Coloring sweaters and checking to see if you colored them correctly has never been so much fun! I made the printable version a few years back. 

 This year I added the digital version to help save teachers time on prep.  You still need to print the coloring sheets though.  The digital version is made in a way that doesn't sacrifice any of the FUN or ACADEMIC or ENGAGEMENT elements.  It's all there. Just simplified to save you time and money!

There are so many ways to use this. You don't have to use it as a countdown. You can have students work at their own pace as an early finisher activity or if you only have time for one or 2 you can make a copy of those slides and assign them individually. It's a very versatile holiday activity with lots of possibilities.

AGES

Originally, I felt the descriptions were well made for 3-5th grade but I've had teachers, parents, and homeschoolers from 1st grade to 7th grade use these.  Reading, writing, designing, adjectives, descriptions, etc., there is just a lot of everything for everyone.

WRITING

I included a writing component. Since the descriptions of the sweaters are filled with adjectives students are seeing and reading lots of examples of how to describe something.  Students have the opportunity to write an ugly sweater description after they design one.  Students quickly see how important adjectives are when you're trying to paint a picture in someone's head.

STEAM

This doesn't include all the steps in the engineering design process but I did include a planning sheet for students to design their own ugly sweater.  Once their ugly sweater is planned, they draw it and color it.  Then they use their planning sheet and colored design to help with their writing.  Designing the ugly sweater is my favorite part.  It also makes for a great bulletin with descriptive ugly sweater writing.  You can hang the student made sweaters on a clothesline with clothespins and see if students can match the sweaters to the descriptions.  They'll quickly understand they need to edit their writing if there aren't enough descriptive words.

ORNAMENT

You can have students turn that ugly sweater into an ornament if they draw it on cardstock or you could print the premade ugly sweater sheets on cardstock (shrink them first).  Add a string or hook, wrap them in tissue paper and put them in a mini-box just like an ugly sweater.

GARLAND

If you do decide to print the pre-made colored sheets on cardstock and shrink them. Students can cut them out and make a mini-garland with all the sweaters they color. 

If you decide to give it a try, come back and tell me how it went or tag me on Instagram @thewayiteach #uglysweaterdesigns with your pictures! I'd love to see them.  

TEACHER NOTES and EASY LINKS

You can check out the teacher notes and easy links in the PREVIEW HERE for this resource if it sounds like something your students will enjoy.