The Northwood Elementary School cafeteria seemed like Santa's Workshop on Thursday as the first and second grade multi-age students built gingerbread houses. One hundred milk cartons were used for "foundations." Parents assisted the chattering children as they glued (with icing) candy and graham cracker pieces to the cartons.

Students began reading gingerbread themed books the first week of December. After reading eight to 10 books, they completed a graphic organizer that charted the simililarities and differences between the stories. The unit concluded with the construction of the edible houses.