Week Before Holiday Writing Ideas

Before your pants are covered in green glitter and your classroom floor is littered with candy cane wrappers, make sure those writing skills you taught during that one unit in that one month are not forgotten! I’ve thought up some fun writing activities for the week before the holidays, plus key terms you can bring up during the super fun activities as well!

Narrative Writing

Keywords: dialogue, characters, setting, conflict, precise descriptions

Create a 5 minute paper slide video reenacting a scene from a favorite holiday movie using cell phones (How to Make Paper Slide Videos)
Mash up two holiday stories (what would happen if Frosty the Snowman met Rudolph?)
Write a holiday song/rap, listen to the classic version of Jingle Bells to get inspiration to change the words but keep the rhythm
Write a story from the point of view of famous holiday character
Keep a small moment journal over the break and make a Prezi to share when you get back

Information Writing

Keywords: introduction, main idea, key words, supporting paragraphs, linking words, conclusion)

Create a 5 minute paper slide video explaining a popular holiday tradition, use History.com holiday videos as examples
Create a presentation with 5 traditions your family has over the holidays
Research how certain holiday traditions began and present findings (for example why do people drink eggnog during the holiday season?!?)
Write a recipe for a holiday food your family has every year
Design your own Christmas card using other cards for inspiration

Persuasive Writing

Keywords: claim, purpose, audience, main idea, supporting details, evidence

Write a persuasive letter convincing Santa/parent to get an extravagant present for the class
Convince a skeptic why Santa is real
Write a letter to the editor convincing people Christmas is too commercialized
Write a speech convincing the owner of a toy shop why you would be the best person to take over someday
Convince your the principal to let the class watch your favorite Christmas movie the last day before school gets out for break

Click the image below to gain access to an awesome, engaging inquiry unit to teach before break!

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