Have you ever seen a one-room school house? Years ago if kids didn't have to help on the farm or take care of the house, they might have headed to school. Once they were in school they didn't have blocks to build with or games to play. They learned while sitting in their desk. No paper? They did their work on chalkboards. They might have to take a break with their work to go grab some wood for the fire. If they were thirsty they probably didn't have a drinking fountain either. Once they were done, if buses weren't invented yet, they would just walk home! I know there are many time-frames to choose from as I guide these discussions on the past. We will touch upon many time periods, but the main idea is to be able to understand how and why we learn about the past. Yes, this is a current unit, but we talk about many historical concepts all year long.
Each morning I look at an article-of-the-day. The articles recently have been about influential African Americans many students haven't heard of before. Nat King Cole (who we listen to on the record player) was an inspiring jazz artist. Matthew Henson was a brave explorer in the arctic. Katherine G. Johnson was a mathematician who inspired us to think about what we're good at. Bessie Coleman had to go to school in another country to learn how to be a pilot. This is also a great tie-in to thinking about the past and how our world has changed.
March is Reading Month!
Every March I invite guest readers in to school to help celebrate and reinforce reading in the classroom. Would you like to be a guest reader? Know a grandparent or friend who wants to come in? Pick a book you would like to read to the class and sign up to come. We love visitors! Sign up to come soon.
Things to talk about from the week:
- Sock puppet Thursday!
- Washing hair in space
- Fort Friday!
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