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What is Winter Solstice? - Educational Videos for Kids
Grades
K to 6
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What is Winter Solstice? from Educational Videos for Kids is a short video from Big Sis and Lil' Bro Podcast. In addition to sharing about the winter solstice, it shares ...more
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What is Winter Solstice? from Educational Videos for Kids is a short video from Big Sis and Lil' Bro Podcast. In addition to sharing about the winter solstice, it shares the shadow trick, how the solstice was celebrated in Ancient Egypt, and how it is celebrated around the world.
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tag(s): cultures (268), moon (85), seasonal (35), seasons (56), sun (83)
In the Classroom
Students can create their own podcast about the winter solstice using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here. Students can create a comic about the winter solstice using Witty Comics, reviewed here. Students can compare and contrast the different ways the winter solstice is celebrated around the world using 2 and 3 Circle Interactive Venn Diagrams by ClassTools, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Exploring the Winter Solstice: Fun Facts and Secrets for Kids - Kidzoneer
Grades
K to 5
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Share this video that explains the winter solstice. It shares the history of the word "solstice," the relationship and mystery of Stonehenge and Newgrange, the rumored stories about...more
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Share this video that explains the winter solstice. It shares the history of the word "solstice," the relationship and mystery of Stonehenge and Newgrange, the rumored stories about gods/goddesses, the date of the winter solstice on Earth and the other planets in the solar system, and traditions.
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In the Classroom
Students can compare and contrast the winter and summer solstice using Google Drawing, reviewed here. Students can use Timeline JS, reviewed here to share the dates of the winter solstice on other planets. Finally, students can use Aha Slides, reviewed here to create a presentation about the winter solstice.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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What's the Winter Solstice? - National Geographic Kids
Grades
2 to 5
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Wonder what the Winter Solstice is? National Geographic Kids answers your question. The article also covers Season v. Solstice, Can you See the Solstice, Ancient Solstice Sites, Still...more
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Wonder what the Winter Solstice is? National Geographic Kids answers your question. The article also covers Season v. Solstice, Can you See the Solstice, Ancient Solstice Sites, Still Celebrating the Sun, and Winter Solstice Celebrations Around the World.
tag(s): cultures (268), seasonal (35), seasons (56), sun (83)
In the Classroom
Students can research more about the Winter Solstice Celebrations Around the World by using Kiddle, reviewed here. Students can compare and contrast a season versus a solstice using Venn Diagram Creator by Canva, reviewed here. Finally, students can share what they learned about the Winter Solstice by creating a virtual sticky board on Lino, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Learn About the Winter Solstice - Sierra Club BC
Grades
3 to 6
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If you want to deepen students' understanding of the winter solstice through nature, story, and science, the Educational Curriculum: Winter Solstice from Sierra Club BC offers...more
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If you want to deepen students' understanding of the winter solstice through nature, story, and science, the Educational Curriculum: Winter Solstice from Sierra Club BC offers a rich and thoughtful collection of lessons. This resource includes four interconnected modules that explore the solstice through physical science, cultural traditions, ecological rhythms, and sustainability-focused celebration. Each lesson encourages students to observe seasonal patterns, connect with the land, learn from Indigenous knowledge, and reflect on how humans and nature respond to winter. It is a meaningful way to blend science, social studies, storytelling, and environmental awareness in the classroom.
tag(s): cultures (268), earth (192), seasonal (35), seasons (56), sun (83), sustainability (53)
In the Classroom
Read a winter-themed story that reflects cultural or seasonal traditions, then have students share a short reflection about a tradition or memory from winter in their own lives. After learning about seasonal cycles, have students design a simple "celebration of light" activity, such as creating lanterns from recycled materials or writing hopes for the coming season. Take students outside to observe signs of winter in plants, animals, and weather. They can record observations in a nature journal and write a few sentences about how living things adapt during this season, echoing the "Rhythms and Patterns" module.
