Week of December 13, 2021 | TK
Merry Christmas and Welcome Winter
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Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Doreen Cronin
As Farmer Brown prepares the house for Christmas, Duck tries to play Santa--but he gets stuck in the chimney, along with all the other animals who try to help.
The First Day of Winter, by Denise Fleming
A cumulative story (and song) to warm up a cold winter day. Alive with swirling snow and lots of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend.
Crafty Connection Jingle bell and pony bead bracelet.
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
As Farmer Brown prepares the house for Christmas, Duck tries to play Santa--but he gets stuck in the chimney, along with all the other animals who try to help.
The First Day of Winter, by Denise Fleming
A cumulative story (and song) to warm up a cold winter day. Alive with swirling snow and lots of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend.
Crafty Connection Jingle bell and pony bead bracelet.
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
Week of December 13, 2021 | Kindergarten
Merry Christmas and Welcome Winter
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Dragon's Merry Christmas, by Dav Pilkey
Dragon has a merry time decorating a tree outdoors, making a candy wreath, and sharing his Christmas gifts with needy animals. See if you can spot the homage to Vincent Van Gogh.
The First Day of Winter, by Denise Fleming
A cumulative story (and song) to warm up a cold winter day. Alive with swirling snow and lots of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend.
Crafty Connection Wreath coloring sheet
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
Dragon has a merry time decorating a tree outdoors, making a candy wreath, and sharing his Christmas gifts with needy animals. See if you can spot the homage to Vincent Van Gogh.
The First Day of Winter, by Denise Fleming
A cumulative story (and song) to warm up a cold winter day. Alive with swirling snow and lots of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend.
Crafty Connection Wreath coloring sheet
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
Week of December 13, 2021 | First Grade
Gift Giving and Merry Christmas
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Rabbit's Gift: a Fable from China, by George Shannon
The animals in the forest scurry to store their food away for the cold months ahead, but when Rabbit comes across an extra turnip and decides to have a special meal with his woodland friends, everyone is inspired by his act of generosity and soon demonstrates their thanks in their own special ways.
Marvin's Best Christmas Present Ever, by Katharine Paterson
Marvin makes a special Christmas present. He wants the wreath he made to last forever, but the pine boughs are turning dry and brown as winter turns to spring.
Crafty Connection Wreath coloring sheet
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
The animals in the forest scurry to store their food away for the cold months ahead, but when Rabbit comes across an extra turnip and decides to have a special meal with his woodland friends, everyone is inspired by his act of generosity and soon demonstrates their thanks in their own special ways.
Marvin's Best Christmas Present Ever, by Katharine Paterson
Marvin makes a special Christmas present. He wants the wreath he made to last forever, but the pine boughs are turning dry and brown as winter turns to spring.
Crafty Connection Wreath coloring sheet
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
Week of December 13, 2021 | Second Grade
Merry Christmas with Santa Claus
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McDuff's New Friend, by Rosemary Wells
On Christmas Eve, McDuff's persistent "woofing" leads to the rescue of Santa, whose sleigh has gotten stuck in the snow.
Little Santa, by Jon Agee
Little Santa loves the North Pole. So, when his family decides to move to sunny Florida, Santa is miserable. Lucky for him, a blizzard foils their plans. The only way out of the house is up the chimney. Up goes Santa to look for help, and along the way he meets a reindeer, a large group of elves... and the rest is history!
Video Sing Along Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Crafty Connection Carolers coloring sheet
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
On Christmas Eve, McDuff's persistent "woofing" leads to the rescue of Santa, whose sleigh has gotten stuck in the snow.
Little Santa, by Jon Agee
Little Santa loves the North Pole. So, when his family decides to move to sunny Florida, Santa is miserable. Lucky for him, a blizzard foils their plans. The only way out of the house is up the chimney. Up goes Santa to look for help, and along the way he meets a reindeer, a large group of elves... and the rest is history!
Video Sing Along Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Crafty Connection Carolers coloring sheet
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
Week of December 13, 2021 | Third Grade
The Magic of Christmas
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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson
The six mischievous Herdman kids lie, steal, and smoke cigars, and when they become involved in the local Christmas pageant, it becomes one of the most memorable Christmas plays the community has seen.
How Murray Saved Christmas, by Mike Reiss
Up at the North Pole, Santa is unable to deliver presents one Christmas Eve.
Video Sing Along Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Crafty Connection Carolers coloring sheet
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
The six mischievous Herdman kids lie, steal, and smoke cigars, and when they become involved in the local Christmas pageant, it becomes one of the most memorable Christmas plays the community has seen.
