The Days Before Christmas

Lots of things happening before Christmas: practice for the Christmas program, collecting for the Kid-To-Kid drive, making ornaments for the school tree, and lots of whispering about secrets. The second grade and the other half of the first grade got to enjoy the Sabuda pop-up books. I bought a set of his Christmas cards which appear in his book The Christmas Alphabet and sent each class a card. They enjoyed them.



May each of our readers have a Merry Christmas and let us know what you are reading.

Pop-Up Books by Robert Sabuda

I love pop-up books! This week I shared three of my favorites with the kindergarten, and 1/2 of the first grade (the other 1/2 doesn't have class this week because of school improvement). We read Winter in White, Winter's Tale, and The Night Before Christmas. The students were fascinated by the paper engineering and how the objects jumped off the page. They especially thought the ending of A Winter's Tale was spectacular! Thank you, Mr. Sabuda, for your wonderful books.

The Night the Scary Beasties Popped Out of My Head

Daniel is having trouble with nightmares. The scary beasties disturb his sleep and now he is going to fight back with his mighty pencil! He draws rescue animals and vehicles to help vanquish the enemy so he can sleep soundly...with paper and pencil beside his bed.

Kindergarten students laughed and cheered as Dan raced acrossed the pages to victory.

You Are My Sunshine by Holly Hobbie

The two good friends are back in another story. Toot has the mopes and Puddle tries to cheer his friend up. Finally a thunderstorm hits Woodcock Pocket clearing the air and Toot's mopes.

The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg

We have been working with shapes and learning how to use Kid Pix in kindergarten. This week we are branching out to read about drawing and we are starting with The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg, the story of a pencil and his drawings. The students thought Kitty was the best character because she added color.

I notice on the dedication that Mr. Ahlberg thanks David and Daniel. I wonder who these two are. Could they be David and Daniel Kamish? I will be doing more research on this idea.

A Present for Toot by Holly Hobbie

Toot's birthday is coming and Puddle is shopping for something very special, but Toot won't give Puddle any clues as to what to buy. I notice the audience perks up when Tulip speaks because of the characterization I give the voice.

Toot & Puddle by Holly Hobbie

Friendship is a precious commodity, and Toot & Puddle show us how friends can be themselves and still be friends.