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It's Winter in the Northern Hemisphere! - ReadWriteThink
Grades
3 to 8
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If you want to help students explore the meaning of the season, check out this ReadWriteThink page, which offers a creative, literacy-rich way to welcome winter. This resource guides...more
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If you want to help students explore the meaning of the season, check out this ReadWriteThink page, which offers a creative, literacy-rich way to welcome winter. This resource guides students in brainstorming winter words and images, reading a seasonal picture book, and using interactive tools, such as a Venn diagram or a postcard creator, to compare their own winter experiences with those in literature. It also encourages reflection on family and community traditions and invites the class to begin a new tradition of their own for the first day of winter. This page is an engaging way to blend ELA skills with seasonal awareness and personal connection.
In the Classroom
Start with a class brainstorming session where students list words, feelings, images, and sounds connected to winter. They can record ideas on sticky notes or a shared chart, just like the activity suggests, to build seasonal vocabulary. Have students design a "Winter in My World" postcard that includes an illustration on the front and a short message on the back describing a personal winter tradition or memory. Inspired by the website suggestion, have students brainstorm ideas for a new classroom tradition to celebrate the first day of winter. They can vote on one tradition, create posters announcing it, and write about why it represents the spirit of winter.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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But Why- Winter Solstice - Vermont Public / But Why: Adventures
Grades
2 to 5
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Step into the shortest day of the year with this engaging lesson plan for grades 3-5. The resource guides students in exploring the scientific phenomenon of the winter solstice, what...more
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Step into the shortest day of the year with this engaging lesson plan for grades 3-5. The resource guides students in exploring the scientific phenomenon of the winter solstice, what it is, why days get shorter, and how people around the world observe it. Through mindfulness exercises, outdoor nature walks, multimedia (video) prompts, drawing and research tasks, and cultural-tradition comparisons, the plan weaves together Earth science, geography, social studies, and reflection. Educators can use it to foster curiosity about seasonal change, connect students to nature, and spark discussions about how communities celebrate light, dark, and renewal. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): cultures (268), earth (192), seasonal (35), seasons (56), sun (83)
In the Classroom
After watching the short solstice video, have students draw a quick sketch showing the Earth's tilt and how it creates the shortest day of the year. Using the lesson's examples of solstice celebrations worldwide, have students create a simple chart comparing how three cultures celebrate light, darkness, or renewal. They can create the chart digitally with Vizzlo, reviewed here. Then have them choose one tradition to illustrate or describe in a short paragraph, or make a class slideshow presentation with Genially, reviewed here.
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How to Celebrate Winter Solstice With Kids-Tinkergarten
Grades
K to 5
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View this article, a warm and inspiring resource that offers educators and families a lively, nature-based guide to celebrating the winter solstice with children. It begins by explaining...more
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View this article, a warm and inspiring resource that offers educators and families a lively, nature-based guide to celebrating the winter solstice with children. It begins by explaining the astronomical basis of the solstice, the year's shortest day, and frames the moment as a joyful turning point toward more daylight ahead. The article then shares hands-on activities such as decorating with evergreens, exploring shadows, making pomanders, crafting ice lanterns, and lighting candles or lanterns to welcome the longer days to come. With its focus on outdoor exploration, sensory experiences, and rituals that build community, this resource easily supports lessons on science, seasonal changes, and shared classroom celebrations.
tag(s): crafts (90), earth (192), seasonal (35), seasons (56), sun (83)
In the Classroom
Take students outside to observe and trace their shadows at two different times of day. Have them compare lengths and direction, then discuss how the winter solstice relates to changing sunlight. Have students design and create an ice lantern using molds, natural materials, and freezing temperatures. They can record the steps, observe melting rates, and explain the science behind freezing and thawing. Connect this to solstice traditions involving light. Inspired by the article's ritual ideas, students can create paper lanterns, write wishes or hopes for the growing light, and participate in a short "lantern walk" around the classroom or hallway. Afterward, they write a reflection on why people celebrate the return of longer days.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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10 Crafts & Activities Winter Solstice - How Wee Learn
Grades
2 to 5
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Explore the simple, nature-inspired crafts and hands-on projects to help students understand the meaning of the winter solstice through art, observation, and play. From making icy sun...more
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Explore the simple, nature-inspired crafts and hands-on projects to help students understand the meaning of the winter solstice through art, observation, and play. From making icy sun catchers to creating themed journals or light-themed decorations, the activities encourage students to notice seasonal changes, reflect on light and dark, and connect outdoor learning with classroom discussions. It's an inviting collection for teachers looking to blend science, creativity, and seasonal celebration.
