Back In The Clay!

Guy Climbing Up Stairs Made of Hot Lava, by Aiden S.

CLAY DAY!
Our class rejoiced as the trays of clay were set on the table. We were in up to our elbows. A few even expressed frustration and reasoning when they realized they had mixed in too much water resulting in an unmanageable mess. After mixing in some drier bits for firmness, they were very careful to only use water to smooth tiny cracks. They were also careful to remind one another to "be careful with the water."

In this instance, the tangible objectives of working with clay were overshadowed by these collateral, and far more valuable objectives:

1. Responding calmly to frustration (or other emotional stress).
2. Finding a solution to remedy the frustrating interaction.
3. Social maturity to work collaboratively with concern for one another's work.

In light of recent tragic events, these displays of emotional resolution are especially poignant. Put THAT on a standardized test, No Child Left Behind!


BACK TO THE BOOKS
We have a renewed interest in illustrating, writing and making our own books. Here, the author writes an autobiographical book titled I Go To School. It has the hallmarks of a classic: Repetition for mastery ("I am..." appears on each page); and it is relevant, based on personal experience that others can relate to.


My favorite aspect of this photo is not so much the book, as well executed as it is, but the intensity with which his friends watch how he writes.


TODAY'S STORY
Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey.
We are revisiting many classics from earlier in the year, much to our surprise and to our students' delight. In this classic tale of mistaken identity, a child and bear cub accidentally join each other's mother on a blueberry gathering. Of interesting note is the concept of being "lost" meant something different in this more innocent time and place. Granted, there was the off chance of being mauled by a bear, but these thoughts are quelled when the grown-up characters in the story are the ones who demonstrate fear. The students in our class found the fearless Sal and bear cub perfectly humorous.