Celebrating the Season with Merry Christmas, Strega Nona

 

If you're looking for a heartwarming holiday story that blends tradition, humor, and valuable lessons, Merry Christmas, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola is a delightful choice. This charming tale follows Strega Nona and her assistant, Big Anthony, as they prepare for the village's Christmas Eve feast. Through a series of humorous events, the story emphasizes themes of generosity, community, and the joy of giving.

Whether you're teaching at home, in an ESL classroom, or in a primary school setting, this story offers a wealth of opportunities to engage young learners. Here's why it's such a great pick and ideas to bring it to life for your students.

About the Author

Tomie dePaola was a beloved author and illustrator known for his distinctive folk-art style and engaging storytelling. His Strega Nona series, including Merry Christmas, Strega Nona, has captivated readers for generations with its warmth, humor, and timeless lessons.

Official Website:

👉 Tomie dePaola – Author

Gather around and enjoy the fun and lessons this book brings.

Why We Love Merry Christmas, Strega Nona

1. Engaging Storyline – The narrative is both humorous and heartwarming, keeping young readers entertained while imparting important lessons about generosity and community.

2. Rich Vocabulary – The story introduces a variety of vocabulary words related to Christmas traditions, cooking, and community life, making it an excellent resource for vocabulary building.

3. Cultural Insights – Set in Calabria, Italy, the story offers a glimpse into Italian holiday traditions, providing a cultural context that enriches students' understanding of the world.

4. Themes of Giving and Community – At its core, the story emphasizes the importance of sharing, helping others, and the joy that comes from giving, making it a perfect fit for holiday lessons on kindness and community.

Activities for the Classroom or Home

1. Christmas Feast Planning
   Have students plan their own "feast" by creating menus, drawing pictures of the dishes, and discussing the importance of sharing meals with others.

2. Character Trait Analysis
   Discuss the traits of Strega Nona and Big Anthony. How do their actions reflect the themes of generosity and community? Students can create character trait charts to visualize their findings.

3. Holiday Traditions Comparison
   Encourage students to compare the Christmas traditions in the story with their own family traditions. This can lead to discussions about cultural diversity and the various ways people celebrate the holiday season.

4. Gift-Making Activity
   Inspired by Big Anthony's desire to give Strega Nona a gift, have students create simple handmade gifts for someone special, emphasizing the value of thoughtful giving.

5. Cooking Activity
   If feasible, organize a simple cooking activity where students can prepare a dish mentioned in the story, such as pasta, to connect the narrative to a hands-on experience.

Read aloud and see what adventures await in the pages.

Printable and Extension Activities

1. Story Sequencing Worksheet
   Provide students with a worksheet where they can cut and paste scenes from the story in the correct order, reinforcing their understanding of the narrative structure.

2. Vocabulary Flashcards
   Create flashcards with key vocabulary words from the story and their definitions. Use these in games or quizzes to reinforce language learning.

3. Christmas Around the World Research Project
   Assign students to research and present on Christmas traditions in different countries, fostering a global perspective on holiday celebrations.

4. Creative Writing Prompt
   Ask students to write a short story imagining a holiday celebration in the village of Strega Nona, encouraging creativity and narrative skills.

Gather around and enjoy the fun and lessons this book brings.

Storytime Videos

Enhance your storytelling sessions with these engaging read-aloud videos:

• Merry Christmas, Strega Nona – Read Aloud by Arcade of Knowledge
  👉 Watch on YouTube

• Merry Christmas, Strega Nona – Animated Read-Aloud by KidsTimeStoryTime
  👉 Watch on YouTube

Bringing the Story to Life

The magic of Merry Christmas, Strega Nona is that it’s more than just a festive story – it’s a springboard for creative learning. You can use it to teach vocabulary, sequencing, cultural awareness, and storytelling. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to incorporate crafts, cooking, and discussions about generosity into your classroom or homeschool day.

Whether you’re a homeschooler reading aloud at home, an ESL teacher teaching vocabulary and speaking skills, or a primary teacher or librarian creating a fun storytime, this book will delight your students and inspire interactive learning.

So gather your little ones, read together, and enjoy the warmth and joy of the holiday season with Merry Christmas, Strega Nona.

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