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December Art Activities Perfect For Holiday Homeschooling

The holidays are a beautiful time of year, and the perfect time to change up the homeschool schedule or enjoy a lighter seasonal study. Make memories with these December art activities for homeschooling!

These December art activities have everything you need for holiday homeschooling. Includes online lessons and extension activities.

Homeschooling Through The Holidays

In this season, we might turn cookie exchanges into science and math lessons. We spend more time with grandma and grandpa listening for a history lesson one will never find in a textbook. Or maybe we laminate maps for the car ride to Aunt Alice’s house and knock out geography on the way. That’s the beauty of homeschooling! We can enjoy a slower pace, more cookies, and feel reassured our children are always learning. And reminding Jake to say “thank you” after he opens the crochet socks he was certain was an Xbox … well, that falls into a new subject we like to call Etiquette.

These December art activities have everything you need for holiday homeschooling. Includes online lessons and extension activities.

December Art Activities Perfect For Holiday Homeschooling

Kick off December loudly with all the carols and Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol Homeschool Activities followed by The Nutcracker A Holidays Homeschool Study. Don’t forget to add the Laytons’ absolute favorite Christmas story, The Grinch! Nana and I agree, these lessons are not stink, stank, stunk!

Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas

Draw Your Way Through the Story of Christmas – Add these Advent art activities to your Christmas Homeschool plans! You can draw your way through the story of Christmas from the angels announcing Messiah’s birth to the manger scene.

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies: Hands on Homeschooling – 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.

These December art activities have everything you need for holiday homeschooling. Includes online lessons and extension activities.

Free Christmas Lessons! Christmas Tree for the Animals

Speaking of December art activities for homeschooling… Sign up to enjoy these Christmas lessons any time during the holiday season. Includes nature study with our sister site Homeschool Nature Study, an art lesson with Nana, a craft plus a hymn and composer study too! SIGN UP HERE!

Celebrate December Word Weavers with Literature Art Lessons

Grab your pens and journals along with chalk supplies as we celebrate these writers, poets, and creative story tellers. We believe in the Power of Adding Art to Literature Studies!

  • December 6, 1886 American poet Alfred Joyce Kilmer was born in New Jersey. He is best known for his poem Trees, published in 1913. Be sure to chalk Seasonal Trees and enjoy Winter Tree Silhouettes from Homeschool Nature Study.
  • December 9, 1608 British poet John Milton was born in London. He is best known for Paradise Lost.
  • December 10, 1830 Poet Emily Dickinson was born in Massachusetts. Over 2,000 poems were discovered after her death in 1886 and gradually published starting in 1890. My favorite is Hope.
  • December 10,1851 American librarian Melvil Dewey was born in Adams Center, New York. He created the Dewey Decimal System.
  • December 12 1821 French author Gustave Flaubert was born in France. He is best known for the novel Madame Bovary.
  • December 16, 1775 British novelist Jane Austen was born in Hampshire, England. High schoolers are loving our Jane Austen Art Lessons.
  • December 19, 1732 – Benjamin Franklin first published Poor Richard’s Almanac  containing weather predictions, humor, proverbs and epigrams.
  • December 30 1865 British writer Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India. He wrote The Jungle Book.
These December art activities have everything you need for holiday homeschooling. Includes online lessons and extension activities.

December Artists and Animators

December 2, 1859 French painter Georges Seurat was born in Paris. He was a leader in the neo-impressionist movement of the late 19th Century.

  • December 3, 1755 American portrait painter Charles Stuart was born in Rhode Island. He is best known for his portraits of George Washington, James Madison, James Monroe, and Thomas Jefferson.
  • December 5, 1901 Walt Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois. 
  • December 23, 1888 – Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cut off his left ear during a fit of depression.

