myGanBlog: How tools help us live happy successful lives.

To prepare for our thanksgiving holiday we are building on how special people are and how we can use our brains to meet the basic needs of people.

Morah Katie: What do all children need to live healthy, happy and successful lives?

Evan: Eating.

Zoey: Food and playing.

Morah Katie: Why do children need to eat?

Kenya: Feel good.

Morah Katie: Eating helps us feel good, and gives us energy. What is another need every child around the world needs to be healthy, and happy?

Moshe: Buildings.

Zoey: School.

Shoshi: Homes.

Morah Katie: Why do we need structures like schools and homes?

Moshe: To stay out of soaky weather. Or hot sun. Or be inside on cold days to drink hot cocoa.

Shoshi: To be safe.

Zoey: My daddy's house makes me happy.

Morah Katie: What is another need children have to stay healthy and happy?

Evan: Clothes.

Moshe: Protection from wind and soggy puddles.

We had some great sunny, cold days. One day we even found frost on the playground.

Moshe: I'm chilly. OH! I can get my jacket!

Morah Katie: It is good to have a jacket to keep us warm on sunny cold days like this.

Soon many friends layered up and play was a lot more fun.

Morah Katie: There is something else children, everyone, need to be happy, healthy and successful.

Evan: Family.

Morah Katie: Why do we need family and community?

Moshe: To be safe.

Zoey: Families hug.

Morah Katie: We know people are special. People can use their brains and hands to create and use tools to help make sure they are living healthy, happy and successful lives. What kind of tools do people use to eat?

Zoey: Gwen and Evie need to eat.

Morah Katie: What tools would Gwen and Evie use to help them eat, to be healthy, happy and successful ?

Moshe: Forks.

Morah Katie: Think of other tools that we use to help us eat. Do we have any in our classroom?

Gwen raised her hand and went in search of a tool. She returned with an important kitchen tool.

Morah Katie: Gwen you brought back the tongs from home-living. What do we use them for?

Gwen: Moving food.

Morah Katie: What tools do we need to create structures?

Gwen: Trees are living.

Moshe: Trees makes structures.

Morah Katie: We use the wood from trees to build structures and buildings. What tools help us to do that?

Moshe: Wood.

Zoey: Building stuff.

They went in search of tools in our classroom.

Morah Katie: What about clothes? What tools are used to make clothes?

Moshe: Clothe and stuff to keep it all.

We created a simple sewing craft to help us imagine the process of sewing.

Morah Katie: As you sew your leaf, what important need will you be thinking of?

Zoey: Shirts.

Morah Katie: What tools do we use to have a happy family, a happy school family and community?

Zoey: Our mouths.

Morah Katie: What do our mouths do?

Evie: Use our voices.

Morah Katie: What type of voices?

Moshe: Kind words.

While watching Zoey cross the logs, Evie: Zoey, I know you can do it.

After washing their snack plates,

Evie: My hands are still wet but you can use the towel Eli.

Eli: Ok, I'm going to be fast.

Evie: It's ok. I'll dry mine.

Moshe: Kenya we can read together.

Zoey: Lael, do you want to read with me? You can.
Hugo: Evan. Read?
Evan: I can read with you.

Morah Katie: We talked about the needs all children have, and the tools people use to make sure those needs are met. Please tell me more about what you have learned.

Moshe: People need survival.

Evie: People need spoons and forks to eat to help us jump.

Zoey: I ate oatmeal and it made me happy.