Circle of Life
The students took to the whiteboard for a "Think, Puzzle, Explore" exercise focused on the "Circle of Life." Birth, growth, reproduction and death were described as essential elements in the process. The "purpose" of life also puzzled the students and we talked about what makes that a different type of question from others, such as "How can a bird fly?" Their questions will inform our work on this theme for the remainder of the year.
Letters for Peace
We have connected with The Iraqi + American Reconciliation Project which focuses on building channels of positive communication between our communities in response to the devastation Iraqis suffered as a result of the war and occupation. The students heard stories of the struggles of Iraqi children living in the aftermath of the war and have composed letters to them that describe their lives in America, their feelings about the war and their hopes for the future of Iraq. We have been paired with a school in Karbala, Iraq and will be exchanging letters with them in the coming weeks.
13 1/2 More Lives
After finishing Bluebear the students were thirsty for more adventures and cried out that someone should write about the other 13 1/2 lives. They quickly decided that they should be the ones to do it. And so they will.
Literature Circles
The students began their literature circles this week and will be reading the following titles:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Hobbit
A Wrinkle in Time
Coraline
Their focus will be the Hero's Journey as described by Joseph Campbell and the students will be asked to map the stages onto their protagonist's adventure.
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