December 3rd: The First Noel
The First Noel, first written in the 13th or 14th century, and then published in Gilbert's Some Ancient Christmas Carols in 1823
Daily To Do (remember - cuddle up on a blanket, drink hot cocoa, make it snuggly and fun!)
Listen to the carols
Read the story, have a discussion with your child.
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.
What was the same about the versions of the song? What was different?
Were any unique instruments used?
What was the tempo? Fast or Slow.
Did they hear any dynamic changes? Quiet to Loud (Piano to Forte)
Which version was your favorite? Take a poll in your family.
Reading
Toddler/Preschool – ask them to point to different objects in the book.
Elementary schooler – Ask them for one thing they remember from the story.
Middle & High Schooler – Ask them to narrate (summarize) the story.
Music Selections
Vintage version
Modern version
Book Recommendations
Max Lucado tells a story of a little lamb who is different but on the first Noel, learns an important lesson.
A Vintage Christmas: A Collection of Classic Stories and Poems by a variety of authors like Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickes, and more. I would recommend The Story of Christmas (pg. 231) by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith. Not only does it nicely summarize the Christmas Story but the author and my daughter share the same name (Norah A. Smith)!
Optional Extra Activities