
first draft writing response worksheets
six final draft black and white templates that assemble into the 3D box
six final draft color templates that assemble into the 3D box
Below is an example of the directions page that explains how to assemble the 3D gift box.
There are 4 writing sections in this 3D box, and each section has an area for a small illustration. The writing topics are:
A Gift For My Class (Think of something thoughtful and kind that you can do to help your classmates or teacher.)
A Gift For My Family (Think of something thoughtful and kind that you can do to help your parents or siblings.)
A Gift For My Community (Think of something thoughtful and kind that you can do to help your community, or someone who is less fortune in your community.)
A Gift For The World (Think of something thoughtful and kind
that you can do to help the environment or children in other countries.)
Below is an example of the first draft worksheets.
Below is an example of the final draft worksheets. There are 4 sides and a top and bottom section.
I have provide a set of color templates for you to use when you assemble your example that you show to your students. This will save you time in having to color your 3D gift box yourself.
Winter Wreaths Creative Writing Templates
Click on the BUY NOW button below to purchase this downloadable teacher resource: Winter Wreaths Creative Writing Templates
$2.50
This "Winter Wreath Creative Writing Templates Set" is a complete story writing, or poetry, set. Students start off using their first draft, and at the end, they complete their wreath shaped final drafts.
Once you cut out these templates along the thick black lines, you will have unique wreath shaped story, or poetry, writing worksheets which measure 12 inches in width and 10 inches in height (not including the bow).
This set contains the following components:
first draft writing worksheet
two final draft black and white templates that assemble into the shape of a wreath
two final draft color templates that assemble into the shape of a wreath
color and black and white bows for the bottom of the wreath
Below is an example of the final draft wreath templates. There are two worksheets that are glued together to form a wreath. Once these two sheets are glued together, cut along the solid outline circle. Then glue the bows on the wreaths so that the bows hang over the bottom of the wreath.
Reading is SNOW Much Fun! Snow Globe Sticker Chart Set
Click on the BUY NOW button below to purchase this downloadable teacher resource: Reading is SNOW Much Fun Snow Globe Sticker Chart Set
$2.99
This classroom display is from Lisa's classroom, she teaches Grade 4 in Connecticut.
"Reading is SNOW Much Fun!" is a snow globe reading sticker chart set that will motivate your students to read at home during the months of December and January. This complete set contains 20 pages of printable resources.
This "Reading is SNOW Much Fun!" sticker chart set contains the following components:
boy and girl color sticker chart templates
boy and girl black and white sticker chart templates
a 5 page matching bulletin board banner (above)
a parent letter and reading record sheet to send home in a Micosoft Word document that you can edit to meet your individual needs and requirements
8 color snow globe accent pieces for your bulletin board display
You can cut out these reading sticker charts along the thick black lines to have uniquely snow globe shaped reading sticker charts. There are separate templates to use for boys and girls.
Below: This set includes 8 colored snow globes to use as bulletin board accent pieces to help you create your eye-catching bulletin board display. Each snow globe has a different animal inside of it and a different reading slogan.
The 8 reading slogans that are written inside the snow globes are:
Owl: Be a Wise Owl and Read a Book!
Bear: It's SNOW Cool to Read!
Squirrel: Chill Out With a Good Book!
Fox: It's SNOW Secret - Reading is COOL!
Worm: Be COOL and Read a Book!
Cat: Reading Builds Your Vocabulary!
Dog: Reading Books is a Pile of Fun!
Sheep: Reading Books is SNOW Much Fun!
Below are examples of these snow globe bulletin board accent pieces.
Below is a letter that you can send home to parents that explains this home reading program, along with the worksheet for parents to sign each time their child reads at home. This parent letter is in the form of a Microsoft Word Document so that you can edit it to your own word choice.
Chill Out With A Good Book! Penguin Sticker Chart Set
Click on the BUY NOW button below to purchase this downloadable teacher resource: Chill Out With a Good Book Penguin Sticker Chart Set
$2.99
This bulletin board display is from Teresa's classroom. She teaches Grade 4 in New Jersey.
"Chill Out With a Good Book" is a penguin reading sticker chart set that will motivate your students to read at home during the months of December and January. This complete set contains 21 pages of printable resources.
This "Chill Out With a Good Book" sticker chart set contains the following components:
a black and white penguin sticker chart template
a color penguin sticker chart template
a 5 page matching bulletin board banner (above)
a parent letter and reading record sheet to send home in a Micosoft Word document that you can edit to meet your individual needs and requirements
6 color and 6 black and white penguin accent pieces for your bulletin board display
You can cut out these reading sticker charts along the thick black lines to have uniquely penguin shaped reading sticker charts. There is a color penguin sticker chart template and a black and white one for you to choose from.
Below: This set includes 6 colored penguins to use as bulletin board accent pieces to help you create your eye-catching bulletin board display. There are also 6 black and white penguin templates for you to use if you want your students to color the penguins themselves.
The 6 reading slogans that are written inside the penguins are:
Be Cool and Read a Book!
Cool Students Read Every Day!
Reading is a Cool Activity!
Readers are Cool People!
Turn the TV Off and Read a Cool Book!
