Teaching Tips: How you and your students can make Christmas merrier
The story of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, teaches us the true meaning of humility, faith, and love. Christmas season is that special time of the year when grudges are healed by forgiveness, when hopelessness is chased away by compassion, and when the whole world is filled with love.
Teaching the values of Christmas to students is easy --- young Filipinos are passionate, they treasure their families and friends, and they have kind hearts willing to give joy and happiness to the people around them. Together, you and your students can spread cheers to everyone and make Christmas a more meaningful and more memorable season.
Plan and organize classroom activities that will involve your students and even their parents. Simple classroom activities, like Christmas card giving, Christmas decorating, and Christmas plays, need not be expensive. Keep in mind that Christmas is all about what comes from the heart and not what comes from the coin bank!
Here are some activities which you and your students can do to make Christmas merrier!
Christmas coupons
Instead of buying gifts for your classroom “monito, monita”, why not create Christmas coupons for random acts of kindness? Students can exchange Christmas coupons which shall entitle them simple acts of kindness from their classmates.
Here are some examples of Christmas coupons:
This Christmas Coupon is good for:
- One hour Math tutorial
- One webpage about our friendship
- Free hug
- One day help in house chores
- One free homecooked meal
- One day help in homework
Christmas buddy sharing
Make Christmas not only a season of giving gifts but also a time for making friends. Help your students get to know each other, share stories about themselves, and give friendly advice to each other. Decorate your classroom Christmas corner with notes and letters --- confessions, request for help, notes of encouragement and advice, letter of apology, sharing of personal experiences, or greeting cards. This activity can also help you evaluate your students and discover their weaknesses, strengths, difficulties, and personality. Plus, students also get a chance to strengthen their bonds as classmates and earn more friends this Christmas. After all, isn’t true friendship the best gift anyone can give to someone?
Christmas caroling with a twist!
Christmas caroling is part of the Filipino Christmas tradition but who says you need to be old-fashioned too? Make those Christmas carols come alive by adding more beats and dance moves! Use recycled materials for your instruments and dance to the music.
Plus, instead of receiving monetary donations, collect newspapers, plastic bottles, and other recyclable materials from your audience. Sell these items to the recycling center and save the funds for your other Christmas activities. By doing this, you and your students will also help save the earth! You can also collect old clothes, toys, and other goods which you can donate to orphanages or calamity-stricken areas.
Pay it forward
Want to show appreciation for all the blessings you’ve received this year? Pay it forward! Give from your heart and spread the love! Coordinate with your students’ parents and visit an orphanage or a disaster-stricken area in your province. Aside from basic necessities, what orphans and afflicted families need the most is hope and care. Spend time with them. Your students can read books or paint with the kids while parents can teach families simple livelihood activities. Students can also prepare a short Christmas skit or musical to educate and entertain the children. You and your students can also visit the hospitals or depressed areas in your community. No need to spend on gifts! Just put on your sweetest smile and show them you care.
In celebrating Christmas with your students, families, and friends, let us ponder on W.T Ellis’ line “It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air." May we fill our hearts with the true spirit of Christmas and spread the Christmas joy not only this season but throughout the year.
For more Christmas activities for the classroom, click on the links below:
(Published 10 December 2007, Smart Schools Program)
