National author shares love of tradition, writing with Morgan students

Morgan Elementary School brought a national phenomenon off the shelf to celebrate traditions and the power of writing.

The students hosted Elf on the Shelf co-author Carol Aebersold, who visited Morgan after teacher Kristin Sears entered a national contest on how they use the bestseller to support their classroom lessons.

Aebersold, who turned her family tradition into a national bestseller, told students the key to successful writing is continuing to edit and revise the “brainstorm draft” you have put on paper.

“And when you think you have finished your story, have other people read it for what you may have missed,” she told students.

The Elf on the Shelf series tells the story of a mysterious visitor who shares feedback on children’s good behavior during the holiday season. The elf magically moves to a new location each night while the children are asleep and sometimes even engages in some playful mischief.


Aebersold’s only Michigan appearance at Morgan Elementary came after students in Kristin Sears’ class showed how they were using the books to enhance their writing.

“You were picked from among 15,000 other schools, so that makes you special,” she told students.

Sears said her students have used the series as part of a six-week writing project where they have to predict behaviors related to their classroom elf. “The student’s voice truly comes alive in these writing pieces,” she said.

The children also brought some math into their efforts, graphing their choices for their elf’s name to determine the “Jolly” as the winner.

For the students, the end result of their efforts was an inspiring visit from someone who has helped their own families create new traditions.

“I really thought it was great to be able to meet the author of my favorite books” said second-grader Giuliana Buffa.