Chill Out With a Cool Book!
Below are examples of two of these penguin bulletin board accent pieces.
Below is a letter that you can send home to parents that explains this home reading program, along with the worksheet for parents to sign each time their child reads at home. This parent letter is in the form of a Microsoft Word Document so that you can edit it to your own word choice.
Snow Globe S.N.O.W. Acrostic Poems
Click on the BUY NOW button below to purchase this downloadable teacher resource: Snow Globe S.N.O.W. Acrostic Poems Set
$2.50
Above is an example of a finished display of these S.N.O.W. acrostic poems from Penny's fourth grade students in Nevada.
This is a S.N.O.W. acrostic poem creative writing assignment that is set inside a snow globe template. This set comes with a five page display banner, directions sheet, first draft worksheet, and final draft templates that are separate for boy and girl students. The final draft templates are available in both color and black and white.
For the final draft, students lightly draw a picture inside their snow globe that represents their poem using color pencils. Then using a dark ink pen, they write their poem on the lines. These snow globes can be cut out along the thick black borders so that you have unique snow globe shaped acrostic poems.
Below: This classroom door display is from Teresa's classroom. She teaches Grade 4 in New Jersey.
"Wreath of Fortune" Christmas Homophones Powerpoint
Click on the BUY NOW button below to purchase this downloadable teacher resource: Wreath of Fortune Christmas Homophones Powerpoint Lesson
$3.00
There are 14 sets of question slides and 14 answer slides in this Wreath of Fortune Christmas Homophones Powerpoint Presentation, as well as a student response worksheet for students to write their answers on.
This Christmas powerpoint activity reviews the following homophones: right/write, fir/fur, heard/herd, waist/waste, dear/deer, scene/seen, road/rode/rowed, hall/haul, doe/dough, who's/whose, their/there/they're, tale/tail, weak/week, and to/too/two.
This lesson activity is set up in the same style as the popular game show Wheel of Fortune. Your students will love playing this engaging Christmas powerpoint game while they are reviewing homophones!
If you are interested in watching a video explaining my Wreath of Fortune Homophones Powerpoint Presentation, please click on the following link. This link will take you to my Winter Powerpoint page where you can see a video of this powerpoint: Click here to go to Winter Powerpoint Page and watch video.
Below is the score card worksheet that students record their answers on. Students write their answers on the outer circle. On the next circle, they write yes or no if they got the answer correct or incorrect. In the middle circle, they write their final score. The directions for filling out the score card are explained to the students in the second slide of this powerpoint presentation.
"Wreath of Fortune" Christmas Present and Past Tense Verbs
Click on the BUY NOW button below to purchase this downloadable teacher resource: Wreath of Fortune: Christmas Present and Past Tense Verbs Powerpoint Lesson
$3.00
There are 14 sets of question slides and 14 answer slides in this Wreath of Fortune Christmas Present and Past Tense Powerpoint Presentation, as well as a student response worksheet for students to write their answers on.
This Christmas powerpoint activity reviews the following present and past tense verbs: write/wrote, shakes/shook, brushes/brushed, rides/rode, carries/carried, surfs/surfed, hides/hid, sleeps/slept, sits/sat, plays/played, flies/flew, hops/hopped, go/went, and build/built.
This lesson activity is set up in the same style as the popular game show Wheel of Fortune. Your students will love playing this engaging Christmas powerpoint game while they are reviewing present and past tense verbs!
If you are interested in watching a video explaining my Wreath of Fortune Present and Past Tense Powerpoint Presentation, please click on the following link. This link will take you to my Winter Powerpoint page where you can see a video of this powerpoint: Click here to go to Winter Powerpoint Page and watch video.
Below is the score card worksheet that students record their answers on. Students write the present tense verb on the outer circle and the past tense of that verb on the next circle. Inside the number area, students write yes or no if they got the answer correct or incorrect. In the middle circle, students write their final score. The directions for filling out the score card are explained to the students in the second slide of this powerpoint presentation.
Animated Christmas Parts of Speech Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, and Adverbs Powerpoint
Click on the BUY NOW button below to purchase this downloadable teacher resource: Christmas Parts of Speech Powerpoint Lesson
$3.00
There are 15 sets of questions and answers in this Christmas Parts of Speech Powerpoint Presentation, as well as a student response worksheet for students to write their answers on. This powerpoint lesson reviews nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
This lesson activity is set up in the same style as the popular game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Your students will love playing this engaging Christmas activity while they are reviewing nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs!
If you are interested in watching a video explaining my Christmas Parts of Speech Powerpoint Presentation, please click on the following link. This link will take you to my Winter Powerpoint page where you can see a video of this powerpoint: Click here to go to Winter Powerpoint Page and watch video.
I hope that this page has given you some ideas to use for winter English teaching resources.
Click on one of the snow globes below to go to a specific category of Winter Teaching Resources:
Thank you for visiting my Winter English Teaching Resources page. I hope to see you back here at Unique Teaching Resources! Happy Holidays! Heidi
Welcome to my Winter English Teaching Resources page. Here you will find a variety of reading and creative writing activities and lessons plans to use for December, Christmas, and January. 
