HO HO HOMEWORK: Santa-Themed Activities

Best Users: Classroom Teachers, School Librarians, Public Librarians, Home Learning, Play Groups
Best Audience: Grades 00-02

 

ACTIVITY GUIDE

In the picture book Ho Ho Homework (HarperKids), Jack’s classroom has a new substitute teacher. With his long, white beard and a laugh that sounds like “Ho, ho, ho,” some of the kids are convinced Mr. Clausen might be Mr. Claus. Jack remains skeptical but joins in the classroom holiday preparation. Like Mr. Clausen, you can help children celebrate the season with:

– Snowflake Wish Activity
– Paper Chain Activity
– Jingle Bell Shuffle
– Guide to Make Homemade Gifts & Other Acts of Kindness
– Send a Greeting Card
– Reindeer Cookie Decoration

DOWNLOAD Ho Ho Homework: Santa-Themed Activity Kit (PDF)

“Love the premise of this book and the fact that we are still left with a mystery at the end – BUT! – what really makes me curious is the wonderful craft complete with diagram that is included! Kids always love that magical moment when they unfold their first paper snowflake. Can’t wait to try this out with my latest batch of storytimers”
—Jonathan Paul Dolce, Astor County Library

Images © Taia Morely

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ho Ho Homework
By Mylisa Larsen
Illustrated by Taia Morley
Published by Harper Collins Children’s Books
ISBN-9780062796882
Age Range: 4- 10 Years

It’s almost Christmas, and Jack’s classroom has a new substitute teacher. There’s something funny about Mr. Clausen—he seems awfully familiar….Is it his long, white beard? Is it the way his laugh sounds a lot like “Ho, ho, ho”? Or maybe it’s his snack of milk and cookies—reindeer-shaped cookies! Jack’s classmates are convinced they know who Mr. Clausen really is, but Jack’s not so sure…

Filled with beautiful pictures, humor, and lots of holiday cheer, this story captures all of the magic and mystery that children experience during the Christmas season. In the story, Mr. Clausen teaches Jack and his classmates how to make paper snowflake wishes—and the end of the book shows you how to make your very own!

“…It is never confirmed whether Mr. Clausen is Santa. However, the journey to finding out is a lighthearted exercise in hope and belief in the impossible as Jack wakes up to snow on Christmas morning. The illustrations are bright. The colorful winter apparel, classroom decorated with red and green paper chains, and cozy sweaters will kindle the holiday spirit. After the story, helpful instructions (complete with diagrams) prompt readers to make their own paper snowflakes. A cheerful diversion perfect for most picture book holiday collections.”
—School Library Journal
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“…Larsen nimbly balances Jack’s stubborn skepticism (“So he likes sleds…. Everybody likes sleds”) with his friends’ well-founded suspicions about the identity of their teacher who—in a fetching finale that involves a homework assignment and a sudden snowfall—makes a believer out of Jack. Bold watercolor and digital pictures by Morley may help do the same for young listeners.”
—Publishers Weekly