December 17th: O Christmas Tree

O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) was written in 1824 by Ernst Anschutz.

Daily To Do (remember - cuddle up on a blanket, drink hot cocoa, make it snuggly and fun!)

  1. Listen to the carols

  2. Read the story, have a discussion with your child. 

  3. Glue the picture on the advent chart.  If you are looking for ways to tie in this advent calendar to your school work, go through the following questions for these subjects.

 Music – Listen to the different versions of the carol.  Honestly, just enjoying the carols is enough for music appreciation.

  1. What was the same about the versions of the song?  What was different?

  2. Were any unique instruments used?

  3. What was the tempo? Fast or Slow.

  4. Did they hear any dynamic changes? Quiet to Loud (Piano to Forte)

  5. Which version was your favorite? Take a poll in your family.

 

Reading

  1. Toddler/Preschool – ask them to point to different objects in the book. 

  2. Elementary schooler – Ask them for one thing they remember from the story.

  3. Middle & High Schooler – Ask them to narrate (summarize) the story.

Music Selections

This jazz rendition by the Vince Guaraldi Trio will instantly put you in a Charlie Brown mood!

Book Recommendations

Everybody’s Tree by Barbara Joosse

O Christmas Tree: Its History and Holiday Traditions by Jacqueline Farmer.

Optional Extra Activities

Beth SmithComment