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Laughing All the Way Secondary Christmas Blog Hop

I have a quotation hanging in my living room that says, “A laugh is a smile that bursts.” So, when I started thinking about this blog hop and what to share, that message came to mind.  What does it take to bring on a smile this holiday season… and one that is so genuine and joyful that it bursts into a full-blown laugh? I guess that answer really depends on the person, but I think joy comes in many forms and fashions. In this blog hop, Lauralee Moss and I and several other secondary bloggers want to bring as many smiles to your face — and the people around you — as possible… whatever form or fashion those might be. Below I’m sharing ways that I try to bring those smiles to others’ faces at Christmas!

1) On Sundays I am blessed to teach the 5 and 6 year olds at kids’ church.  For the past few years, we have put on a little Christmas play with them. It’s not anything too big, but the kids enjoy singing and dancing. It’s never easy prompting 20 kids (Who am I kidding? It’s like herding cats!) into performing for a live audience, but they always seem to pull it off… minus a few wondering sheep or a couple of fighting cows! The parents and grandparents love it, and last year one person even accepted Christ! Wish me luck this year… I am tackling “The Night Before Christmas” rewritten to tell the Bible story of Jesus’s birth!

2) Keeping the Christmas story at the center of everything I do at this time of year is really important to me, because the meaning of the season is about the one and only gift that can bring true joy – JESUS. Below I’m teaching my kids’ church kiddos from the Christmas Bible unit I wrote to share the true meaning with them. 

 Christmas Bible Unit Preschool

Christmas Bible NO PREP Lessons for December -Stories, Col

3) In the hustle and bustle of everything Christmas, it’s so easy to forget the most simple joys.  There’s just something about Christmas lights that bring a smile to a child’s face — and mine, too, if I’m being honest! We always try to squeeze in a trip to see a display of lights with my two nieces.  A couple years ago, we visited the beautiful Rock City in Chattanooga.  My two nieces were captivated with the lights the entire time, and they got to visit with Santa and write him a letter! 

4) Getting a laugh out of a teenager – in class, especially – is no easy task. However, they can’t resist a chuckle at a couple of Christmas movie classics. Each year, I find time for at least one Christmas movie after state testing. My absolute favorite Christmas movie is Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Included with this FREE movie guide is a real-world service project to send letters and toys to a children’s hospital.  For the older kids, I also love the movie Christmas with the Kranks based on Grisham’s novel Skipping Christmas. To get clearance to show these Christmas comedies, I’ve whipped up easy movie viewing guides! You can get them by clicking on the links below. 

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Christmas Movie Viewing Gu
Christmas Charles Dickens's Essay Nonfiction Lesson & Pair

5) Last, but not least, is the joy of giving. Teenagers aren’t necessarily going to go seeking out opportunities to give back to others – at Christmas or anytime of the year for that matter. They just aren’t wired that way. However, I’ve found that with some gentle nudging and with their own planning, they do eventually buy in to the idea of giving back.  One way I foster that spirit and experience in my English classroom is through texts that lead to real-world service projects.  Operation Christmas Child is one project that I’ve participated in since I was a child, so it’s close to my heart. Several years ago, I developed a poetry and nonfiction lesson that ties in with OCC, and it really teaches students to look beyond their own world – literally.  It brings so much joy to their lives and the lives of many other children around the world. 

Follow the blog hop below to laugh your way through the holiday season! And… a couple of reminders: Enter to win the gift cards below and shop TpT’s Cyber Sale Nov 28-29!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up

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Filed Under: Christmas blog hop, kids' christmas play, Secondary Blog Hop, secondary Christmas teaching ideas, Uncategorized 14 Comments

Comments

  1. Ashley Million Bible says

    November 27, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    I love seeing how you can switch from high school mode to little bitty mode with your church lessons. It warms my heart to see you put your teacher talents to work in other areas of your life. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Julie says

      November 27, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      Hi Ashley!
      It's for certain a major switch…. but those little hugs every Sunday morning and Wednesday night are so amazing – and worth it! Thanks for joining us!
      ~Julie

      Reply
  2. Mrs. Spangler in the Middle says

    November 27, 2016 at 9:52 pm

    I have been "nudging" teens to participate in Operation Christmas Child for years too! It's so important to help kids see beyond themselves and this is a prefect way to do that! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Julie says

      November 27, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      Hi Mrs. Spangler,
      I do think it takes something to get the kids realizing why it matters, and I've always found that a text will do that! I hope you get a chance to do OCC with your kids soon!
      ~Julie

      Reply
  3. OCBeachTeacher says

    November 28, 2016 at 1:45 am

    Oh, it is still fun to see Christmas lights! I love driving through our community and seeing all of the decorated houses. I wonder if there is a classroom activity that could be related to the experience? You've got me thinking!

    Reply
    • Jfaulkner says

      December 6, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      Yes, Kim! I totally agree… so many ideas! Thanks for stopping by!
      ~Julie

      Reply
  4. Lauralee Moss says

    November 29, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    Those little kids are so fortunate to have your teaching them! I'm sure it is quite the switch – high schoolers to kindergarteners.

    Reply
    • Jfaulkner says

      December 6, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      I do it for the hugs!! xoxo

      Reply
  5. Lyndsey says

    November 30, 2016 at 12:25 am

    I agree that it's so fun to see kids' expressions and excitement at Christmas time! I also am thrilled to see your movie viewing guides. They're just what I need!

    Lyndsey

    Reply
    • Jfaulkner says

      December 6, 2016 at 4:19 pm

      Hi Lyndsey! I'm glad you'll be able to use the guides… I've reworked all of them to include a service project to make them even more meaningful! Thanks for stopping by!
      ~Julie

      Reply
  6. Secondary Sara says

    November 30, 2016 at 3:16 am

    Your resources look awesome. I love the different nonfiction opportunities you create for teens. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jfaulkner says

      December 6, 2016 at 4:20 pm

      Hi Sara!
      I think I can get much more buy-in from students if it's real. Teenagers hate to feel duped, and nonfiction bridges the gap! Thanks for stopping by!
      ~Julie

      Reply
  7. Amanda Cardenas MudandInkTpT says

    December 6, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    Julie!
    I've never even thought about showing and discussing Home Alone 2! What a great idea – I love this freebie and I'm totally using it our last few days before break. Just reading your post makes me think of how FUN your classroom must be: your energy and passion are palpable!

    ~Amanda

    Reply
    • Jfaulkner says

      December 6, 2016 at 4:21 pm

      Hi Amanda!
      That's so funny… I love HA:2 so much I couldn't not think of a way to use it!!! Thanks for the sweet compliment and for stopping by!
      ~Julie

      Reply

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