Today we began a Holidays Around the World project. We first read the nonfiction book, Christmas, by Mary Lindeen as well as an informational sheet about Christmas from our work study packet. Both showed us ways that we celebrate Christmas in America. Danny then completed a four-part anchor chart to capture recalled information from the readings. Danny was unable to produce responses independently, therefore he used the book to help him generate ideas, he wrote: December 25, put up lights inside and outside, write letters to Santa, and Santa brings presents. He then cut, colored, and assembled four pieces to build a Christmas tree for his informational holiday book that we are creating. We then read, Arthur’s Christmas, by Marc Brown. In this fun book, Arthur is very focused on finding the perfect gift for Santa! It was sweet to read about how a child wants to give a gift to Santa and we discussed Arthur’s thoughtfulness. We talked about how Danny is thoughtful too, by leaving out cookies and milk for Santa as well as carrots for the reindeer! Additionally, from the book, we discussed the Christmas tradition of caroling. After lunch, we continued our latest Magic Tree House book, Vacation Under the Volcano. In chapter 2, the children travel back 2,000 years ago to August 24 AD 79. They arrive in the seaside town of Pompeii where people vacation and see Mount Vesuvius. We discussed the concept of “blend in” and looked at the clothes the children were given to wear (tunics, belts, and laced up sandals). We talked about how this was long ago and a child in Pompeii, 2,000 years ago wouldn’t have a backpack. Additionally, we went over the vocabulary: grove of olive trees, cackled, and forum (center of town). We looked on Danny’s world map to find Italy. We reviewed where we are as well as Columbus’ and the Pilgrims’ voyages. Finally, as we have been comparing long ago and today, we read, My First Little House books: Winter Days in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. We read about Laura and her family living in the woods in Wisconsin in their log cabin. The whole family worked around the home each day. In our comparison, we saw that they churned butter and couldn’t just go to Publix to get their food. They played with paper dolls and weren’t entertained with t.v. or technology like iPads. We used the illustrations to discuss their clothes and appearance vs. what we see today.