I recently wrote a post about supplies for teachers (and I recorded a podcast about it, too). I definitely believe it is worth spending a little extra money for supplies to make your planning more enjoyable and every year notebooks, pens, pencils and planners go on my holiday wish list.
Gifts for the Children
But I remember too well how challenging it was to find suitable gifts for my children. They had enough toys and we didn’t want to clutter our household with too much stuff. They actually didn’t really even want anything, but friends and family always asked what they could give to them for the holidays, so I always turned to three ideas — books, art supplies and clothing (usually the expensive winter gear that needed updating every year.)
So over the next few days, I’ll post with some of my age-specific suggestions in each of these categories. I hope you and your family members find it helpful.
Books
Many of these recommendations come from the San Francisco Waldorf School library website, which is a great resource. These are selections that have been loved by many of my students over the years.
Grade One
(These are all great read-alouds, so most of them would do for kindergarten children as well.)
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children
Japanese Children’s Favorite Stories
Grade Two
(These are early chapter books and can be good stepping stones to independent reading.)
(Here are some great read-aloud classics.)
Grade Three
Grade Four
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Grade Five
Grade Six
They Mysterious Benedict Society series
Grade Seven
Grade Eight
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Do you have some great book ideas that aren’t on this list? Leave your suggestions in the comments.
Old Mother West Wind is at the top of my list for preschool through 1st or 2nd grade. F is almost 7 and still lives these stories.