The Big Christmas Day!

Christmas puts a smile on people’s faces – a time of year when many of us get the chance to look back on the past, look forward to the future and spend time with those we love. But how often do we take a moment to consider all those traditions, all those moments in history and all those people that have combined to create the Christmas that we all know so well? The Big Christmas day gives your whole school, those who mark Christmas, those who don’t and those in between, to explore just what makes Christmas Christmas!

Able to accommodate the whole of up to a two-form entry school in a single day, The Big Christmas Day opens with a whole-school, interactive assembly exploring the history of Christmas and the science of the Christmas Star. Events continue with a series of drama-based workshops in which each year group explores a different, age-appropriate facet of this very special time of year. And if time allows, you could end the day with a second assembly – featuring Year 3/P4 singing their very own, specially written Christmas songs!

EYFS/P1: An International Christmas … What do Christmas celebrations around the world have in common – and what do people in different countries do differently? In particular, what does Christmas Dinner look like across the globe?

Year 1/P2: Crackers about Christmas Traditions … We all enjoy pulling Christmas crackers – but who invented them? Who sent the first Christmas cards? And why on earth do we bring trees into our homes and cover them in tinsel?

Year 2/P3: Pantomime – a Show for Christmas … Pantomimes are a very British tradition – but where did they come from? What makes them different from other Christmas shows – and, most importantly, what makes a good pantomime?

Year 3/P4: A Song for Christmas … Why are there so many songs about Christmas? What makes a good Christmas song? And can we write one together – and sing it?

Year 4/P5: Christmas and Winter Festivals … Christmas isn’t the only winter festival of course – so which ones are associated with people from different traditions? Is there anything they have in common? And why is this such a special time of year around the world?

Year 5: The Christmas Truce … Why was the first Christmas of World War I such a special moment in history? What role did football play in all of this? And how do professional footballers spend Christmas Day today?

Year 6: A Christmas Carol … Charles Dickens’ story of Scrooge, the Cratchits and a Christmas that turned out better than anyone expected is now a cornerstone of the festive season. And Year 6 will get the chance to tell that story themselves – in just a single workshop!

There are no costumes, props or artefacts in The Big Christmas Day. Instead, everything is achieved through age-appropriate drama-based activities, imagination - and, of course, lots of seasonal content!

"Thank you so much for our wonderful Christmas workshops that you did with the children at Aberdour. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and I heard many of them talking about it with their parents after school." Maths Lead, Aberdour School

How many pupils can take part?

The Big Christmas Day can accommodate up-to 60 pupils per workshop - that's the whole of a two-form entry school in just one day!

What is the format of the day?

We will work with you to plan a timetable for the workshops, to suit the number of classes you would like to include - and around the specific timings of your school day. A typical timetable looks like this:

09.05 – 09.25: opening assembly, in the hall …

09.25 – 09.55: Year 1 stay in the hall for their workshop …

10.00 – 10.30: Year 2 come to the hall for their workshop …

10.45 – 11.15: Year 3 come to the hall for their workshop …

11.20 – 11.40: workshop with Reception A, in their setting …

12.50 – 13.10: workshop with Reception B, in their setting …

13.15 – 13.45: Year 4 come to the hall for their workshop …

13.50 – 14.25: Year 5 come to the hall for their workshop …

14.30 – 15.10: Year 6 come to the hall for their workshop.

Are there any technical requirements?

Your presenter will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector set up in the school hall, so that pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint. We can provide this as a Google Slides presentation if necessary.

Where do the workshops take place?

These are active workshops and benefit from a large open space such as the school hall. A large classroom with desks and chairs stowed away as far as possible is fine.

Is the day available as a teaching resource?

If you're looking for Christmas-themed teaching resources then check out Christmas Crackers - www.ascreativesconnect.com/product/christmas-crackers/

Can we dress up?

Yes! Lots of the schools we work with choose to do this to really get into the theme of the day. Reindeer, Snowpeople, Elves – let your imaginations run free!