"You Can't Catch Me...I'm the Gingerbread Man"

During our read alouds this week, the children have been listening to many different versions of the classic folktale, "The Gingerbread Man." In addition to that book, they've heard "The Gingerbread Boy" and "The Gingerbread Baby." We have been discussing and charting the similarities and differences of each book via a Venn Diagram. This was the first time we have used a Venn Diagram in Reader's Workshop. They will see them a lot more as the year progresses. We also had two Reader's Theater sessions this week. One on "The Gingerbread Boy" and one on "The Gingerbread Man." It was noted that only during our plays are the students allowed to run in the classroom!! Homework included a gingerbread man cut out which students were to decorate and tell how they created them. Today we made a gingerbread man. We shaped the dough in a gingerbread cooking stone and baked him till he was ready. While he was cooling off, the children went to lunch. Upon their return, one student shouted, "The Gingerbread Man is missing!!" This launched the students into a mad hunt to find him. We searched Mrs. Johnson's room, we went through the front office, we visited the library, and scoured the cafeteria. "There was only one place left," we shouted, "Miss Thomson's room is next door - maybe he ran over there." We barged in on Miss Thomson and much to our delight, she found him!!! They were sooo excited when he was found. We brought him back to our classroom and took turns icing the Gingerbread Man. Afterwards, we celebrated with mini-gingerbread cookies brought in by Mrs. Dillard. This was a wonderful kick off to the holiday festivities next week. We are off and running -- catch us if you can!!