Christmas Nonfiction Reading & Assignments Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus
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Christmas Nonfiction Reading and Assignments Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus: Use this resource to get your late middle and high school students in the holiday spirit. This resource includes a variety of activities to accompany a holiday non-fiction editorial response called Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, from a newspaper from the 1800s.
In 1897, Virginia O’Hanlon had begun to doubt there was a Santa Claus because her friends had told her that he did not exist. Her father suggested she write to The Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper at the time, assuring her that “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so." An editor named Francis Pharcellus Church wrote a response that sent a message of hope and addressed the philosophical issues behind the question.
Included In This Christmas Nonfiction Reading And Assignments Resource:
➡️ Teacher Presentation: Use this 16-slide PowerPoint presentation to guide the lesson. The slideshow includes background information on the reading, prompts for each of the assignments, discussion questions, and more!
➡️ Pre-Reading Journal Response Activity: Students will write a response to the question: "How would you respond if a child asked you if Santa was real?" This will warm students up before reading the article.
➡️ Full-Text Reading of Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus: Print and share the full-text reading of the editorial by Francis Church: "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" for students to read.
➡️ Vocabulary In Context Activity: The editorial contains some challenging vocabulary, so this activity will help students understand it in context. A detailed answer key is included.
➡️ Finding The Main Idea Activity: Each paragraph of Church's editorial has a different main idea. This activity will help students identify those ideas. A detailed answer key is included.
➡️ Post-Reading Creative Assignment: Students will use this eye-catching template to write a narrative, using their imaginations and inferencing skills to create Virginia's backstory. They will consider questions like the following: How did her friends tell her there is no Santa? How did she come to write to The Sun? What does she do after she reads the editorial?
In 1897, Virginia O’Hanlon had begun to doubt there was a Santa Claus because her friends had told her that he did not exist. Her father suggested she write to The Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper at the time, assuring her that “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so." An editor named Francis Pharcellus Church wrote a response that sent a message of hope and addressed the philosophical issues behind the question.
Included In This Christmas Nonfiction Reading And Assignments Resource:
➡️ Teacher Presentation: Use this 16-slide PowerPoint presentation to guide the lesson. The slideshow includes background information on the reading, prompts for each of the assignments, discussion questions, and more!
➡️ Pre-Reading Journal Response Activity: Students will write a response to the question: "How would you respond if a child asked you if Santa was real?" This will warm students up before reading the article.
➡️ Full-Text Reading of Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus: Print and share the full-text reading of the editorial by Francis Church: "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" for students to read.
➡️ Vocabulary In Context Activity: The editorial contains some challenging vocabulary, so this activity will help students understand it in context. A detailed answer key is included.
➡️ Finding The Main Idea Activity: Each paragraph of Church's editorial has a different main idea. This activity will help students identify those ideas. A detailed answer key is included.
➡️ Post-Reading Creative Assignment: Students will use this eye-catching template to write a narrative, using their imaginations and inferencing skills to create Virginia's backstory. They will consider questions like the following: How did her friends tell her there is no Santa? How did she come to write to The Sun? What does she do after she reads the editorial?
What Teachers Are Saying About This Christmas Nonfiction Reading And Assignments Resource:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a perfect gateway into a nonfiction unit. I was able to find a CBS Sunday morning video and a Macy's commercial to apply some background information and personal connection. It also got students to think about how to be nicer to others and be the older kids younger kids look up to.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a fun Christmas reading activity that really stretched some of my tutoring students. I will be using it every Christmas season.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a perfect gateway into a nonfiction unit. I was able to find a CBS Sunday morning video and a Macy's commercial to apply some background information and personal connection. It also got students to think about how to be nicer to others and be the older kids younger kids look up to.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Presto plans are my go-to plans whenever I want to shake things up and get students excited. Great graphics and engaging activities to keep students learning. 100 % recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a fun Christmas reading activity that really stretched some of my tutoring students. I will be using it every Christmas season.
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