In Mrs. Russell’s Resource ELA classes at Bell County High School, students recently took a joyful step back in time while reading several nonfiction articles about Christmas traditions from years ago. They explored how families once celebrated the season through homemade decorations, simple gifts, and classic holiday foods. While each tradition sparked curiosity, one stood out as the most surprising to students: sending Christmas cards.
In today’s world—where most communication happens through text messages, snaps, and FaceTime—students were genuinely shocked to learn that Christmas cards used to be a major part of the holiday season. The idea of taking time to choose a card, write a message, address an envelope, and wait for it to arrive felt almost unreal. But instead of letting that tradition stay in the past, Mrs. Russell’s classes decided to bring it back.
To preserve the spirit of the season, the class reached out to the community and asked people to send Christmas cards to their classroom. At first, students weren’t sure anyone would respond. They had fun guessing whether they would receive any at all. It wasn’t long, though, before the first card arrived… then a second… and soon, the excitement became part of the daily routine. Over the course of two weeks, the class received more than a dozen cards—some even from former alumni, adding an extra layer of connection and Bobcat pride.
The impact reached beyond the classroom walls. Students—and even the school secretary—looked forward to checking the mail each day to see if another card had arrived. When one did, the class made a moment of it: reading each card aloud, appreciating the kind words, and hanging it with care around their “make-believe” classroom fireplace. The cards quickly became more than decorations; they became reminders that people in the Bell County community were thinking about these students and cheering them on.
Mrs. Russell shared, “Watching my students light up over something as simple as a Christmas card reminded me that joy doesn’t have to be complicated. They weren’t just practicing reading and writing—they were experiencing what it feels like to be noticed, valued, and connected to their community.”
Keeping true to the tradition of giving as well as receiving, students also worked together to create and mail Christmas cards—not only to their families, but also to the school’s administration and Bell County School Board members. Students took pride in writing messages for an authentic audience, knowing their words would be opened, read, and kept.
The Christmas card exchange provided an engaging, standards-aligned learning experience rooted in nonfiction reading and authentic writing. Students strengthened comprehension and communication skills while participating in a meaningful tradition that built community and created lasting holiday memories.
Amy Russell
Bell County High School
Bell County School District
9-12 Grade