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tag(s): crafts (90), earth (192), seasonal (35), seasons (56), sun (83)
In the Classroom
Have students create simple ice sun catchers using water, natural materials, and a freezer or outdoor cold temperatures. Afterward, they can write a quick observation about how the changing light interacts with their artwork and what this reveals about the winter solstice. Using a solstice-themed journal (inspired by the page), have students write short entries describing what they notice about daylight, temperature, and nature during this time of year. For a digital version, use Book Creator, reviewed here. After learning about different cultural celebrations of light around the solstice, students can create a small craft (such as a lantern, candle silhouette art, or light-themed collage) and write a short explanation card that connects their piece to the meaning of the solstice.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Winter Solstice - Twinkl Educational Publishing
Grades
2 to 6
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This teacher-friendly resource explains what causes the winter solstice, why daylight changes throughout the seasons, and how different cultures have celebrated this moment for centuries....more
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This teacher-friendly resource explains what causes the winter solstice, why daylight changes throughout the seasons, and how different cultures have celebrated this moment for centuries. It also provides ready-to-use materials, including PowerPoints, reading passages, comprehension activities, and printable displays, that help students explore Earth's tilt, seasonal traditions, and wintertime observations in a meaningful, cross-curricular way.
In the Classroom
Use one of the provided reading passages about the solstice (myths, traditions, or science). Have students highlight key details, identify the main idea, and write a short summary explaining why the solstice is significant. After viewing Twinkl's content on places like Stonehenge, students can research how ancient monuments align with the solstice. They can create a one-page "Show What You Know" poster using paper or DesignCap Poster Creator, reviewed here illustrating the structure and its purpose. Using a pencil taped upright to a piece of cardboard, have students measure the length of its shadow at different times of day. They can compare their observations with Twinkl's explanation of Earth's tilt and discuss why shadows change as daylight increases or decreases.
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Storytime with Kate Meszaros- Winter Solstice Wish - Kate Ingersoll-Meszaros
Grades
K to 5
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This read-aloud video features a warm and engaging storytelling session of Winter Solstice Wish by Kate Allan Fox, where the narrator guides students through the meaning of the...more
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This read-aloud video features a warm and engaging storytelling session of Winter Solstice Wish by Kate Allan Fox, where the narrator guides students through the meaning of the winter solstice using vivid imagery and connections to real seasonal changes they can observe. The video highlights why the solstice occurs, what it feels like during the shortest days of the year, and how people around the world celebrate light, hope, and renewal during this time. Through rich descriptions of dwindling sunlight, growing shadows, and traditions like gathering firewood and making wishes, students gain a deeper understanding of both the science and the symbolism of the solstice. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): crafts (90), earth (192), seasonal (35), seasons (56), snow (22), sun (83)
In the Classroom
Have your students write or draw their favorite moment from the story and explain how it shows what the winter solstice feels like or why it is special. Inspired by the book's theme of hope and renewal, have students create a "winter wish" card or paper lantern expressing something they hope will grow brighter in their lives or their community. Students can choose a winter solstice or winter-light celebration (such as Yule, Dongzhi, or Soyal) and make a slide using Google Slides, reviewed here explaining one tradition. Compile these slides into a class presentation to share with the class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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December Solstice - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
2 to 6
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This PBS LearningMedia resource features a winter solstice-themed video that helps students understand why the solstice occurs, how the Earth's tilt affects daylight, and what seasonal...more
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This PBS LearningMedia resource features a winter solstice-themed video that helps students understand why the solstice occurs, how the Earth's tilt affects daylight, and what seasonal changes people notice during the darkest time of the year. The short, engaging video is paired with easy-to-use lesson plans and extension activities that support visual, auditory, and hands-on learning. Although it is designed for the Northeastern United States, the concepts are applicable anywhere and can be adapted for use in classrooms in other regions. Teachers can use the video as a hook to introduce a science or social studies lesson on seasonal patterns, guide students in observing local daylight changes, or incorporate art and writing activities to explore winter traditions and the natural world.
