Winter 2025 Literacy On Demand: Winter’s Gifts

Winter’s Gifts

By Kaitlin B. Curtis, Illustrated by Gloria Felix
NEP Winter 2025 Literacy On-Demand
For PreK–5th Grade Students
December 15, 2025
Featured Book: Winter’s Gifts by Kaitlin B. Curtis, illustrated by Gloria Felix

Dear Families,
We invite you to enjoy the book Winter’s Gifts and complete one or more family activities connected to its themes. Each student should have received a literacy packet from the Native Education Program, including the book.

If you did not receive a packet, please contact Tara Thorsgard by email at thorsgard_tara@salemkeizer.k12.or.us to sign up.

1. Story Reflection and Discussion

What to do:

• Read or watch Winter’s Gifts together.
• Discuss:
  • What winter gifts did you notice?
  • Why does the author talk about waiting and resting in winter?
  • How do you feel when you slow down?
  • What gifts might you be missing when you’re busy?
  • What gifts could you give back to Mother Earth?

2. Book Scavenger Hunt

What to do:

• Use the Seek and Find activity sheet to locate pictured objects from Winter’s Gifts.

3. Create a “Slow-Down” Plan for Winter

What to do:

• Each family member chooses 1–2 ways to slow down and enjoy winter’s gifts.
  • Notice stillness, frost, bare trees, or animal tracks.
  • After a walk, share what felt like a “gift.”
  • Keep phones away during dinner.
• Write your plan and display it. Reflect after a week—what gifts appeared?

4. Relaxing and Fun Games

• Stick and Hand Games: Play together using drumsticks, blankets, or hands.
• Rock in Fist Game: Watch the video and make your own version to play.

5. Native Language Winter Cards

What to do:

• Learn winter words in your Native language.
• Create Winter Solstice or holiday cards using these words.

6. Storytelling

What to do:

• Share winter stories about tricksters, the cosmos, or your community.
• Attend a storytelling event, watch a story by Ed Edmo, or create your own to share.

7. Create an Indigenous Dish

What to do:

• Use the recipe in your packet to make Potawatomi Berries and Rice, or prepare a traditional dish from your own culture.

8. Gratitude or “Winter Gifts” Jar

What to do:

• Give each person a jar and small slips of paper.
• Each day, write or draw one winter gift or moment of gratitude.
• At the end of the week, share your gifts together.

Please Take Our Survey

Thank you for participating and sharing your winter experiences with us! Literacy on Demand activities are grant funded. To help us continue receiving this funding, please answer the questions in the survey as evidence that your family received the materials.

Take Our Survey on Google Docs