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Homeschooling Through The Holidays: A Christmas Tree Study For Kids


Enjoy these beautiful, simple and no stress activities as you are homeschooling through the holidays. Our Christmas Tree Study for kids includes not only nature study but a nature craft, Christmas hymn and composer study and an art lesson with Nana too!

This Christmas Tree Study for kids includes art lessons, online resources, craft activities and more. Everything you need for the holidays.

The Reality Of Holiday Homeschooling

When we are homeschooling through the holidays, we can change things up, take our time, incorporate favorite traditions and make lovely memories together as a family. Many families choose to set aside this time for Christmas School. These weeks can lead up to and create a special focus on the birth of Christ.

Just how? You can choose read alouds that point to Jesus and do hands on art lessons to draw your way through the Christmas story. Pick a nature study hunt for red and green and study a traditional hymn about the reason for the season. We always like to make Nana’s Christmas cookies! Have a sweet tea time. Watch Christmas movies!

Another way to homeschool through the holidays is with this special event around a Christmas tree study!

This Christmas Tree Study for kids includes art lessons, online resources, craft activities and more. Everything you need for the holidays.

A Christmas Tree for the Animals Event: Here’s How to Be Ready

  • When: LIVE premiere Wednesday, November 16th at noon ET
  • Where: Right here on this page!
  • How: Sign up to participate via the form, below
  • Can’t attend live? No worries! Sign up and you will have access to the replay of the event

Sign Up To Attend Live or for Replay

Get access to attend live and to enjoy the replay of the event – Plus accompanying resources

    What’s Included in Christmas Tree For the Animals Event?

    When the event is live, you will enjoy (you will also have access to the replay):

    • Decorating an Outdoor Christmas Tree for the Animals with Amy Law of Homeschool Nature Study
    • Christmas Craft for Your Outdoor Tree with Victoria Vels of Homeschool Nature Study
    • Christmas Tree for the Animals Art Lesson with Nana of You ARE an ARTiST

    You will also have access to:

    What Supplies are Needed?

    For your art time with Nana, you will just need a very few suggested supplies, below:

    • a starter set of chalk pastels (Our favorites are here)
    • construction paper (Nana suggests white construction paper for this lesson)
    • baby wipes or damp paper towel for easy clean up

    Details on supplies for the craft portion included with sign up.

    This Christmas Tree Study for kids includes art lessons, online resources, craft activities and more. Everything you need for the holidays.

    Christmas Tree Animals Study

    It is so much fun to decorate an outdoor tree just for the animals! For even more animals studies, you can also enjoy an art lesson on forest animals and birds – here at You ARE an ARTiST and a nature study at Homeschool Nature Study.

    Here are some ideas for your Christmas Tree Animals study with an art and nature focus:

    This Christmas Tree Study for kids includes art lessons, online resources, craft activities and more. Everything you need for the holidays.

    Christmas Tree Nature Study

    Trees are a delight to study any time of year! Enjoy these additional ideas for a tree nature study or for winter nature study you can easily do indoors or outdoors.

    Paint a winter frosty leaf in chalk pastels with Nana!

    Nana’s Frosty Leaf is part of the Winter art lessons series in the You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse. Suggested supplies: dark blue construction paper, starter set of chalk pastels and slightly damp paper towel or baby wipes for easy clean up.

    Red and Green Outdoor Hour Challenge – this is a fun way to notice red and green in nature. Get started with these ideas.

    This Christmas Tree Study for kids includes art lessons, online resources, craft activities and more. Everything you need for the holidays.

    In Homeschool Nature Study membership, you can also find a study of the Hemlock Tree in the Autumn course and Evergreens in My Yard study and journal page in the Trees course. Each season includes a new tree study.

    FREE Winter Sample of Homeschool Nature Study Membership – with simple ways to study nature this winter, taking a ‘using your senses’ walk, studying animals in winter, taking a first day of winter walk and more!

    Christmas Craft Activities For Kids

    Besides your fun homeschool nature craft that Victoria will lead you in this event, you might also enjoy these hands-on activities for Christmas

    • Nature Crafts course – Victoria leads you in a brand new nature craft each month at Homeschool Nature Study. As you head into winter, you might especially love creating an ice craft!
    • Nana’s course, The Gift of Art, is perfect for allowing your kids to make gifts for others on a dime. Nana shares easy ideas for kids of all ages to make a gift to give that they will be proud of. Letting your children handmake a gift for someone is affordable and allows them to express their creativity. Not only that, your kids can gift items that showcase their artistic progress. 
    • Christmas Tree Art Lessons – Nana has several FUN Christmas tree art lessons and so much more!