tag(s): cultures (268), earth (192), seasonal (35), seasons (56), sun (83)
In the Classroom
Have students track sunrise and sunset times for a week before and after the winter solstice, then graph the changes using LiveGap Charts reviewed here to visualize how daylight shifts over time. Using a stick or pencil placed upright outside, students can measure the length and direction of shadows at different times of day. They can compare results to understand why shadows are longest near the solstice. After watching the video, have students research how different cultures recognize or celebrate the winter solstice. They can create a simple poster, mini-presentation, or journal page in Canva for Education, reviewed here about a tradition they find interesting.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jewish Grandparents Network - David Raphael and Lee M. Hendler
Grades
K to 5
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The Jewish Grandparents Network is a website filled with resources that educate, support, and connect grandparents as essential partners in enriching Jewish life through the generations....more
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The Jewish Grandparents Network is a website filled with resources that educate, support, and connect grandparents as essential partners in enriching Jewish life through the generations. Scrolling down the page (or from the top menu), you will see The Family Room, which contains Arts, Celebration and Holidays, Cooking and Food, Family Stories, a Reading Room, and more. Under the Resources tab, coloring and Activity Downloads are available.
tag(s): family (53), hanukkah (22), holidays (246), jews (63), preK (298), religions (121)
In the Classroom
Students can compare and contrast different celebrations using the Interactive 2 Circle Venn Diagram by ReadWriteThink, reviewed here. Students can complete the coloring and activities featured on the site. Finally, students can create a recipe book using Book Creator, reviewed here.
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Hour of Code - Code.org
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K to 12
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Hour of Code provides teachers, students, and parents with resources and activities to support computer science education and their new initiative, Hour of AI. Visit the "Learn" portion...more
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Hour of Code provides teachers, students, and parents with resources and activities to support computer science education and their new initiative, Hour of AI. Visit the "Learn" portion of the site to find videos, tutorials, and programming activities for all ages and ability levels. The "Teach" area features downloadable curricula for all grade levels, including instruction on coding and AI. Visit the link for parents to take advantage of activities that teach the fundamentals of coding through Hour of Code activities and self-paced computer science courses. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (254), coding (96), critical thinking (163), logic (160), problem solving (262), STEM (340)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site to use during annual Hour of AI or Code activities and throughout the year as part of computer science instruction. Integrate coding activities into cross-curricular lessons, for example, by incorporating coding exercises that enable students to explore geometry and patterns within their math lessons. Integrate with science lessons to explore the scientific method or use coding activities to create interactive stories that bring student writing projects to life. Extend student learning by including activities and lessons from Hour of AI, reviewed here as part of your computer science curriculum. Share student projects on your class website or on a site such as Milanote, reviewed here to curate and share information.
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Listening with Understanding and Empathy (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Discover our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Listening with Understanding and Empathy--the practice of devoting genuine mental energy to another person's thoughts and...more
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Discover our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Listening with Understanding and Empathy--the practice of devoting genuine mental energy to another person's thoughts and ideas while making a sincere effort to perceive their point of view and emotions. This vital habit helps students move beyond simply hearing words to truly understanding others by asking clarifying questions, considering perspectives different from their own, and giving their full attention during conversations. In a world of constant communication, we've gathered a variety of tools to help you teach students to listen beyond the words and to make an effort to perceive another person's perspective. In this collection, you'll find things like video examples demonstrating active listening skills and empathetic responses, role-playing activities and conversation scenarios that practice perspective-taking, printable question stems and sentence starters to guide meaningful dialogue, lesson plans featuring partner interviews and collaborative discussion protocols, and reflection journals where students can explore different viewpoints, as well as digital platforms for structured discussions and collaborative storytelling. As you weave these resources into your daily routines, you'll create a classroom where students practice understanding one another, which helps foster a culture of respect and genuine connection.
