The Cinderella Project

I am a fan of Cinderella.  I have two sisters and as each one of us was growing up, we identified with Cinderella who had 2 step sisters.  Each one of us felt that we had more responsibility than the others at some point in our lives.  Each of us were looking for a little magic in our lives.  Each one of us dealt with sibling rivalry.  Now, as adults we have all found our way beyond Cinderella, but it is story I will always hold in my heart.

This week at school we will be doing a Cinderella project.  Many elementary schools compare and contrast the different versions of Cinderella.  It is said that all cultures have a Cinderella story.

So this week we will take the familiar Disneyized version of the story and compare it to versions from Ireland, Korea, Russia, China, Vietnam, Egypt and Italy.  Through this process students will compare and contrast the stories.  We will focus on the different characters, the setting and the major plot points of the story.

Students will also research the countries from which these stories originated.  The geography, economy and political history of the countries can also be compared.

Finally the students will put together a Power Point demonstrating their findings.  I am looking forward to what each story has to offer.

School has been in session for six weeks and the student's personal stories are still unfolding as we get to know them.  The child is transformed through the work.  The fact that there are different versions around the world make this story one of transformation for many students.  We all look for magic, we all feel the burden of responsibility and we long to be noticed.  We all want a happy ending.

The Relationship

This year I have to form relationships with 33 new students.  It has been a long time since all the students in my class have been "brand new" to the teachers, one of whom is me!

There is nothing more important than the relationship between the student and the teacher.  It involves inspiration, trust, respect, common ground, and compassion.

Establishing a relationship takes time, needs nurturing, and must be allowed to grow.  Teachers who have students for only one year must rush through this process in order to reach each student.  A rushed relationship can lead to misunderstandings, miscues and mistrust.

I am so fortunate to teach in a Montessori school.  The relationships we form with the students grow over 3 years.  We truly come to understand the student's learning style, passions, and especially the student's challenges.  We can be patient and allow these relationships to grow.

This year I am at a new school so all my students are new to me.  I am so excited to get to know each and every one of them and what makes them tick!

Peanut Butter and...?

Just a short little blog post this week.  We have renters who have moved out and left a mess so we are busy with clean up.

But I had an idea...

Instead of jelly or jam, why not make a peanut butter sandwich (on whole wheat of course) with one of the following:

sliced apples

sliced bananas

blueberries

strawberries

mango

grapes

raspberries

or other favorite fresh fruit.

Your child will get all the flavor , extra fiber, and less sugar.  It's a win-win.

That is if you are allowed peanut butter in your school.
Happy lunching!