For 2 weeks, our Early Childhood classrooms have been reading the book, Elmer the Elephant during our dialogic reading time. We had a picture walk, a read-through, watched a short video, and drew pictures of our favorite part of the story. EC 1 brought their "elephants" home to decorate with their parents. They were encouraged to only use materials that they already had at home, like markers, yarn/string, stickers, colored paper, etc. Then each student brought their elephant back to school to be part of the "Elmer Parade".
Why a parade? Because at the end of Elmer the Elephant book, Elmer's friends decide that once a year they will have an Elmer parade - where they get to colorfully decorate themselves to look like their friend, Elmer. So, on Thursday, Sept 22nd, both the AM and PM classes of EC1 had an Elmer Parade - where each class all wore hats. Also, each student carried a colorful streamer and their elephant taped on a stick. The three adults played instruments to add to the parade. Each class marched up and down all of the school hallways; visited the office and all of the Early Childhood classrooms! When they returned to the EC 1 classroom, many said, "That was fun!"
Shelley Nelson, EC1 Teacher
