Our Christmas break begins next week. As any experienced teacher knows, this week before break can be a bit trying! The kids are so excited, the weather is always iffy, our schedule is disrupted by the holiday program... none of these make or exceptionally well behaved students.
But despite the difficulties of this week, I do always enjoy it. There is something wonderful about pulling out my "winter holidays" file and rediscovering the magic that children see in this time of the year. No matter how often I do the lessons, I always enjoy watching the kids use logic to figure out what order Santa's reindeer fly in and use math to figure out how to build the perfect snowman during the snowman construction lesson.
I have been teaching long enough now that I am beginning to lose track of how many times I have stood in the back of the gym holding unwanted hoodies or jackets, and watched a group of students preform. Inevitably, I flash big goofy grins at them in an effort to get them to smile. Every year we go though the exact same process, but every year it is special.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Christmas Literature
Every year as we move past Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season, I love rereading all my favorite Christmas books to my students.
I always find at least one group of students to read "The Polar Express" to. I am always amazed at how well they listen. It is one story I never have to interrupt with reminders of "body basics." It is an amazing story. I remember my own 2nd grade teacher reading it to me and I have loved the story ever since. I still get goose-bumps when I read the last lines about how he can still hear the bell ring.
Traditionally we read "A Christmas Carol" aloud to our 6th graders. Again - the kids love it. They never think they are going to but they always do. The language in it is pretty difficult but the kids get into it. They react and laugh and almost seem to make some discoveries about life and Christmas right along with Scrooge.
There are plenty more I share with students if I get the chance. "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause," "The Night Before Christmas" "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I read these stories over and over but always enjoy them.
I always find at least one group of students to read "The Polar Express" to. I am always amazed at how well they listen. It is one story I never have to interrupt with reminders of "body basics." It is an amazing story. I remember my own 2nd grade teacher reading it to me and I have loved the story ever since. I still get goose-bumps when I read the last lines about how he can still hear the bell ring.
Traditionally we read "A Christmas Carol" aloud to our 6th graders. Again - the kids love it. They never think they are going to but they always do. The language in it is pretty difficult but the kids get into it. They react and laugh and almost seem to make some discoveries about life and Christmas right along with Scrooge.
There are plenty more I share with students if I get the chance. "Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause," "The Night Before Christmas" "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." I read these stories over and over but always enjoy them.
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