    Additional Resources For Christmas In Your Homeschool

    Continue your lovely Christmas school with even more resources to create memories this year.

    • Christmas Book to Movie Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love! by Erin – Check out this festive list of Christmas books made into movies – with homeschool activities your kids will love! Now your kids can re-create their favorite book characters and movie scenes with chalk pastels! Like Kevin from Home Alone, the Grinch and more!
    • A Merry Christmas Hymns Study for Your Homeschool – Whether you homeschool as normal through December, add in Christmas activities, or trade all your homeschool curriculum for ‘Christmas School,’ a Christmas hymns study can be an enjoyable part of your school day. It is a beautiful opportunity for the family to learn and worship together.

    You might also like these beautiful topics:

    This Christmas Tree Study for kids includes art lessons, online resources, craft activities and more. Everything you need for the holidays.

    Where to Find Nana, Tricia, Victoria, Amy, Dawn and Stef

    We have loved this Christmas Tree Study for kids! We invite you to connect with us and find even more lovely homeschooling through the holidays ideas.

    Share on Social Media!

    We can’t wait to see your art, craft, or your nature or hymn studies! Be sure to tag us on Instagram @chalkpastelart and @outdoorhourchallenge

    As Courtney shared in her Biblical homeschool post, “we hope that this gives you lots of inspiration for your Christmas school plans this year! Remember, you don’t have to do it all this year. Advent is all about preparing our hearts and dwelling in His perfect peace. Christmas school is an opportunity not only for creativity and education but for making lasting memories together.”

    Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Your Best Homeschool and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of sister sites Homeschool Nature Study and The Curriculum Choice.

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    Christmas Book To Movie Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love

    Check out this festive list of Christmas books made into movies – with homeschool activities your kids will love! Now your kids can re-create their favorite book characters and movie scenes with chalk pastels!

    Christmas Book To Movie Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love: Check out this festive list of Christmas books made into movies, and now your kids can re-create them with chalk pastels! #Christmas #Christmasart #Christmaschalkpastels #Christmasbooktomovie #Christmashomeschool #chalkpastels #Christmashomeschoolactivities

    Are you looking for Joyful Christmas Activities For Your Homeschool? We love slowing down during the holidays and taking part in all that the Christmas season has to offer. That doesn’t mean being busy with activities.

    Although, that may work for you and your family. I like to slow down, read lots of holiday books, watch loads of Christmas movies, and drink lots of hot cocoa!

    Christmas Book To Movie Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love


    Christmas Homeschooling


    I want to build warm Christmas memories of coziness, love, and maybe twinkle lights for my children. This doesn’t mean that we are not still learning! On the contrary, we are learning all the time! But during Christmas homeschooling, that learning shifts to incorporate the holidays. Christmastime is when we pause some of our more traditional schoolings to favor more relaxed and festive pursuits.

    More baking and handicrafts are happening around the holidays. We learn about the holidays around the world as well as learning about Christmas music and the composers!

    Then there are the Festive Christmas Chalk Pastel Art Lessons like The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol! But we especially love art lessons that incorporate our favorite Christmas book to movie creations!

    Christmas Book To Movie Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love


    Christmas Book to Movie: Activities For The Grinch

    You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch!

    I have read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” every year on Christmas Eve, and we love watching the original cartoon too. It’s a tradition that started when my son was just a little fella. Now my son and daughter enjoy this read aloud along with the cartoon, AND Nana’s How to Draw The Grinch in Chalk Pastels!

    Christmas Book To Movie Homeschool Activities for The Grinch


    A Polar Express Lesson For Your Homeschool

    Last year we enjoyed a new Christmas book to movie with the Polar Express! Afterward, we created an Artist Express chalk pastel teatime that even my husband enjoyed! This is a beautiful book and film that is now loved by the whole family!

    Christmas Book To Movie Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love


    Charlie Brown Christmas For A Little Christmas Learning

    Did you know you can incorporate Charlie Brown Christmas Homeschool Art and Music Activities into your Christmas homeschool? Who doesn’t love Charlie Brown and Snoopy!

    Did you know my son had a blanket just like Linus until he was around nine years old? That’s when it finally fell apart in the wash.

    Christmas Homeschooling ideas


    Christmas Book to Movie: Home Alone Lesson for Your Homeschool

    Nana has a NEW Home Alone movie art lesson! My kids love Kevin McCallister in the first two Home Alone movies, so you can imagine their excitement when we learned Nana has a Lost in New York lesson!

