The ‘Elf On The Shelf’ story by Carol V Aebersold has introduced the Den room children to ‘Star’ the Den room elf. His name was picked out of a selection that the Den children suggested and yes, ‘Poo Poo’ and ‘Wee Wee’ were also in the mix! The following description of events was inspired by Clement Moore’s poem, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’.
‘Twas The Lead Up To Christmas’
‘Twas the lead up to Christmas when all through the Den,
The excitement was stirring, waiting for our Christmas friend.
A small Christmas elf arrived with care,
To report to Santa about all who play there.
The children were snug in the home corner beds,
While visions of Gruffalos prowl in their heads,
And staff in Christmas jumpers and winter caps,
Settle down for stories and song rhythms to clap.
When in the cosy corner there arose such a clatter,
As children pointed to show what was the matter,
Standing to look we then all flew like a flash,
To see ‘Star’ the Den elf painting near the craft corner shelf.
The red paint was used and holding a brush,
Star painted an image that we looked at with a hush,
And what to our wondering eyes should appear,
A miniature elf in his red Christmas gear.
Each night flying to the North Pole quick,
Star and all elves report back to St. Nick,
More rapid than eagles with Christmas magic he came,
To hide in the nursey again and again.
Now Nin! Now Tam! Now Lucy and Kate!
Now Sophie! Now Ed! Now Jess! Please don’t be late.
To the top of the willow tree near the books on the wall,
That Christmas elf has climbed up, be careful, don’t fall!
As home-made baubles hang, sparkling as they dry,
Our elf looks across to the collage of a night-time sky,
With stars made by children using glitter and glue,
And fixed on material the colour of midnight blue.
As fairy lights twinkle our little elf sees,
Den children singing, ‘Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney’,
Climbing down into our home-made chimney box,
Jumping out to scare Ed, our forest school ‘Red Fox’!
He was dressed all in green from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot,
A forest school rucksack he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes how they twinkled his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses his nose like a cherry,
His reactions were swift as quick as a Ninja,
And the beard on his chin was the colour of ginger.
Off to the Paddock the forest schoolers go,
In wellies and waterproofs in wet weather or snow,
Listening and following the forest school rules,
Exploring and playing and using forest school tools.
Listening for their names some went straight to group work,
To make Christmas cards at the caterpillar gate they lurk,
Then into the sleep room the children all go,
To make marks and decorate cards to take home and show.
A busy ol’ day the Den team give a whistle,
To tidy-up, get organised and in the cosy corner settle,
At the end of the day our elf goes out in the night,
Where will he be tomorrow? Let’s see after a sleep,
Good night.