The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story

Inquiry
What an exciting week we've had learning about the birth of the universe and our earth. The children especially enjoyed Born with a Bang--The Universe Tells Our Cosmic Story. In this book the universe speaks to the children in the first person and reminds them that they and everything around them were here from the beginning. The striking, colorful pictures and descriptive words inspired dramatization of the Big Bang, dying stars, and being sucked into black holes. We learned that uni-verse means "one song."  How lovely!  Many were reminded of their study of the solar system in 1st Grade and had lots of details to share. Be sure to take your child out one night to look at our little corner of universe. They are likely to teach you something!

We have begun constructing our timeline of life on earth while reading a fascinating book called Life Story.  It has taught us about earth's fiery beginnings, how hydrogen and oxygen got together to create rain, which cooled and shrank the fragile crust, forming mountains and valleys. We learned that a vast ocean covered most of the earth during the Paleozoic Era, and it was there that life began as tiny cells which evolved into invertebrates like the trilobite, sea lily, sponges, and corals. Many of those original lifeforms are still with us today.

Try to engage you child in discussion about what they are learning and share your own knowledge with them.  I know they will teach you a thing or two.  We are all teachers and learners!

Aladdin's Luck
We will attend this play next Tuesday, September 23.  It will expose the children to Islamic traditions and art while entertaining them with a delightful story.  Because we will return to school at about 12:20 and the children have Music and P.E. at 12:30, we will be eating lunch before we leave for the play.  A sack lunch will be provided for all children who normally have school lunch on that day.  Home-lunch children should bring their lunches as usual.  We also ask that parents pack a substantial snack for their child that we will eat when we return to MPI and before we go to Specials.  Thank you.

I love teaching your engaging, creative, loving, fun children.  Thank you for sharing them with me!

Posted on September 19, 2008 10:55 AM | Permalink