    Home Alone Christmas Book To Movie Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love

    With our Home Alone art lesson, we also incorporated Nana’s art lesson on the composer John Williams. Did you know that John Williams has composed some of the most popular and recognizable film scores in cinematic history?

    • Jaws
    • Star Wars
    • E.T.
    • Home Alone
    • Jurrasic Park
    • Harry Potter
    • Superman
    • and many more!

    Nana has Composers video art lessons exclusive to You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Members!

    John Williams Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love

    You ARE AN Artist Clubhouse Membership

    With the You ARE An Artist Complete Clubhouse Membership, you’ll have exclusive access to the You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Literature Video Art Lessons as well as a full index of all of Nana’s Chalk Pastels at the Movies lessons? And let’s not forget ALL of the Christmas-themed art lessons too!

    Literature Video Art Lessons

    Chalk Pastels at the Movies Lessons

    Christmas Video Art Lessons

    • Christmas Star
    • Away in a Manger
    • Christmas Tree
    • Winter Fun
    • Christmas Ornaments
    • Gingerbread Man and Holly Leaf
    • Christmas Angel
    • What’s Under Your Christmas Tree?
    • Christmas Lights

    Plus, so much more! Find an over of all of Nana’s Christmas lessons in the Ultimate List of Christmas Art Lessons. And enjoy them all now by joining the You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse!

    Christmas Book To Movie Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love

    Christmas Book to Movie Homeschool Activities

    With Nana’s chalk pastel video art lessons, we can enjoy the simplicity and beauty of Christmas art with just a starter set of chalk pastels and a pack of construction paper. Make the table festive with lights, tinsel, and your children’s favorite beverage. Invite your children to partake in a feast for the eyes, ears, and hearts with these lovely chalk pastel art lessons for book and movie lovers alike.

    Christmas Homeschool Activities Your Kids Will Love

    Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. Her blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

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    If You Take a Mouse to the Movies Hands-On Homeschool Activities

    When the nights turn chilly and darker, there are fewer places to go outdoors as a family. We usually see the return of “Family Movie Night” on Fridays in the fall and winter as a result. Our family loves watching movies based on books. Add a few hands-on homeschool activities, and everyone is ready for both learning and fun.

    But whether you actually watch a movie or not after reading If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, the book itself is a delightful read for the little ones. 

    The boys were excited to revisit this old favorite and bring their mouse stuffed animals along for a chalk pastel lesson. 

    Add these hands-on homeschool activities with a fun look at If You Take A Mouse To The Movies. Pictures books and homeschooling together.

    All About If You Take A Mouse To The Movies

    If You Take a Mouse to the Movies is a sequel to If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. And if you haven’t read that book, stop right now and go get a copy! It makes this second book even more enjoyable because you and your child will recognize the familiar pattern of the story. 

    We love this sweet tale of a little mouse who is easily distracted from one thing to the next. If this isn’t a picture of all parents everywhere with their toddlers and preschoolers, then I don’t know what is. 

    So many fun activities! Add these hands-on homeschool activities with a fun look at If You Take A Mouse To The Movies. Pictures books and homeschooling together.

    Even older readers enjoy the hilarious “cause and effect” sequence as the pages turn. From the movies to popcorn, from popcorn to decorating the tree, from the tree to a snowman, the story unfolds just how quickly one thing leads to another. 

    All along the way, Mouse brings so much joy and energy to each endeavor that you, along with his friend, can’t help but indulge him “just this once” in his next idea!

    Truly, as a parent this book always speaks to me about the serendipitous moments of life with kids, enjoying each experience, and greeting the day with more of an “open-hand” so you can just soak up the joy of being together. 

    The illustrations are a delight as well! You can feel the coziness of the huge blanket, sense the flurry of snow, and understand the glitterful creativity of making ornaments. 

    The best part of the story is at the end. Of course! I don’t want to give it away, but, let’s just say, the author does a great job of bringing things to a satisfying final page. 

    Definitely the If You Give… series is a wonderful reading choices for kids and makes a great gift to give any small child or new parent. 

    String popcorn with If You Take A Mouse to the Movies!

    If You Take A Mouse To The Movies Homeschool Lesson

    In our homeschool, a book is never just a book. It’s nearly always a jumping off point for more! This book is no different. You can have SO much fun with the themes of If You Take a Mouse to the Movies!

