12 Days of Christmas Song Activity for Special Education

What are adapted books?

Adapted books are books that are modified books to fit a child's specific needs. They usually include visual supports, simple text, repetitive language and tactile objects that allow the student to actively participate in the book.

Benefits of Using Adapted Books

  • Increased story comprehension

  • Higher engagement

  • Matching pictures practice

  • Build fluency with frequently used sight words or personally meaningful words to the child

  • Build vocabulary

  • Could be used to teach a skill (ex. Social Story)


Why do I love adapted books?

There are many benefits to reading adaptive books for early readers or students with special needs. I, of course, LOVE to create individualized books that cater towards my kiddos' interests. A few of my students love nursery rhymes and music. One of my students often threw or ripped books, but once we used laminated custom books that catered towards her interests she was able to build not only tolerance but enjoyment! So I knew I HAD to make some for her favourite songs, and I hope your class loves songs too!

This adapted book is about the Christmas Carol, 12 Days of Christmas. You can read this nursery rhyme book as a class lesson, during circle time, 1:1 to assess reading, or have it as an independent activity! Students are asked to read the book, then match the picture from the PECs on the side!


How to use adapted books in the classroom

You can read this nursery rhyme book as a…

  • Class lesson

  • During circle time as an interactive song board

  • Reading 1:1 with a student to assess reading

  • Small group activity where students can practice taking turns

  • Independent activity!


Twelve Days of Christmas Adapted Book

How to use this velcro book

Easy Prep

  1. Print & laminate each sheet and the PECs so you can use it year after year & student after student! 

  2. Add hard velcro on the back of the PECs & soft velcro on the squares of the book.

  3. Bind together with coils OR hole punch for duotang/binder.

    How to use

  4. Read with student, encouraging them to point to the words.

  5. Student can remove the PEC from the right side, to match under each picture.


12 Days of Christmas Art Activity

Christmas Carol Art Activity - Special Education

Follow up their learning with the cute art activity! Students will cut out the pictures and glue them in order of the 12 days of Christmas song! The end product will form a creative "Christmas Tree" triangular shape! This is an easy, yet cute craft that students of all abilities will be able to enjoy!


Lyrics to the 12 Days of Christmas Song

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five gold rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming, Eleven pipers piping, Ten lords a-leaping, Nine ladies dancing, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four calling birds, Three French hens, Two turtle doves, And a partridge in a pear tree!

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Song boards for Circle Time - Holiday Christmas Carol Songs

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Deck the Halls Song Activity for Special Education