- Putting Your Thoughts on Paper: Reindeer Story
- Gathering materials: family learning journals, pencils, colored pencils, crayons. Remind them to open their journals to the next available page and date it. Don’t forget to have them label the top of the page with today’s learning topic/skill.
- Reading and Writing Connection: Ask a family learner to read the poem above. Discuss what the reindeer’s name might be. Pre-draft: Discuss a beginning-middle-end for your family’s Reindeer story. Include the reindeer’s food recipe, as well as the snowball poem.
- Drafting responses: Allow each family member to write their thoughts (10 min). Encourage the youngest members to draw their thoughts and assign someone to be their scribe. Next: Create the Reindeer stories, as a family or individually… don’t forget to illustrate the story (everyone is included in this treasured creation)!
- Finally: Set the mood for tonight’s Reindeer storytime… make some hot chocolate… pop the corn… gather in pajamas and blankets… Share your family’s Reindeer Story before bed tonight! Remind them that respectful listeners make eye contact with the person sharing without interrupting.
