Creating a social advent calendar in primary school is a unique way to make the pre-Christmas period special. It's not just about counting the days until Christmas, but also about teaching social values and creating a stronger community within the class. In this guide, you'll learn how to plan and prepare such an advent calendar and successfully integrate it into everyday school life.
Key findings
- A social Advent calendar promotes a sense of community and social skills among students.
- Involving students in the planning process strengthens their sense of responsibility and creativity.
- By integrating social projects and activities, children learn to think outside the box.
- Daily rituals around the Advent calendar help structure everyday school life and promote class community.
- Reflecting on the project provides valuable learning effects for the students and provides approaches for improvements in the next year.
The idea behind a social Advent calendar
Definition and objectives
A social Advent calendar is more than just a daily surprise in December. It combines the anticipation of Christmas with the idea of charity and social commitment. The aim is to raise awareness of social responsibility among the students and to actively involve them in projects that benefit the community.
A social Advent calendar can take many forms, from supporting local charities to international aid projects.
The goals of a social Advent calendar can be summarized as follows:
- Promoting social awareness and empathy
- Strengthening the class community
- Active participation in social projects
- Communicating values such as helpfulness and gratitude
Benefits for students
A social advent calendar offers numerous benefits for students that extend far beyond the pre-Christmas period. By taking part, they learn to develop empathy and social responsibility , which is invaluable for their personal and social development.
- Promoting teamwork
- Strengthening the sense of community
- Development of empathy and social responsibility
- Broadening horizons through engagement with various social projects
A social Advent calendar is not only an opportunity to brighten up the Advent season, but also a platform to promote and develop important social skills.
By actively participating in social projects and activities, children have the opportunity to experience first-hand how their actions can bring about positive change. This strengthens their self-confidence and motivates them to continue to be socially involved in the future.
Examples of successful social advent calendars
An outstanding example of a social Advent calendar is the " Our Advent Calendar for the Morning Circle " from Don Bosco Verlag. This calendar integrates new puzzles and activities every day that not only increase the anticipation of Christmas, but also strengthen the sense of community.
Another impressive example is a school's Advent calendar, which focuses on a good deed every day. Students get involved in local social projects or organize small activities that benefit the community.
These examples show that social Advent calendars are much more than just a way to count down to Christmas. They promote empathy, social awareness and creativity in children.
Planning and preparation
Determination of objectives and content
Defining the goals and content is a crucial step in designing a social Advent calendar. It is about defining clear learning goals that both meet educational standards and promote the social skills of the students.
A social Advent calendar can have different focuses, such as getting to know social institutions, collecting donations or carrying out small projects that serve the community.
Here are some examples of goals you could set:
- Promoting a sense of community
- Raising awareness of social issues
- Development of empathy and social responsibility
Involving students in this process is essential to increase their motivation and commitment. By actively participating in goal setting, they feel like an important part of the project and are more willing to get involved.
Material procurement and budget planning
Procurement of materials and budget planning are crucial steps in designing a social advent calendar. It is important to make a list of the materials needed and calculate the costs early on.
Careful planning helps avoid budget surprises and ensures that all necessary resources are available.
Here is an example of simple budget planning:
- Craft materials: 50€
- Printing costs for calendar: 30€
- Small gifts for the doors: 70€
- Other expenses: 20€
Total budget: 170€
Involving students in the planning process can not only encourage creativity but also create awareness of the value of money and resources. The ' Moving Advent Calendar ' in the city of Oberhausen is an inspiring example where a total of 49 events were organized and the community was actively involved.
Involvement of students in the planning process
The active involvement of students in the planning process of the social Advent calendar is a crucial step to encourage their commitment and interest. Through their participation, the children feel like an important part of the project and at the same time learn to take responsibility.
The ideas and wishes of the students should always be the focus.
One way to involve students is to have them brainstorm in small groups. The following points can serve as a guide:
- Theme suggestions for the doors
- Selection of social projects to be supported
- Design ideas for the doors
This approach not only stimulates children's creativity, but also creates a sense of community and common goal.
Design of the social Advent calendar
Creative ideas for implementation
Designing a social Advent calendar offers countless opportunities to combine creativity and social engagement. A key aspect is the inclusion of activities that not only increase the anticipation of Christmas, but also create added value for the community.
- Making Christmas cards for local retirement homes
- Organizing a toy donation for children in need
- Designing an environmental day with a focus on sustainability and recycling
Each of these activities can be done individually or in groups, allowing students to learn to work together on a project while assuming social responsibility.
The selection of projects should always take into account the interests and abilities of the children in order to ensure high levels of participation and enthusiasm.
Tips for designing the doors
The design of the doors is a central aspect of the social Advent calendar. Each door should contain a small surprise or task that not only brings joy, but also stimulates thought or motivates action. Here are some tips for designing the doors creatively and meaningfully:
- Include quotes or words of wisdom that are relevant to the topic of the day and can stimulate discussion.
- Small craft tasks that can be carried out at home or at school to strengthen the sense of community.
- Information about social projects to promote awareness and willingness to support.
It is important that the content of the doors is age-appropriate and accessible to all students. This promotes inclusion and ensures that everyone can participate.
The selection of content should be carefully planned to ensure a balanced mix of fun, education and social engagement. Good planning will help make the Advent calendar an unforgettable experience.
Integration of social projects and actions
Incorporating social projects and activities into the Advent calendar is an excellent way to teach students about social commitment. By actively participating in projects that have a positive impact on the community, children learn to take responsibility and understand the importance of being helpful.
By selecting different projects, students can learn about different aspects of social engagement and how they can make a contribution themselves.
One way to organize the projects is to create a list that could include the following:
- From the socially ingenious practice - Active Citizenship Foundation
- Local environmental protection initiatives
- Visits to nursing homes
- Support for food banks and homeless shelters
This list is not only a guide for planning, but also a source of inspiration for students to get actively involved.
