Posted in Christmas Books
This will be the 3rd and final entry of my favorite Christmas books. That is not to say there won't be more ideas to go along with these books and anything new I come across in the next 6 weeks or so! 
But, the pile of my "good books" is dwindling and after I post about all the titles, I'm going to work on the goal of finding activities to go with each one. Some have plenty already, some need a little extra "touch" to make that school day special. So...onto more imporant things...BOOKS!
The Pine Tree Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs. If you are not familiar with Mrs. Higg's parables - you really should check them out! The Pumpkin Patch Parable and the Parable of the Easter Lily are 2 of my favorites for those holidays! So, when I saw this book I had to get it! This would be a lovely day to do a Christmas tree craft!
Here is one Christmas tree craft we have done in the past...using the child's handprint cut out in green, make your tree. Let the child decorate with sequins, buttons, anything you want to use for ornaments.
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The Crippled Lamb is another wonderful story by Max Lucado. The day we read this story would be a wonderful day to do any kind of sheep or lamb craft.
This is such a simple craft, but I really LOVE it! You cut out the child's handprint with black and then glue cotton on for the body. You could use wiggly eyes as well.
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Are you familiar with James Herriot's animal stories? I chose The Christmas Day Kitten book by James Herriot to do with my girls because they love our cat SO very much! I thought this might be a fun unit to do with them! Homeschool share has a complete unit, with lots of printables to go along with it as well! FUN! I found this hardback book at the used book store AFTER I had already planned to do this unit - happy day!
HERE is the homeschool share unit on this book!
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Are you familiar with the poetry of Christina Rossetti? She is a famous poet who has written lots of poems, especially for children. At the Christian school I used to teach at, the kindergartners memorized several of her poems. This book, What Can I Give Him, is based on one of her poems and is illustrated by Debi Gliori. This is one of her more well known poems that is recited a lot at Christmas time. So sweet...
This poem would be great for memorization in the month of December. It is also short enough that it would be good material for copywork for the younger crowd!
"What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him?
Give my heart."
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The Story of the Three Wise Men by Tomie DaPaola is next. I would like to find some activities built around the 3 wise men for this day.
THIS is a really pretty craft for older children...I found it and it is probably too hard for my kids, but I thought some of you with olders might enjoy it.
HERE is a wiseman coloring page.
I have seen some very cute homemade nativities made from the wooden craft balls (for the heads) and then use fabric scraps from around the house to drape over the heads of the characters. I suppose you could use different things for the bodies...but I'm really thinking about starting to collect these pieces and make one this year with the family! What a treasure that would be to have a homemade nativity that we can pull out time and time again. I would probably start this project early on...and on the days we read about certain characters, that would be the day we made that part.
HERE is one set of instructions that I have seen.
Look at THIS adorable one using the wooden craft balls for heads and little tiny terra cotta pots for the bodies! Isn't that cute?
And here is yet another one below! This one has the clothing painted on (which we will not be attempting!) I really love the look of the actual fabric for their head pieces and such. But these crowns are great! She mentions finding old christmas cards with gold on them, cutting them into the shape of a crown and then gluing on sequins and jewels!
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One Wintry Night was written by Ruth Graham Bell. This is a longer book that would definitely be a book to read through the entire month of December. I picked this one up when I found it on sale at the Christian book store recently and am excited to share it this year!
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I have read some of Angela Hunt's women's fiction, but was not aware that she had written this beautiful children's story! I have heard this story before, but had not seen this particular book. This will wonderfully tie in the reason that Jesus was born...to die for our sins.
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Mary's Treasure Box is a new book for me. I found it at the used book store and could not walk out without it. It is such a precious, sweet story of the mother of Jesus and all her treasures. I am thinking that the day we read this one, we should make treasure boxes of our own. Some of Mary's treasures are hay from the manger, wool from the shepherds, gifts from the magi. What are our treasures? I am thinking of reading the verse about Mary "pondering all these things in her heart" and talking about what things we should ponder in our hearts - like scriptures! I may type up the verse we are memorizing at this point to be a treasure in our box. I think we will talk about worldy treasure and storing up treasures for ourselves in heaven.
I may also do a cut/paste craft using pictures of Mary's treasure to glue on a piece of paper for the kids to remember. After we read the story, I could give them all the pictures and see if they can remember what Mary's treasure was and why it was a treasure.
Also, HERE is a beautiful craft that was entered for Dawn's homemade gifts list a few days ago. I'm not sure which day I would do it, but I really love the Mary one a lot! I also love the angels! Maybe we could do the angels for our homemade nativity...or on the days that we read the stories about the angels!
Aren't these just beautiful?
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