In the Classroom
Share these resources with your students to learn more about listening with understanding and empathy. Share a link to this collection on your school web page and in your school newsletter (or email). Find resources to incorporate into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Questioning and Posing Problems (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Investigate our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Questioning and Posing Problems--the curious practice of asking yourself "How can I find out?", developing powerful questioning...more
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Investigate our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Questioning and Posing Problems--the curious practice of asking yourself "How can I find out?", developing powerful questioning strategies, and actively seeking problems to solve with a commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of precision. This inquiry-driven habit empowers students to ask meaningful "why" and "what if" questions, identify gaps in their understanding, and formulate questions that deepen learning and spark new discoveries. In this collection, you'll find video examples of scientists, innovators, and students modeling effective questioning techniques, interactive inquiry activities and problem-finding challenges that stimulate curiosity, interactive checklists and digital rubrics that help students verify their work against clear criteria, question stems and wondering journals to capture emerging thoughts, lesson plans featuring Socratic seminars and question formulation techniques, and mystery scenarios that require students to generate their own investigative questions. With these resources, your students will gain practical strategies and examples to help them double-check their work, verify information, and strive for the highest level of quality in all their endeavors.
tag(s): questioning (36), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Help your students learn and practice questioning and posing questions. This list includes resources for all grades. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn ways to incorporate the information in your lessonsAdd your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Winter Solstice Resources - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Bring the magic of the winter solstice into your classroom with activities that blend science, culture, and creativity! The shortest day of the year (December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere)...more
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Bring the magic of the winter solstice into your classroom with activities that blend science, culture, and creativity! The shortest day of the year (December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere) offers a perfect opportunity to explore Earth's tilt and orbit through hands-on demonstrations with globes and flashlights, helping students visualize why we experience different amounts of daylight throughout the year. You can also take a multicultural approach by learning about how different societies have celebrated this astronomical event for thousands of years--from Stonehenge's ancient alignment with the solstice sunrise to festivals like Yule, Dongzhi, and Inti Raymi that honor the return of longer days. Creative activities might include graphing sunrise and sunset times throughout the year, writing poetry about light and darkness, creating winter solstice lanterns, or researching how animals and plants respond to changing daylight. These resources not only teach important STEM concepts about astronomy and seasons, but also foster appreciation for diverse cultural traditions and our shared human experience of observing the natural world.
In the Classroom
Help your students learn more about the winter solstice. Find resources on this list for students to use in cooperative learning groups. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn how to incorporate its information into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Project Zero Thinking Routines - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Project Zero Thinking Routines are research-based instructional tools designed to cultivate students' thinking dispositions and make their cognitive processes visible in powerful, accessible...more
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Project Zero Thinking Routines are research-based instructional tools designed to cultivate students' thinking dispositions and make their cognitive processes visible in powerful, accessible ways. Developed by researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, these simple, repeatable mini-strategies are the building blocks of an authentic thinking culture in your classroom. These routines have been refined over decades of classroom implementation and represent some of the most effective strategies for developing critical and creative thinking skills. What makes Project Zero routines so impactful is their elegant simplicity--structured prompts like "Think, Pair, Share," "See, Think, Wonder," and "Circle of Viewpoints" can be learned quickly but used deeply, helping students develop habits of mind such as reasoning with evidence, considering different perspectives, and making careful observations. These aren't just classroom activities; they're cognitive frameworks that students internalize and carry with them, becoming tools they naturally reach for when encountering new ideas or complex problems. Discover resources in this collection, including templates, anchor charts, videos, lesson plan examples utilizing Thinking Routines, collaborative whiteboards, debate tools, collaborative sharing platforms, virtual bulletin boards, video and audio tools, and more. The resources help you understand the research behind these routines, learn how to implement them effectively across grade levels and content areas, and discover how they can transform your classroom into a culture where thinking is valued, shared, and continuously developed.
