Thank you for purchasing from A Journey Through Learning. We hope that you
enjoy our unit study entitled Christmas. Getting started is easy.
First, take the time to just browse through the pages to familiarize yourself with the
layout. In this book, you will find many topics.
Each topic has a(an):
* information page
*correlating activity pages
We have also included
*games, crafts, and recipes
Information Page
Each of the topics has an information page to read to your child.
Activity Page
After the information page has been read, it is time to do the activity that is found
right after the information page. Some of these activities are more for fun while
others are more challenging. All of them will enrich your child’s understanding and
knowledge of each topic.
Games We have also included a game of Christmas Taboo, Christmas Tic-TacToe, and a Christmas Matching game for your child to enjoy!
Again, thank you for order from A Journey Through Learning. We pray that you
and your child are truly blessed!
Nancy and Paula
Copyright 2009 A Journey Through Learning
Table of Contents
History of the Gingerbread Man (study guide)
Decorate the Gingerbread Man activity (craft)
Gingerbread Men (recipe)
The History of the Advent Calendar (study guide)
Fill out a December Calendar (activity)
Advent Calendar (activity)
What are Family Traditions (study guide)
Write about your family traditions (activity)
Doing Something Special for Someone Else (activity)
The Christmas Tree (study guide)
Unscramble the Christmas Tree Words (activity)
Make an Edible Ice Cream Christmas Tree (recipe)
Santa’s Reindeer (study guide)
Santa’s Reindeer (activity)
Recipe for Making a Special Treat for Santa’s Reindeer (activity)
The Christmas Wreath (study guide)
Making a Wreath from Nature for the Birds (craft)
Who is Santa? (study guide)
Who is Santa (activity)
Can You Help Santa Find the Reindeer Maze (activity)
Your Christmas Wish List (activity)
Writing a Letter to Santa (activity)
Christmas Word Search (game)
Christmas Carols (study guide)
Christmas Carols (activity)
My Favorite Christmas Memory (activity)
Christmas Sugar Cookies (recipe)
Snowball Surprise (recipe)
Christmas Taboo (game)
Christmas Tic Tac Toe (game)
Christmas Memory Match (game)
Copyright 2009 A Journey Through Learning
Santa’s Reindeer
Reindeer live in the coldest regions of the world. Most are found in the
Arctic. A reindeer can grow as high as four feet high and weigh as much as 250
pounds. Their coat has thick water-proof fur and stiff hairs which protect them
from the blustery cold Arctic air. Large broad hooves act like snowshoes on their
feet.
The most famous reindeer that we know of today belong to Santa Claus.
We first read of them in a poem written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1823. It was
titled 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. In the poem, Santa has eight reindeer:
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, and Blitzen. Many
people do not realize that Rudolph was not in that original poem.
Rudolph, the famous reindeer with the red nose who guides Santa’s sleigh,
was not created until 1939 by children’s book author Robert L. May. He was
asked by a department store called Montgomery Wards to create a Christmas
story for a coloring book giveaway. After May created Rudolph, his brother -inlaw Johnny Marks, penned the lyrics and melody for the Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer song. Can you sing this song?
Copyright 2009 A Journey Through Learning
Can you name all of the reindeer by memory and answer the
questions? Check your answers from the Santa’s Reindeer study
guide.
How many reindeer are there?
Which reindeer has a red nose and leads the sleigh?
List 3 details about a reindeer
Copyright 2009 A Journey Through Learning
Make a special treat for Santa’s Reindeer!
Reindeer Food- A treat for Santa’s friends. Sprinkle on the lawn for the
reindeer to eat while Santa delivers his goodies. (This is safe for birds and squirrels
too)
1/4 cup dry oatmeal
1/8 cup granulated sugar
1-2 tablespoons colored sugar
Layer half of the oatmeal, followed by half of the colored sugar, the white granulated sugar,
the rest of the colored sugar, and topped with the rest of the oatmeal. Or, combine
ingredients in a mixing bowl and scoop into zippered plastic bags.
Copyright 2009 A Journey Through Learning
The Christmas Tree
One of the most common symbols of Christmas is the Christmas tree. For
centuries, families have went out searching for the perfect tree. The Fir and Spruce
are the most common tree used. Those families that do not live near woods or for
those with allergies, there are also artificial Christmas trees. These trees can last
many years, unlike real trees that have to be discarded after about a month.
The first Christmas tree is mentioned around the 12th century. People in Europe
hung Fir trees upside down marking the holiday season. Martin Luther is credited with
decorating the tree with candles in the early 16th century. Germany was the first
country to open a Christmas store. In the store, people could purchase gifts, wreaths,
trees and tradition holiday food.
In the late 1700's, German immigrants to American brought the first Christmas
tree. In America, settlers used Douglas Firs and Virginia Pines to decorate their living
rooms.
Copyright 2009 A Journey Through Learning
Unscramble the words. They are from The Christmas Tree study guide.
Unscramble
the words
ifr __________
ipen _____________
prcesu________________
nagremy _________________
arlaictifi _____________________
Copyright 2009 A Journey Through Learning
Edible Ice Cream Tree
*Ice cream or Sherbet
*Gumdrops
*Edible Glitter
1. For each one, first roll a piece of waxed paper into a cone and slip it
inside a paper party hat set upside down in a freezer-safe glass.
2. Spoon 3/4 cup of slightly softened ice cream or sherbet into the hat,
then set the glass in the freezer to harden (about 2 1/2 hours). Meanwhile,
use a rolling pin to flatten gumdrops, then cut out stars using a small
cookie cutter.
3. At serving time, invert the hats onto bowls, squeezing them gently to
release the paper and the ice cream, then peel away the paper. Let the ice
cream soften slightly, then sprinkle the trees with colored edible glitter and
top each one with a gumdrop star, using a toothpick to secure it in place if
needed.
Copyright 2009 A Journey Through Learning