The Week Before Christmas at Five Elementary Schools

This year Nancy and I were privileged to be invited to perform my Christmas story at five schools in four days, Monday through Thursday of the week before Christmas. With Christmas less than a week away and vacation from school only a few days in the future, the children's excitement is at a peak. It's a fun time for me to do shows that include my story A Farm Country Christmas Eve.

Pictures of the shows are on the second page of this post.

Otsego Elementary, Otsego, MN

Monday morning, December 19, 2011, we did two shows for third grade students at Otsego Elementary, where I did my first shows in the year 2000. This is my twelfth consecutive year performing there, and it brought back lots of memories. 

During the summer of 2000 Nancy and I published our first book at home, County Road Christmas Eve which was the predecessor to A Farm Country Christmas Eve. Teacher and friend Diana Sawdey liked the story and invited me to do a reading for her third grade class. After she and I discussed what would work best for the students, I came up with the format that I still use today. I had never performed for little kids before so I credit Diana for giving me the courage and inspiration to begin the performances and I think of her often when I do shows throughout the year. Diana passed away in September of 2010. We miss her always.

Nancy and I thank Mrs. Erickson for continuing to invite us to Otsego to keep up the tradition of doing my Christmas stories for third grade students.

Fieldstone Elementary, St. Michael, MN

We were scheduled to do two shows on Monday afternoon starting at 12:45 at Fieldstone Elementary, St. Michael, Minnesota. This is our second year at Fieldstone and I thank Ms. Kampa, the Media Specialist, and Ms. Aanuerud, the principal for inviting us back. I credit the students' high level of excitement to the enthusiasm shown by Ms. Kampa and Principal Aanuerud, who took time from their busy day to chat with us and help us get settled. They both made us feel especially welcome. 

Big Woods Elementary, St. Michael, MN

At noon on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, our first of two shows for third grade students started at noon.

The weather was great and we enjoyed our one-hour drive to the school. Here, too, we always feel especially welcome as former students who work in the office greet Nancy and me as we sign in.  Friend and retired teacher Nancy Terhark first invited us to do a show for her class in the year 2000, so this was our twelfth consecutive year at Big Woods, which was formerly St. Michael Elementary. Ms Terhark and Diana Sawdey were close friends, and I feel gratitude to both of them for getting me started.

Nancy and I thank third grade teacher Ms. Curran for continuing the tradition of having me perform my Christmas story at the school.

Cedar Creek Community School, Cedar, MN

Nice weather continued to make winter driving a joy, and lucky for us because Cedar Minnesota is about an hour and a half from our place. The first of two shows for first grade students was scheduled to begin at 1:50 PM on Wednesday, December 21. The first graders and their teachers were full of enthusiasm, and since the schedule allowed 45 minutes for each show, the students had lots of time to ask questions. I was especially impressed with the answers the students had for my "quiz" but I was even more impressed with the quality of questions from these students, who clearly had fun during the show but also had curiosity and a desire to learn.

Nancy and I thank Mrs. Baar, the first grade teacher who invited us to perform at Cedar Creek and arranged the visit.

Chatfield Elementary School, Belle Plaine, MN

In October of 2011, we were invited to do a six shows that included my story If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure. for grades one and two. The students and I enjoyed my visit, which led to Mr. Carlson inviting us back to do the Christmas show for the same groups of first and second graders on Thursday, December 22, 2011. Three shows for first graders were scheduled to start at 9:00 AM and three shows for second graders were scheduled to start at 12:30 PM. Believe me, with the high enthusiasm on this pre-vacation day, I needed the lunch break. A special surprise during the last morning show was a visit from my grand nephew Jacob Malz, who student-taught at the school last fall. He took time to visit with us over the lunch break and Nancy and I were delighted to see him.

Nancy and I thank Mr. Carlson, the first grade teacher who invited us to perform at the school again.

To see pictures of the events, click READ MORE

First group of third graders at Otsego (above and below).

Second group of third graders at Otsego (above and below).

First group of third graders at Fieldstone Elementary (above and below).

Second group of third graders at Fieldstone (above and below).

Nancy and I forgot the camera on Tuesday. My apologies to students and 

staff at Big Woods Elementary because we have no pictures!

First grade students in the first group at Cedar Creek (above and below).

First grade students in the second group at Cedar Creek (above and below).

First group of first graders at Chatfield Elementary in Belle Plaine.

Grade one, Group two at Chatfield.

Grade one, Group three at Chatfield.

Grade two, Group one at Chatfield.

Grade two, Group two at Chatfield.

Grade two, Group three at Chatfield.

We hope to return to the schools next December.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson