View some of our guides available for different parts of the year!
Fall Lessons and Activities
![Back to School Read Aloud Activities Back to School Read Aloud Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/elem/b2s-read-aloud.png)
![Black Cat Black Cat Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/hs-short/black-cat.png)
![The Cask of Amontillado The Cask of Amontillado Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/hs-short/amontillado.png)
![The House of Usher The House of Usher Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/hs-short/usher.png)
![Get to Know Storyboard That Activities A classroom of students sit at desks with their laptops open. Their teacher has Storyboard That projected on the whiteboard.](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ela-articles/get-to-know-snippet.png)
![Graveyard Book Graveyard Book Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/graveyard.png)
![Halloween Activities for Your Classroom Halloween Activities for Your Classroom](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/resources/halloween.png)
![Great Plains Indigenous Peoples Great Plains Indigenous Peoples](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/great-plains-snippet.png)
![Forms of Government Lesson Plans Forms of Government Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/forms-of-government.png)
![Masque of the Red Death Masque of the Red Death Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/hs-short/masque.png)
![Pilgrims Lesson Plans Pilgrims Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/pilgrims-snippet.png)
![The Pit and the Pendulum The Pit and the Pendulum Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/hs-short/pit.png)
![The Purloined Letter The Purloined Letter Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/hs-short/letter.png)
![The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/poems/raven.png)
![The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi Activities The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/red-bandanna.png)
![Seventh Grade Seventh Grade Summary & Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-short/seventh.png)
![The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/hs-short/tell-tale.png)
![Thanksgiving Holiday Activities Thanksgiving Holiday Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/resources/thanksgiving.png)
![Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes Activities Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/elem/towers-falling.png)
![United States Elections Election Process in US](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/elections-snippet.png)
Winter Lessons and Activities
![Ancient China Activities Ancient China Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/ancient-china-snippet.png)
![Black History Month Black History Month](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/black-history-month-snippet-highres.png)
![Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/poems/brown-girl-dreaming-snippet.png)
![A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/scrooge.png)
![The Civil Rights Movement Civil Rights Movement](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/civil-rights-snippet.png)
![George Washington Biography George Washington Biography](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ig/george-washington.png)
![Gift of the Magi Gift of the Magi Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-short/magi.png)
![Ser Estar Lesson Plans Civil War Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/history-of-the-civil-war.png)
![MLK's I Have a Dream Speech MLK's I Have a Dream Speech](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/mlk.png)
![Letter from a Birmingham Jail Letter from a Birmingham Jail Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/birmingham.png)
![Mr. Popper's Penguins Mr. Popper's Penguins Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/elem/penguins.png)
![Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Activities Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/douglass.png)
![Poppleton in Winter Poppleton in Winter Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/elem/poppleton-in-winter.png)
![Abraham Lincoln Biography Abraham Lincoln Biography](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ig/abraham-lincoln.png)
![Setting Goals Setting Goals Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/health/goals.png)
![United States Elections Election Process in US](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/elections-snippet.png)
![Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Lesson Plan](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/poems/snowy-woods.png)
![Those Winter Sunday Activites Those Winter Sundays Summary & Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/poems/winter-sundays.png)
![Flight to Freedom Lesson Plans Underground Railroad](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/elem/underground-railroad.png)
![Valentine's Day Lesson Plans Valentine's Day Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/blog/cupid.png)
![Winter Holidays Winter Holidays Example](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/resources/tree.png)
![Women by Alice Walker Women by Alice Walker Lesson Plan](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/poems/women.png)
Spring Lessons and Activities
![A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park Activities A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/a-single-shard.png)
![Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/al-capone-does-my-shirts.png)
![Moon Phases Lesson Plans Moon Phases Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/science/moon.png)
![Earth Day Earth Day Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/resources/earth-day.png)
![Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai Activities Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/inside-out-and-back-again.png)
![Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata Activities Kira Kira by Cynthia Kadohata Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/kira-kira.png)
![The Last Cherry Blossom by Kathleen Burkinshaw Activities Yuriko from The Last Cherry Blossom sits beneath a cherry tree. Its blooms are pink.](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/the-last-cherry-blossom.png)
![Mother's Day Mother's Day Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/resources/mom.png)