How Murray Saved Christmas, by Mike Reiss
Up at the North Pole, Santa is unable to deliver presents one Christmas Eve.
Video Sing Along Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Crafty Connection Carolers coloring sheet
Kitchen Connection Wreath ornament made from cooked spaghetti
Holiday Activity Track Santa with NORAD
Week of December 13, 2021 | Fourth Grade
The Spirit of Christmas
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The Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. Moore
An illustrated presentation of New York clergyman Clement Clark Moore's famous 1822 Christmas poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," better known as "The Night Before Christmas."
Video Hurricane Katrina Storm Surge Running time 13:38; view beginning; sample after minute 7:09
Hurricane Katrina was a large and destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that caused 1,833 fatalities and $125 billion in damage in late August 2005, especially in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas.
Cajun Night Before Christmas, by Trosclair
A reading of a Cajun version in honor of the librarian from New Orleans who lost her entire collection in Hurricane Katrina, but not her optimistic outlook on life.
Live Video The Manhattan Beach Pier
Sing Along Jingle Bells at the Beach
Crafty Connection Make a telescoping palm tree
An illustrated presentation of New York clergyman Clement Clark Moore's famous 1822 Christmas poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," better known as "The Night Before Christmas."
Video Hurricane Katrina Storm Surge Running time 13:38; view beginning; sample after minute 7:09
Hurricane Katrina was a large and destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that caused 1,833 fatalities and $125 billion in damage in late August 2005, especially in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas.
Cajun Night Before Christmas, by Trosclair
A reading of a Cajun version in honor of the librarian from New Orleans who lost her entire collection in Hurricane Katrina, but not her optimistic outlook on life.
Live Video The Manhattan Beach Pier
Sing Along Jingle Bells at the Beach
Crafty Connection Make a telescoping palm tree
Week of December 13, 2021 | Fifth Grade
Peace on Earth at Christmas --and Always-- Begins with Each of Us
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The GATOR Good Peace on Earth begins with each of us. Find your inner peace at the calm center of your being and then share that feeling through kind acts to others.
The Wall in the Middle of the Book, by Jon Agee
Though a knight is confident that the wall in the middle of the book protects his side from the dangers of the other side, he fails to notice the danger lies on his own side of the wall.
Shooting at the Stars, by John Hendrix
On Christmas Eve during the trench warfare of World War I, in the bitter winter of 1914, a virtual miracle occurred. Enemies on both sides stopped fighting and began to sing Silent Night. On Christmas Day, enemy soldiers walked into the open ground between the trenches and shook hands. They exchanged biscuits and buttons and belts from their uniforms as souvenirs.
Video The Christmas Truce of 1914 from Oh! What a Lovely War running time 3:39
Video I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake, 1975
The intent of this song was to protest the commercialization of the Christmas holiday, but has come to mean different things to different people. It speaks to me about the peace and hope that lie ahead, if we collectively work toward a kinder way of living. The closing verse includes the upbeat words "I wish you a hopeful Christmas, I wish you a brave new year, All anguish pain and sadness, Leave your heart and let your road be clear," but are tempered by the the cautionary closing line, "the Christmas we get we deserve."
Crafty Connection Paper snowflake video tutorial. Folding and snipping paper snowflakes can be a way to slow down, breathe, and find the peace that comes from concentration.
The Wall in the Middle of the Book, by Jon Agee
Though a knight is confident that the wall in the middle of the book protects his side from the dangers of the other side, he fails to notice the danger lies on his own side of the wall.
Shooting at the Stars, by John Hendrix
On Christmas Eve during the trench warfare of World War I, in the bitter winter of 1914, a virtual miracle occurred. Enemies on both sides stopped fighting and began to sing Silent Night. On Christmas Day, enemy soldiers walked into the open ground between the trenches and shook hands. They exchanged biscuits and buttons and belts from their uniforms as souvenirs.
Video The Christmas Truce of 1914 from Oh! What a Lovely War running time 3:39
Video I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake, 1975
The intent of this song was to protest the commercialization of the Christmas holiday, but has come to mean different things to different people. It speaks to me about the peace and hope that lie ahead, if we collectively work toward a kinder way of living. The closing verse includes the upbeat words "I wish you a hopeful Christmas, I wish you a brave new year, All anguish pain and sadness, Leave your heart and let your road be clear," but are tempered by the the cautionary closing line, "the Christmas we get we deserve."
Crafty Connection Paper snowflake video tutorial. Folding and snipping paper snowflakes can be a way to slow down, breathe, and find the peace that comes from concentration.
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