Christmas Lesson Plan #3
Using "Santa, Where Are You?"
One of the most exciting parts about Christmas is the arrival of Santa. For many young children, this is the biggest event of the entire year. The natural excitement and enthusiasm of looking for Santa is a great way to practice prepositions of place. "Santa, Where Are You?" looks for the jolly fellow in his sleigh, under the tree, and on the rooftop. Can you think of more places he might be?
In this lesson plan, we use the downloadable, "Santa, Where Are You?" game. There are three versions so it is easy to adapt for different ages and levels.
Stickers and stamps - Call each student by name and welcome them to class with stickers or stamps. Try to find Christmas or seasonally themed stamps or stickers.
Hello Song - Before singing, name some Christmas characters, such as Santa, elf and snowman. Decide on a gesture for each character, and then use the sing-along version of "Hello, Reindeer," from Super Simple Songs - Christmas, adding those characters to the song.
Santa, Where Are You? Song - Introducing the song first will help students conceptualize the game. Use the picture cards to introduce the places. You can use a mini card of Santa to demonstrate where he might be. Be sure to use gestures to reinforce the prepositions. Here are some suggestions, or have the kids make up their own.
Under: hold one hand out in front of you, then move the other hand under it.
In: slide one hand inside the other.
On: place one hand on the of the back of the other hand.
Need more gesture suggestions for this song? Check out this video.
Santa, Where Are You? Game - This game has three different versions, ranging from super simple to more difficult. In the first version, students are merely chanting and turning over cards trying to find Santa. The second and third versions involve using a printed die and taking turns to roll and find him. You can have students try to find Santa by color or by location, using prepositions. Is he under the tree, on the rooftop, or in the sleigh?
Download the game cards and boards and instructions for each version.
For larger classes, print out multiple sets of the game. Four to six students per board is a good number. Don't forget to laminate them so they will last all season!
Clean Up Song - Sing your favorite clean up song as you put away all of the game materials.
Activity Sheet - For more practice with prepositions of place, try activity sheet 10-3 or 10-4 from the Super Simple Songs - Christmas CD.
Fun Song - Sing your favorite active song. Try "What Do You Want For Christmas?" from Super Simple Songs 1 or "Santa's On His Way" from Super Simple Songs - Christmas. Before singing the song, review the toys with the picture cards and gestures.
Storytime - Play your favorite storytime music and read one of your favorite Christmas or Santa themed picture books.
Or, try "Where is Spot" by Eric Hill. Look for Spot inside, under, behind and in different parts of the house. It's a great way to continue practicing prepositions of place and students love the lift-the-flap format.
Stickers/Stamps - Thank your students for participating by giving them stickers or stamps!
Goodbye Song - Sing "Goodbye, Snowman". Try the sing-along version with the gestures from the start of class.