How to Replace Your Regular Elementary Curriculum With Holiday-Themed Curriculum in December
After Thanksgiving, it just gets harder and harder to do homeschool lessons through the end of the year, doesn’t it? A couple of years ago, I did something new! Let me show you how to replace your regular elementary curriculum with holiday-themed curriculum this December to have a super fun and educational Christmas School!
I used the six Christmas-themed products to accomplish this. This will allow me to sneak in some low-prep and fun learning for the holiday season.
We’ll learn about Christmas traditions around the world, enjoy listening to and singing Christmas carols, explore a classic Christmas story, and delve into an Advent nature study. We’ll even do fun holiday-themed science experiments. I’ve decided that this will be our main elementary curriculum in December this year!
“This is so fun! I’m dropping all my other homeschool curricula for December and just doing the bundle products for elementary literature, Bible, science, geography, social studies, art, and music!” –Gena, homeschool mom of 8
I’ll share below how I plan to use these ecourses and ebooks as a holiday-themed curriculum replacement for our regular curriculum (except for math and handwriting and required reading for our co-op).
Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
The 6 Holiday-Themed Curriculum Resources:
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study (Techie Homeschool Mom)
- Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study (Techie Homeschool Mom)
- Homeschooling Through the Holidays: Advent (Our Journey Westward)
- Music of Christmas Course (Music in Our Homeschool)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club (Literary Adventures for Kids)
- Smart Start Science: Science Experiments for Christmas (Crafty Classroom/ Edzone)
First, I’ll tell you about each product, and then I’ll share my actual lesson plan as a download below.
Scroll to the bottom for a
free Lesson Plan download!
1. Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study
Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study is a fun online unit study from Techie Homeschool Mom. I love that these unit studies include practically everything online, so no other materials or books are needed for this holiday-themed curriculum.
- Learn about 10 countries and their Christmas traditions (Ghana, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, France, Australia, Brazil, and Russia)
- Create hands-on and digital projects
- Prepare an ethnic Christmas feast
2. Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study
Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study is also from Techie Homeschool Mom. This particular online unit study is shorter than the other one above. The kids will learn:
- The History of Christmas
- Christmas Traditions Around the World
- Your Family’s Christmas Traditions
- Spreading Christmas Cheer (service project)
Students will design a digital scrapbook page using a graphic design app.
3. Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays
Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays is a really unique ebook holiday-themed curriculum from Cindy West of NaturExplorers. It’s is just what you need to prepare your children’s hearts for Christmas!
- Christ-centered lessons with a nature study twist
- Weekly focus on various parts of the Christmas story in the four weeks leading up to Christmas.
- Low-stress curriculum! Use it once per week of Advent or every day.
- Scripture references and hymn suggestions
- Exciting nature study activities allow your children to concretely ponder upon the weekly Advent themes.
- Eight full-color notebooking pages are included!
- 35 pages
- For 1st-8th grades
The Advent themes covered are:
- Week 1: Prophecy/Hope
- Week 2: Bethlehem/Peace
- Week 3: Shepherds/Joy
- Week 4: Angels/Love
4. Music of Christmas Course
Do Year 1: Christmas Music Lessons (15 lessons) from the Music of Christmas online course to learn about Christmas carols, Christmas songs, and other Christmas music that is sure to get you and your students in the holiday spirit!
Each holiday-themed curriculum lesson will only take 15 minutes, because who has more time than that during the busy holiday season?
Music of Christmas online course
Head here to get it!
Christmas Songs and Music Included in the Course:
- White Christmas
- The Nutcracker
- Joy to the World
- O Holy Night
- Silver Bells
- Sleigh Ride
- Mary, Did You Know?
- Frosty the Snowman
- In the Bleak Midwinter
- Handel and his “Messiah”
- Amahl and the Night Visitors
- Silent Night
- Carol of the Bells
- Santa Lucia
- Epiphany/Day of the Kings
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club is a fun way to add a literature study to your December holiday-themed curriculum.
You’ll read the book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Then you’ll go on rabbit trails of discovery about Christmas, Mistletoe, Santa Claus, and more! Toss some magic dust in the air and do some hands-on projects as well.
When you’ve finished the book, you can throw a party and celebrate like the Whos in Who-ville!
6. Smart Start Science: Science Experiments for Christmas
Science Experiments for Christmas provides low-prep, hands-on experiments and activities specifically designed for K-2 students, but I’m using it for 1st-6th grade. This specific pack, “Experiments for Christmas” includes five complete experiments and follow-up activities that are sure to add a little holiday fun to your holiday-themed curriculum.
