Oak Hollow - December

School: Oak Hollow Elementary
Month/Year: December 2007

Recommended Read-a-loud or Book-talk books:

Title: Silver Packages
Author: Cynthia Rylant
Topic: Christmas in Appalachian Mountains
Grades: 2 - 6

Comments: Very tender story that in the end we tell is actually true and still today the Christmas train continues to come to towns with the help of many dedicated volunteers.

Title: The Queen of Christmas
Author: Mary Englebreit
Topic: colorfully illustrated (as is her trademark) story of the many traditions of Christmas expressed through the eyes of Ann Estelle.
Grades: K – 1

Comments: We encouraged a show of hands for those who enjoy some of the same holiday traditions like hosting visitors from out of town, making cookies for neighbors and friends, sledding and skating.

Pair and Share Topic: Christmas around the world
Grades: 3-6

Titles/Authors used: Christmas in: France, England, Philippines, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Mexico -the series.
Joy to the World by Pirotta
Christmas around the World by Lankford

Comments: We told about different countries traditions and customs and foods at Christmas and compared them to what we do in America.