December Musicians, Composers, and Singers

  • December 5, 1791 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died a pauper at age 35 in Vienna, Austria. He had created over 600 works.
  • December 8 1980 Former Beatlemusician John Lennon was assassinated in New York City.
  • December 13 1835 American clergyman and composer Phillips Brooks was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He is best known for the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem.
  • December 16, 1770 Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany. 
  • December 22, 1858 Italian composer Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca, Tuscany. 
  • December 29 1876 Cellist Pablo Casals was born in Venrdell, Spain. 

December Inventors & Engineers

  • December 8 1765 Cotton gin inventor Eli Whitney was born in Westboro, Massachusetts.
  • December 15, 1832 French engineer Alexandre Eiffel was born in Dijon, France. Along with the Eiffel Tower he also helped design the Statue of Liberty.

(If you’re traveling this winter holiday be sure to paint famous landmarks you see along the way!)


December Historical Events & Leaders

  • December 1 1955, the modern American civil rights movement occurred as Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing to give up her seat to a white man and move to the back section of a municipal bus.
  • December 2, 1804 – Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor of France by Pope Pius VII in Paris. One year later, 1805 – Napoleon defeated Russia and Austria in the Battle of Austerlitz.
  • December 6, 1865 – The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified abolishing slavery.



December 7 1941 The U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was attacked by nearly 200 Japanese aircraft. One day later the United States and Britain declared war on Japan. We have combined many history and art lessons for the Your Modern History Buff.

December 16, 1773 – The Boston Tea Party occurred as colonial activists disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded British ships anchored in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 containers of expensive tea into the water.

  • December 20, 1860 – South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union in a prelude to the American Civil War. 
  • December 21, 1879 Soviet Russia leader Josef Stalin was born in the village of Gori in Georgia, Russia.
  • December 25, 1066 – William the Conqueror was crowned King of England after he had invaded England from France.
  • December 25, 1776 – During the American Revolution, George Washington took 2,400 of his men across the Delaware River. 

December Space Study: It’s Out Of This World!

These December art activities have everything you need for holiday homeschooling. Includes online lessons and extension activities.

December 14, 1502 French physician Nostradamus was born in St. Remy, Provence, France. He made astrological predictions believed by many to tell the future.

Nana predicts you will love learning about astronomy alongside painting the cosmos with chalk pastels!

  • December 14, 1962 – The Mariner II space probe sent back information from the planet Venus, the first information ever received from another planet.
  • December 27, 1571 German astronomer Johannes Kepler was born in Wurttemberg, Germany. He is considered the father of astronomy.

December Science: The Human Body

  • December 21, 1846 – Anesthesia was used for the first time in Britain during an operation at University College Hospital in London performed by Robert Liston who amputated a leg.
  • December 25, 1821 American nurse and philanthropist Clara Barton was born in Oxford, Massachusetts. 
  • December 27, 1822 French chemist-bacteriologist Louis Pasteur was born in Dole, France. He developed the pasteurization process to kill harmful bacteria.

Learn more about the Human Body with Nana’ new Science Art Diagrams and chalk tutorials: Small But Mighty Cell Activities, Microscopic World Study, Human Anatomy Study: Diagram the Ear and Human Heart Activity for Kids: Hands-On Science.

Winter Equinox Art Lessons

How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? ~ Dr. Seuss


Have fun painting all things winter on December 21st, the Winter Equinox in North American.

December Holidays

  • December 18th-26th, Hanukkah. Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, when Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.
  • December 25th, Christmas. The day Christians celebrate the Birth of Christ.
These December art activities have everything you need for holiday homeschooling. Includes online lessons and extension activities.
  • December 26th Boxing Day. In Great Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand servants, tradespeople, and the poor were presented with gifts. Today it is known as a shopping and sporting events day.
  • December 26th- Jan 1st, Kwanza. African American families celebrate a harvest festival. Kwanzaa means “first fruit” in Swahili.
These December art activities have everything you need for holiday homeschooling. Includes online lessons and extension activities.

