Lesson Plan
Holiday Book Nook
Students will explore a variety of holiday-themed books and identify at least two books they are interested in reading over the holiday break. They will also practice identifying different genres within holiday literature.
This lesson encourages students to engage with diverse stories and cultures during the holiday season, fostering a love for reading and providing them with fun, enriching activities for their time off from school.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
30 Minutes
Approach
Interactive book talks, visual exploration, and personal reflection.
Materials
Holiday Book Nook Slide Deck, Teacher Script: Holiday Book Nook, Warm-Up: Holiday Reading Survey, Cool-Down: My Holiday Reading Wishlist, and Assorted holiday-themed books (physical or digital display)
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15-20 minutes
- Review the Holiday Book Nook Slide Deck and customize as needed.
* Read through the Teacher Script: Holiday Book Nook to familiarize yourself with talking points.
* Gather a diverse collection of holiday-themed books (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, different cultural holidays) or prepare a digital display of book covers.
* Print copies of the Warm-Up: Holiday Reading Survey and Cool-Down: My Holiday Reading Wishlist.
* Ensure projector/screen is working for the slide deck.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction
5 minutes
- Distribute the Warm-Up: Holiday Reading Survey as students enter.
* Project the first slide of the Holiday Book Nook Slide Deck and begin with the introduction from the Teacher Script: Holiday Book Nook.
* Briefly discuss student responses to the warm-up.
Step 2
Book Nook Exploration
15 minutes
- Present a selection of diverse holiday books using the Holiday Book Nook Slide Deck and the Teacher Script: Holiday Book Nook for engaging 'book talks.'
* Highlight different genres and cultural celebrations.
* Encourage students to jot down interesting titles from the 'book talks' or from browsing physical books if available.
Step 3
My Holiday Reading Wishlist
7 minutes
- Distribute the Cool-Down: My Holiday Reading Wishlist.
* Instruct students to list books they'd like to read over the break, either from the presentation or books they already know.
* Facilitate a quick share-out:
Step 4
Wrap-Up
3 minutes
- Reiterate the importance of reading for fun.
* Remind students about library resources or how to access books mentioned.
* Collect cool-down sheets if desired.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Welcome to the Holiday Book Nook!
Get Ready to Explore!
* What are your favorite things about the holidays?
* What kind of stories do you like to read?
Welcome students and prepare for the warm-up discussion. Ask students to share one interesting thing from their warm-up sheet. Facilitate a brief discussion.
Passport to Holiday Stories
Discover New Worlds & Traditions!
* Holidays are celebrated in many ways.
* Books help us travel to different places and times.
Introduce the idea of exploring different holiday stories. Briefly mention the diversity of holidays celebrated around the world.
Featured Holiday Reads!
Let's dive into some amazing books!
* Book 1: [Title] - [Author] (Genre: [e.g., Fiction, Folktale])
* Quick Intrigue: What makes this story special?
* Book 2: [Title] - [Author] (Genre: [e.g., Non-Fiction, Poetry])
* Quick Intrigue: What will you learn or feel from this book?
Present a few diverse holiday books. For example, a book about Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or New Year's traditions. Highlight the genre and a fun fact about each. This is where I'd do my 'book talk' examples.
More Holiday Adventures Await!
So many stories, so little time!
* Book 3: [Title] - [Author] (Genre: [e.g., Fantasy, Historical Fiction])
* Quick Intrigue: What kind of journey will this book take you on?
* Remember: Holiday books aren't just about one holiday! They cover many cultures and traditions.
Continue with more book examples if time allows, or focus on a few deep dives. Encourage students to think about what they might enjoy.
Your Holiday Reading Wishlist!
What will YOU read next?
* Think about the books we discussed today.
* Think about any books you already know.
* What two books would you love to read over the holiday break?
* Fill out your Cool-Down: My Holiday Reading Wishlist sheet!
Explain the Cool-Down activity clearly. Give them a few minutes to think and write.
Happy Reading & Happy Holidays!
Keep exploring, keep reading!
* Your library is full of adventures.
* Enjoy your break with a great book (or two!)
Conclude the lesson by encouraging reading and wishing them a happy break.
