Snuggle up together and read this magical Holiday classic!

Every holiday season, as a teacher and a mom, I couldn’t wait to snuggle the children together and read the treasured holiday classic, THE POLAR EXPRESS–  by sculptor and author, Chris Van Allsburg.  I always felt a tear well up, when I would read the final page,

”    At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them.  Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound.  Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.”

Do we continue to “believe?” A doubting boy, ponders the holiday, Christmas, and the man, called Santa.  Traits such as trust, loyalty, responsibility, and compassion are touched on throughout the book and the scenes of the move version.  Issues of social justice and hope are pivotal.  Consider snuggling up and reading this beautiful story to your class and/or your children.  We can all relate to the feeling of wishing and hoping for  our”dreams” to come true.   Set backs happen and we question our beliefs.  If we have, we can give.  We can offer hope to someone less fortunate.  We can create a world where we share a positive connection to one another, where tummies are full, people feel safe, and we act with kindness and compassion toward one another.  It starts small and each of us can do something positive for someone else.  We can believe and live the true spirit of Christmas throughout the year.

A Google Preview of the POLAR EXPRESS- Chris Van Allsburg

http://books.google.ca/books?id=zRYKnzPdppgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=images+for+the+Polar+Express&hl=en&sa=X&ei=oae7UPDEKYWpiQLD-YC4CA&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

Egg Carton Bells

Create simple, painted bells out of egg carton partitions!  Cut out the individual sections of the egg carton.  Have children paint the “bell” shapes, and when dry, apply, thick white craft glue and of course- glitter!   Let dry.  Have an  adult poke a small hole into the top of the “bell.”  Using ribbon, thread a jingle bell, through the “bell.” and knot off.    These simple bells will delight your children and warm the hearts of families.  Enjoy!

• check out Pinterist for more “child friendly” Holiday Craft Ideas.