December Ultimate Holiday Lists For Homeschoolers

Art Activities for Every Month of the Year

Look ahead to ALL the art activities for homeschooling you can enjoy every month of the year:

Homeschool mama, I encourage you to enjoy this season. It’s your holiday too! Find a family to serve, a cause to donate to, but most importantly a sweet child to cuddle up with before a fireplace. Take it from one who has graduated a homeschooler – the time does fly and boy do I miss reading The Grinch aloud. Enjoy the movie marathon, the Gingerbread House construction, Elmer Fudd’s Blue Christmas on repeat. I promise you’ll get back to filling in the homeschool blanks all too soon because sweet friend – you’re not “falling behind”.

Stef Layton

Stef started homeschooling her boys in 2008. She quickly adopted a hands-on learning homeschool style and graduated her oldest tactile learner in 2021. Stef started the Hands-On Learning column in Homeschooling Today magazine. The Laytons currently reside in the foothills of Colorado where Stef also teaches yoga. The family loves to hike trails, stand-up paddle board, and chase sunsets. Stef shares travel and homeschool tips on IG at @LaytonAdventures.

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Joyful Art, Nature and Music for Your Christmas Homeschool

Enjoy a simple, joyful and stress-free Christmas event for the whole family. With art, nature and music plus a nature craft for your Christmas homeschool, you can make memories and have fun together.

Enjoy this simple, joyful and stress-free holiday event with art, nature and music for your Christmas homeschool.

Though we would like to, as homeschool moms, we can’t fit in all the holiday homeschooling fun. This Christmas homeschool event, however, gives you an easy way to say yes! And all you need is just a bit of time set aside and a few inexpensive supplies.

It’s all done for you! Sit back and enjoy the fun!

A Christmas Tree for the Animals – An Event for the Whole Family!

Sign up to receive the replay

Enjoy this simple, joyful and stress-free holiday event with art, nature and music for your Christmas homeschool.

Sign Up To Attend Live or for Replay

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

    Activities included in this Joyful Art, Nature and Music for Your Christmas Homeschool Event

    • Access to attend live and to the replay of the event – relax and enjoy on your schedule
    • How to create and decorate an outdoor Christmas tree for the animals with Amy of Homeschool Nature Study
    • A Christmas craft! Make an ornament for your outdoor tree (edible for the animals) with Victoria of Homeschool Nature Study
    • A hands on art lesson with Nana of You ARE an ARTiST – with a FUN Christmas tree with the animals theme!
    • A downloadable nature study, hymn study AND composer study to accompany the live event!

    Find beautiful follow up Christmas homeschool studies (including Nana’s Christmas cookies) in Holiday Homeschooling: A Christmas Tree Study for Kids

    Christmas craft

    Here’s How to Be Ready for the Event

    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

    Craft supplies detailed at sign up.

    Enjoy this simple, joyful and stress-free holiday event with art, nature and music for your Christmas homeschool.

    Share On Social Media!

    Be sure to share photos of your Christmas Tree With the Animals Art, Nature and Music time on social media and tag @outdoorhourchallenge and @chalkpastelart – We can’t wait to see you participating and to see your paintings!

    And please invite your friends! Share this post with them!

    Art, Nature, Hymns & More Membership Bundle

    TWO homeschool memberships at a discount price! Add the beauty of art lessons AND nature study to your homeschool with this family-style bundle!

    • Self-paced and live art lessons AND nature studies
    • Online membership calendars for both – enjoy a daily art lesson prompt AND a daily nature study prompt
    • Downloadable and printable guides and resources
    • Oh so many bonuses!

    The Your Best Homeschool Ultimate Membership

    You will have the resources to make beautiful memories with your children. Just open and go! It’s JOY!

    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.

    Enjoy this simple, joyful and stress-free holiday event with art, nature and music for your Christmas homeschool.
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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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      A Saint Lucia Day Holiday Homeschool Study

      This Saint Lucia Day Holiday Homeschool Study includes the history of the holiday, resources, books and an art lesson for your Christmas School.


