Christmas Holiday Activity: Creative Writing Winter Project, Holiday Traditions

Bring fun, engagement, and holiday cheer to your English classroom with this exciting holiday writing project. Designed to make the last few days before winter break both enjoyable and educational, this project provides all the necessary resources for a seamless week of teaching. During this writing project, students craft a vignette about one holiday tradition that they practice in their family or in their culture. Each step of this project is designed to support students through the writing process.

More about this project...

During the final 2-3 days before winter break, students work on a creative writing project where they first learn about the vignette writing style, complete a series of literary device review activities, and then apply their learning of both the vignette writing form and literary devices to craft a holiday-themed vignette. All of these activities are completed using the included slideshow & print-out note-taking guide/ brainstorm graphic organizer. The final writing piece can be completed by hand (included in the printout packet) or can be completed as a final draft digitally (digital doc. also included). The day before winter break, I have students voluntarily share their vignettes with the class. We bring our favorite holiday cookies and snacks to eat while we listen to each student's performance. I love this activity because I am always pleasantly surprised by how many students want to share their vignettes and by how beautifully their pieces turn out. I love that students enjoy the creativity involved in this activity. Plus, students of different cultures are provided the opportunity to share their traditions with the class in a meaningful way. The note-taking guide during this project is for printable use only. The final draft of the vignettes can be printed or completed digitally. An efficient grading rubric is included to streamline the grading process for you. :) Also included is a student feedback form for students to provide meaningful feedback to the students who share their writing with the class.

Overview of lessons: 

Day 1: Build background about vignettes + literary devices using the guided slideshow

Day 2: Complete brainstorm activities and craft holiday vignette.

Day 3: Make final revisions & edits, complete a partner activity, and share vignette presentations.

Products were made using Google Slides & Google Docs. Compatible with Google Classroom. All products are editable to fit your classroom needs.

Included:

• 36-page slideshow that teaches vignette writing, literary devices, practice activities, and writing instruction.
• Note-taking guide to accompany slideshow with reflective questions and practice activities.
• Vignette brainstorming Doc. to support students with structuring and outlining their vignette
• Digital and printable final draft Doc. where students write their final draft.
• Grading rubric for a seamless grading experience.
• Student feedback forms for students to fill out during presentations.
• Teacher Key for note-taking guide activity