The ideas are endless when using your class Elf as inspiration or to help engage your students in Christmas writing activities.ย
Maybe it is a Santaโs workshop job application, a description of your elf or a story where the hero is the class Elf on the Shelf. We even like the idea of setting up a writing workshop during reading groups or literacy time and have elf host the centre / activity.
In saying this, we know that teacher life can be a little hectic this time of the year, so we have done all the hard thinking for you.
Read on to discover…
6 Fun Elf on the Shelf Christmas Writing Activities you can use in your classroom this year during December
1. Christmas Writing and Craft
Get students writing and having fun with our 3D Christmas craft. This activity also opens itself up to being a great speaking and listening, and reflection task.ย
ย
We love to set up our Elf on the Shelf to bring these activities to the class OR even create an example for the class to see.ย
This Christmas writing activity includes 3 writing prompts, so it could be done over several days or in one big sitting.ย ย
Prompts include:
- If you could give one GIFT to the world this Christmas what would it be?
- You have been given the chance to interview Santa Claus. What questions would you ask him?
- Draw and label some symbols you see at Christmas time.
Grab your copy here.ย
โThese ornament templates are super cute! I love that they have a combination of writing prompts, images to color, and some blank/patterned designs to get creative with!โ – Rebecca
2. Elf Report Card
This is such a fun Christmas writing activity, especially since in Australia, students are receiving their end of year report cards.
After your Elf on the Shelf has been around for a while, ask students to reflect on their behaviour. Then get students to write a โgeneral commentโ for Elf – this is a great time to talk about formal language or even the art of a โcompliment sandwichโ.ย
Grab your FREE copy of our Elf Report Card here.
3. Christmas Writing Book Review
Every Elf comes with the โElf on the Shelf: A Christmas Traditionโ storybook. Make the most of the book by reading it to your class, having it as part of our class library during December and then asking students to write a book report about it.
A Christmas book report doesnโt need to be about this book though. You could read any Christmas book or a series of Christmas books for the students to review. We have a free Christmas book report template here.
Teacher tip: If you teach older students: mix it up and ask them to review a Christmas Carol of their choice.
Find the UNO Games for Maths here.
4. Persuasive Christmas writing
Kids love persuasive writing and this is the perfect time of year to give them some fun prompts to get creative with.ย
Have your class Elf on the Shelf write a persuasive writing prompt on the board, then invite students to start convincing others with their point of view.
Some examples of fun persuasive Christmas writing prompts:
- โShould Santa send his Elves out to watch children or keep them in the workshop to help him prepare for Christmas?โ
- โElf season should last longerโ – Convince Santa
- โConvince the Grinch to embrace the joy and magic of the Elf on the Shelf traditionโ
- โWrite a persuasive pitch to a movie producer, persuading them to turn your class elf’s story into a blockbuster filmโ
5. Ready to print Christmas Writing Prompts
We are all short on time this time of the yearโฆ so why not make it easy on yourself and grab these FREE writing prompts. You could even allow your students to choose which one they want to work on first – bringing in some student voice and choice.
These prompts have a card (your Elf could be holding it) and templates for your students to answer directly on.ย
Grab your free Christmas Creative Writing prompts here. It is as easy as print-and-go!
โSuch variety in this freebie, thanks for sharing. This could be used at any time of the year also.โ Rebecca B Designs
6. The Compliment Wreath
Have your class Elf on the Shelf deliver the materials to create compliment wreaths. Elf might even leave a leaf with a compliment for each child to get them started.
We love this lesson because it gets kids reflecting on what is special about their classmates but also writing for a purpose.ย
Read more about how we teach this lesson here OR grab your copy of our compliment wreaths here.ย
โSuch an amazing resource! It really helped my kiddos think about kind things they could say to othersโ – Taneal
BONUS IDEA
Do an Elf on the Shelf directed drawing such as this one on Art Hub for Kids. Once the artworks are complete, ask students to add descriptive words about the class Elf on the Shelf to their artwork.
Bringing the Elf on the Shelf into your classroom not only adds a sprinkle of magic to the holiday season but also provides countless opportunities for imaginative and fun Christmas writing activities.ย
Make the most of your mischievous Elf and your students’ enthusiasm for them!ย
Need some Elf on the Shelf inspo? Grab our Free Teacher Checklist, Elf Surveillance Poster and Elf Report Card printable here.ย ย
โThese are excellent ideas for using an elf in your classroom.โ – Amy
Did you know we have aย podcast? Listen to our episode about Ways to Survive the End of the School Year here.
What to read next:
Kindness at Christmas โ ideas and a freebie
Christmas Gift Guide for Teachers