    Start with a collection of Nana’s chalk pastel lessons to explore the fun activities the Mouse enjoyed in the book.

    hands-on homeschool activities If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
    hands-on homeschool activities
    hands-on homeschool activities

    Plan a movie night with your kids and set up a popcorn bar. You’ll need a great illustration to feature at your popcorn station so have your kids draw Movie Theater Popcorn from You ARE an ARTiST’s Chalk Pastels at the Movies series. 

    hands-on homeschool activities
    hands-on homeschool activities

    In the book, Mouse decorates a tree. Kids can decorate their own tree with Nana when they paint Christmas Tree in the Snow. Or paint some Christmas Ornaments. I love how Nana encourages kids to decorate the tree and their ornaments to their liking. She always demonstrates how to create the painting but leaves so much creative room for young artists to make it their own. 

    My oldest added the snowman to his Christmas Tree painting. We also completed the Winter Fun Snowman lesson and the boys enjoyed adding a few of their own sledding details to the scene. 

    While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night hymn art lesson at You ARE an ARTiST
    hands-on homeschool activities with Christmas hymn art lessons

    Need a warm up? Grab a blanket and listen to some Christmas carols. Then pick one of the Christmas carol chalk pastel lessons from the Hymns course to paint. While Shepherds Watched Their Flock by Night or We Three Kings are good choices. For older students, try I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, which has delightful details. 

    The Christmas Angel or Gingerbread Man and Holly would also be great choices to go along with this book (and the original If You Give a Mouse a Cookie book!). 

    Don’t forget to enjoy all that popcorn you popped! Just try not to get too distracted, like Mouse! 

    Wonderful art display of hands on homeschool activities
    hands-on homeschool activities to go with a book study on If You Take a Mouse to the Movies

    More Picture Book Hands-On Homeschool Activities

    I can’t ever get enough of pairing books with our other lessons. If you’re like me, you’ll want to follow this Mouse mini-lesson up with some of these hands-on homeschool activities: 

    Little House on the Prairie Christmas – Several of the Little House books include Christmas scenes give a delightful peek into the world of pioneers and homesteaders from decades ago. Choose one of the books, or simply read a few of the Christmas chapters before painting this chalk pastel lesson. 

    Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening – While this is actually a poem, not a story, several picture book versions have been made that help kids enjoy the visuals behind Robert Frost’s quintessential winter poem. 

    Favorite Movies Homeschool Art Lessons – There are so many Chalk Pastels at the Movies options including this one with How to Train Your Dragon.

    The Chronicles of Narnia – The first book people usually read from this series is The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, which is set during an eternal winter. Kids will enjoy painting the Lamp Post lesson from Nana to ago along with this classic novel. 

    Heidi – Set in the Alps, Heidi feels like a cozy winter or Christmas read, don’t you agree? Paint those majestically rising mountains as you tend the goats with little Heidi in the pages of her story. 

    hands-on homeschool activities

    Nana has created a whole course to celebrate art and literature with hands-on homeschool activities! If you’re a Clubhouse Member at You ARE an ARTiST, check out the I Drew It Then I Knew It Literature series includes nearly twenty literature-themed art lessons. Plus, you can download the companion workbook which includes a planner, writing or discussion prompts, and fast facts for each book or poem! What a gem to add to your literature lesson planning!

    If you have a favorite literature book, maybe you could share it with Nana. You never know when you’ll see your favorite title pop up as a new chalk pastel lesson!

    So… if I give my kids some chalk, they’ll draw some pictures… and if they draw some pictures…there’s no telling where their imagination will lead them. Truly, one thing does lead to another when it comes to exploring with art and picture books! 

    Add these hands-on homeschool activities with a fun look at If You Take A Mouse To The Movies. Pictures books and homeschooling together.

    Julie is a teacher, writer and homeschool mom. Her blog Happy Strong Home shares encouragement for cherishing children, enjoying motherhood, and growing strong families. Discover homeschool resources, natural living tips, and family activity ideas. Julie has been featured on Million Praying Moms, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and the Melissa and Doug blog. She offers writing workshops and a “homeschool neighborhood” community to support parents in their homeschool adventures. Find Julie on Instagram to be the first to know when new workshops and community events are available. 

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    A Merry Christmas Hymns Study For Your Homeschool

    Christmas hymns study can be an enjoyable part of your Christmas School homeschool day. A beautiful opportunity for the family to learn and worship together.

    Whether you homeschool as normal through December, add in Christmas activities, or trade all your homeschool curriculum for ‘Christmas School,’ a Christmas hymns study can be an enjoyable part of your school day. It is a beautiful opportunity for the family to learn and worship together.

