The second grade class started a new block this past week based on Native American Fairy Tales. We heard three different stories that may have been told around the winter fires by an elder to the children. Each tale brings to the students morals of compassion, bravery, and community through a magical nature-inspired adventure. The students were asked to copy a picture and short passage which focused on the story. With the help of their parent(s), they also created a list of doing words (verbs). During the week, the children acted out these verbs, rewrote them adding "ing" to each, and then later talked about them in the past and wrote the list a final time adding "ed" to the words. This exercise helps them to see the use of the present and past tense in a fun and simple way.

This week ahead we will be on spring break and lessons will not be sent home. It's a good opportunity to catch up on any missed lessons and stories and, most importantly, to spend (even more:) time together. I left a suggestion to perhaps put up a bird feeder together (hummingbird feeders are fun if you aren't able to feed the birds seeds or suet) and our end of week project was to hang a box full of nesting materials. Spending time watching the birds is interesting and fun. Whatever you do, taking time to be outside! The beautiful spring weather is good for us in heart, mind and body!

I look forward to reconnecting next week, resuming our remote learning opportunities, and making the best of this unusual and unique time together. Have fun, play games, and stay healthy!

With gratitude,

Melissa