School Workshops

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!

Introduction

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!

Contact Us

Year Groups	EYFS- KS2 – KS4 P1 – P7 Junior Infants – 6th Class
Curriculum	Christmas
Pupil Numbers	whole-school
Duration	40-minute – 1-hour sessions
Space	School Hall

Workshop FAQs

How many pupils can take part?

Celebrations in Rhyme: Christmas can accommodate up-to 420 pupils over the course of the day.

What is the format of the day?

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 visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector so that pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint

Where do the workshops take place?

These are active workshops and benefit from a large open space such as the school hall.

Workshop Testimonials

“Y4 had a super poetry and drama workshop earlier this week with Jo. They shared what they knew about figurative language, did some choral performance and created a Christmas clerihew poem. Perhaps the favourite activity was the human sculpture game though.”

Hunts Cross Primary

“The children used their imaginations and creativity to create the poem. The sessions helped the children learn about how to create their own poem and it promoted the children’s vocabulary. All children were able to access the sessions, they were very inclusive … and they really enjoyed performing their whole school poem in assembly at the end of the day.”

Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

“Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have had a wonderful poetry day where we have created our own verses with actions that we will combine to make one amazing collaborative poem. We have actions for Christmas trees, snowmen, excitement and flaming Christmas puddings!”

St Wilfrids Primary

“The children thoroughly enjoyed their day and particularly loved performing at the beginning and end with the whole school. The students gained further understanding of how to use their ideas to write poetry, as well as a look at performing poetry. Some staff were surprised by how some more reluctant readers and writers in class were engaged with the poetry. It was great to be able to involve the whole school in a workshop day all the way from EYFS and bring the children together to work collaboratively.”

Northway Primary