    The Joy Of Christmas Hymns

    Our family enjoys hymn studies year-round, but Christmas is my favorite. I love the joy and peace that flow from Christmas hymns and find they are a great way to bring the season’s joy into our homeschool.

    Some of my favorite Christmas memories involve singing Christmas carols at church on Christmas Eve, at home with hot cocoa, even while decorating the tree. The music of Christmas seems to be present in almost all of our Christmas traditions.

    Christmas Hymns Lessons For Your Homeschool

    Typically, our family studies one hymn per month, spending time a few mornings a week listening and learning about the hymn. However, I can never pick just one Christmas hymns study, so we often cover a different Christmas carol each week the month of December.

    Christmas School

    We listen, sing, create art projects, do copy work, and even learn to play the hymns on instruments (that is, my children learn to play because I do not have musical gifting). Sometimes combining it all into a unit study and enjoying learning about the birth of Christ through these activities.

    *If you are new to hymn study or homeschool art lessons, I want to take a minute to remind you that you do not need to be a music teacher (or an art teacher) to enjoy these lessons as a family. Do not worry about your musical skills or artistic abilities. Just enjoy learning together as a family.*

    Angels announce Messiah's birth!  Christmas hymn study can be an enjoyable part of your Christmas School homeschool day. A beautiful opportunity for the family to learn and worship together.

    The Messiah (For Unto Us A Child Is Born)

    “For unto us a Child is born,
    unto us, a Son is given,”

    For Unto Us A Child is Born is a beautiful song from Handel’s The Messiah.  Nana has created two lessons in the Christmas Clubhouse Course that relate to Handel’s Messiah. There is a lovely picture of the nativity and a fun trumpet painting to represent the angels. As the “cherry on top” of this hymn study, Clubhouse members also have a special music appreciation lesson on the Messiah with Mrs. Mary at SQUILT music. You can find it in the master classes or the Christmas Clubhouse lessons.

    While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night Hymn Study for Your Homeschool

    While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night was written by Nahum Tate in 1700. This song was a metrical paraphrase of Luke’s account of the angels visiting the shepherds. Metrical paraphrase was paraphrasing scripture to not add or delete from the content of the scripture but allow it to be poetic for singing. During that time period, most songs sung in church were from Psalms, and people considered this song unusual because it came from Luke.

    “1But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

    Luke 2:10-11 NIV

    The lyrics were based on Luke chapter 2, the Biblical account of the angels visiting the shepherds to tell of the Savior’s birth. The paraphrasing gives the song a poetic form and allows it to flow while staying true to the scripture.

    As we study this hymn, there are many beautiful versions that you can listen to and are available for free online. We particularly enjoyed the performance by Andrew Peterson.

    While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks is an excellent opportunity to spend time studying Luke Chapter 2, possibly even using it as copy work or your scripture memory for the week.

    While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks at Night hymn study for homeschool. Perfect for Christmas school!

    While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks Homeschool Art Lesson

    Next, it is time to add art to your hymn study! Nana has created this beautiful chalk pastel painting of the shepherds, the perfect accompaniment to the hymn. We love how the bright colors of the star stand out on the darker background.

    This lesson is available to Clubhouse Members in the Christmas Clubhouse art course. Once you have completed the picture, you can hang it up in your home or give it away as a gift to someone that needs a little joy this Christmas.

    While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night Hymn Study Resources

    Christmas Tea Time with I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day hymn study.

    I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day Art Lesson for Homeschool


    Nana has created a stunning snowy village scene to go along with I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day! You can pair that lesson from the hymns course in the clubhouse membership with this free hymn study: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

    Also, this post about Christmas tea times has excellent ideas on turning this lesson into a memorable family tea time. You might even start a new family tradition! This is definitely one of my favorite chalk pastel lessons.

    Christmas School


    We Three Kings Of Orient Are for Christmas School

    The hymns course also includes a beautiful painting of the three wise men on their camels for We Three Kings. The sunset colors in this painting are gorgeous, and the camels are so much fun for the children. This hymn is great for Christmas time or even after Christmas for Three Kings Day. We find that often the week or two after Christmas is a great time for additional lessons because fewer events and obligations are vying for our time.

    Homeschooling Through The Christmas Season

    I couldn’t share about Christmas hymns study without mentioning my favorite Christmas carol, Away in a Manger.   There is a great art lesson included in the Christmas Art Lesson course, and the lyrics are simple enough for even young children to learn.

    Another favorite lesson is the beautiful Christmas Star Lesson, which our family paired with the hymn Silent Night.

