The First Noel – Fun Learning Activities for a Christmas Countdown

Hi friends!

Welcome back to our Christmas countdown series here on Printables by Janille – Teaching Fun for Kids! So far, we’ve explored Silent Night, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, Silver Bells, Away in a Manger, Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Feliz Navidad, Jingle Bell Rock, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and The Twelve Days of Christmas. Today, we’ll enjoy the peaceful, traditional carol: The First Noel! I’ve included crafts, reading lessons, and math activities for Preschool through 6th grade.

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The History of The First Noel

The First Noel is a traditional English carol that dates back to at least the 16th century, although its first known publication appeared in the 19th century. The word “Noel” comes from the French word for Christmas, “Noël,” reflecting the carol’s European roots.

The song recounts the story of the birth of Jesus, including the angelic announcement to the shepherds in the fields. Its simple, flowing melody and repetitive lines made it easy for children and congregations to learn and sing, contributing to its enduring popularity.

The First Noel also reflects traditional English folk music elements, including a strophic form (repeated melody for each verse) and the use of pastoral imagery, which ties the story to the countryside and humble shepherds. Its serene and reverent tone sets it apart from the more exuberant carols of later periods, making it a favorite for Christmas Eve services and quiet family gatherings.

Through centuries, The First Noel has remained a beloved carol, symbolizing the spiritual significance of Christmas while being accessible for all ages to sing and enjoy.

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Craft: Star of the First Noel

Materials Needed:

• Yellow or gold construction paper

• Scissors

• Glue

• String or yarn

• Markers or crayons

• Optional: glitter or stickers

Instructions:

1. Cut a large star shape from construction paper.

2. Decorate your star with glitter, markers, or stickers.

3. Write “The First Noel” or your favorite line from the song on the star.

4. Attach a string to hang it from a window, wall, or tree.

Worksheet/Visual Idea:

• Provide a printable star template for children to color and cut out.

• Include dotted lines to trace “Noel” or simple phrases from the song.

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Reading & Literacy Lessons

Preschool:

• Trace “Noel” on dotted letters.

• Practice singing “The First Noel, the Angels did say” slowly.

Kindergarten:

• Sight words: “first,” “Noel,” “angels,” “say.” Highlight them on a lyric sheet.

• Read aloud: “The First Noel, the Angels did say.”

1st Grade:

• Phonics focus: Identify “n” in Noel and “a” in angels.

• Write the first line neatly on lined paper.

2nd Grade:

• Vocabulary: Define “shepherds” and “star,” and use each in a sentence.

• Draw a picture showing the shepherds and the star.

3rd Grade:

• Sequencing: Cut out the lines of the first verse and put them in order.

• Writing prompt: “Write 3–4 sentences describing the scene from the song.”

4th Grade:

• Poetry study: Identify repeated phrases and why they are effective in songs.

• Rewrite one line in your own words while keeping the meaning.

5th Grade:

• Analyze imagery: How does this song create a sense of calm and reverence? Write a paragraph.

• Compare The First Noel to another traditional carol in 2–3 sentences.

6th Grade:

• Historical discussion: Why do you think this carol has lasted for centuries?

• Journal prompt: Imagine you are a shepherd hearing the news. Write a short story about that night.

Visual/Worksheet Ideas:

• Tracing sheets for Preschool/1st grade

• Lyric sheet with highlighted sight words for Kindergarten

• Sequencing cards and writing prompts for 2nd–6th grades

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Math Lessons – The First Noel

Preschool (Counting and One-to-One Correspondence)

1. Count 1–5 stars on your star craft.

2. Count 6–10 stars.

3. Point to 3 stars and count them.

4. How many yellow stars are there?

5. How many gold stars?

6. Clap for each star you see (1–5).

7. Touch each star and count aloud.

8. Count 5 stars in a row.

9. Add 2 more stars. How many now?

10. Draw 4 stars and count them.

Kindergarten (Sorting and Tallying)

1. Sort 10 stars into yellow and gold. How many of each?

2. Tally the number of small stars.

3. Tally the number of large stars.

4. Draw 3 groups of stars and count each group.

5. Count how many yellow stars are on top.

6. Count how many gold stars are on bottom.

7. Add the two groups together.

8. Circle all small stars and count them.

9. Draw 5 more stars and count the total.

10. Color 7 stars and leave the rest blank.

1st Grade (Addition & Subtraction)

1. 4 + 5 = ___

2. 3 + 6 = ___

3. 7 + 2 = ___

4. 5 + 5 = ___

5. 9 + 1 = ___

6. 10 – 3 = ___

7. 8 – 4 = ___

8. 6 – 2 = ___

9. 7 – 5 = ___

10. 9 – 6 = ___

2nd Grade (Addition, Subtraction, Word Problems)

1. 12 + 5 = ___

2. 15 – 7 = ___

3. There are 10 stars, 3 fall down. How many remain?

4. 8 + 6 = ___

5. 14 – 9 = ___

6. 7 + 7 = ___

7. 13 – 4 = ___

8. There are 16 stars, 5 are small. How many are large?

9. 9 + 8 = ___

10. 20 – 6 = ___

3rd Grade (Multiplication & Introduction to Division)

1. 3 × 6 = ___

2. 4 × 5 = ___

3. 6 × 2 = ___

4. 7 × 3 = ___

5. 8 × 2 = ___

6. 12 ÷ 4 = ___

7. 15 ÷ 3 = ___

8. 18 ÷ 6 = ___

9. 9 × 2 = ___

10. 5 × 5 = ___

4th Grade (Division, Multi-Step Word Problems)

1. 24 ÷ 4 = ___

2. 36 ÷ 6 = ___

3. 18 ÷ 3 = ___

4. 48 ÷ 8 = ___

5. 30 ÷ 5 = ___

6. There are 32 stars for 4 garlands. How many per garland?

7. If 5 stars fall from 25, how many remain?

8. 60 ÷ 10 = ___

9. A garland has 24 stars divided into 3 rows. How many per row?

10. 72 ÷ 8 = ___

5th Grade (Word Problems & Multiplication)

1. Each star shines 3 times per minute. 8 stars = ___ shines

2. 5 stars × 4 shines each = ___

3. 7 stars × 6 shines each = ___

4. 9 stars × 2 shines each = ___

5. If 12 stars shine 5 times each, total shines = ___

6. 3 groups of 7 stars = ___

7. 4 groups of 6 stars = ___

8. There are 10 stars × 3 shines each = ___

9. 8 stars × 7 shines each = ___

10. 15 stars × 2 shines each = ___

6th Grade (Fractions, Ratios, Multi-Step Problems)

1. 12 stars: 3 yellow, 9 gold. Fraction yellow = ___

2. Ratio yellow:gold = ___

3. 18 stars: 6 large, 12 small. Fraction large = ___

4. 24 stars: 8 large, rest small. Ratio large:small = ___

5. If 3/12 stars are yellow, how many are gold?

6. 1/4 of 16 stars = ___

7. 2/3 of 18 stars = ___

8. If 5 yellow stars are added to 10 gold, new ratio = ___

9. 12 ÷ 3 = ___ (fraction interpretation)

10. There are 15 stars, 5 yellow, 10 gold. What fraction are gold?

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Wrapping Up

I hope your kids enjoy crafting, reading, and counting along with The First Noel! With this final carol in our Christmas countdown series, we’ve explored history, crafts, literacy, and math for Preschool through 6th grade. I hope this series makes the countdown to Christmas both fun and educational for your family.