The sequel to last week's post featuring Christmas gift ideas for preschool and elementary-aged kiddos, here is the second installment with suggestions for older kids and special interests, from some of our art, science, literature, and athletic faculty and staff.
Art gifts for younger children - Christine Hash (Grammar School Art Teacher)
I suggest watercolor pencils for kids of any age who like to draw. These color like any colored pencil, but come alive when brushed with paintbrush dipped in water. They come in a variety of price ranges at any craft store (for example, check out Michael's selections here) and work on any heavy paper that will withstand water, like watercolor paper or even regular cardstock. Much easier than paint for younger kids to control, they are easy to set up and clean up.
High-school Artists - Amanda Crooks (Secondary School Art Teacher)
I really like the idea of art box subscriptions - it gives the students a challenge with (potentially) new materials. While I am personally most familiar with SketchBox, This site gives several great options.
Other suggestions for older students who are art enthusiasts include:
Science - Mrs. Rebecca Knepley (Grammar School Science)
- If your students love to try fun experiments, the Steve Spangler website has many cool gift ideas (also recommended by our Upper Secondary Physics Teacher, Shaelyn Baas).
- Do your children love to tinker with science-y, even slightly geeky, gadgets? The "Think Geek" site has fun stuff along this vein!
- And, if you are interested in fining a good creation science book or DVD for your child, you may want to look at this website.
Literature - Mrs. Leslie Bustard (High School Humanities & Writing)
For 7th graders who are enjoying reading Narnia:
- Companion to Narnia by Paul F. Ford.
This is a reference (with cross-references) to all the characters, events, places, and themes in Narnia. - The Chronicles of Narnia Complete 7 Volume CD Box (unabridged)
Listen to all seven stories, each story read by a famous English actor (Kenneth Branagh, Michael York, Lynn Redgrave, and Patrick Stewart to name a few). (Harper Colllins) - The Man Who Created Narnia: The Story of CS Lewis by Michael Coren
A biography for young people of the life of CS Lewis, spanning his childhood, his education, his conversion, and his life as a Christian apologist - The Chronicles of Narnia Official Coloring Book (illustrations by Pauline Baynes)
Pauline Baynes was the official illustrator of the original Chronicles of Narnia. This coloring book features art by her, and is filled with detailed maps, and favorite images from all the books.
For 8th graders who are enjoying our study of Tolkein and The Lord of the Rings:
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Every December, an envelope from the North Pole would arrive for J.R.R. Tolkien’s children. Inside would be a letter in a strange, spidery handwriting and beautiful colored drawing or painting. The letters, written by Tolkien to his children, and in the voice Father Christmas tell of Father Christmas’s life at the North Pole. It is delightful both to read and to look at.-
The Lord of the Rings Movie Trilogy Coloring Book by Warner Brothers Studio
Enjoy the characters and enchanted scenes of Middle-earth in this authorized coloring book based on the movies. - Here, There Be Dragons (The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographic, Book 1) by James A. Owen
Set in 1917, three Oxford men - John, Jack, and Charles - go on a a fantastical journey, through twists and turns and in places that only exist in dreams and stories. The group sails to the Archipelago of Dreams, where a battle over Arthur Pendragon's throne threatens to place the evil Winter King in charge.
Bonus: For the many parents who love Lewis and Tolkien:
- A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918 by Joseph Loconte
This is the untold story of how the First Wolrd War shaped the lives, faith, and writings of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. Joseph Loconte is a Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer in Politics at The King's College in New York City, where he teaches Western Civilization and U.S. foreign policy and writes widely about the importance of religious freedom in strengthening democracy, human rights, and civil society.
Athletics & Sports - Tracy Leaman (Interim Athletic Director)
Keep those kids active! The possibilities are boundless to spurn the endlessly hyped tech gadgets in favor of things that encourage active play. A few examples I recommend:
- Bikes and helmets
- Gift cards to SkyZone or Bounce Kraze
- Good sneakers
- Balls to try a new sport or practice their current favorite - soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, baseball & mitt, or tennis balls and rackets
- Got a runner? Consider getting them a good stopwatch to time themselves.
Happy gifting! May you and your families all remember the best gift of the season - our Lord Jesus Christ - as you celebrate Christmas together.
