Can you believe December is almost here? I’m not one to put up my Christmas tree until after Thanksgiving, but I’m totally feeling the spirit already.
I have a lot of mixed emotions when it comes to the day after Thanksgiving. That’s when our elf, Lovey, comes out to play. I have a confession to make…
- I’m exhausted.
- I don’t want to stay up late every night making sure Lovey is in a new spot.
- I feel ashamed that he doesn’t look as magical as some of the pins on Pinterest.
The most overwhelming feeling is……elation.There’s nothing like the sparkle in children’s eyes when they stare in wonder at the little fella. It’s really spectacular. Last year, Santa sent us Peppermint. I had to find ways to connect him to our standards. It’s moments like this when I realize I’m not the only teacher trying to justify his presence (see what I did there ;D).
An easy and simple way to incorporate your elf into your lessons is to make him the topic of your writing prompts! This is a fun and festive way to get your students writing (or check out some Elf on the Shelf STEM ideas here).
Here are some easy writing ideas to connect your elf to your standards:
1. Ask their personal opinion about the elf.
Ask students whether or not they like the elf. Do they think the elf is funny or naughty? Is the elf helpful or hurtful? These questions can be insightful for telling you about whether or not the student likes the elf or is afraid of the elf.
I recommend starting opinion writing about the elf as soon as you introduce it. This is because it’ll give your students a voice and allow you to understand where the elf will be welcomed or unwelcomed in the classroom.
2. Write about a time you saw an elf.
Use this writing prompt to get more insight into their thoughts and how they perceive the elf. What did the elf look like? What were they doing? Were they happy? Excited? Nervous?
This prompt is a great way to get your students to explore self-expression by writing about their experiences and feelings. This prompt can also remind your students of a magical time, and who wouldn’t love that? Seeing the elf is often a reminder to little ones that Christmas is coming and can bring them joy and excitement.
3. Write to teach someone about what elves do.
Discuss together what an Elf’s job is. What does he do? Why does he visit the classroom? What is his goal? After talking about it together to get them on the right track, have your students explain it on paper.
Doing this will allow them to expand on the knowledge they have and put it in a way that helps someone else understand. Articulating their thoughts is a valuable skill when it comes to writing.
4. What do elves do all day? What do they do after work?
Get their creativity flowing with this prompt! Tell your students to imagine what elves do all day. What is the North Pole like, and what the elves do when they get home from a long day of work?
Do they relax and play elf games, read books, sip hot cocoa, hang out with Santa? Let your student’s imaginations run free as they write what an elf’s downtime looks like.
5. Explain why the elves are an essential part of Santa’s team.
What do the elves help Santa do? Do they have different jobs throughout the year? Would Santa be able to do his job without them?
Get your students to elaborate on why Santa needs elves. This is a great way to get them thinking about why working together as a team is so essential! You can expand on this by getting your students to also discuss or write about a time they worked together as a team to accomplish a goal.
I created an Elf calendar with a journal to make it even easier. In addition to that, I’ve added 6 STEM challenges so that I’m not stuck making props every single day!
Check out my yearlong STEM activities bundle here.
I hope these writing ideas are helpful for you and your kiddos!
Make it a great day, Sarah
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