Active Learning
- Presents
- Christmas writing
- Comparing letters to Santa
- Perfect presents
Letter writing and gift giving
English Reception
This unit is part of
Reception English Christmas and Winter Traditions
Creating and Thinking Critically
- Story sequencing
- Letter to Santa
- Reading comprehension
- The final present!
Exploring and Playing
- Small world
- Singing songs
- Christmas decorations
- How many objects?
Books to Share
- Enjoy sharing Dear Santa and Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present.
- Watch and read The Christmas Present on screen. Is this story like Dear Santa? How? Is the boy’s choice of present a good one?
- Re-watch The Christmas Present. Join in with the repeated phrases. Why aren’t the various suggestions quite right? Do they make us laugh?
- Continue to share Christmas/winter festival stories and information books.
Poetry/Rhyme of the Week: The Reindeer Hokey Cokey (see resources)
Introduce on Monday (send a copy home). Enjoy during the week with actions and reindeer hats!
You Will Need
Essential texts
Dear Santa by Rod Campbell; Harvey Slumfenburger's Christmas Present by John Burningham
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
Animated Tale: The Christmas Present from Hamilton Trust
Resources
A1/roll of paper
Christmas songs
Musical instruments and CD player/laptop
Salt dough and Christmas-shaped cutters
Christmas objects (baubles, bows, decorations)