With December right around the corner, it’s time to start planning and preparing your classroom. Don’t stress! We’ve compiled the perfect list of holiday mentor texts to bring in the Christmas magic, while also helping you teach important 2nd grade grade reading skills.
Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray
Christmas Farm is a beautiful story of the teamwork, patience, and dedication as Wilma and her young neighbor Parker begin a Christmas tree farm. This book presents the perfect opportunity for cross-curricular connections to the life cycle of a Christmas tree. There are several teaching points for reading as well:
- Character Traits
- Theme
- Context Clues
Click here to get Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray on Amazon.
Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh
Second grade students will adore this adorable story of a little dog named Olive who thinks she must be a reindeer when she hears people singing “Olive the other Reindeer.” Olive makes her way to the North Pole just in time to help Santa save Christmas
- Sequence
- Infer Character Traits
- Story Elements
Click here to purchase Olive, the Other Reindeer on Amazon.
The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola
The Legend of the Poinsettia is the perfect mentor text for teaching story elements in second grade. It also provides a great opportunity for Social Studies cross-curricular connections for cultures and traditions. This book has an excellent storyline, making it easy to teach crucial comprehension skills including the following:
- Cause & Effect
- Character Traits
- Summary
Click here to buy The Legend of the Poinsettia on Amazon.
How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky
How Santa Got His Job is always a hit with 2nd grade students! The kids love hearing about all the jobs Santa tries before finding his calling to deliver gifts on Christmas. This a wonderful story to teach a variety of second grade reading skills and reinforce students’ understanding of story elements. My favorite teaching points for this book are the following:
- Retell & Sequence
- Summary
- Problem & Solution
Click here to purchase How Santa Got His Job on Amazon.
More Picture Books to Consider
The Great Spruce by John Duvall
Little Red Sleigh by Erin Guendelsberger
Night Tree by Eve Bunting
The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
Winter Picture Books
The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner
Multicultural Picture Books
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto
Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel
Samurai Santa by Rubin Pingk
Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda Ford
All of a Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins
Follow my store for lessons, resources, and freebies. You can also follow me on Pinterest for more teaching ideas!
I hope you enjoy!
Check out my December read alouds for 3rd grade and 4th grade!
The Pedagogical Planner 
Leave a Reply