Personal and Community History

Field Trip 

On Monday, your child will  bring home a permission slip for our  September 24th field trip. We will be visiting the Upper Arlington government offices, drive by a few Upper Arlington historical landmarks  and hopefully enjoy a picnic lunch in Miller Park weather permitting. We would love to have you join us, just let me know on the permission slip if you are interested in chaperoning.

 

Our Class Read Aloud: The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs

From-http://bettybirney.com/sassafras.html:

When Eben McAllister reads about the Seven Wonders of the World, his imagination races. He's itching to escape the sameness of the small farming community of Sassafras Springs, Missouri, and explore the world. Then Pa challenges Eben to find Seven Wonders in his own neighborhood. The boy doubts Sassafras Springs has much to offer, but rises to the test when Pa promises him a coveted trip out west if he succeeds. While his mission puzzles his friends and neighbors, Eben perseveres, with the help of his faithful dog, Sal. Though wary at first, the members of the community are eventually enlivened by his mission and folks eagerly share their seemingly simple possessions and their eerily true tales - and some downright whoppers, as well. A haunted table ... a half-mad rainmaker ... a flying outhouse ... a loom that weaves the truth ... an evil ship in a bottle: Eben is amazed at the range of wonders he finds on his own home turf. "A gem of a novel ...." Pubisher's Weekly, starred review "A fun, folksy outing ...." Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Written in a down-home narrative with flickers of magical realism, stories within stories, and plenty of humor to boot, Eben's journey of discovery opens his eyes to the marvels around him as he comes to realize that extraordinary things can happen in the most ordinary of places, even Sassafras Springs.

Find A Family Wonder 

Children have a natural curiosity to learn history. We are using our read aloud, The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, as an introduction to family and community history, beginning with living examples of history - photographs, antique pieces, and favorite possessions. Knowledge of history helps establish a sense of continuity in the mind of a child. The pathways to intelligence are often made stronger when the child is able to make connections.

Please help your child find a “wonder” at home and talk about what makes that item special.  Send in the item, or a photo of the wonder on Monday.  The only restriction is that the item is man made or GIRL made (from Madeline).   We brainstormed possible wonders:

A quilt, a letter, an instrument, a book, a letter, a toy, something you keep on a shelf in your room, something you always carry with you, something that you have saved or  was handed down from a relative, something you are proud of.

 Applehead Dolls

The applehead dolls are not homework and do not need to be returned. The dolls were just a way to extend and connect to our read aloud book. An apple doll was the first wonder found by the main character in Sasafrass Springs. The story takes place in 1923, so we thought we would try and experience what children played with during that time period.

Family Culture Sharing

Do you have a childhood, family or cultural story or experience you would like to share? We would love to learn more about each other and our own unique histories. Grandparents are VERY welcome to share their stories as well! Send me an email and let me know dates and times that would work for you to come and visit our classroom.

 

Spelling

Friday's spelling test will be sent home on Monday, along with next weeks word list. The children discussed all the ways they could practice their spelling words at home and remember your can load each weeks list onto:

http://www.spellingcity.com/ 

Practicing spelling words with rainbow writing.