My Weird School Special: Hip, Hip, Hooray! Every Day Is a Holiday!
My Weird School Series
What’s inside...
Gr 1-5–The newest addition to the “My Weird School Special” series finds A.J. and his friends experiencing a year without school holidays. Dr. Carbles, president of the Board of Education, decides children of Ella Mentry School need to be in school every day except weekends—no winter break, no spring break, and especially no summer vacation. A.J. and his friends are sad until their media specialist, Mrs. Roopy, has an idea prompted by Andrea’s mention of Penguin Awareness Day. Mrs. Roopy has the students research what holiday is celebrated each day of the year, and they celebrate all those “weird” holidays. At the end of the year, the Board of Education, led by the real Ella Mentry herself, returns the usual holidays to the school schedule. A.J. and his friends are excited but also reflect on how the experiment had taught them that there are lots of amazing things to celebrate. Funny situations and A.J.’s running commentary about each will ensure engagement among readers. The story has weird students, wacky teachers, and fantastical situations in an elementary school setting, but the values of learning, supporting friends, and caring for the school and environment are also present. A calendar of weird holidays at the back of the book might prompt readers to find new ways to celebrate.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-10
Length
144 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite holiday mentioned in the book, and why did it stand out to you?
If you could invent a holiday, what would it celebrate and how would people observe it?
How do the characters in the book celebrate their holidays differently from us?
What lessons did the characters learn from each holiday celebration?
How do holidays bring people together in the story, and why is that important?
Tip: Role play these questions
Read the book together and let your child pick one holiday from the story. Discuss how you might celebrate that holiday at home.
Encourage your child to think critically by asking what they would add or change about the holiday celebrations mentioned.
Use the holidays in the book as a starting point to teach your child about different cultures and traditions around the world.
After reading, ask your child to draw or write about their favorite holiday from the book, helping them express their imagination and understanding.
Discuss the morals or lessons each holiday presented in the story to reinforce positive values and character development.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciating Diversity
Explanation: Through the various holidays explored in the story, children learn about different cultures and traditions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by showing respect and curiosity about different cultural celebrations they encounter in school or their community.
Example Lesson: Importance of Learning History
Explanation: The story ties holidays to their historical origins, teaching kids why certain days are significant.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to research and present about a holiday of their choice in school, fostering both communication and research skills.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The book encourages children to think creatively as they see characters come up with unique ways to celebrate holidays.
Real-World Application: Children can use these examples to brainstorm and create new fun activities or crafts for their family's holiday celebrations.
Example Lesson: Social Skills Development
Explanation: Characters in the book interact and collaborate to prepare holiday celebrations, which models positive social behavior.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to participate in group activities and improve their teamwork and communication skills during school projects or community events.