Script
Teacher Script: Holiday Book Nook
Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)
(As students are settling in, ensure they have the Warm-Up: Holiday Reading Survey. Project Slide 1: Welcome to the Holiday Book Nook!)
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Welcome to our special 'Holiday Book Nook' session. As you came in, you received a Holiday Reading Survey sheet. Let's take a quick minute to share! Who can tell us one interesting thing they wrote down, maybe a favorite holiday tradition or a type of story they love?"
(Allow 2-3 students to share briefly. Transition to Slide 2: Passport to Holiday Stories)
"That's wonderful! Today, we're going on a little adventure, a 'Passport to Holiday Stories'! The holiday season is a special time, and it's celebrated in so many different ways around the world. Books are like magic passports – they can take us to different places, traditions, and even feelings, all without leaving our library!"
Book Nook Exploration (15 minutes)
(Transition to Slide 3: Featured Holiday Reads! - Have physical books ready or display covers on the slide)
"Now, let's dive into some amazing holiday reads. I've brought a few special books with me today, and I'm going to give you a quick 'book talk' on each. As I do, think about which ones spark your interest. You might even want to jot down titles that sound good to you."
"First up, we have... [Hold up/point to Book 1] ...This book is called [Book Title] by [Author]. It's a [Genre, e.g., heartwarming fiction/informative non-fiction] story about [briefly describe the plot/topic without giving away too much, e.g., 'a family celebrating Diwali' or 'the history of different holiday decorations']."
"What makes this story special? Well, [share one intriguing detail, e.g., 'it shows how light triumphs over darkness' or 'it’s full of incredible recipes']. I think you'll love it if you enjoy [suggest a type of story, e.g., 'stories about friendship' or 'learning about new cultures']. "
(Repeat for 2-3 more books, using Slide 4: More Holiday Adventures Await! as needed. Emphasize diverse holiday traditions like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Eid, New Year's, etc. Remember to explicitly mention the genre for each book.)
"Wow, so many stories, right? Holiday books aren't just about one holiday; they open up a whole world of traditions, feelings, and fun! Remember, you can find stories about traditions from all over the world in our library."
My Holiday Reading Wishlist (7 minutes)
(Transition to Slide 5: Your Holiday Reading Wishlist! Distribute the Cool-Down: My Holiday Reading Wishlist worksheet.)
"Alright, now it's your turn to think about what you want to read! I'm handing out a sheet called My Holiday Reading Wishlist. On this sheet, I want you to think about the books we talked about today, or any other books you already know that you'd love to read over the upcoming holiday break. List at least two books that you'd be excited to dive into."
(Give students a few minutes to fill out their wishlists.)
"Who would like to share one book they've put on their wishlist and why?"
(Allow a few students to share. Encourage them to explain their choices briefly.)
Wrap-Up (3 minutes)
(Transition to Slide 6: Happy Reading & Happy Holidays!)
"Excellent choices, everyone! Remember, reading for fun is one of the best ways to spend your time, especially during a break. Our library is full of amazing adventures waiting for you. Feel free to check out any of these books or ask me for more recommendations before you leave."
"Thank you for joining me in the Holiday Book Nook today! I wish you all happy reading and wonderful holidays!"
Warm Up
Warm-Up: Holiday Reading Survey
Welcome to the Holiday Book Nook! Before we explore some amazing stories, let's get to know your holiday reading habits.
- What is one of your favorite things about the upcoming holiday season?
- Do you usually read books for fun during your holiday breaks? Why or why not?
- What kind of stories or books do you enjoy reading the most? (e.g., adventure, fantasy, mystery, non-fiction, comics)
- Have you ever read a book that was specifically about a holiday or a holiday tradition? If so, what was it?
Cool Down
Cool-Down: My Holiday Reading Wishlist
Now that we've explored some awesome holiday books, it's time to create your own reading plan for the break!
-
List two books you would love to read over the holiday break. These can be books we talked about today, or any other books you know!
Book 1:
- Title:
- Author:
- Why do you want to read this book?
Book 2:
- Title:
- Author:
- Why do you want to read this book?
- Title:
-
What is one new thing you learned about holiday stories or different types of books today?