    In addition to all of these beautiful hymn studies, there are some other incredible Christmas art lessons available.

    There is a Christmas Ornament lesson, which makes a beautiful Christmas card for friends and family.  There are also Christmas Trees, Gingerbread Men, and more. The classes are such a fun way to celebrate Christmas and enjoy your art time together.

    Holiday Hymns art lessons for Thanksgiving, Christmas and more!

    Dawn is a passionate follower of Jesus, wife to Chris, and homeschool mom of four. In her spare time she loves to read, hike, and write on her blog Schoolin’ Swag. She enjoys reviewing curriculum and helping moms find the right fit for their family.

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    Charlie Brown Christmas Homeschool Art and Music Activities

    Charlie Brown Christmas Homeschool Art and Music! Enjoy the music of Vince Guaraldi and art in the style of Peanuts. Enjoy a very special replay of an event with Ms. Mary of SQUILT Live! and Nana of You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse! Music and art are a beautiful combination.

    Nana says, “I can still hear the strains of Vince Guaraldi’s music from Linus and Lucy and the spectacular Charlie Brown Christmas event we were a part of! The word “FUN” doesn’t even touch what this time meant! We were entertained and educated about jazz music, we counted beats, listened to bass instruments…all thanks to the wonderful Ms. Mary of SQUILT Music.”

    Charlie Brown and his gang of carolers were a glorious way to start off the Christmas season! Each one of the familiar carolers were in the style of Charles Shultz, and we drew and painted bright colored coats, the venerable dog, Snoopy, a glowing Christmas tree and a star-sparkling sky…what fun!! It was a joy to teach today! Tricia and I hope that you all felt the same way, and we so appreciate you sharing this special holiday time with all of us!”

    Charlie Brown Christmas: A Holiday Classic

    Charlie Brown Christmas - "…for unto you…is born a Savior…And that's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."
    “…for unto you…is born a Savior…And that’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”

    Is it a tradition to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas in your home each holiday season? The wonderful music by Vince Guaraldi and the fun story line. Our favorite part is Linus’ that’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown speech.

    Charlie Brown Christmas Art Activities

    Did you know that Nana and Ms. Mary both live in Georgia and are practically neighbors? What fun that Nana, Mary and Tricia could plan such a special Charlie Brown Christmas event for you!​ Christmas Time is Here!

    The following supplies are suggested for this art lesson:

    Charlie Brown Christmas Homeschool Art Activities with fun ideas for your Christmas school. A holiday tradition and everyone's favorite classic movie!

    1. Download this lesson packet from SQUILT for the event. 2. Dark colored construction paper (black or dark blue preferred).
    3. Chalk Pastels (Our favorites here) Suggested: – baby wipes or a couple dampened paper towels for easy clean up.

    Nana’s Special Challenge for Charlie Brown Christmas


    Hello, hello artist friends from Nana! As you can see I am wrapped up in woolen scarves and a coat. What in the world is Nana doing? There I am, SINGING my heart out, looking a bit like one of artist Charles Schulz’s kids singing Christmas carols. Yes, I am VERY much older than that mischievous Lucy, but here I am, my head thrown back and singing!
    ​Now, your job, as “Christmas Time is Here” is to put on your coat, gloves, hat and pretend that you are singing with the Peanuts gang! Then share a photo with us and TAG us here at You ARE An ARTiST! Tag @chalkpastelart on Instagram, use the hashtag #ChristmasTimeIsHere or email us a photo of YOU singing! Why? To celebrate our special Christmas Time is Here free event for all! Nana is joining Ms. Mary of @squiltmusic.
    Because we know that YOU ARE AN ARTIST! See you soon! ❤️Nana
    Please be sure to share with your friends!
    Love,

    Nana and Tricia

    Nana of You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse singing in the style of Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown Christmas Homeschool Art Activities with fun ideas for your Christmas school. A holiday tradition and everyone's favorite classic movie!

    More Christmas Themed Learning Resources for Your Homeschool


    During the replay of a Charlie Brown Christmas, Nana mentions all that she will be sharing in the Christmas Clubhouse! She is sharing lessons for every day from now through the new year, including:

    • Christmas trees to holly
    • Polar Express to The Grinch
    • a map to Bethlehem
    • hymns We Three Kings and I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
    • Nutcracker
    • The Messiah – Angels announce Messiah’s birth and For Unto Us a Child is Born (with special lessons from Ms. Mary)

    These and SO much more! Leading right into January’s Literature Art Adventure with Nana!! All in the Complete Clubhouse with Nana!