      Who Was Saint Lucia?


      The story of Saint Lucia (also known as Saint Lucy) is a challenging and gruesome story. Though the details are debated, we know is that Lucia was a young woman who lived in Syracuse, Italy, with her mother in the late third century.

      Lucia was a Christian, though her mother was not. In 304 AD, the Romans tortured and killed her for her faith. Before death, she lost both eyes, though the story of exactly how/why that happened varies from account to account. Since her name means light and she lost both eyes, she is the patron saint of the blind. Also, celebrations of Saint Lucia day often include light in various forms.

      This Saint Lucia Day Holiday Homeschool Study includes the history of the holiday, resources, books and an art lesson for your Christmas School.
      Photo by Amy Law


      Celebrating Saint Lucia Day This December

      The first time I had heard of Saint Lucia was several years ago when some friends of ours posted adorable pictures of the daughter in a white robe with a wreath of candles on her head. She was carrying what looked like a breakfast tray.

      Families celebrate Saint Lucia Day on December 13th each year. It is prevalent amongst families in Sweden and Catholic families from around the world. One of the most common ways to celebrate includes having girls dress up as Saint Lucia with a crown of lights in her hair. Those were typically lit candles when the celebrations began, but you will often find battery-operated candles for safety reasons. Other children in the home may dress up as handmaidens and star boys.

      This celebration is done early in the morning of December 13th, and they then bring special buns (called Lussekatter in Sweden) and ginger snap style cookies (pepparkakor) to the others in the home for breakfast. There are also special songs to sing celebrating Lucia.

      Celebrating Saint Lucia Day This December
      Photo by Amy Law

      In some countries, the community gets together for Saint Lucia Day. They may choose one girl from the community to be Saint Lucia. They celebrate with parades or performances.

      We have friends who celebrate by going out to look at Christmas lights in honor of the fact that Lucia means light. I love that idea because it is a simple way for them to incorporate learning about Saint Lucia with a fun family tradition.

      St. Lucia Day art lesson with Nana of You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse

      Saint Lucia Day Books

      Whenever our family learns about something new, I like to find a good book or two to help us understand. Lucia Morning in Sweden is a beautiful picture book written by Ewa Rydaker and Illustrated by Carina Stahlberg.  This book teaches about Saint Lucia day through the story of a family in Sweden celebrating the day. At the end of the book, there is more information about Saint Lucia day, recipes, music, and even a pattern for making Lucia day costumes.

      Another book about Saint Lucia day is Kirsten’s Surprise, an American Girl collection book. Kirsten’s Surprise gives the perspective of a young Swedish girl who has recently immigrated to the United States and wants to continue her traditions of celebrating Saint Lucia day.

      Christmas Homeschooling
      St. Lucia Day lesson is included in the Christmas Clubhouse!


      A Saint Lucia Day Lesson For Your Homeschool

      In addition to yummy snacks, fun books, and Christmas lights, you can add art to your study of Saint Lucia.  Nana has created this beautiful chalk pastel painting of a young girl on Saint Lucia day with a wreath crown and candles. She is carrying a tray filled with rolls and tea. The rosy cheeks and smiling face are adorable.

      Art is an excellent way to make learning hands-on and fun. We have found that pairing art lessons with education helps my children remember more of what they learn. This lesson is available to You Are an Artist Clubhouse members in the Christmas course.

      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.


      More Resources For Holiday Homeschooling


      As we enter this time of Advent and Christmas, there are many fun art lessons for you to incorporate into your studies. If you enjoyed learning more about Saint Lucia, make sure to check out the Saint Nicholas lesson!

      You can also enjoy some fun and memorable Christmas Tea Times with your children. They are a great way to slow down and enjoy the season.

      Families might enjoy drawing their way through the Christmas story together.

      Finally, my family’s favorite Christmas art lessons are the ones to accompany our Christmas Hymn studies!

      How do you incorporate art into your Christmas celebrations?

