Advent 2023 - Musical Christmas Countdown

Want to dive deep into Christmas Carols in your countdown to Christmas?   I created Advent Activities 2023 for families to have some educational fun with an advent calendar.  It’s designed mostly for families with elementary schoolers but can easily include middle school age as well.   It’s low prep (just need a printer, you tube, and craft materials you can find around your house) and flexible – don’t want to do a certain activity, you can skip it and just listen to the song and do the countdown chart!

How does it work? 

·       Advent Activities 2023 focuses on two Christmas Carols, each lasting two weeks.  Specific activities are given for each day of the school week with optional baking and movies for the weekend. 

·       Sometime before the Advent season starts, download and print the Advent Chart, gather the materials for arts & crafts, baking, and movies, and cue up the playlist videos.   

·       Every day of the week, check out my website for instructions and that day’s video assignment. 

·       Weekends are more flexible – a baking activity and Christmas movie is suggested but it is purely optional

What kind of activities does it cover?  Families will

·       Listen to at least 10 versions of the same hymn over the course of two weeks.

·       Study the Biblical references for each verse.

·       Practice fine motor skills through handwriting and copywork.

·       Learn how to sign the song in American Sign Language

·       Play rhythm activities along with the song

·       Observe a beautiful work of art related to the hymn

·       Create a craft project related to the hymn

How to Use….

1.     Print out the Countdown chart and Cut Out Chart: https://www.bethsmithstudio.com/store/advent2023  

 2.     Store each child’s cut outs in a labeled plastic bag

 3.     Print out the artwork

 4.     Gather the materials – arts, crafts supplies, rhythm sticks, youtube, scissors, glue sticks

 5.     Each day, open https://www.bethsmithstudio.com/blog for instructions and links for that day’s activities

 6.     Cut and paste the Cut out and place it on the correct spot on the Calendar

 7.     Listen to today’s song

 8.     Complete the activity