Students work their way through the scientific method using the step-by-step science journals. There are also scientific method posters (color and bw) included with this pack to help your students through research and discovery.
Each experiment includes a follow-up activity for added learning.
The experiments and challenges included are:
- Crystalized Christmas Tree
- Marshmallow Bridges
- Reindeer Races
- Moving Christmas Star
- Melting Snowman
If you’d like some science experiments that are a bit more advanced, download this free ebook here:
21 Winter Science Experiments from Home Science Tools
My Holiday-Themed Curriculum Lesson Plan uses these six ebooks and e-courses.
Scroll down to download
this lesson plan in pdf form.
In 2020, I used the above courses and ebooks 5 days a week for 3 weeks with my elementary-aged kids from November 30 – December 18. Each of these activities took 1-2 hours per day to complete, leaving us time to do our Tapestry of Grace history and literature lessons and math.
Here is a 3-week schedule Holiday-Themed Curriculum Plan with 5 lessons per week:
Week 1:
Day 1
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 7 Read Scripture and about evergreens.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Read the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Germany lesson and make heat engines (get supplies).
Day 2
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 9 Read Scripture and talk about light.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club “Reading and Vocabulary” (get journal to write in).
- Music of Christmas Course “White Christmas” lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Ghana lesson with Kente cloth project (get supplies).
Day 3
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 8 Go on cone hunt nature walk.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club: Christmas Fun Facts lesson.
- Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study: The History of Christmas lesson.
Day 4
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 9 Red & Green hunt nature walk (print note booking page).
- Smart Start Science Crystalized Christmas Tree experiment (get supplies and print note booking sheets).
- Music of Christmas Course “Nutcracker” lesson.
- Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study: Christmas Traditions Around the World lesson.
Day 5
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 13-14 Read Scripture and decide which nature walk to do next week.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club: Christmas Around the World and create Grinch Ornaments (get supplies).
- Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study: Your Family’s Christmas Traditions lesson. Start Padlet digital scrapbooking page.
Week 2:
Day 1
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 13-14 Do the nature walk that was chosen last week.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club: Who is Santa Claus lesson with reading/reciting of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
- Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study: Finish Padlet from yesterday and do Spreading Christmas Cheer lesson–choose a service activity and put it on the calendar.
Day 2
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays Work on memorizing a verse or passage from the study.
- Music of Christmas Course “Joy to the World” lesson.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Talk about the characters, setting, and plot of the book.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Sweden lesson and make paper heart baskets (get supplies).
Day 3
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays Write down and decorate a verse they’re memorizing.
- Smart Start Science Marshmallow Bridges experiment (get supplies and print note booking pages).
- Music of Christmas Course “O Holy Night” lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Japan lesson and do Japanese gift wrap (get supplies).
Day 4
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays pp. 17-18 Read Scripture and the lesson.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club What is a Tradition? lesson.
- Music of Christmas Course “Silver Bells” lesson.
Day 5
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays pp. 19 Do “Fields” nature walk.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Mexico lesson and make Mexican hot chocolate (get ingredients).
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Stocking Traditions lesson.
Week 3:
Day 1
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays Review memory verses and do Tame vs. Wild note booking page (print page).
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Mistletoe Traditions lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study The Philippines lesson and make Paper Parols (get supplies).
Day 2
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays Review memory verses and do Findings in a Field note booking page (print page).
- Smart Start Science Reindeer Races experiment (get supplies and print note booking pages).
- Music of Christmas Course “In the Bleak Midwinter” lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study France lesson and make glass Christmas balls (get supplies).
Day 3
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays pp. 22-24. Read Scripture and lesson.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Christmas Tree and Wreath Traditions lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Brazil lesson and make cardboard roll Nativity set.
Day 4
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 23. Review memory verses and make edible ornaments for outdoor birds (get supplies).
- Music of Christmas Course Handel and his “Messiah” lesson
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Australia lesson and listen to Australian Christmas carols.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Christmas Feasts lesson and make some of the Food for lunch (get ingredients).
Day 5
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 23 Review memory verses and make handmade cards with nature finds (get cardstock).
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Who was Dr. Seuss lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Russia lesson and make Pryaniki (Russian Spice Cookies) (get ingredients).
Extra (either leave these out, add to a previous day, or replace a previous lesson with these)
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 23 Review memory verses and make “simmering pots” (get ingredients).
- Smart Start Science Moving Christmas Star experiment (get supplies and print note booking pages).
