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Principal Fred Won’t Go to Bed
I’ve been doing school visits since 1995, and over the years I’ve discovered something quite amazing. Teachers are real people! And, believe it or not, so are principals! They watch reality TV, do Pilates and eat Oreo cookies just like the rest of us.
Who knew? I could have sworn that they slept under their desks and only drank milk from little cartons.
I’ve met some fabulous principals over the years who work hard to make an inspirational learning environment for their students. They stay late, arrive early, deal with parents and settle lunchroom disputes. And some are just plain cool. (Special shout out to the principal in a certain Evanston school who sports pink hair and skateboards through the halls. Dude, you rock!)
In this book Principal Fred throws a hissy fit while looking for his favorite bear. He just won’t go to bed without it, and who can blame him? My own childhood bear Albert watches over me while I sleep. I’ve had him since I was three, which makes him very, very old.
Pajama Day Presentation: I think this is the perfect book to read for Pajama Day. And if you have me come to your school that day I will wear my special Sock Monkey pajamas and slippers—I promise!
“Young kids will love the slapstick scenario of a school authority figure as helpless and desperate children get when their beloved cuddly companions go missing.” —Booklist
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Activities
Language Arts:
This book is in verse and uses onomatopoeia. Ask children to write their own poems about their principals. Challenge them to use onomatopoeia. After you’ve done that you can take the rest of your classroom time to teach them how to actually spell onomatopoeia. I know I still can’t do it without spell check.
Teddy Bear Show and Tell:
Throw a teddy bear party! Children can bring their bears from home (or their blankies!). Serve teddy bear shaped cookies. Have the children talk about their bears in front of the class. See if your principal will bring in her own bear from home—it can’t hurt to ask!
Related Books
Other Principal Books:
- The Principal’s New Clothes, by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Denise Brunkus
- The Principal from the Black Lagoon, by Mike Thaler, illustrated by Jared Lee
Other Teddy Bear Books:
- The Teddy Bear, written and illustrated by David McPhail
- My Friend Bear, by Jez Alborough