From the Sheep to the Pig

This week our class is taking a look at China and Chinese customs.

Twenty years ago here at East Elementary the kindergarten classes began celebrating Chinese New Year. This year is no different. As part of our celebration all kindergarten classes will parade through the halls of our school to wish all GUNG HEY FAT CHOY! The parade will show-off our Chinese flags, masks, lantersn, hats, and banners. We even have a big Chinese dragon in the parade. We will make alot of noise with our musical instruments and shout GUNG HEY FAT CHOY to all.

This year,2007, is THE YEAR OF THE PIG. One hundred years ago, in 1907, it was THE YEAR OF THE SHEEP. We are going to research the customs practiced then and see if they are the same practiced now. We will let you know what we find out. Enjoy the new year!!!!

1st Grade is Traditional

After the teacher's field trip to Calcedeaver, the children enjoyed hearing about the Native American Traditions. They loved seeing the photos of the dancers in their beautiful clothing, the village that was set up with the different types of homes, and the toys that were hand-made. After talking about the Native American's traditions, we talked about our family's Thanksgiving traditions. Each child interviewed a relative to find out their family's traditions at Thanksgiving time. We made a podcast about our Thanksgiving traditions. Then we started talking about our December holiday traditions. The children made a beautiful quilt with pictures showing their holiday traditions in December. After viewing the third grade field trip to The American Village, we will compare now to long ago. Then the children will make a flip book comparing clothing, transportation, games and toys from now and long ago.

We're in High Fashion

As we in kindergarten look back 100 years, we have come to realize many things are different. Last week we took a look at the way people dressed. Through our research we found out many interesting things.

Did you know that New York's 5th Avenue fashion district began in 1907. We also found out that Neiman Marcus opened in Dallas that same year!! It was a great time for fashion.

It is referred to as the Edwardian period of fashion. Children often wore "sailor suits". Little boys suits had short pants. Little girls wore dresses with long waists.

We took a look at the way men and women dressed too. It was much more formal than men and women dress today. Men wore suits with vests and hats. Ladies wore dresses which draped the floor. Hats were also very fashionable.

Our Internet research allowed us to collect pictures of 1907 fashion. We copied several of the pictures for a display in our class. We have also written on our THEN and NOW charts about how people dress.

The Biography Project

Now that kindergarten is on it's way, 2nd grade is ready to join in! February is traditionally the month 2nd grade studies famous Americans; and our 21st Century project is going to take this unit to a whole new level. Once the 3rd graders get their presentations on American Village ready, my class will be able to witness their learning (and learn right along with them). I have a feeling the 3rd grader's experiences will light a fire under the 2nd graders, when they get to see "history come to life" through interviews and real footage American Village (only through the use of technology, of course.) I love the idea of bridging the past and the present with 21st century tools.

In the meantime, 2nd graders will pick their own famous American to research. Students will start by discovering the basic facts about their American-- where they were born, how they lived their lives, what they did to contribute to society--and by the end of it, will literally become their American at the Tucker's Treasures Wax Museum! We're going to write poetry, do intensive online research, and make a digital story compiling all that we've learned. Just like with the American Village trip, technology tools are going to be essential. The 3rd grade presentation is going to be a great jumping off point!