      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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      Draw Your Way Through The Story Of Christmas Homeschool Study

      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas

      Add these Advent art activities to your Christmas Homeschool plans! You can draw your way through the story of Christmas from the angels announcing Messiah’s birth to the manger scene.

      Homeschooling through the holidays can be one of the best parts of your homeschool year or, unfortunately for some, the worst. I have learned from experience that we should shift our focus for a bit rather than struggle through the holidays trying to keep up with homeschooling for fear of getting behind

      Because, as you already know or are learning, there is no behind in homeschooling. Even while homeschooling through the Christmas season. Language arts and math will always be there, waiting for you. But, Christmas will come and go ever so quickly, so set aside time to enjoy this time leading to Christmas Day. 

      You can still learn through the holidays, but use the time to pivot and educate from a place of peace, enjoy your family, and experience life together through the season. 

      Homeschooling In The Christmas Season

      One of the simplest ways to shift your homeschool in the Christmas season is to continue learning but change the focus of the educational material. Dive into Advent for the month, plan a birthday party for Jesus, enjoy holiday baking together, decorate the house, and focus on the true reason for the season, Jesus. 

      The holidays are so much more meaningful when we come together as a family. We can focus on gratitude, giving, serving, and The Birth of Christ. This can also be a much-needed time of rest and togetherness, a time to slow down. 

      You can still maintain a few core subjects each day if you feel the need to, but it might be a nice reprise for you and your children to do all of the things you feel like you never have the time to do. Things like Christmas homeschool art, hands-on activities, read alouds, experiments, you know, the fun stuff! All of those things we don’t seem to prioritize during the homeschool year, we now have a chance to experience. So many of these things still count as home education too!

      Beyond all of those academic lessons, I want my children to know and follow Jesus. And I know many of you agree. 

      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas

      Teaching The Story of Christmas

      Every Advent season, we choose to dive into learning all about The Story of Christmas. It’s a wonderful way to revisit the Birth of Christ each year, and especially if you have children, it’s important that they not only hear the story but eventually come to know it by heart. 

      There are so many resources that can help you teach your children all about The Story of Christmas. (And we have some fantastic Christmas resources to share with you below!) So if you are still learning the story yourself, perfect, you can learn right alongside your children. Learning alongside your children models lifelong learning, and it’s a great way to cultivate a love of learning at home. 

      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas

      If you don’t yet have any Christmas homeschool traditions, you can use December to create some! Include Christmas activities and holiday resources that you shift to and learn about each December. For example, we will cook together, bake holiday treats, enjoy some Christmas-related unit studies (on topics like snowflakes, Christmas trees, or St. Nicholas – we mix it up each year), and sprinkle in some Nutcracker fun, of course! Some of our most memorable homeschool traditions are an Advent study every year, reading The Story of Christmas in the Bible, and reading all of our favorite Christmas read alouds and picture books. You will likely find us having a Christmas poetry tea time or studying an old hymn. We also enjoy a special candlelit Christmas Eve church service that reinforces the season’s meaning each year. 

      But my absolute favorite Christmas activity to do is Draw Your Way Through The Christmas Story together. I want to share it with you because I know so many families will love doing this too!

      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas

      Draw Your Way Through The Story Of Christmas Art Lessons

      With YOU ARE AN ARTiST, you can draw your way through the entire Christmas Story. From the Angels announcing Christ’s Birth all the way to the Nativity. With so many incredible Christmas homeschool art lessons in between. 

      The best resource to help walk you through the Christmas art lessons and help you plan with little prep time involved is the I Drew It Then I Knew It Companion Workbook! You will find all the resources that you need to Draw Your Way Through The Birth of Christ. Resources like:

      • December Art Planners
      • Recommended Companion Book List (You can find many of the books we are using on the book list!)
      • 5 Fast Facts for Each Art Lesson 
      • Hymns
      • Scripture
      • History
      • Detective Questions (These can be used as December writing prompts too!)
      • Tips for How To Use The Workbook
      • and More!

