Bonham & Crockett Early Education Libraries

Talk about how Christmas is coming up and ask the students if they have put up their Christmas tree yet. Tell the students that this story is about a boy who makes a snowman, then wonders what the snowman does while the boy is sleeping. Ask they students if they’ve ever made a snowman and “What do you think snowmen do while you’re sleeping?” Read the story. Ask questions throughout the story: Why is the snowman dressed in red and green? What is the dog made of? Would you like to get gifts made of snow? etc.

After the story, enjoy these fun Christmas dances!

If you have extra time, share this other read-aloud with the students.

Discuss the parts of the book before you read the story. Have the students guess/predict what they think might happen next. Enjoy both books, then some Thanksgiving dancing:

After reading this funny books enjoy these silly songs!

Before reading discuss the parts of the book. Then talk about the title How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad? Ask the students to say how they think dinosaurs would say or show that they are mad. As you read the story talk with the students about if the dinosaur is doing the right thing or the wrong thing. What is the right thing to do? Have them relate the dinosaurs actions to the way they react to being mad.

Let’s sing and dance about our emotions and feelings!

Next talk about the word “extinct” about how there are no longer any more living dinosaurs and then enjoy this funny story about Edwina, the Dinosaur That Didn’t Know She Was Extinct. 

If time allows, enjoy these Thanksgiving dances:

Before reading The Pigeon Needs a Bath discuss the parts of the book: front cover, back cover, spine, title, and author/illustrator. Ask the students if they think the pigeon needs a bath. Have them talk to their neighbor about why or why not.

Read the story.

Ask: Have your parents ever told you that you need a bath, but you didn’t think so? Did you still have to take a bath?

Talk about how Mo Willems is the author & illustrator and that he is the guy being interviewed in this next video.

Now practice your letter sounds!

And go on a Lion Hunt!

Before you read, discuss the part of the book: front cover, back cover, spine, author/illustrator. As you read Emma Kate, discuss with the students if they think the elephant can do those things. Is she real or imaginary? Let them discuss with their neighbor if they think she’s real or imaginary.

Tell them that they are going to get to vote. Those who think Emma Kate is real can move to the right and those that think she is imaginary can move to the left. Get them up to move while they vote.

Before you read, discuss the parts of the book again. Tell the students before you read the story that this is a story about an imaginary friend that hasn’t been thought of yet. “Listen to find out if he makes a friend or not.” Read The Adventures of Beekle the Unimaginary Friend.

After the stories, have the kids enjoy this mindfulness story:

Discuss that next week is ELECTION DAY and grownups get to vote for who they want to be the next president of our country.

Read aloud Duck’s adventures in being elected in Duck for President.

After the story, pull up the PebbleGO site below and show the students that the grownups are picking between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump (leave out your political biases as you discuss this with them).

Then they will watch this short video about voting:

Then, Each student will get to go up and click on who they want to vote for.

PebbleGO Vote!