Winter Holiday Resources
Math
Geometric Paper OrnamentsThese Christmas balls are so pretty and lightweight! They are also big enough to decorate larger rooms. Making them is easy – the only thing that takes some time is folding up the circles. We have provided printable templates to make your job easier.
http://krokotak.com/2012/11/paper-balls/ |
Koch SnowflakesA shape that has an infinite perimeter but finite area.
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World Languages
Paper Snowflakes - GermanMake beautiful paper snowflakes, but the instructions are all in German!
http://maedchenkram3583.blogspot.com/2011/11/diy-papier-schneeflocke.html |
Christmas Around the WorldFind out how Holiday and Christmas traditions are celebrated all over the world!
http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/ |
English
Learning Guide to A Christmas Carol - MovieWebsite provides movie worksheets, discussion questions, helpful and relevant background information and more pertaining the A Christmas Carol.
http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/christmas-carol.html |
Original Manuscript - A Christmas CarolExamine high resolution images of Dickens’s manuscript to see additions and deletions he made to “A Christmas Carol.” Really very cool!
http://documents.nytimes.com/looking-over-the-shoulder-of-charles-dickens-the-man-who-wrote-of-a-christmas-carol#p=1 |
Is Greed Good?In this lesson, students consider the traits and actions of greedy characters in Dickens stories and other literature, drawing parallels to current events. They then write a newspaper-style profile of one character.
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/greed-is-good/ |
Gift of the Magi VocabularyStudents will complete vocabulary activities that will require them to define, use, and apply the words. This will help them incorporate the words into their personal vocabularies and improve their reading comprehension skills.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/gift-magi-vocabulary-activities |
Science
Geminid Meteor Shower - Dec 13-15The peak nights of the 2015 Geminid meteor shower are expected to be on December 13-14 (night of December 13 till dawn December 14) and 14-15 (night of December 14 till dawn December 15). Geminid meteors tend to be few and far between at early evening, but intensify in number as evening deepens into late night. The waxing crescent moon will set at early evening, leaving dark skies for this year’s Geminid meteor shower. Geminid meteors are bright!
http://earthsky.org/space/everything-you-need-to-know-geminid-meteor-shower |
The Science of Hockey |
The Physics and Other Science Behind Winter Olympic SportsWhat is the science behind the sports in the Winter Olympics? In this lesson, students explore how two laws of physics are involved in the sports of aerial skiing and figure skating. Then, through demonstrations, science videos and articles, they learn about the physics concepts connected to other Winter Olympic sports.
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/getting-physical-the-physics-and-other-science-behind-winter-olympic-sports/?_r=0 |
Hibernation-Migration FascinationA comparison of two different types of hibernation – those of bears and marmots. A comparison of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park east side lowland grizzlies and highland grizzlies. This is a compare and contrast exercise, and a homework assignment to design a game about grizzly bears and hibernation.
http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/winter-theme-grades9-12.html |
How to Make Artificial SnowMaking snow is very easy and can be used for all sorts of projects, even to decorate with during the holidays. With just a few ingredients that can be found at your local craft store or garden center, you can have your own snow in just a matter of minutes. This snow actually looks and feels very similar to the real thing, so you can get quite creative in the ways you decide to use it.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5421914_make-snow-science-project.html |
Ping Pong AvalanchesScientists are pretty good at predicting the paths of thunderstorms, hurricanes, and even lava flow from erupting volcanoes. But the path of a deadly snow avalanche is a lot harder to predict. In this Science Update, you'll hear how ping-pong balls may help change that.
http://sciencenetlinks.com/science-news/science-updates/ping-pong-avalanches/ |
Social Studies
Religious Holidays Around the WorldA quick glimpse at a calendar is one way to see how religiously diverse the United States has become.This year, December, a month that encompasses the Christian and Jewish celebrations of Christmas and Hanukkah, includes spiritually significant days for Muslims, Buddhists, Pagans and Zoroastrians.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/02/december-religious-holidays_n_1126507.html |
Christmas Around the WorldFind out how Holiday and Christmas traditions are celebrated all over the world!
http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/ |
How Hanukkah Became a Major HolidayDiscover how Hanukkah, traditionally a minor Jewish festival, evolved into "the Jewish Christmas."
http://primary.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/history_lesson/1998/12/christmas_for_jews.html |