      Last year we enjoyed Biblical Christmas School, and this year we expanded on that by Drawing Our Way Through The Birth of Christ. We enjoyed drawing with Nana, drinking hot cocoa, and learning more about Jesus. Every year that we dive into The Christmas Story, I learn something new too! The fast fact sheets are perfect for sharing with your kids as you enjoy your Christmas Art Lessons together. 

      Angels Announce Messiah’s Birth Art Lesson

      Christmas School
      We did this one last year, but it was great! The Messiah lesson is perfect for the whole family.

      NEW – While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night (Hymn) Art Lesson

      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas
      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas

      Biblical Map to Bethlehem Art Lesson – You can add geography to round out your study!

      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas

      For Unto Us a Child is Born Art Lesson

      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.

      Nativity – Away in a Manger Art Lesson

      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas
      We did this one last year too. My kids loved this lesson!

      Wise Men’s Start Chart to Jesus Art Lesson

      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas

      Christmas Star Art Lesson

      Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas

      We Three Kings Art Lesson

      Rembrandt Dream of Joseph Art Lesson

      Additional Resources For Meaningful Homeschooling Throughout The Christmas Season

      Besides all of the Christmas art lessons I mentioned and the I Drew It Then I Knew It Companion Workbook, here are some other excellent Christmas-related resources that you may want to include in your December homeschooling plans. 

      Jotham’s Journey advent stories are perfect for your December read-aloud time. They align so well with an Advent focus for Christmas schooling, and there is an entire series to check out! I can’t believe that we hadn’t read these until this homeschool year, but I am sure glad that we did. I was impressed by the daily devotionals that follow each day’s reading. Consider adding these books to your Christmas studies too. 

      More Christmas Art Lessons to Enjoy with Nana 

      We hope that these ideas inspire you to Draw Your Way Through The Story of Christmas as a family. Remember, you can plan a day, a week, or a whole month of Christmas art and activities – there is no right or wrong way to do it. But most of all, we hope that you keep your focus on Jesus! 

      Merry Christmas from all of us here at YOU ARE AN ARTiST! 

      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.

      Courtney
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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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      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study

      Would your kids like to learn how to draw their own Nutcracker? Let Nana take you step-by-step through The Nutcracker homeschool art lessons with chalk pastels. All you need is a pack of construction paper and a starter set of chalk pastels. 

      Throw in a little hot chocolate, some music appreciation, and twinkle lights, and you’ve got the making of a Nutcracker holiday homeschool unit study teatime!

      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study - Enjoy the holiday season with The Nutcracker, chalk pastels, and SQUILT! Throw in a little hot chocolate and twinkle lights and you've got a Nutcracker chalk pastel teatime! #Nutcracker #Nutcrackerartlessons #Nutcrackerballet #Christmas #chalkpastels #Nutcrackerart #homeschoolart #Nutcrackerstudy #holidayhomeschooling

      The Story Of The Nutcracker Ballet


      We love starting the holiday season with a Nutcracker chalk pastel teatime! We’ve enjoyed this tradition for many years. It reminds me to slow down and enjoy our little moments of togetherness.

      Plus, my kids look forward to it every year!

      Did you know The Nutcracker ballet was adapted from E. T. A. Hoffmann’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” and is enormously popular, especially around the Christmas season because the ballet takes place on Christmas Eve?

      There is no better way to enjoy this incredible masterpiece than by watching the ballet itself, learning about the music, and painting some key figures!

      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study


      The Music Of The Nutcracker

      “Music is indeed the most beautiful of all Heaven’s gifts to humanity wandering in the darkness. Alone it calms, enlightens, and stills our souls.”

      Tchaikovsky

      Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer best known for Swan Lake and The Nutcracker ballet scores. Christmas time is the perfect time to study this famous composer and his music!

      I know what you’re thinking.

