The Christmas Day Kitten Unit Study & Lapbook

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Thanks to Wende for writing the lessons and making the lapbook for this The Christmas Day Kitten unit study.

This is the story of how an independent-minded stray cat gives a woman and her three Basset hounds a Christmas present. It serves as the base for the geography, social studies, language arts, math, and science lessons found in our The Christmas Day Kitten unit study and lapbook.

Note: The book is out of print, but the story, complete with beautiful illustrations, is found in James Herriot’s Treasury for Children (a book worth buying!)

The Christmas Day Kitten Unit Study Lessons

This unit study includes lessons and printables based on the book The Christmas Day Kitten by James Herriot.

Here are some sample lessons from the The Christmas Day Kitten Unit Study.

Geography: England
The stetting of this story is England. England, a country located on the continent of Europe, is also known as the British Isles, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom. It includes about 5,000 small islands and two large ones; Great Britain and Ireland. The United Kingdom is a union of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. The population is approximately 58.8 million. The capital is London. Warm ocean currents keep the climate moderate with winds bringing the heaviest rainfall to the western coasts.

Activity– look at a map of England in an atlas. See if you can locate the Yorkshire region.

Social Studies: Christmas Symbols
Throughout the story we read about and view symbols of Christmas. Over Mrs. Pickering hangs holly with berries, bells, tinsel and red ribbons. We see pretty colored lights in shop windows. Evergreens are strewn with popcorn and balls, and pretty wreaths hang on the doors. Even the cover illustration is a picture of Buster festively framed with holly and ivy. Does your child know why some of these items are recognized worldwide as symbols of Christmas?

Bells – Bells are symbolic of a joyful noise rung out for the Lord. Bells have been used since Biblical times, to help find the livestock wearing them, and for ornamentation. In Exodus we read that only a high priest bearing a robe with bells around the hem was to be allowed to enter the holy place before the Lord. In Zechariah 14:20, the bells used for ornaments on horses’ harnesses were to be inscribed “Holiness unto the Lord”. Sing “Jingle Bells” or “Carol of the Bells” with your child. Have child recite “Christmas Bells” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Christmas Ornaments – The red balls hung on Christmas trees are thought to symbolize apples, or God’s bounty and blessings.

Evergreens – While the original adornment of evergreens was a heathen practice, Christians around the world like to think of the evergreen as a symbol of God’s eternal love for us, shown through the sacrifice of His Son. It may be fun to make strings of popcorn to strew around trees outdoors to give the birds a special Christmas treat.

Christmas Lights – Jesus is the Light of the world (Matthew 5:14), and Christmas lights are symbolic of His Light that dispels all darkness.

Wreaths – Wreaths are an unending circle of green, another symbol of God’s never ending love for us.

Holly – The pointy, green holly leaves are thought to represent the crown of thorns placed on Christ at His crucifixion, and the red berries represent his bloodshed.

You can grab a copy of the entire The Christmas Day Kitten Unit Study and Lapbook in an easy-to-print file at the end of this post.

The Christmas Day Kitten Lapbook Printables

In addition to various lessons, the file also includes these lapbook printables:

Flag of England Simple Fold
Map of England Shutterfold
Cat Communication Flap Book
Interview with a Vet Mini-book
Verbs & Adverbs Cards and Pocket
Christmas Symbols Tab Book
Christmas Copywork
“Christmas Bells” Poem and Pocket
Pet Care Layer Book
The Christmas Day Kitten Book Report Flap Book
My Favorite Present Petal Book
Warm Colors Fan
Cool Colors Fan
Dogs Accordion
Cats Accordion
Stationery Pages

How to Get Started with Your The Christmas Day Kitten Unit Study & Lapbook

Follow these simple instructions to get started with the The Christmas Day Kitten Unit Study:

Buy a copy of the book, The Christmas Day Kitten, or borrow one from your local library.
Print the The Christmas Day Kitten unit study.
Choose the lessons you want to use with your student (a highlighter works great for this).
Choose and prepare the lapbook printables you want to use with your student.
Enjoy a week of celebrating Christmas with this sweet story.