Weeks 13 and 14

We wrapped up the end of 2014 reading some great books about holidays and celebrations that occur during the month of December. Here are a few of the books we read.

Our Eight Nights of Hanukkah by Michael J. Rosen

Read to: All Classes 

We began by enjoying a book about Hanukkah since Hanukkah fell on the 16th of December this year. This book discusses what one particular family does on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah. Many of our students celebrate Hanukkah, so after reading, I invited those students to share what some of their special traditions were and if those traditions were similar to the characters' traditions in the book. It was fun to learn about how different families celebrate Hanukkah. 

The following week we read stories with a Christmas theme and really just to have some good ol' fashion fun. These are just a few of my favorites and some new ones that I discovered this year that I think the kids really enjoyed.          

Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by Eric Litwin

Read to: Pre-K

This is a great book because online you can find the story and song read aloud, so that always makes for a fun story time! 

Little Santa by Jon Agee

Read to: Kindergarten and Primer

A new book to our library that tells all about what Santa was like as a child.  Cute story!

Sad Santa by Tad Carpenter

Read to: First Grade

Another new story to our library! In this book Santa is bummed out on December 26th because Christmas is over, so it takes some convincing but he finally realizes he is needed and appreciated 365 days a year!

Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano

Read to: Second Grade

This is the sequel to Turkey Trouble, a Thanksgiving book in which the Turkey does not want to get eaten for Thanksgiving dinner. In this book Turkey once again is trying to escape being eaten for Christmas dinner. A fun story that all of the kids loved. 

After sharing all of these holiday stories, I once again invited the students to share what holiday they celebrate this time of year, important family traditions, or just things they were looking forward to doing with their family and friends. As always, I feel it is important to learn about all of the holidays of the season whatever it is that you may celebrate!

With that, I look forward to 2015 and can't wait to see what is in store!

Happy New Year!      

       

Week 12

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Here is what we were up to before we left, and then after we returned from the holiday.

Thanksgiving Day Thanks by Laura Malone Elliott

Read to: Pre-K

Skills: Thinking about what are we thankful for.

Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman

Read to: Kinder and Primer

Skills:  Thankfulness and sequencing

Both of these stories are fun to read before Thanksgiving. After reading we all shared what we were thankful for as well as traditions we enjoyed.    

Lester's Dreadful Sweaters by K.G. Campbell

Read to: 3rd and 4th grade

Skills: Bluebonnet book nominee and learning how to write a summary for a fiction book.

With Bluebonnet voting getting near, I wanted to have a chance to read a Bluebonnet nominee to the kids so we could discuss it together, and also so everyone could count another book towards their five book goal. The kids have to read five books in order to be eligible to vote for their favorite in January. Each time the kids read a book, I ask them to write a summary of the book so that they can remember what the books are about at voting time, and to practice writing a summary. I noticed that many of the kids were struggling with the concept of writing a summary, so after reading the book our next lesson was to learn how to write a summary for a fiction book. We used the graphic organizer below to organize our thinking and then write our summary together. The kids did a great job and they are going to continue practicing this skill as they write their other summaries.   

Late Start Day with Second Grade

When we returned from the Thanksgiving holidays our first day back was a late start day and we were paired up with second grade. With it being the holiday season we decided it would be fun to have the kids create or decorate holiday cards and ornaments to give to someone special. We discussed that it could be someone that they knew, like a friend or a family member, but it could also be someone in their community who would really appreciate it this time of year. 

Card making station. 

Stained glass ornaments station.

 

Scratch off Dreidel ornament station. 

Scratch off Christmas tree ornament station.

It was a fun time had by all!

And last but not least, I just had to share. We finally got Brian Floca's beautiful drawing framed and hung on the wall in the Lower School Learning Commons. Doesn't it look great?! Such a neat way to remember this special author visit. Thank you Mr. Floca!