Dear Third and Fourth-Grade families,
This past week, our class explored different nutritious grains that are staples in many kitchens. The class learned about rice, corn, and millet: and how long they have been cultivated, harvested, and processed into food. For each of the grains, there is a story:
The Origin of Rice (Thailand)
A creation story in which rice is gifted to a group of hunters during a banquet with the gods
Wild Rice (U.S.A.)
An Ojibwe legend from around the Great Lakes in which a young man discovers wild rice in a vision while fasting by the river (Although wild rice is botanically not related to rice, this story was told because of its resemblance)
The Coming of Corn (U.S.A.)
A Cherokee story about a young boy and his grandmother
Sweet Porridge (Germany)
A Grimm’s fairy tale about a magic pot that cooks up sweet millet porridge on demand
The Thief in the Millet (Germany)
A fairy tale, about a mysterious thief, collected by Joseph Bechstein
While each region of the world has its certain staple grains, the different grains are now available worldwide, and we can get to taste them right at home. We started yesterday by tasting a yummy Indian rice dish brought to us by Jiyah’s mom. The students will write the recipes in their main lesson books to recreate the recipe at home. This week, we will continue our studies with rye, oats, barley, and wheat.
During main lesson time, we continued reading Charlotte’s web aloud and finding new vocabulary words in each chapter. To keep our math practice going, the students enjoyed answering mental math problems and jogging to the farm and back after answering their questions correctly.
Parent-Teacher conferences are this week. If you have not signed up, please do so.
Please remember school will be in session half days this Wednesday through Friday, with pick-up at 12:30. I look forward to seeing you at the conferences this week.
Reminders:
Oct. 12-14 Early dismissal at 12:30; Parent-Teacher conferences
Oct. 22 Community Workday
Oct. 29 Kingdom of Halloween
Dress in layers for cooler fall mornings. Blankets are welcome.
Warm regards,
Gaby Farrokhi
