I awoke this morning (way too early) to the joyful sounds of five children climbing into my bed. They were enthusiastic, they were gleeful and they were ready to begin their day. I suspected that they were ready to conquer the world but I was wrong. What they were actually ready to do is give me (for at least the tenth time) their Christmas wish lists. Even the 18 month old twins got in on the act. Somehow they managed to circle a remote control robot car (I suspect with the significant help of let’s say. . .and older brother!).
So why not harness all that ‘present’ focused energy and give some holiday writing assignments? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Christmas Wish List
Go ahead. Have your kids write out their wish list for Christmas. They’re dying to do it anyways. Only this time ask them to alphabetize it. If your kids are accustomed to getting a little something from Santa Claus–turn the assignment into a letter to the jolly guy. You can even tell them they have to convince him they’ve been nice and not naughty!
Family Letter
Does your family send out a letter every year to let everyone know the new news? Consider having your budding authors write the Christmas letter. One year, my niece wrote the Christmas letter from the perspective of the family dog.
Season’s Greetings in Prose
Why not have your kids write poems about Christmas? If you’re really brave, challenge them to write something like The Night Before Christmas–an entire story in poem. They’ll enjoy the challenge and you’ll likely all be laughing before the writing is over.
Joyeux Noel!
How do other countries say Merry Christmas? Have your kids write out their Season’s Greetings in several different languages.
Christmas Story/Mad Lib
Out of all the things that we do in our house, Mad Libs are by far the favorite. First, have your kids write out a story. If you need to give them a picture or a prompt to get them going. Then take out all the nouns, or verbs or adjectives (or all three depending on your kids). Have your kids exchange mad libs with one another. You’ll all be laughing hysterically before you’re finished.
Related Articles:
Tips for Teaching Penmanship–Part 1
Tips for Teaching Penmanship–part 2
The Family Journal and Writing