Back Safe and Sound

We concluded our world-wide trip this week, making our last visits to Italy, Germany and Mexico.  The kids were great travel companions, I must say.  They were up for just about anything the entire time we were abroad.  Here's a little peak from this week's travels...

Italy

Highlight of what we learned:  In Italy children wait until Epiphany on January 6 for their presents. La Befana, a kind witch, delivers the presents on a broomstick. It is said that she was busy and delayed visiting baby Jesus when he was born. She missed the Star and lost her way. She has been flying around ever since, leaving presents at every house with children in case he is there. She flies down chimneys and fills stockings and shoes with nice things for good children and leaves coal for children who misbehave.

We created La Befana's broom as a symbol of the Italian holiday.

Germany

Highlight of what we learned:  Christmas Trees are very important in Germany. They were actually first used in Germany during the Middle Ages. Traditionally, the tree is brought into the house on Christmas Eve and after it is decorated, families will read the Bible and sing Christmas songs.

We created a Christmas tree puppet to symbolize where the Christmas tree tradition originated.  We also pasted the lyrics to the song "O Christmas Tree" to the back, a German favorite.

Mexico

Highlight of what we learned:  It is believed that a young boy walking to the church to see the nativity scene showing the birth of Jesus realized on the way that he had no gift to offer so he gathered up some plain green branches as he walked in. He was laughed at but once he placed the branches near the manger they started to bloom a bright red poinsettia flower on each branch.

We created poinsettia flowers to hand around the room in celebration of the Christmas holiday - Mexican style!

We are so GLAD to be home - but feel much more in tune with the world this holiday season!

Experiencing the Holidays Abroad

It was great to have the weekend to rest considering how jet lagged we all were after our trips to China, England and Ethiopia this past week!  It's time to share a little about our trip around the world...we're only half way there!

To prepare for our two week journey around the world, we had to apply for a passport so we were all able to travel outside of the country.

We were relieved and excited when we got word that we were all approved!  Our passports arrived rather quickly - and it's a good thing since we were leaving for China in just a few days.
 

With passports finally in hand, it was time to pack our bags and head to the airport!

China was the first stop on our itinerary.  We received our boarding passes at the airport and loaded the plane...we could barely contain our excitement.

Here we are on the plan getting ready for take off!

 

We arrived in China and learned all about the Christmas holiday - songs, decorations, food and festivities.  To bring back a little Chinese culture to our classroom, we made our own paper lanterns and paper chains and decorated our Christmas tree.

Next Stop - England

Many of our current American ideals about the way Christmas ought to be derive from the English Victorian Christmas, such as that described in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The caroling, the gifts, the feast, and the wishing of good cheer to all - these ingredients came together to create that special Christmas atmosphere. 

We watched a clip of the original Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol.'  We also sang the popular British song 12 Days of Christmas.  We made traditional Christmas Crackers that we opened together in a circle.  The kids found little gifts inside that they were able to take with them back to the States!

Next Stop - Ethiopia

To learn the customs of Ethiopia, we had the pleasure of a visit from Mrs. Norfleet's husband, Marcus.  He brought pictures from his own travels to Africa and shared them with us.  He also taught us a couple of songs and dances!  We learned that Ethiopians participate in a huge processional to church to celebrate the birth of Christ.  Many of them play instruments, such as drums as they walk.

So we made our own drums!

Stay tuned for coverage from our upcoming trips! 

Weekly Update

I apologize for my delay in providing a weekly update - I have been busy, busy preparing our class for our two week trip around the world!  If your child has not yet mentioned their future trips to England, Africa, China and several other countries, be sure to ask them.  We began our Christmas Around the World Unit this week and the kids are so enthusiastic about our travels.

This week we will have three new stamps in our passports - China, England and Ethiopia.  I will be posting about our trips throughout the next two weeks so be sure to check back in with us.

Don't forget about our Holiday Book Exchange.  I sent home a letter last week outlining what the book exchange is and the criteria for bringing in a book.  If for some reason you did not receive a letter, please let me know so I can get that out to you.  Wrapped books are due by December 14th.  If you are unable to provide a book or wrapping paper, please let me know!  Remember - books can be from your home, a thrift store, the Dollar Tree, etc.  They DO NOT have to be new.

Next week we will be creating sugar cone Christmas trees.  I will be sending home a sign-up sheet for supplies.  If you are able to donate one or more of the ingredients for our activity, I would be so grateful.  The Christmas trees always turn out so beautiful, but most importantly, they are so yummy!

David Manning was honored on Monday as our Star Student.  He has shown great improvement over the last few weeks and is always such a sweet boy - and his toothless smile warms my heart every time he beams it in my direction.  Congratulations, David.

Officially Employed

Before someone tries to accuse me of breaking some sort of child labor law, let me quickly clarify what I mean by "employed."

We read the book How Santa Got his Job and discussed how Santa Claus acquired all the skills that have made him the great success he is today.  We all agreed that Santa had a dream job and he would be the perfect person to work for - and what do you know?  I found a listing in the Help Wanted Ads  from Santa.  He was in need of more elves this season.  With much excitement in the room, we looked over Santa's elf application.  We carefully filled in all of the required information and crossed our fingers that we would all get the job!

And just as I suspected, Santa hired our entire class!  But in order to do our jobs efficiently, it was mandatory that we look the part.  So we did just that - we "elfed" ourselves.

And now that it's officially December, we begin the countdown to Christmas!  What an exciting time of year! Santa's beard should be almost full by the time we head off for Christmas break.