Today’s theme is using the 12 days of Christmas poem (or song) to inspire your Christmas time in the classroom.

Christmas in the Classroom: The 12 days of Christmas Poem

Firstly, do you know the song?

There seems to be a lot of discussion about the meaning behind each gift in the poem, and one of my favourite things to discuss with older learners is their opinions. What do you think of this one?

For me this is a great place to start out classroom inspiration and ideas!

English / Literacy

identify the alliteration in the song. Can you think of different alliterative words to use such as 7 swans a swooping, 10 Lords leaving?
try rewriting some lines of the songs to match the ideas in the picture above.
do songs and poems always have to rhyme? Explore other Christmas poetry such as the Night Before Christmas. Which is more appealing? Why?
Create your own 12 days of Christmas poem.
Can you continue the poems?

Maths

order images from the 12 days of Christmas from greatest to smallest (or vice versa)
match the images to the numerals
Use the 12 days to test your timetables from 1 all the way to 12!
combine (or add) different sets such as the gold rings with the pipers
use the images to create subtraction sentences
use the sets to make number bonds
estimate the total number of presents – and check!
investigate a formula that the children can use to work out how many total of each item there are.

Creative

illustrate the song
ask the children to make items to match the song
act out the song
create actions for the song and perform it for the parents and carers – or the rest of the school.

Other

Ask the children whether they find the images helpful as a way to remember the Christianity features they represent. Can they explain why they feel like that?
What would they like for Christmas? Why?
Why should people have presents? What do they mean?
Use images from the poem to make lacing cards to practice fine motor skills

Resources

Head over to either my TES store or visit my TpT store and discover 8 English lesson based activities ready for you to use all based on the Twelve Days of Christmas Poem. Alongside this I have some Christmas science activities and other Christmas and Winter appropriate items too!

What activities would you do in the classroom for the 12 days of Christmas? Don’t forget to like, comment and sign up for content updates!

***I was lucky enough to have a Premium Platinum Account with teaching resource website twinkl. I already had an account and happily paid for it, but then twinkl gave me a free subscription in return for my reviews. Don’t be fooled though – all thoughts and opinion are my own! I just happen to be a big fan.***