Hard to believe but here we are, the holidays (apparently I forgot to hit “publish” on Thursday – it was definitely a busy and festive and joyous day). It certainly was a colourful week.
PINK – The Pinkalicious Tree turned out to be a most beautiful tree this year. There were so many great ornaments made and brought in. Some of the ornaments were book inspired and some were literal books. We had “How To” Books, a book about fairies, and a tiny Bible. Some of the ornaments were paper from an intricate origami tree to a folded up “spy gear”. Some ornaments were clay – I’m sure we’re the only tree with a pair on underpants (from “Captain Underpants”) on them. Some ornaments were wooden – painted and one even wood-burned. Some+ were made out of books including a Dora the Explorer book and the book “Loser” by Jerry Spinelli. Some ornaments were made from toys including a silver Godzilla and a Lego Man. Some were made of craft foam including an Elf on the Shelf swinging on a wreath. And, of course, there were a few purchased ones including last year’s Book Fair ornament (Cactus with Xmas Lights), this year’s Book Fair ornament (an Enchanted Forest Gnome), and the Christmas Pickle (of course!).
There were so many awesome ornaments I just couldn’t pick a winner – so I made my mother do it. She said it was super difficult but she finally chose a top three (1) An Angel (2) The Grinch in a Present with the story summarized and (3) a Sparkly Grinch Ball.
GREEN – Speaking of The Grinch, How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss has been a featured Read Aloud this season for Library Visits. Published in 1957, this story soon became a Christmas Classic. The cartoon How the Grinch Stole Christmas – which first aired in 1966 – is still a Christmas tradition for me. I’m not a huge fan of the live action film from a few years (18 years!) back but I am really looking forward to seeing the new one. The students have already shared their excitement for the film (time to start teaching them about “spoilers”!)
BROWN – Our other Read Aloud this week was Who Will Pull Santa’s Sleigh Tonight? by Laura Rader. When Santa’s Reindeer catch a very bad cold they are unable to pull Santa’s sleigh. What will Santa do? Hold auditions, of course! But who will pull Santa’s sleigh. Who do you think it should be? The story ends (spoiler alert!) with some delicious hot cocoa. At the back of the book there is a recipe card for Santa’s Hot Cocoa which – as per student request – I am posting here. Give it a try. Enjoy! What are your favourite toppings and additions?
Rader, Laura. Who Will Pull Santa’s Sleigh Tonight? Scholastic, New York, 2003.
RED – As usual, we’ve had our Recess Readers and our class Library Visits. We’ve read (get it? read/red) a lot of different books and explored The Library’s December Holiday books. The grade 5/6s also had a Recess Reader Holiday Day on their devices (media literacy is important, too!)
BLUE – Of course, sometimes Christmas can be “blue” for some people. This season has been a rough one for me (being the first Christmas without my Dad) but the staff, students, and families at SJA have helped to brighten up the season.
“ALL IS BRIGHT” was the theme for The Library’s December bulletin board in which students added bright colours to the lights with ideas of how they can help brighten someone’s (holi)days.
YELLOW – There are so many ways we can let our lights shine brightly!
Ms. Hayward (and Melvil) wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!
and a Wonderful Holiday full of love & laughter and friends & family!
Today 
The Library at St. Jude's Academy 