Looking for engaging Christmas ELA activities for upper elementary? These low-prep ideas hit standards and create calm before winter break.
Why I Needed Independent Christmas ELA Activities in My Classroom
Let’s be honest: those last few weeks before winter break are anything but routine.
Schedules are wonky, students are wired, and it’s hard to know what to prioritize.
I used to feel guilty for assigning anything that wasn’t a core standard… until I realized I could absolutely hit ELA standards and infuse holiday spirit without burning myself out.
My solution?
A collection of low-prep, high-engagement Christmas ELA activities that my students could work on independently while I kept our reading and writing block flowing smoothly.
What Makes a Good Christmas ELA Activity for Upper Elementary?
Not all holiday activities are created equal. For me, the best ones check a few key boxes:
- Standards-aligned (we’re still learning here!)
- High-interest and seasonal
- Low-prep or reusable each year
- Designed for independent work
- Flexible and can be used for centers, homework, or projects
If a resource helps me sneak in writing practice, vocabulary, or text evidence and lets students tap into their creativity? Even better.
How I Use These Christmas ELA Activities Without Losing Instruction Time
One of the biggest questions I get from teachers is:
“When do you even do all of this?”
Here’s the truth:
I don’t do all of it during class. Most of these Christmas ELA activities are assigned over time:
- During centers or independent work time
- As early finisher options
- As ELA homework
- As at-home projects (that we introduce in class)
And here’s a planning tip that changed everything:
I start assigning Christmas-themed work before Thanksgiving break. Yep! I sneak it in early so that by the time December hits, students already have something fun and meaningful to work on while I keep teaching.
Christmas ELA Activities for Upper Elementary That Students Can Do Independently
Let’s break down the exact resources I use and how I fit them into my ELA block:
Gingerbread Narrative Writing Prompt
Activity: Gingerbread Man Narrative Writing Prompt
This is always a student favorite. They get to imagine what really happened to the Gingerbread Man and they always come up with wildly creative plot twists.
- Use it for: narrative writing standards
- Assign it: the first week of December
- Pro tip: Have students illustrate their stories for a class bulletin board
Citing Text Evidence: Winter Edition
Activity: Quoting and Paraphrasing Winter Activity
We’re still working on using text evidence in December, and this activity makes it feel less like a skill drill and more like a seasonal challenge.
- Use it for: test prep, reading responses
- Assign it: in small group or whole group review
- Pro tip: Have students turn this into a mini book club discussion
Greek & Latin Roots Christmas Tree
Activity: Greek and Latin Roots Tree Activity
This festive tree format gives vocabulary instruction a serious upgrade. Students practice morphology by decorating a tree with root-based words and definitions.
- Use it for: morphology review
- Assign it: as a center or homework
- Pro tip: Let students “present” their trees with the meanings to the class
Christmas Lights Morphology Craft
Activity: Greek & Latin Roots Christmas Lights Craft
This doubles as vocabulary and classroom décor.
Each light bulb focuses on a different root or affix and students get to string them together in a meaningful way.
- Use it for: vocabulary + creativity
- Assign it: the week before break
- Teacher tip: Laminate them for a reusable bulletin board!
Reflective Christmas Writing Prompt
Activity: Reflect on Giving Writing Prompt
Looking to build empathy and reflection?
This writing prompt invites students to think about the power of giving and the non-material “gifts” we give each other.
- Use it for: SEL, reflection writing
- Assign it: around class party time
- Teacher tip: Turn this into a class kindness chain
Directed Drawing + Winter Paragraph Prompts
Activity: Winter Paragraph Writing + Drawing
This one blends creative drawing with paragraph structure practice!
It is perfect for kids who need something calming yet focused before break.
- Use it for: writing review
- Assign it: right before winter break
- Teacher tip: Play soft music and let this be a “cozy corner” activity
Easy Ways to Assign These Christmas ELA Activities
The beauty of these tasks is how flexible they are. Here’s where I plug them in:
| Classroom Routine | How I Use It |
| Morning work | Quick writing warm-ups or vocab review |
| Centers | Independent work while I run small groups |
| Homework | Assigned weekly as project-style tasks |
| Early Finishers | Self-paced options after core assignments |
Where These Fit in the ELA Block Before Break
December doesn’t have to be a time of lost instructional minutes.
These Christmas ELA activities give you options for:
- Reviewing core skills
- Keeping structure in your schedule
- Adding joy without sacrificing rigor
- Creating calm while still meeting standards
And best of all, they’re designed for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders; so you won’t feel like you’re doing just coloring activities.
Read the Rest of the Christmas ELA Series:
- Creative Christmas Writing Prompts That Still Hit Standards
- How to Use Holiday Craftivities for Morphology Practice
- My Favorite Independent ELA Projects for December
- Low Prep Reading Review Activities for the Week Before Break
Pin This Post So You Don’t Forget It Next Year
Want to save these ideas?
Pin this post to your December Lesson Planning or ELA Centers board and come back to it year after year.
