Long Ago and Today

As you know we've been learning about differences between long ago and today and a major inspiration for our learning is the book The Ox Cart Man by Donald Hall.  If you've never read it I suggest you check it out.  The illustrations by Barbara Cooney (in her American folk art style) are lovely and equally informative is the Reading Rainbow presentation of the book which takes the viewer to a living museum in Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts to see what life was like in the mid 1800's.  I showed the episode to the children last week and they really enjoyed it.  

In class last week EVERYONE had a chance to make a candle- just like in the book. We've also been enjoying sewing samplers at quiet time and making model Ox Carts with help from our big buddies.  Below you can see us sewing, writing lists of what the Ox Cart man made or grew to sell at the market, AND making the items on the list out of modeling clay to load into our carts.  It's been interesting hearing the children comment, unsolicited, about how sewing is relaxing and makes them feel calm.  I think dipping candles had a similar effect. 

  

Apologies for no pictures of the candle or butter making!