Happy holidays from Subject!
Did you know that the first Christmas card was sent in 1843, the same year Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol? Both were attempts to spread holiday cheer through paper—which puts them decades ahead of whoever decided educational content should live on floppy disks.
This holiday season, we're celebrating teachers who make learning as memorable as finding that perfect gift hidden in the closet since October.
Our pick of the week: Home Alone (Disney+)
Why We’re Obsessed: Perfect for when you need to teach problem-solving, basic engineering, and the important life lesson that sometimes adults really don't know what they're doing. Kevin McCallister basically runs a master class in creative resource management and emergency preparedness (just maybe don't teach students how to use a blowtorch).
Recommended lesson integration:
Problem-solving and critical thinking (Grades 6-8): Kevin identifies problems, brainstorms solutions, and executes plans better than most adults. Take the opportunity to use his process to teach systematic thinking
Economics and resource management (Grades 9-12): Turn Kevin’s independence into a life skills lessons. His grocery shopping, budgeting, and household management skills are honestly better than most college students
Geography and travel planning connections (All grades): Use the family's Paris trip as a springboard for learning about different countries, cultures, and why you should always double-check your headcount before leaving
Character development through storytelling (Drama/Theater classes): Kevin's transformation from annoying little brother to self-sufficient problem-solver follows classic character arc structure that beats another boring plot diagram
Family structures and community helpers (Social Studies): Explore different family dynamics, the role of neighbors and community members, and what to do in emergency situations when the adults have epically failed
Thank you for joining us for another edition of On The Subject. We hope your holiday break is restful and full of cheer!
The Subject Team
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