Santa's mysterious and fascinating presence can be quite the motivator for good behavior in kids this time of year. Embrace 
the cultural tradition of Santa Claus, but use the following lesson plans to give Santa and his reindeer more of a kick in your classroom this holiday season!
1. Before kids can craft a letter to Santa, they need to decide what they want. Use this What I Want for Christmas in Five Paragraphs writing lesson plan with your kids, differentiating as needed for skill level.
2. Once kids have decided what they want, have them write final drafts of their letters on the Free Letter to Santa template.
3. Have some fun with younger kids by making this free Santa Paper Bag Puppet Printable or this Christmas Activity Placemat.
4. Don't forget Santa's reindeer! Pass out the materials for this Reindeer Race Craft and Game for an afternoon of fun in your classroom and print out this Writer's Workshop Reindeer Puppet and Mini Book for some independent creative learning.
Here's a free template for a Letter to Santa to use during writers' workshop. Children will be thrilled to write a letter to Santa. Knowing the children's family traditions is important. Referring to the Family Tree (which can be completed at the beginning of the year) can help determine the students able to do this assignment.
One option is to have a variety of activities available to choose from, including the Santa Letter. Such as Top 5 Hanukkah Activities or the Winter Writers' Workshop Book. You can also ask children who celebrate Hanukkah to bring a dreidel game.
Materials:
Instructions:
Modeling/Teacher Example
Explain that they will be writing a letter to Santa. Show the students your own letter to Santa. What do you want Santa to know? What do you want for Christmas? Write each step on the white board. Explain how they should let you know that they are ready to have you proofread, so they can trace over in pen. (e.g. Get out a silent reading book and read quietly, so you can rotate through the room.)
Steps 1 and 2 - Pre-writing and Drafting
Start with a web. Make each line a paragraph. Write a draft with pencil under the web. Explain that during the brainstorming stage, you don't need to worry about spelling. Start writing the draft under the web.
Step 3 - Revising
Make any necessary changes to the paragraphs and sentences. Would you like to change a sentence or paragraph? What details would you like to add?
Start writing the finished version on the Santa Letter template using pencil.
Step 4 - Proofreading
Teacher shows students how to proofread using the word wall, words on board, dictionary and buddy feedback. Make any changes.
Hand out dictionaries, or if your students have the Words Writing series of books, they may enjoy adding to the list of words in the differentiated, personal dictionary.
Here's a list of words to write on the board during the teacher modeling (explained above). Add more words as students discover the correct spelling. It can be helpful to have students go up to the board and write the words on the board from the dictionary to share with the class.
- Santa Claus
- Christmas
- reindeer
- sleigh
- chimney
- presents
Step 5 - Publishing
- Trace over the pencil with black pen.
- Staple to a red, green or blue piece of construction paper and post on the classroom bulletin board or take home to share with parents before sending the letter to Santa.