    Enjoy these fabulous ideas for your Thanksgiving and Christmas homeschool! 

    Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Hodgepodge and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of The Curriculum Choice.

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    A Biblical Christmas Homeschool Lesson In 4 Simple Steps

    Christmas School

    If you haven’t heard of Christmas school yet, let me fill you in, dear friend! Christmas homeschooling can happen anywhere between now and the new year. You can get festive with your homeschool plans, get educational, lean into Advent, or create a lovely combination of things. My absolute favorite part of Christmas schooling is the time spent preparing our hearts for Christ with our families.

    If that isn’t a homeschool perk, I don’t know what is!

    Many of you may be planning for Advent, and what I will share with you today would be the perfect addition to your plans. If you don’t have any specific Christmas schooling plans, you will love these ideas to homeschool through the holiday season too.

    Either way, we have got some excellent resources to add to your Christmas school plans today. The best part is that these Christmas school plans can be done anytime and require little planning on your part. Because keeping it simple surely helps around the holidays.

    What Exactly Is Biblical Christmas Homeschool?

    Christmas schooling is whatever you want it to be! Right? We are homeschoolers, and we love the freedom to customize our lessons and homeschool days.

    But in short, Christmas homesschooling allows us to focus on the real reason for the season. And you can do that in so many ways. We will give many resources to choose from and help you customize your perfect Christmas school day, week, or month.

    Christmas homeschooling is also unique in that you might want to plan with the whole family in mind. Learning about Christ’s birth, reading Bible stories, and spending time together is perfect for the entire family. So remember to plan family-style when Christmas schooling. You may even want to add dad or the grandparents in on some of these excellent projects. Including the whole family is a wonderful way to make memories and get lots of great photos ops too!

    Christmas School

    Planning Your Ideal Christmas Homeschool Lessons In Just 4 Steps

    Step 1: Decide when you would like to block out your Christmas school time.

    You may want to plan one epic day of Christmas activities in your homeschool. Or you may want to add little snippets all month long. I have done it both ways, and I am here to tell you that your kids will love it either way. No pressure, plan what you can. It’s supposed to be fun!

    Christmas School

    Step 2: Decide what you will include.

    For us, that’s an easy one. Art! Every homeschool lesson is more fun with art. But I also want to include some educational aspects too, of course. It’s still homeschooling because education can be found in everything.

    One of my favorite aspects of the Clubhouse Membership with You Are An Artist is that there is hardly any planning required for homeschool moms to put together incredible homeschool lessons. All you have to do is find the Christmas course in the membership area, and you will see all of the available tutorials in one spot. It’s that easy.

    Christmas School

    Christmas Art Lessons In Our Homeschool

    Onto the Christmas art lessons we chose for our family. Keep in mind; we prefer to enjoy all of these activities family-school style. I have a wide range of ages in my homeschool, and You Are An Artist is perfect for activities the entire family can enjoy!

    According to your children’s skill level, a quick tip for planning your art lessons is to start with the easier lessons first. I have found that my younger artists might be ready for a break sooner than myself and my oldest. That way, we save the more advanced projects for after they have moved on to another activity.

    Christmas School

    One of the fantastic educational resources you may want to include, as we have, is a Biblical Map to Bethlehem. Mapping is the perfect way to add geography to your Christmas plans. You may want to read the story of Jesus’s birth before mapping, so your children have a good understanding of it before you begin.

    Another cool idea to add to these Christmas plans is the Wise Men’s Star Chart! Yep, your kids will love this.

    I also wanted to include the We Three Kings tutorial because it pairs perfectly with the whole lesson. We did something similar for Thanksgiving by including hymns into our day, and the kids enjoy listening to music as they create. And Christmas music, need I say more?

    Christmas School

    You may also want to add The Messiah Lessons – Angels Announce Messiah – This one is a beautiful lesson that also covers Handel, the composer, and has a lot of musical information & appreciation. The Messiah Lessons are incredibly fun and educational on its own. My kids really enjoyed this one, add a little hot cocoa, and they were all ears.

    Christmas School

    Some other fantastic Biblical Christmas art tutorials to add are Unto Us A Child Is Born, Nativity/Away In A Manger, Christmas Star, or Dream of Joseph, to name a few. Remember, these are all available within the Christmas Course section of your You Are An Artist Complete Clubhouse Membership.

    You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy a companion I Drew It Then I Knew It curriculum workbook
    to lead you through the Christmas story!

    Step 3: Besides the Bible, what books would you like to include for your Christmas Homeschool?