tag(s): thinking routines (29), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Explore this collection to learn more about Thinking Routines and how to implement them in your lessons. Begin by selecting a routine that aligns with your learning objective--such as "See, Think, Wonder" for developing observation skills or "Think, Pair, Share" for collaborative processing--then model it explicitly before having students practice it regularly. As routines become familiar through repeated use, students internalize these cognitive frameworks and begin applying them independently, transforming your classroom into a culture where thoughtful inquiry and reflection become natural habits.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Flexible Thinking Activities - Life Skills Advocate, LLC
Grades
3 to 12
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The Life Skills Advocate blog provides a warm and practical collection of quick-hit strategies and activities designed to promote flexible thinking in students. It explores what flexible...more
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The Life Skills Advocate blog provides a warm and practical collection of quick-hit strategies and activities designed to promote flexible thinking in students. It explores what flexible thinking really means, why it matters for learning and life, and provides easy-to-use prompts, such as changing routines, trying different perspectives, or playing brain-teaser games, to foster adaptability and problem-solving. This resource is invaluable if you're looking for ways to build student resilience, creativity, and executive-functioning skills in the classroom.
tag(s): flexibility (7), perspective (26), problem solving (262), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Give students a puzzle or game that has more than one solution and challenge them to find at least two ways to solve it. Then, have them share how they chose those methods. After reading a poem or short story, have students write what a different character or stakeholder might think or do. Then discuss how shifting their viewpoint changed their understanding of the text. Have students identify a classroom or school routine or space (for example, recess line-up, library checkout, transitions) and redesign it using flexible thinking. Then have the students map out at least two alternative versions, predict outcomes, and present their designs and reasoning to the class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OER Commons- Thinking Flexibly - OER Commons
Grades
1 to 12
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The OER Commons website offers a helpful collection of free lessons and activities focused on the habit of thinking flexibly. Teachers can find ready-to-use resources such as lesson...more
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The OER Commons website offers a helpful collection of free lessons and activities focused on the habit of thinking flexibly. Teachers can find ready-to-use resources such as lesson plans, checklists, and discussion prompts that help students learn how to adjust their thinking, see new perspectives, and try different strategies when solving problems. These materials cover a range of grade levels and subjects and can be easily adapted to fit your classroom needs, making it a great place to support creative and critical thinking.
tag(s): critical thinking (163), flexibility (7), perspective (26), problem solving (262), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Start class with puzzles or riddles that can be solved in more than one way, encouraging students to explore different strategies and perspectives. In small groups, have students tackle an open-ended task, such as designing a classroom improvement plan or inventing a tool for everyday life, using creative and logical thinking to propose multiple solutions. Use an OER Commons lesson in science or math that asks students to approach a problem from more than one angle, emphasizing that flexibility strengthens understanding in all subjects.
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Thinking Flexible Lesson Plan - scribd
Grades
4 to 12
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This lesson plan, titled "Thinking Flexibly," focuses on helping students understand what flexible thinking looks like, how it differs from rigid thinking, and how they can develop...more
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This lesson plan, titled "Thinking Flexibly," focuses on helping students understand what flexible thinking looks like, how it differs from rigid thinking, and how they can develop it as a habit of mind. The objectives include explaining what "thinking flexibly" means, identifying examples and non-examples, transforming rigid-thinking scenarios into flexible ones, and applying the skill in the classroom, home, and real-world contexts. The plan includes definition, examples, group practice, and reflection to help students internalize the mindset shift.
tag(s): flexibility (7), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Present students with everyday classroom situations (for example, "You forgot your homework" or "Your partner disagrees with your idea"). Have them sort these into rigid or flexible thinking responses and discuss what makes each one different. Have students reflect weekly on moments when they practiced flexibility in school or at home, describing how adapting their thinking helped them succeed. In science or math, challenge students to find two different methods to reach the same result, showing that flexible thinking leads to problem-solving success.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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