Integration into everyday school life
Daily rituals around the Advent calendar
The daily rituals that revolve around the social Advent calendar are a key component in increasing the anticipation of Christmas in primary schools. Opening a door together every day not only strengthens the class community, but also raises awareness of social projects and campaigns.
A special ritual could be the morning meeting in the classroom when the door of the day is opened. This moment offers an excellent opportunity to talk about the message or action behind it and to actively involve the students.
- Monday: Discussion about the weekend project
- Tuesday: Presentation of a new social project
- Wednesday: Creative design of a thank you letter
- Thursday: Visit from a guest speaker
- Friday: Joint reflection of the week
These rituals help to establish a routine that gives children security and motivates them to actively participate in social interaction.
Promoting class community
Promoting class community is a central aspect of the social Advent calendar. Through joint activities and projects, the students learn to be considerate of one another and to support one another. A strong sense of community develops when everyone is actively involved in the design and implementation of the Advent calendar.
A social Advent calendar offers the perfect opportunity to strengthen the class community and promote social interaction.
Here are some activities that can help foster classroom community:
- Games for getting to know each other and for perception
- Projects that require collaboration in small groups
- Joint actions that pursue a goal
These activities not only help bring students closer together, but also promote important social skills such as empathy, communication skills and teamwork.
Involvement of parents and staff
The involvement of parents and staff is an essential component for the success of a social Advent calendar. Their active participation not only strengthens the community, but also promotes a deeper understanding of social projects.
Close cooperation between school and parents creates a bridge that offers students security and support.
There are many ways to get involved and they can be designed creatively. Here are some examples:
- Parents’ evenings specifically on the topic of the social Advent calendar
- Workshops with parents and teachers to prepare the activities
- Newsletter to inform about progress and successes
The active participation of all those involved not only promotes the project, but also the sense of community and communication between school and parents.
Reflection and outlook
Feedback sessions with students
Conducting feedback sessions with students is a crucial step to evaluate the success of the social advent calendar and learn for future projects. These conversations provide valuable insights into the children's experiences and emotions.
By actively gathering feedback, teachers can understand what worked well and what aspects could be improved.
Some important points to discuss during feedback sessions could be:
- The children’s favourite doors and why
- Suggestions for future actions or projects
- How the students felt about the integration of the calendar into everyday school life
- Personal learning effects and insights
These discussions are not only insightful for teachers, but also strengthen students' sense of active participation in shaping their learning environment.
Learning effects and opportunities for improvement
Reflecting on the social advent calendar provides an excellent opportunity to identify learning effects and opportunities for improvement for next year. By collecting feedback from students, teachers can understand which aspects of the calendar were particularly well received and which areas could be optimized.
It is important that everyone involved is open to change and willing to learn from experiences.
One way to structure the information collected is to create a table with the most important learning effects and suggestions for improvement:
| Learning effect | Suggestion for improvement |
|---|---|
| Student engagement | Include more interactive elements |
| Understanding of social projects | Present projects in more detail |
By analyzing this data, teachers can make targeted adjustments to make next year’s social advent calendar even more engaging and educational.
Planning for next year
Planning for next year begins with reflecting on this year's experiences. Every step we plan now builds on what we have learned. It is an opportunity to celebrate our successes while looking for ways to make the social advent calendar even better.
Involving all stakeholders in the planning process is crucial to success.
Some important points for the next planning round could be:
- Review of objectives and content
- Adjustment of the material list and budget
- Expansion of social projects and activities
These points help to make the Advent calendar even more inclusive, educational and entertaining. Early planning also makes it easier to integrate creative ideas and increase anticipation for the next Advent season.
Conclusion
Creating a social Advent calendar in primary school is a wonderful way to enrich the pre-Christmas period and at the same time convey important social values. Through joint planning and implementation, the children learn what it means to be there for one another, to show compassion and to discover the joy of giving. This project not only promotes class community, but also prepares the students to become responsible and empathetic members of society. With creativity, commitment and an open heart, every Advent calendar can become an unforgettable experience that makes the Christmas season more beautiful for everyone involved. Let us maintain and develop this tradition to make the world a little better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a social Advent calendar?
A social Advent calendar is a special form of Advent calendar that focuses on social projects, good deeds or the communal experience of pre-Christmas activities. Instead of receiving small gifts or sweets every day, participants open doors that lead to social actions or projects that benefit the community or people in need.
What are the goals of a social Advent calendar in primary school?
A social advent calendar in primary schools aims to teach children the importance of community, empathy and social commitment. It promotes awareness of the needs of others and supports the development of social skills. It also strengthens class spirit and school culture through joint activities.
How can I involve students in the planning process?
Pupils can be involved in the planning process by helping to come up with ideas for social projects and campaigns, helping to design the doors and helping to choose the social projects to be supported. This involvement promotes their commitment and motivation.
What materials do I need to design a social Advent calendar?
The materials required depend on the type of activities planned and the creative implementation. Basic materials can be craft supplies for decorating the doors, information materials about the social projects supported and possibly small gifts or thank you notes for the participants in the activities.
How can the social Advent calendar be integrated into everyday school life?
The social Advent calendar can be integrated into everyday school life by opening a door every day during a set ritual time. This can happen, for example, during a morning assembly or at the end of the school day. It is important that the activities and projects can be linked to the curriculum and strengthen the class community.
How can the project be reflected upon after completion?
After the project is completed, feedback sessions can be organized with the students to collect their impressions, thoughts and suggestions. It is important to discuss both positive aspects and opportunities for improvement in order to make the project even more successful next year. Teachers can also conduct a reflection on the educational goals and learning effects achieved.