Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
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SUMMARY
"Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf" by Greg Wolfe, is a story that offers a delightful twist on the traditional Christmas elf concept, introducing readers to a Hanukkah elf. Shmelf, one of Santa's elves is in charge of checking the naughty and nice list but discovers that many deserving children have never received a gift from Santa. Shmelf learns that these children don't celebrate Christmas but Hanukkah instead! After learning about this Jewish holiday observing a family, Shmelf returns to the North Pole and Santa turns him into the Hanukkah elf! As Shmelf prepares the menorahs, dreidels, and other Hanukkah items, he gains a deeper appreciation for the holiday's traditions and its focus on family and celebration. The book cleverly combines elements of Christmas and Hanukkah, promoting cultural diversity and the idea that every holiday is special in its own way.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Discuss the author’s use of rhyme and rhythm in this book.
- Analyze the setting of this book. Discuss where and when it takes place.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Teach a mini lesson on compound words.
- Teach students how contractions are used.
- Explore examples of inclusion in the story.
- Discuss responsibility and the qualities of a responsible person.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- Latke, the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer
- Seven Spools of Thread by Angela Shelf Medearis
- Christmas Wombat by Jackie French
- Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
- Madeline's Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans
- The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie Depaola
- The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren
- The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie Depaola
- Cobweb Christmas by Shirley Climo
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
