CS 21, Crispus Attucks School, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, District 16

Tony Medina, Christmas Makes Me Think: A Poetry and Community Service Project

Visit 1: November 16, 2009
Visit 2: November 23, 2009
Visit 3: December 7, 2009

During a unit on poetry, a second grade class read Christmas Makes Me Think by Tony Medina. The book, written in poetry, narrates a young boy’s realization that the holidays are not just about vacation, chocolate cake and lots of presents. The narrator realizes “I should share my presents with kids who don’t have any. And get my friends to share too. We could be like new Santas..” The students discussed what Christmas made them think about with Mr. Medina who shared how, when he was just a kid, he convinced his family and friends to give back to the needy. Mr. Medina led two poetry workshops with the second grade class. Students learned about different genres of poetry and wrote haikus about the holiday season, which were made into holiday cards during a collage art workshop with teaching artist Barb Korein. Inspired by Mr. Medina, the students sold their holiday cards at the school store and used the revenue to purchase toys for two needy children from the Post Office’s Santa Program.

Tony Medina addresses the CS21 class.		A student working hard on her art piece.
A CS21 student talks to a NY1 reporter about Behind the Book.		Tony Medina and Behind the Book director Jo Umans give out bookmarks. ........
The students' artwork hangs in the classrom.		The class smiles for a group photo.

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