It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of our first unit in Science. I would like to know a few things. What did you personally like learning about? What was your favorite part and or activity that we did during this unit? Do you have any ideas for me for next year's Third Grade? By the way, Hurricane Sandy is causing what kind of changes to our environment? What happens to the groundwater when the ground is too saturated from days of precipitation?
Coyote spills the stars
Native American Folktale In the beginning days when all came up from the underworld a huge gathering was planned, uniting all the four-leggeds and flyers. At this meeting Our Mother selected a human being to take a jar of stars, hang them in the sky and name them for all to enjoy. Coyote was very interested in what was going on, but being a wiggler and trickster then as he is no, Our Mother turned to him and said "Do not make mischief here!" The human being was busy, placing the stars in ordered patterns upon the sky...Seven Stars here and the three Pot Rest Stars there. When he had placed the beautiful Morning Star he stood back and admired his work, as did all the rest. While everyone including Our Mother was gathered to gaze at the luminous Morning Star, Coyote tiptoed over to the jar of stars to see for himself what the man was doing. As he lifted the jar's lid just a little, the stars rose to the occasion, pushed the lid away and raced for the sky. This is the reason so many twinkle without order or pattern, and why so many are not named. Our Mother was angry with Coyote, and said that because of his mischief with the stars Coyote would forever be a wanderer and bring trouble with him wherever he may go. That some days he could be happy and abundant, but other days he would see unhappiness and hunger. After reading the story, explain what lesson an elder might have been teaching a child. Why were stories so important to the Native American Culture? Be thinking of an important lesson a child might need to learn, how would you teach it with the use of a story? Today, in our Mentor Text, Cynthia Rylant said, "I used my pen like a little pink comb, and got quiet, and thought good thoughts, and twirled and curled and rolled words into good stories." Pretend that I cannot see this picture. Paint a picture in my mind by curling and twirling those amazing words you know so well. Make sure you use complete sentences and don't forget those capital letters and end punctuation.
What would it have been like to be an explorer so long ago? Would you have been frightened to travel into the unknown? Share what you think these experiences would have been like if you were one to travel with Christopher Columbus so long ago!
This is from National Geographic's picture of the day. Can you complete a Four Square based on what you see?
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