The History of Christmas: Reading With a Purpose (Reading Through History) - Softcover

The History of Christmas is a resource manual for teachers and parents. This guide includes many tools to help teachers and parents facilitate their children's learning experience. It features historical lessons on topics related to Christmas, including the origins of the Christmas holiday (both pagan & Christian), traditional foods, pageants, decorations, and Christmas songs. There are also units of instruction focusing on the popular characters of the holiday such as Santa Claus, Rudolph, and Frosty. The guide also highlights literary influences on Christmas, such as “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and A Christmas Carol. The History of Christmas provides a thorough examination of the cultural and historical origins of Christmas, which help students to gain a broader understanding of the holiday. Exercises in guided reading help to reinforce each lesson, while free response questions encourage students to consider each topic in different ways. Reading comprehension questions challenge readers to gain a deeper understanding of the material presented. Each unit also includes lessons which utilize maps, charts, graphs, and timelines. The guide also suggests fun activities, recipes, movies, and music to help create the ultimate Christmas experience of for young readers. The History of Christmas can be used independently, or as a companion piece with the novel A Radio Road Christmas by Jake Henderson.

Jake Henderson is a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK, where he earned a BA in History Education. He also has a Master’s Degree in History Education from SWOSU, which he earned in 2004. He has taught US History, World History, AP Government, US Government, Geography, Oklahoma History, and Psychology at the High School level for more than ten years. He currently lives and teaches in Woodward, OK. Robert Marshall also graduated from SWOSU where he earned a BA in History Education. He has taught U.S. History, World History, U.S. Government, Geography, Oklahoma History, World Studies, Art, and Music Appreciation at the middle and high school levels since 1999. He currently teaches at Blanche Thomas High School in Sentinel, Oklahoma.