- Music of Christmas Course “Carol of the Bells” lesson.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Dr. Seuss quotes lesson and watch a Grinch movie (get the movie from the library or check Netflix).
———-
If you’d like to start a week earlier and do a 4-week schedule with 4 lessons per week, see here:
Week 1:
Day 1
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 7 Read Scripture and about evergreens.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Read the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Germany lesson and make heat engines (get supplies).
Day 2
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 9 Read Scripture and talk about light.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club “Reading and Vocabulary” (get journal to write in).
- Music of Christmas Course “White Christmas” lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Ghana lesson with Kente cloth project (get supplies).
Day 3
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 8 Go on cone hunt nature walk.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club: Christmas Fun Facts lesson.
- Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study: The History of Christmas lesson.
Day 4
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 9 Red & Green hunt nature walk (print note booking page).
- Smart Start Science Crystalized Christmas Tree experiment (get supplies and print note booking sheets).
- Music of Christmas Course “Nutcracker” lesson.
- Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study: Christmas Traditions Around the World lesson.
Week 2:
Day 1
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 13-14 Read Scripture and decide which nature walk to do this week.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club: Christmas Around the World and create Grinch Ornaments (get supplies).
- Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study: Your Family’s Christmas Traditions lesson. Start Padlet digital scrapbooking page.
Day 2
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 13-14 Do the nature walk that was chosen yesterday.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club: Who is Santa Claus lesson with reading/reciting of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
- Christmas Traditions Online Unit Study: Finish Padlet from yesterday and do Spreading Christmas Cheer lesson–choose a service activity and put it on the calendar.
Day 3
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays Work on memorizing a verse or passage from the study.
- Music of Christmas Course “Joy to the World” lesson.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Talk about the characters, setting, and plot of the book.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Sweden lesson and make paper heart baskets (get supplies).
Day 4
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays Write down and decorate a verse they’re memorizing.
- Smart Start Science Marshmallow Bridges experiment (get supplies and print note booking pages).
- Music of Christmas Course “O Holy Night” lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Japan lesson and do Japanese gift wrap (get supplies).
Week 3:
Day 1
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays pp. 17-18 Read Scripture and the lesson.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club What is a Tradition? lesson.
- Music of Christmas Course “Silver Bells” lesson.
Day 2
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays pp. 19 Do “Fields” nature walk.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Mexico lesson and make Mexican hot chocolate (get ingredients).
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Stocking Traditions lesson.
Day 3
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays Review memory verses and do Tame vs. Wild note booking page (print page).
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Mistletoe Traditions lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study The Philippines lesson and make Paper Parols (get supplies).
Day 4
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays Review memory verses and do Findings in a Field note booking page (print page).
- Smart Start Science Reindeer Races experiment (get supplies and print note booking pages).
- Music of Christmas Course “In the Bleak Midwinter” lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study France lesson and make glass Christmas balls (get supplies).
Week 4:
Day 1
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays pp. 22-24. Read Scripture and lesson.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Christmas Tree and Wreath Traditions lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Brazil lesson and make cardboard roll Nativity set.
Day 2
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 23. Review memory verses and make edible ornaments for outdoor birds (get supplies).
- Music of Christmas Course Handel and his “Messiah” lesson
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Australia lesson and listen to Australian Christmas carols.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Christmas Feasts lesson and make some of the Food for lunch (get ingredients).
Day 3
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 23 Review memory verses and make handmade cards with nature finds (get cardstock).
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Who was Dr. Seuss lesson.
- Christmas Around the World Online Unit Study Russia lesson and make Pryaniki (Russian Spice Cookies) (get ingredients).
Day 4
- Advent: Nature Study Through the Holidays p. 23 Review memory verses and make “simmering pots” (get ingredients).
- Smart Start Science Moving Christmas Star experiment (get supplies and print note booking pages).
- Music of Christmas Course “Carol of the Bells” lesson.
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book Club Dr. Seuss quotes lesson and watch a Grinch movie (get the movie from the library or check Netflix).
The Supply List is included in the Lesson Plan download at the end of this post.
Turn your HOMEschooling into HOLIDAYschooling!
Download My Holiday-Themed Curriculum Lesson Plan Schedule and Supply List here:
The download includes:
- Four-week lesson plan
- Four days a week
- 16 lessons
- 1-2 hours each day
- Detailed supply list separated by week
Winter Books:
Combine this fun winter lesson with some great winter books! See the list here.
Related Posts:
- Christmas School for Alternate Homeschool Curriculum in December
- Music for Christmas School in Your Homeschool
- Homeschool Enrichment Ideas for the Christmas Season