![Rules by Cynthia Lord Activities Rules by Cynthia Lord Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/elem/rules.png)
![Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Elizabeth Coerr Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Elizabeth Coerr](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/sadako.png)
![Hamlet Play Lesson Plans Hamlet Summary and Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/shakespeare/hamlet.png)
![Earth Structure Earth Structure Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/science/earth-structure.png)
![Sylvia and Aki by Winifred Conkling Activities A Japanese American girl and a Mexican American girl hold dolls that look like them. They stand in a farmhouse bedroom.](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/sylvia-and-aki.png)
![Gobal Warming Greenhouse Gases Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/science/greenhouse-effect.png)
![When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller Activities A little girl looks in shock at a tiger that stands in front of her.](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/elem/when-you-trap-a-tiger.png)
Summer Lessons and Activities
![Henry Mudge Lesson Plans American Revolution Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/the-american-revolution.png)
![Mixed Up Files Lesson Plans Bridge to Terabithia Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/elem/bridge-to-terabithia.png)
![Common Sense Lesson Plans Common Sense Monarchs](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/monarchs.png)
![The Declaration Lesson Plans & Activities The Declaration Lesson Plans & Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/declaration-authors.png)
![Father's Day Father's Day Activities](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/resources/dad.png)
![Get to Know Storyboard That Activities A classroom of students sit at desks with their laptops open. Their teacher has Storyboard That projected on the whiteboard.](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ela-articles/get-to-know-snippet.png)
![Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/glory-be-snippet.png)
![Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/lilys-crossing-snippet.png)
![A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/ms-novel/long-walk-water.png)
![Revolutionary War Lesson Plans Revolutionary War Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/history/revolutionary-war-snippet.png)
![Shiloh Shiloh Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/elem/shiloh.png)
![App Smashing Lesson Plans Weather Climate Lesson Plans](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/site-images/content-snippet-images/science/weather-climate.png)
How To Organize A Classroom Gift Exchange For The Holiday Season
Decide on the Type of Gift Exchange
There are various types of gift exchanges, including Secret Santa, White Elephant, or simply exchanging gifts with a random classmate. Choose the one that works best for your classroom and students.
Establish Guidelines
Once you've decided on the type of gift exchange, establish guidelines to ensure the process is fair and appropriate for all students. Consider setting a spending limit, requiring all gifts to be school appropriate, and setting a specific date and time for the exchange.
Determine Participation
Not all students may want to participate in a gift exchange, so make sure to offer an alternative activity for those who do not wish to participate. Additionally, consider whether participation will be mandatory or optional.
Assign Partners
For Secret Santa or random gift exchanges, use a random pairing system to assign partners. For White Elephant, determine the order of gift selection and opening.
Set the Date and Time
Choose a date and time that works best for your students and schedule the gift exchange during class time.
Decorate and Prepare
Decorate the classroom with holiday-themed decorations and prepare a designated area for the gift exchange. Consider providing wrapping paper, tape, and scissors for students who want to wrap their gifts.
Exchange Gifts
On the day of the gift exchange, remind students of the guidelines and have them exchange gifts. Encourage students to be gracious and appreciative of their gifts.
Celebrate
After the gift exchange, celebrate with a class party or holiday-themed activity to continue the festive atmosphere.
Looking for more? Check out other seasonal ideas!
Frequently Asked Questions about Holiday & Seasonal Activities
What kinds of activities can I do with my students during the fall season?
You can read and discuss classic short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, such as "The Black Cat," "The Cask of Amontillado," and "The Fall of the House of Usher." Additionally, you can create storyboards and graphic organizers to help students visualize the themes, characters, and plot elements of these stories. You can also read "Towers Falling" by Jewell Parker Rhodes, which explores the events of 9/11, and discuss the importance of elections.
What are some winter-themed lessons and activities I can use in my classroom?
You can teach your students about ancient China and Chinese New Year, as well as Valentine's Day activities. Additionally, you can explore the presidency of Abraham Lincoln and read "Mr. Popper's Penguins." You can also read "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry and participate in Black History Month activities, and many more!
What spring-themed lessons and activities can I incorporate into my curriculum?
You can read and discuss "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park and "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko. Additionally, you can teach your students about the Earth and Moon, participate in Earth Day activities, and read "Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai and "The Last Cherry Blossom" by Kathleen Burkinshaw. You can also incorporate Mother's Day activities and read "Rules" by Cynthia Lord.
What are some summer-themed lessons and activities that my students will enjoy?
You can use an American Revolution teacher guide and read "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson, "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine, and "The Declaration of Independence: A Primary Source Analysis." You can also introduce your students to Storyboard That and participate in Father's Day activities. Additionally, you can read "Lily's Crossing" by Patricia Reilly Giff.
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