MENC Forums

sarahp · 2009-11-05 11:28:10

Hi guys!

I am looking for some creaive holdiay unit ideas for my 6, 7, and 8th grade GM classes for the month of December. Last year, I did the nutcracker with my 6th graders. I also did a holiday parody type of thing, where the students learned about parodies and rewrote lyrics to some holiday tunes. I'm looking for a larger themed unit for my 8th and 7th graders more specifically and was curious to know what other people did.

Thanks in advance for all your great input!!

MsJoyce · 2009-11-07 18:08:29

The Nutcracker is great. Do it every year in the same grade or perhaps every 3rd year with all the 6/7/8th grade classes. I often used it in January with younger students.

One year (using "Music Connection" textbooks) I did a unit on opera in the fall. I saved "Amahl and the Night Visitors" for December. When I played the Shepherds' Chorus for them a well liked 8th grade leader suggested they sing it for the program! Now I would never have asked a GM class to attempt this. (SATB) But they did!!

Another program that worked very well for me several times was to have the students write a one page paper about their own holiday family traditions. It helps you to know where your students are coming from and often gives you new material. Parents or grandparents were often honored to share songs, costumes, even food.

Have fun, be creative, but keep in mind what works at one school, or under one pricipal, or just one year at the same school, might not work again the same way

Maria · 2009-11-08 14:48:14

One year I used an article from the Mini Page (children's info page that comes on the back of the comics with my local newspaper) about the history behind holiday carols/songs. They answered questions about it then we had a discussion about which songs they know, categories of songs (Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter) and when we hear them. You could get some such basic info online; there are sites which provide historical background on songs.

I let them sing or listen to some of the more familiar songs. I printed the words to four songs front and back and used them for several classes. If they didn't want to sing they could just follow along. It's amazing how little my students knew about familiar holiday songs. I had some students try to tell me that winter songs (Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells, Let it Snow) were Christmas songs. I showed them the words to Sleigh Ride and we listened to the song together, pointing out the jingle bells, whip (giddy up), wood block (horse's clip-clop) etc. Those are winter elements!

They really enjoyed some Gospel Christmas songs found on a Cedermont Kids CD with a similar title - the arrangements are excellent and kids perform the songs. Some of my students enjoyed creating their own arrangement with a tambourine and some bongo drums. If you have some students willing to step up and be creative there can be excellent results. (Times like this mention to your principal what the class will be doing and invite him/her to stop in. The kids will be enthralled to perform for him/her; it also makes you look good.)

I definitely second "Ahmal and the Night Visitors" if your kids are allowed to watch videos in school (mine are not - they get it constantly at home). You might prepare them for it by discussing the basic story behind Christmas. Have them take notes during the movie - pause it and give them a minute - on what they see, the mood and what kind of music they would expect to hear.

Talk to your classroom teachers and ask if if you could build off of something they are teaching. Ex. "Ahmal and the Night Visitors" would be great to add if they are studying about the middle east.

In 5th grade I had them study holiday songs in another language. One year there was a student whose family was German; she taught the class to sing "Oh Christmas Tree" in German. Getting kids to be the teacher is fabulous - sometimes they can bring in a family member to help show and tell, which is a win-win.

Last edited by Maria (2009-11-08 14:58:11)

sarahp · 2009-11-19 20:10:58

Thanks for your suggestions guys!! Maria, i especially liked where you were going with the history of the holiday tunes idea... I'm not too familiar with much of this history myself, and will have to look into it. My wheels are starting to turn with some ideas.... perhaps having the class break up into groups and pick a traditional holiday tune, be it winter, hanukah, or christmas themed, and then present the background to the class?? hmmm... thanks for getting me started!!

Any other thoughts out there in MENC land??

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#1 2009-11-05 11:28:10

Holiday middle school GM units

#2 2009-11-07 18:08:29

Re: Holiday middle school GM units

#3 2009-11-08 14:48:14

Re: Holiday middle school GM units

#4 2009-11-19 20:10:58

Re: Holiday middle school GM units

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