Knotty Pines Academy: St. Nicholas Thematic Study

LIVING BOOKS

Read Aloud Chapter Books

LITERATURE / POETRY

Select any of the following stories, folktales or picture books for copywork.
After reading about the life of St. Nicholas cut out a graphic of St. Nicholas and trace several blank pages on which to narrate his biography. Compile in order and attach a with a gold brad at the miter to make a fan book.
Select one of the following poems for memorization and use others for copywork:

CRITICAL THINKING

RELIGION / CHARACTER

After reading and narrating the chosen stories, discuss the virtues of humility and charity as modeled by St Nicholas.
Research the office of Bishop: What qualifications are necessary? Do Bishops normally get nominated by the people as St Nicholas did? Who is your local Bishop? Archbishop?
For which countries, causes, and groups of people is St Nicholas a patron saint?
St Nicholas's tomb is in Myra which was a popular place of pilgrimage. What is the Catholic definition of a pilgrim?
The sailors of Bari made a box to hold St Nicholas's relics. What is a relic?
Select one of the following St. Nicholas activities to imitate the virtues of humility and charity.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Create a timeline of Saint Nicholas's life. Look at this interactive online timeline.
Make a Chronology timeline of the development from St Nicholas as Saint of the Church into Santa the popular folk figure of the 21st century. Who is responsible for the character of Santa as we know him now? Additional stories of St. Nicholas for can be found here and for older children here.
Create a map with details of St. Nicholas's travels.
Find and create a map of Asia Minor (use Uncle Josh's or Blackline maps) and for comparison overlay it with a map of modern day Turkey on transperancy paper.
Create a map of modern day Turkey. Create a 'key' for major oceans, rivers, mountains, cities and other landforms. Draw a flag and create a facts sheet.
Talk about the different symbols of St. Nicholas and make note of them as you read through the many stories during this unit. Identify the symbols associated with St. Nicholas and narrate the stories behind them (older children in writing).
Compile customs about St. Nicholas from around the world and make them into a booklet map:

MUSIC

Listen to and learn a traditional St. Nicholas hymn. Use for copywork.
Music students may wish to print the sheet music and play traditional St. Nicholas songs.

ART

St. Nicholas is especially loved in the Russian Orthodox Church which is known for its icon art. Research icons and study details of St. Nicholas icons. Use this icon link for your art appreciation studies during this unit study. After coloring your own St. Nicholas icons brush with Modge Podge or vegetable oil t make a more authentic icon, mount on wood when finished.
Older children might want to follow this link for a meditation on such an icon.
From living books above there are three printable illustrations for narration for The Baker's Dozen. Please print and copy. Free online text for this fabulous picture book maybe found here.

CRAFTS

DRAMA

Select one or two of each of the following stories, folktales or picture books to create a puppet show or skit with your siblings for our traditional family St. Nicholas Eve night.
Consider organizing a larger presentation using full size costumes, with homeschool friends for local parish or nursing homes. Try this link for skits.

COOKING

Spend St. Nicholas's feast day baking traditional cookies and treats.
Follow suggestions for completing an entire St. Nicholas menu. Cut and paste recipe and directions with pictures at the top of the page. Don't forget to include photographs of children making cookies and main dishes.

EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS

Watch the CCC movie, Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa and How St. Nicholas Became Santa Claus: The True Story.

WEBSITES

Pages