Week 13. November 21-23.

“History should not be taught as a collection of dates and places. But rather be approached to arouse gratitude and appreciation. This gratitude should be aroused first to the law and order of the universe and the preparation of the environment into which human beings came.” 

-Maria Montessori

Monday, November 21

This morning at Calendar Time, Ms. Sarah told the story of Squanto and the first Thanksgiving, and explained how this event was a way of showing gratitude to friends who had helped each other.  We then talked about our own Friendship Feast, which would take place on Tuesday.   

Our busy morning included lots of food prep work for Tuesday's feast.  Children could be seen peeling and slicing apples, carrots, peppers, celery, and potatoes. On the menu: vegetable soup, apple butter, and whole wheat bread. 

We also had creative movement class with Ms. Jenny.  This week, the children took turns playing the wind, the snow, and robins getting ready for winter in the song "The North Wind Doth Blow."  They also enjoyed all sorts of creative movement with the song/dance "Walking in the Park One Day."  

In the afternoon, the children continued their food prep work:

They also made Thanksgiving cards:    

Other Monday Candids: 

Tuesday, November 22

At Calendar Time today, the children were impressed with the date -- TUESday, 11/22/22.  Our morning work period included adding ingredients for wheat bread to a bread maker machine.  Many children were quite interested in watching the ingredients mixed and kneaded into dough, the process visible through a window in the top of the machine. 

After the morning work period, we enjoyed music class with Ms. Ida.  They identified presto and largo in various music pieces, and sang "Over the River and Through the Wood," accompanied by Ms. Ida on the nyckelharpa.

After recess, it was time for our Friendship Feast!  We arranged our tables in a long line and sat all together, and enjoyed vegetable soup and some very sweet apple butter, as well as food brought from home.

In the afternoon, children took turns shaking a jar of heavy cream to make butter, as the classroom filled with the scent of baking bread.     

At the end of the afternoon work period, Ms. Sarah passed around a platter of fresh wheat bread, and the children ate it with the cream or apple butters they had made.

Other Tuesday Candids:

Wednesday, November 24

On Wednesday, the children enjoyed two peaceful work periods.  Below are some pictures of our day.

Brought by the Playdough Fairies!

 

Creative Use of the Stamp Game 

At Circle Time, Ms. Sarah read a book called Thanks for Thanksgiving.  Afterwards, we passed the talking stone and each class member shared something about Thanksgiving.  Traveling, games, turkey, and mac and cheese were mentioned frequently.

Afternoon Candids: 

At the end of the day, the children joined Ms. Sarah in a round of "Over the River and Through the Wood." At sharing time, one friend showed us some mica she had found on a walk.  

We wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!