Active Learning
- Christmas cards
- The Jolly Christmas Postman
- Sending cards
- Family traditions
Winter greetings
English Reception
This unit is part of
Reception English Christmas and Winter Traditions
Creating and Thinking Critically
- Matching game
- Card writing
- Christmas Books
- Jokes
Exploring and Playing
- Role play
- Lanterns and music
- Maths
- Play dough decorations
Books to Share
- Read the first part of The Jolly Christmas Postman. What characters do we recognise from other stories? List and read their names.
- Read the first part of Christmas in Exeter Street. What signs of Christmas can you spot? Cards on the mantelpiece, wreath on door, presents, balloons, stockings, etc.
- Continue reading Christmas on Exeter Street. Can you count all the guests? Phew! What would it have been like in the house? Fun, noisy, squashed.
- Share reading any other Christmas stories of your choice (see suggestions on Block overview).
Poetry/Rhyme of the Week: Jingle Bells (see resources)
Introduce on Monday (send a copy home). Perform as part of a class carol-singing excursion.
You Will Need
Essential texts
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet & Allan Ahlberg; Christmas in Exeter Street by Diana Hendry and John Lawrence
Desirable texts
Father Christmas Needs a Wee by Nicholas Allan; Mog’s Christmas by Judith Kerr; A Letter To Father Christmas by Rose Impey; Father Christmas and The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
Websites
Hanukkah Quiz from bbc.co.uk/cbeebies
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa from youtube.com
Celebrating Eid from bbc.co.uk/cbeebies
Resources
A selection of christmas cards
Pre-stamped and addressed envelopes
Christmas objects (baubles, bows, decorations)
Salt dough
Dough/biscuit cutters
A3 heavy paper or card