Newsletter: March 11, 2012

Dear Families,

We had quite a full week. On Monday we shared our culture projects with four other CFI classes before enjoying our "Global Lunch." Everything went extremely well. Thanks to all of you for your help in assisting with their project boards, sending in all sorts of delicious ethnic foods, and helping us reduce our trash production by providing plastic plates and cups for the feast.



On Tuesday we were visited by author Jerry Palotta. He is well known for authoring a wide variety of ABC books, math books, and Who Would Win? books. The kids thought he was wildly funny and enjoyed hearing a bit about his writing process and upcoming projects.



Later in the week we joined Mr. O's class to sing the song "Carefully Taught" from the musical South Pacific. A few days prior to this our class read through the lyrics and discussed our reactions and thoughts. Here are the lyrics for those of you who may not know this song...

You've got to be taught

To hate and fear,

You've got to be taught

From year to year,

It's got to be drummed

In your dear little ear

You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught to be afraid

Of people whose eyes are oddly made,

And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,

You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught before it's too late,

Before you are six or seven or eight,

To hate all the people your relatives hate,

You've got to be carefully taught!

Many of the kids took the song very literally. Someone said "I'm not sure the message is all that nice!" After a good bit of discussion I think we ironed it out. I promised them I would never bring in a song of hatred for us to sing together! We plan to share this song at our next Gathering. This will be the last day of school before Spring Break.



We've been collecting change in an effort to buy a couple of goats for Rwandan families. This idea came to us a few weeks ago during a visit from Nancy Strachen. Nancy runs a non-profit called Rwandan Hugs that works to help the people of Rwanda. During her visit she shared with us how lucky she is to work with the Rwandan people. Watching them continue to recover from the genocide, she has learned from them the power of forgiveness. If you have any loose change you'd like to send in please do so. We have $31 so far but are hoping to raise MUCH more by the end of the school year.


Mrs. Simpson has been taking on more and more responsibilities in the classroom. This week she began a mathematical exploration into geometry. Next week she will begin an inquiry into poetry writing, a study of fairy tales, fables, and tall tales, and a scientific inquiry into weather. That's a lot! However, she is poised and ready. On Wednesday she will begin her two week solo teaching. During this time I will still be in the building but out of the classroom. I will use this time to work on progress reports, observe other classrooms, and work on some projects for the classroom. I will still be available before and after school as well as by e-mail if you need me.

Thanks,
Chris