Our New African Unit: Nov. 2nd

Hello Families,

I hope your children have been talking to you about our new unit of study on Africa.  We began last Monday on Nov. 2nd with stories about Anansi, the spider.  We have enjoyed learning about this trickster who came from West Africa.  There are many stories of his adventures.  We have read the following:  "A Story, A Story", "Anansi's Narrow Waist",  "Anansi and his Six Sons", and "Anansi Goes Fishing".  We have located Africa on the globe and on our wall world map.  The children have discovered that Africa is twice the size of North America.
 
The children are also reading many non-fiction books about African animals.  They are writing 5 facts for each animal and drawing a picture of the animal.  We may compile these into booklets, and hope to get a sampling of some of these facts and pictures on the site soon.  Stay posted.

I also hope you noticed in this past Friday's take-home folder a permission slip to go on a field trip to the Colonial Theater in Keene.  We are excited to see a West African show of live music, song, and dance by master drummer, John Hughes.  To learn more about this performance, go to this link:  http://www.thecolonial.org/AfricanKoraJembeStudyGuide.pdf.   The date for this event is Wed. Nov. 18th at 10:45 AM.  Please sign and return the slip as soon as possible.  Also, indicate if you would like to be a chaperon on this trip.  There are only seats for 6 extra adults in our group.  There may be additional seats in another section of the theater, but you would have to call and make your own arrangements with the Colonial.

I also sent in the folder conference confirmation slips.  I hope the selected times work for everyone.  Remember, your child's portfolio will come home on Friday, Nov. 20th.

If you haven't checked the site to see your child's pet story, please do soon.  Many thanks to Rosel's dad for his time and effort in posting them.  I encourage you to leave a comment, too.