Each holiday is introduced with a page of notes to the teacher - warm-up or pre-writing activities, teaching strategies and a brief overview are provided. Following the introduction are a number of reproducible stories and worksheets, each of them suited to the type of holiday featured. For example, the section on Thanksgiving asks students to complete a web indicating those things for which they are most thankful while the Hallowe'en activities focus on mood and imagery as the students write ghostly tales. Wordsearches, crosswords and other word puzzles develop vocabulary and provide enjoyment. Students also have opportunities to write short stories and poetry- haiku, cinquain, concrete and partner poems-- as well as to participate in storytelling, speech making and drama (Reader's Theatre, for example). Research organizers, such as charts, story maps and timelines, are also included. With the range of holiday themes and activities, the suggestions offered can easily be adapted to suit one's classroom situation in terms of both grade and ability levels of the students. A list of recommended resources and a language skills index are provided.

      Not just another collection of "spare-time" holiday worksheets, this book is a dual celebration-- not only of culture, but also of the richness of language.

Highly recommended.