      “I don’t even know where to begin teaching my kids about Tchaikovsky!”

      Or, “I don’t know anything about music.”

      Don’t worry! Mary from SQUILT has got you covered when it comes to music appreciation.

      SQUILT stands for Super Quiet UnInterrupted Listening Time and is an easy-to-use music education program!

      With The SQUILT Nutcracker Unit Studyyour children will learn the story of the ballet, E.T.A. Hoffman, and Tchaikovsky, as well as music and ballet vocabulary, instruments used, and musical concepts.

      We’ve used SQUILT for years, and now You ARE AN Artist Clubhouse members can enjoy the replay of a special live event with Mary of SQUILT Live and Nana for an overture of all things Nutcracker! Members will enjoy both a time of music appreciation and a Nutcracker art lesson!

      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study

      You can also enjoy a SQUILT Christmas Carol study with many of the Christmas carols you may already be listening to on the radio!

      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study


      Beautiful Homeschool Art For The Nutcracker Study


      You ARE An Artist Clubhouse members have access to over 700+ video art lessons, including Nana’s Nutcracker lessons!

      • Nutcracker
      • Clara and the Christmas Tree
      • Sugar Plum Fairy
      • Chinese Tea Dance
      • Mouse King
      • Nutcracker Ballet (new!)
      • New Nutcracker lesson!

      Plus, Clubhouse members also enjoy the accompanying I Drew It Then I Knew It The Nutcracker companion curriculum. (There’s even a recipe for sugar plums included!)

      You ARE an ARTiST Complete Clubhouse members also enjoy the accompanying I Drew It Then I Knew It The Nutcracker companion curriculum.

      Let your children have fun with their paintings. Encourage artistic expression and individuality. Be sure to follow your children’s lead and let them create the paintings that they like. As Nana likes to remind them, THEY ARE the ARTISTS.

      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study


      Additional Resources For Holiday Homeschooling


      If you have the opportunity to see a live performance of The Nutcracker ballet in person, then I highly suggest doing so.

      If not, there are several versions of The Nutcracker ballet you can watch on Amazon Prime and other streaming services. We watch a different one every year, but our favorite thus far is Baryshnikov’s Nutcracker.

      We also enjoy pulling out one of our many copies of The Nutcracker books as part of our holiday homeschool unit study!

      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study

      Did you know that the Chalk Pastels You ARE An Artist Clubhouse Membership has loads more Winter and Holiday themed art lessons?

      • Artist Express
      • Hot Chocolate
      • Mittens and a Mug
      • Frost
      • Icicles
      • Frozen Lake
      • Winter Forest Scene with Deer
      • Bird in Snow
      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study

      You will also have access to all the Christmas and Holiday Lessons including:

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

      Plus, so much more! View ALL that Nana has for Christmas School in the Ultimate List of Christmas Art Lessons!

      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study

      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study

      The Nutcracker ballet is synonymous with Christmas time. It is a beautiful performance with music as iconic as the Nutcracker himself. My children and I look forward to this special teatime each year, along with watching a rendition of the famous ballet. The Nutcracker video art lessons are perfect for all ages, and when you add a Merry Christmas Hymns Study, you’ll create a memorable holiday teatime the whole family will love.

      The Nutcracker: A Holiday Homeschool Unit Study

      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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      Holiday Homeschooling: A Saint Nicholas Day Study

      Enjoy a Saint Nicholas Day Study for your holiday homeschool with an art lesson, a Twas the Night Before Christmas printable poem and more!

      Who Was Saint Nicholas?

      Most of us are quite familiar with Santa Claus, and many have sung songs about “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas,” but the story behind the real St. Nicholas is not as well known. The real St. Nicholas was a man who was born in Asia Minor in the third century. He was the son of devout Christian parents who were quite wealthy. Sadly, he became an orphan at a young age.

