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speech and language teaching concepts for Latkes for Santa Claus in speech therapy
Frequent Speech Sounds:

/k/ medial
/n/ medial
/s/ blends

Themes:

problem solving
creativity
acceptance
Hanukkah

Book Details:
Diverse Characters: N/A
Age Recommendation: Elementary, Late Elementary

Latkes for Santa Claus

By Janie Emaus

Anna is excited that Santa will be visiting her house for the first time, and she wants to leave Santa a treat that blends the holidays her new family celebrates: Christmas and Hanukkah. She expresses this idea to her stepbrother, Michael, who insists that Santa doesn’t need anything but his sugar cookies. Anna imagines Santa has to be bored with cookies by now and is determined to find a Jewish recipe that he’ll enjoy. The catch? It has to be something easy for Santa to grab and go. Anna retreats to her thinking corner to figure out the perfect finger food for Santa, not wanting to disappoint him on his very first visit to her house. In this humorous and endearing picture book, blending both Christmas and Hannukah, a little girl and her stepbrother compete to leave Santa the best treats ever.

This clever Hanukkah book can be used in speech therapy to address onomatopoeias and similes. It is also great for comparing and contrasting, as well as problem solving! Discover more of the speech and language teaching concepts for using Latkes for Santa Claus in speech therapy below:

Key Teaching Concepts

Narrative Structure:

complete episode

Narrative Concepts:

describing
compare/contrast
theme/message
problem solving
sequencing
figurative language
social/emotional concepts
text features
phonological awareness
repetitive text
character analysis

Sequencing:

order of food options for Santa

Vocabulary:

launched, whirled, simmered, imagined, gulping, wrapped

Character Analysis:

Anna is celebrating Christmas for the first time and demonstrates perseverance and determination as she decides on the perfect treat to leave for Santa Claus.

Social/Emotional:

perseverance
determination
family traditions

How do you think Anna feels when she hears back from Santa about her latkes?

Figurative Language:

similes
onomatopoeias

Text Features:

text size
italics
change in font
repetitive text

Phonological Awareness:

rhyming included in repetitive text

Problem Solving:

Anna has to determine the best treat for Santa Claus that he is able to eat with his fingers, that wouldn’t make a mess.

If you are interested in seeing other Hanukkah books to use in therapy, then check out the Seasonal Teaching Points Book List for a printable copy