December can be a very difficult time of the year to teach and keep students engaged as there is usually alot going on! That’s why it’s even more important to assign activities or projects that will keep them focused and on task. The beauty behind the Gifts That Keep On Giving project is that it is very hands-on and helps you at the same time create a wall display or bulletin board that is informative, colorful and festive for the time of the year!

Set

• Bell Ringer: What comes to mind when you hear the phrase: Gifts that keep on giving? Give one example. Ask students to share their ideas.
• Explain that the concept of gifts that keep on giving are chosen for their potential to grow in value, offer long-term benefits, or create lasting impact. These gifts can be classified into several categories:
  • Financial Growth & Investment Gifts– These appreciate over time or generate income
  • Education & Skill-Building Gifts–These empower the recipient for life
  • Sustainable & Long-Lasting Gifts–These are built to endure or regenerate
  • Experience & Subscription Gifts–These deliver joy repeatedly
  • Legacy & Sentimental Gifts–These grow in emotional or historical value
• Instead of students brainstorming examples of gifts that fall into the above categories, have them complete a sorting activity. Divide students into small groups and give each group an envelope. Have them place the header cards across the top and then sort the gift examples under the correct type of gift giving category. Check for accuracy; go over the answers. As always, if you need the key to this sorting activity, just email me or message me on Facebook and I’ll send it your way.

Materials

• iPads or Laptops
• Colored Markers or Pencils
• Scissors

Directions

• Use the cut apart the list of gifts from one of the match game envelopes and have students randomly select one from the basket or jar. That will be the gift they must research and learn more about.
• Once students have their assigned “gift”, they research more about following the directions on the gift box template.
  • On the TAG: Write the name of the Gift that keeps on GIVING
  • In the BOX: Explain with details how or why the gift keeps giving.
    On the BOW or RIBBON: Give an EXAMPLE of a gift and its long term impact.
    DECORATE and COLOR your gift before cutting it out. Be sure to write your name on the back of the box.
• After the Gift Box Templates are finished, have students share their gift and all of the corresponding information. Grade as they present, making your life a bit easier (a rubric is included below; print as many as you need and cut apart to return to students) and get the students to help you create the display or bulletin board. You could even play festive music if desired.
• To conclude the activity, have students fill out a 3-2-1 Exit Slip answering the following prompts on a post-it-note or index card, leaving it with you as they leave the room at the end of the period:
  • 3 Gifts I Didn’t Realize Had Long-Term Value
  • 2 Gifts I Would Love to Receive and Why
  • 1 Gift I Would Choose to Give Someone and Why

Attachments

• Match Game of Gifts & Categories (PDF)
• Gift Box Template (PDF)
• Gift Box Rubric (PDF)