    If you are only planning for a day, you may want a few essential picture books, and if you are planning to work through all of this over a more extended period, you may want to include some chapter books. Remember to reserve them from the library now or jot them down on a list so you can pull them out later.

    Christmas School
    Christmas School

    Step 4: This is a must. What will we eat?

    Come on; we are homeschoolers. We never stop snacking. Ok, but seriously, my kids will linger through any lessons longer with food. There are so many great ideas; you can plan a tea complete with baked goods or a lovely kid-friendly charcuterie board. What would be fun, and we decided to add it to our plans is a few food items from Biblical times. You can make this as educational as you please; there are so many exciting choices to include!

    Christmas School

    More Ideas For Christmas Homeschooling

    Another idea to think about adding in may be some holiday crafts or seasonal handcrafts. You could make a dried orange garland, bake cookies together and decorate, or paint ornaments all while listening to beautiful Christmas carols. You could even decorate the tree!

    We hope that this gives you lots of inspiration for your Christmas school plans this year! Remember, you don’t have to do it all this year. Advent is all about preparing our hearts and dwelling in his perfect peace. Christmas school is an opportunity not only for creativity and education but for making lasting memories together.

    Christmas School

    Grab Your Membership Here

    Courtney is a Jesus-pursuing, native Texan, homeschool mom of three, and she believes homeschooling can be a peaceful and productive rhythm. At Grace, Grow & Edify she helps families create peaceful homeschooling atmospheres through faith, organizational strategies, and cultivating strong roots at home. She is also the founder of Homeschool Mastery Academy.

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    How to Draw a Christmas Wreath with Chalk Pastels

    Welcome the Christmas season with a beautiful Christmas wreath! You can learn from Nana how to draw a Christmas Wreath with Chalk Pastels then you can hang it up as a decoration. Or you might decide it needs to be a gift for someone you love. Either way, you will have fun with this quick and easy lesson Nana shared with her grandchildren. And you will learn that you ARE an ARTiST!

    How to Draw a Christmas Wreath with Chalk Pastels

    No worries! If you are already on our email list, your name will not be added again. Please be sure to share this lesson with others!
    • Suggested supplies: There are just a very few suggested supplies: white construction paper. Green, light green, red and black chalk pastel colors.
    • A note on chalk pastels:Pastels are an easy, forgiving medium. Fun for children and adults alike! Details on the pastels and paper we use, how and where to purchase, and links to all of Nana’s other pastel lessons are here: Our Favorite Chalk Pastels
    • The practical aspects of a mess: Pastels are blessedly messy. We always have baby wipes close by to wipe hands. We wear something we don’t mind getting stained or don a smock.
    Nana's Christmas Wreath art lesson is a beautiful addition to your Christmas School. Erin says, "art has been the most special of Christmas homeschool activities.
    Photo by Erin Vincent – Christmas Chalk Pastel Joy!

    Christmas Wreath Art Lesson for Christmas Homeschool

    Nana’s Christmas Wreath art lesson is a beautiful addition to your Christmas School. In fact, Nana has a whole section of Christmas art lessons in the You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse. With the Complete Clubhouse membership, you have access to a whole bunch of holiday chalk pastel tutorials including:

    • Christmas Video Art Lessons
    • Nutcracker Video Art Lessons
    • Teatime Art Lessons including Charlie Brown Christmas and more

    “…art has been the most special of Christmas homeschool activities. There is just something about art that is so delightful. It simply brings joy to our lives. We love to incorporate chalk pastels into our holiday plans.”

    Erin Vincent

    Chalk pastel lessons:

    1. Are quick (most lessons are only 10-15 minutes long)
    2. Are easy to use for preschoolers through adults
    3. Minimal requirement. All you need is an inexpensive starter set of chalk pastels and construction paper

    Share Your Christmas Homeschool Art (FEATURING YOU! YOU ARE AN ARTIST!)

    Paint your Christmas wreath art lesson and be sure to share with us! Simply tag @chalkpastelart on Instagram, use the #YouAREanArtist hashtag, or upload a photo to the ChalkPastel.com

    Growing a love of art at You ARE an ARTiST is a multi-generational passion! Tricia is Nana’s daughter and a mama of five children. Nana shared her first chalk pastel art lessons with her grandchildren around Tricia’s kitchen table. Homeschooling since 2000, Tricia has seen the fruits of home education with three homeschool grads so far! She shares the art and heart of homeschooling at Hodgepodge and is author of the book, Help! I’m Homeschooling! She and her husband, Steve, are also owners of The Curriculum Choice.