      As a devout Christian, he took the command to give to the poor very seriously and began doing many good works with his money. This is where fact and legend get a little hard to separate. We do not know for sure, but legend says that he threw bags of gold down the chimney of some young sisters who wanted to marry but did not have money for the bride’s dowry.

      Nicholas went on to become the bishop of Myra. He, along with many Christians, was persecuted and imprisoned by Diocletian. He was later released and went on to do more work with the church. His life left a lasting impact on the world, and many still remember him as a kind and generous man.

      You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy a new Twas The Night Before Christmas printable poem! Join the Clubhouse today!

                                                                                                             
      Celebrating Saint Nicholas Day This December

      While Santa Claus, who originated from St. Nicholas, typically visits children on Christmas Eve, St. Nicholas is officially celebrated on December 6th. In our home, we had talked about the legend of St. Nicholas but never celebrated St. Nicholas Day. I enjoyed talking to friends and researching to find out how different families celebrate St. Nicholas Day.

      “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic
      His giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.”

      ― St. Nicholas of Myra

      My friend Heather likes to leave a trail of chocolate coins that lead to a small gift near their Christmas tree.  Some families put out their shoes or stockings for St. Nicholas to fill. It could be toys, sweet treats, Christmas goodies, or whatever the family decides.

      Other families use St. Nicholas Day as a time to give in honor of the generosity of St. Nicholas. They might bake cookies for neighbors or donate toys to a toy drive. I love the idea of having family traditions that involve giving to others and sharing the love of Jesus.

      St. Nicholas art lesson for your homeschool. Holiday homeschooling ideas.

      Extra Resources For Learning about St. Nicholas

      We found a great book, The Legend of St. Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving, to read with the children and help them learn more about St. Nicholas and encourage giving.

      A friend introduced us to Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa. It is a short movie that tells more about the life of St. Nicholas and goes much more in-depth. It even explains the persecution that Nicholas faced under Diocletian. 

      'Twas the Night Before Christmas' A Saint Nicholas Day Study for your holiday homeschool. Most know Santa Claus but do you know the story behind the real St. Nicholas?
      You ARE an ARTiST Clubhouse members enjoy this printable,’Twas the Night Before Christmas poem.


      A Saint Nicholas Day Lesson For Your Homeschool


      Art is always a great way to add a little fun to your learning, and I think this is especially true during the Christmas season. Nana has created a beautiful new St. Nicholas lesson that features a cute pair of little red shoes with candy, a gift, and gold coins.

      We had so much fun with this lesson. You can read a book about St. Nicholas, paint the adorable picture of the boots and treats, and then enjoy a Christmas cookie or other goodie. This is such a simple but fun way to learn about St. Nicholas.

      This picture also makes a great Christmas decoration. You can put it on your fridge or even frame it to hang on the wall. You could even turn it into the front of a Christmas card to mail to a friend or family member.

      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.


      More Resources For Holiday Homeschooling

      In addition to this St. Nicholas Day painting, there are many other ideas for celebrating during this Christmas season. We love focusing on our advent studies during this time. You can enjoy a Christmas hymn study (or studies) complete with an art lesson or enjoy a fun and tasty Christmas Tea Time with a beautiful winter painting.

      We are looking forward to reading Jotham’s Journey as a part of our advent study this year.  Then we will add in a variety of Christmas art lessons! We usually do one art lesson a week, but we could choose a new lesson each day with so many incredible Christmas lessons from Nana. There are so many different lessons, from beautiful manger scenes to fun Charlie Brown Christmas lessons.

      You might also like Nana’s St. Lucia Day art lesson and the accompanying unit study I shared! And you can enjoy The Ultimate List of Christmas Homeschool Art Lessons.

      By replacing our regular studies with the advent reading, art, and hymns, we get to enjoy all the fun of the advent season without feeling overwhelmed with adding too much into our day.

      A Saint Nicholas Day Study for your holiday homeschool. Most know Santa Claus but do you know the story behind the real St. Nicholas?

      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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      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.