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Mooseltoe
Last updated Friday, November 21, 2008
Author: Margie Palatini
Illustrator: Henry Cole
Date of Publication: 2000
ISBN: 0786805676
Grade Level: 2nd (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2008
Synopsis:
The moose with the amazing mustache, last seen in Moostache (1997), is getting ready for Christmas, and he's totally organized. Baking cookies, check; sending holiday cards, check; buying gifts, check, check, check. It doesn't become apparent until Christmas Eve that one important job has been left undone: there's no Christmas tree! So Moose makes the ultimate sacrifice for his family--he lets them hang tinsel and ornaments from his long mustache, wrap lights around his antlers, and stick a star on the top of his head.
| Note to readers: |
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Vocabulary words: Bountiful, galoshes, snowdrifts, bowless, bough, glee and glop, bride, fetch, follicle, fathom, wreaths, garland, Noel, spruced up, whisked, sifted
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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What is the animal is on the cover?
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Is that a moustache on him?
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What kind of decorations does he have?
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Look at the back cover; What is he doing?
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What’s mistletoe?
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Do you ever have the holiday spirit?
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Do you like to send or give cards and give gifts to others during the holidays?
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Do you like to put up decorations or sing on the holidays?
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Have you had a perfect Christmas? What was it like?
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What do you think the book is about?
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What do you do to prepare for Christmas?
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Do you make lists?
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What else can you make lists for?
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Explain about checking off lists and have kids repeat “Check” out loud during the story.
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What is the Moose doing?
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What is”... tickling the Ivory’s?
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At the end of the cooking page: “...but of course , so ...” finish the quote. What do you think Moose said?
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What’s different about the stockings?
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Can you think of a time when you or your parents forgot something important? What were the consequences.
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Do think you could plug in your dad?
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Who do the other pair of eyes belong to on the end of the story?
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Was Moose happy for the holidays? How did he show it?
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What did Moose forget?
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Did Moose have success in finding a tree?
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What did Moose do to get a tree?
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How was the problem solved?
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Go back and see if what’s on Moose’s list would match your Christmas list?
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What are your Christmas traditions?
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| Craft ideas: |
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Moose Christmas Tree/Treat holder/ornament-- Use coffee filter/cone. Draw or glue eyes, mouth, ears (pipe cleaners) and nose. Attach string to hang on tree or door handle.
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Moose Antlers—Trace both hands on construction paper. Cut out the hands/antlers. Cut out a strip of paper to make the head band or fold the palm over string and tape/glue/staple to secure. If you have time, make a large paper mustache to go with the Moose Antlers!
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Draw a picture of Mooseltoe.
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Draw a picture of Mooseltoe tree.
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Draw a picture of getting ready for the Christmas scene.
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Make a moose hat headband.
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Make a moose puppet.
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Draw a picture of your family wearing Christmas clothes
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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