Classroom Happenings
Currently Reading…
The Primary class is currently reading On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
In addition to imaginative and exploratory questions and discussion regarding life in a different time, the children are developing a keen interest in vocabulary. As we read through the book, children are picking up on words unfamiliar to them and asking to use the dictionary to look up definitions. On the Banks of Plum Creek is providing a exemplary opportunity for vocabulary building. For example, do you know what “freshet” means? Neither did we.
Book Description
The adventures of Laura Ingalls and her family continue as they leave their little house on the prairie and travel in their covered wagon to Minnesota. Here they settle in a little house made of sod beside the banks of beautiful Plum Creek. Soon Pa builds a wonderful new little house with real glass windows and a hinged door. Laura and her sister Mary go to school, help with the chores, and fish in the creek. At night everyone listens to the merry music of Pa’s fiddle. Misfortunes come in the form of a grasshopper plague and a terrible blizzard, but the pioneer family works hard together to overcome these troubles.
Based on the real adventures of Laura Ingalls Wilder, ON THE BANKS OF PLUM CREEK is the fourth book in the award-winning Little House series.
Group Discussions & Activities
With our upcoming Peace Celebration (Saturday, February 27th 10:00-11:30), the Primary class has been discussing different cultures and celebrations. The children are working on art projects inspired by global art. We also have learned some new songs and practice them daily. The lyrics are below if you would like to sing along with your children at home.
Hooray for the World
Chorus:
Hooray for the world! I’m glad to be on it
Hooray for the world! I’m glad to be on it
Hooray for the world! It’s a special place
We’ve got Mother Nature and the human race
The world’s got buffalo, the world’s got bees
The world’s got jelly fish swimmin’ in the seas
We’ve got beavers and bears, bats and bugs
Miniature poodles and slimy old slugs…Oh
(chorus)
We’ve got moms and dads, uncles and aunts
Brothers, sisters, grammas and gramps
We’ve got neighbors next door, kids down the street
Everywhere we go we’ve got new friends to mmet…Oh
(chorus)
I Think You’re Wonderful
I think you’re wonderful
When somebody says that to me
I feel wonderful, as wonderful can be
It makes me want to say the same thing to somebody new
And by the way I’ve been meaning to say
I think you’re wonderful too
Teaching Peace
Chorus:
Teaching Peace all the world around
You and me every city every town
One by one in our work and in our play
We are teaching peace by what we do and what we say
It’s up to us to show we care
Reaching out to everybody everywhere
So take my hand and come along
It’s time to teach the world a brand new song
(chorus)