13 Colonies and Stitch Art

Benjamin and Gabriel gladly stepped in to teach class this week.  They started out by helping everyone fill out the map of the 13 colonies.  Practice these at home, in two weeks we will have a quiz.

Next up, you each chose a stitch art project to complete.  A couple of you were able to get started while the rest of you headed out to serenade our sweet veterans.  That's right, seven out of nine of you left class early and were unable to watch the video about the Boston Tea Party.  I hope Benjamin did a good job reviewing the history that led up to this event.  Don't worry we will review it in two weeks as we resume our Felicity studies.

But let's talk about NEXT WEEK!  It is our horse field trip!!  Remember to be as early as you can.  We want to be pulling out of the parking lot at 10 a.m.

I believe I have permission slips from everyone except Tayler and Avery (I will have extra copies that morning.)

And Lacey, Tayler, and Bella have paid the $1.25 fee.  (Remind me if you have paid and were not mentioned.)

Also, bring a bike helmet.  

I am so excited.  We are going to discover why Kaya and the Nez Perce loved and valued their horses so much.

See you Thursday.

Felicity - water duty

On Thursday, we entrenched ourselves into understanding the colonial period. We learned about the houses they lived in, the food they ate, how they prepared their food, their jobs, light sources, clothes, the way they decorated their homes, and lack of sanitation-- to name just a few.

We compared our lives today to their lives.  We are so spoiled!!

We also practiced filling water buckets and carrying them long distances because kids did this multiple times a day to provide their families with water.  This was quite the challenge.  It was easy to follow our path because there were lots of puddles of spilled water.  Oops!

We also received our next challenges.  The first requires us to memorize the original 13 colonies.  We can do this!!!

And the second challenge is to complete a stitch art wall hanging for decoration. These will be started on Thursday.

Also, don't forget our horse field trip has been rescheduled for March 3, 2016.  Make sure to turn in a permission slip if you haven't already and pay the $1.25 fee - for the bridge fee.

Thank YOU!!  Feel free to study up on the 13 colonies.  They were included in your info packet from the first class.

Kaya

This week we read the story of Kaya and learned all about her character traits, family, most treasured possession, and her unfortunate habit of boasting.  We learned all about how the Nez Perce lived including the whipwoman!  Maybe we should bring this tradition back : ).  We also learned about how the Nez Perce chose whom they would court.  It involved a stick!

While we listened to Kaya's adventures, we made leather cuffs.  I think they turned out pretty amazing.  

Also, speaking of amazing, the dioramas WERE to die for!  AWESOME job, everyone.  I was so impressed with your creativity in using all the items in the bag.  

And also good job on your oral story telling assignment.  If you have not finished either assignment, bring it in next week.  I'm always up for viewing a diorama.

Finally, next Thursday is our big HORSE FIELD TRIP!  I cannot wait.  

If you have not turned in your permission slip or fee, please have it in hand on Thursday morning at 9:50 SHARP!!!  Do not be late! We need to make it back for lunch, but also want to spend a lot of time with Merry and her horses.

And don't forget to bring a bike helmet.

If you no longer have the permission slip, I will have extras on hand.

Thank YOU!!

Kaya: Dioramas to die for

This class is such a delightful group!  I predict each week will get better and better.

Today we learned all about the Nez Perce Native Americans.  This is the tribe of Kaya, our first American Girl.  

We started out by filling in some info on our timeline, including Jamestown, Pocahontas's trip to England, and then the date Kaya lived.

We marked on a map where her home was located. (WA, OR, and ID)

Then we dove in to figure out just what her life was like.  We discovered it was a lot like ours.

We talked about the food she ate, clothes she wore, chores she did, homes she lived in, and the tradition of storytelling.

This aligns perfectly with our first project.  The task is to make a diorama all about the life of Kaya and the Nez Perce.  We looked at an example of a diorama and I could definitely sense excitement in the air about this project!

Everyone received a cardboard box to use as a base.  You also received a paper bag full of supplies.  Just as the Nez Perce used every inch of the buffalo they killed, you are tasked with using everything INSIDE of the bag and the bag itself!  If you do, you will be rewarded. I can't wait to see your creativity.  Please bring your dioramas back next Thursday.  And be ready to explain what you made.  You are free to use any additional supplies you find as well!  Take a walk outside and use the resources around you, just like Kaya!

You also received your first memorization assignment.  You are to read the story about the Nez Perce and then retell it in your own words (oral storytelling) to someone that you think is awesome.  Then that someone can sign the back of your paper to prove your assignment is complete!  Bring these back to class and show me.

Next week we will talk about the character of Kaya.  She learns a very valuable lesson.  We are also going to talk about a couple of the Nez Perce traditions that I think you will like.

Also, in two weeks we will be taught by Merry Dial all about horses.  I passed out the field trip permission slips today.  Please bring them back next week.  

Thank you for all of your great behavior and discussion in class today.  It was such a treat to share the morning with you.

1) Nez Perce diorama

2) Memorization

3) Field trip permission slip

Also, if you want to do some more research about Kaya, here are some links:

Nez Perce Facts for Kids | eHow

				Nez Perce Facts for Kids | eHow The Nez Perce people got their name from a French Canadian translator who accompanied the 1805 Lewis and Clark exploration. It means "pierced nose," but that pra...
				View on www.ehow.com	Preview by Yahoo

Facts for Kids: Nez Perce Indians (Nez Perces)

				Facts for Kids: Nez Perce Indians (Nez Perces) Information about the Nez Perce Indians for students and teachers. Covers food, homes, arts and crafts, weapons, culture, and daily life of the Nez Perces.
				View on www.bigorrin.org	Preview by Yahoo

Have a great week full of research and crafting!