We are a little early, but we just put up our Christmas tree last weekend (before Thanksgiving). It makes me so happy. I love having it decorated with crocheted snowflakes handmade by my mother-in-law (more special since she passed away), lots of Santa Clause ornaments, some of my kids’ handmade ornaments and lots of colorful lights. Along with putting up the tree, I have been reading Christmas books- thinking ahead for you and your classrooms. Love all my readers! Here are three of my favorites.
The first one is a fun picture book titled Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! I especially love that the illustrations add to the story and tell the reader things that the author doesn’t. Many teachers create resources for an author study, but this book lends itself perfectly to doing an illustrator study, as well. Be sure to ask your students questions about the illustrations. An example is how the author does not address the purpose Duck has in coming down the fireplace, but the illustrations do. I won’t give it away; you will want to read the book for yourself.
Additionally, if you can teach from a Christian perspective, the tree topper in the book is a symbol that leads to Christ. You can download this exclusive lesson for free below. If you would like to purchase the reading lessons, writing lessons, activities, crafts and worksheets as a companion for this book, click on the links at the bottom of the blog.
A beloved Christmas story is The Night Before Christmas. Although you can probably find a pdf online, I like the fold out pages in the book illustrated by award-winner Charles Santore. Teaching rhyme, word choice and vocabulary goes well with this story. Additionally, it’s the perfect story to teach the parts of a letter and then write a letter to Santa. As an added benefit, Doreen Cronin the author of Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! makes references to The Night Before Christmas in her book; so, reading both stories to your class and then completing a Venn Diagram is in order.
The third book I found this year, although it is 10 years old, is The Carpenter’s Gift by David Rubel. I love it so much, I shared it with my husband. I have to admit that I cried the first time I read it and again when I read it to him. It didn’t help that it brought him to tears as well (I can’t let anyone cry alone!). Don’t get me wrong: it’s not a sad story at all. It’s just a beautifully moving story. The story begins on Christmas Eve, 1931 when Henry and his out-of-work Dad sell Christmas trees in Manhattan. At the end of the day, they give the tallest one they had left to nearby construction workers who decorate it- the first Rockefeller Center tree! The workers are touched at Henry and his dad’s generosity. The next day the workers show up at Henry’s run-down shack with extra lumber to build a simple, decent home for Henry and his parents. With renewed hope for the future, Henry plants a pinecone he collected from the Rockefeller Center tree. Over his lifetime, the little pinecone grows into a towering tree. But the circle of giving isn’t over. . . It’s a great story to lead into a discussion about the importance of giving, and Christmas is the perfect time to have this discussion.
A great follow-up activity is to brainstorm ideas for how to give to your community (cleaning a park), friends (sending a homemade card to someone who is sick to cheer them up) and family (doing a chore without being asked or making a sandwich for a sibling). Have your students write some ideas they are willing to follow through with on pieces of decorated paper and place them in an envelope or jar. Next have them decorate the envelope or jar and tie a ribbon around it. These make great Christmas gifts.
These three Christmas books wrap up the theme of giving in a nice, neat bow. Give your students the gift of creative, fun and heartwarming stories this season. Read Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho!, The Night Before Christmas, and The Carpenter’s Gift. You and your students will love them!
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