December Gifts: Teacher's Handbook & Online PDF/Audio

Albrecht and Althouse have crafted a genuinely inclusive December celebration that honors Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa with equal musical weight and authenticity. The teacher's handbook scaffolds the learning beautifully, giving you everything you need to present these traditions respectfully and engagingly. With recorded accompaniments available, you can focus on what matters most: helping young singers discover the gift-giving customs that bring families together across cultures.

Festive, welcoming, and genuinely joyful without being saccharine. The musical language stays bright and singable while respecting the dignity of each tradition. Students experience a December celebration that reflects the real world they live in, where different families honor different holidays.

Elementary and middle school choirs in any community seeking an inclusive, age-appropriate way to celebrate multiple December traditions. This handbook gives classroom teachers and music specialists the tools to honor Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa equally while building cultural awareness.

• Use the recorded accompaniments to free yourself from the piano so you can model the movement and gesture work that Albrecht's style demands.
• Build the multicultural context first; spend time with your singers learning about each holiday's significance before diving into the music, so the songs land with genuine meaning.
• Layer the movements gradually across rehearsals rather than introducing them all at once. Young singers need time to integrate choreography with singing.
• Keep the pacing brisk between songs to maintain the energy and momentum that makes a musical experience feel celebratory rather than educational.

Program this as a standalone December concert, or adapt individual pieces into a winter assembly that serves multiple grade levels. The handbook's structure makes it perfect for integrating music with social studies lessons on traditions and cultural exchange, turning December concerts into learning experiences rather than just performances.

• Singing in unison and simple harmony across multiple songs
• Learning and performing choreographed movement synchronized with singing
• Understanding and respectfully presenting diverse cultural traditions
• Following director cues while managing both vocal and physical coordination