Celebrating Family Traditions

We had the awesome privilege of celebrating Kings Day with "A" and his mother on Thursday, last week.  The actual Kings Day is celebrated on January 6 and is also known as Epiphany.  In France, Kings Day is called Le jour des rois or La fête des rois. In honor of this day they eat Galette des Rois or Kings Cake.   Kings Cake is made with almonds and sugar. It is a flat, round cake that actually more resembles a pie.  "A's" family makes King's Cake all through the holidays and into January to share with family and friends. Traditionally, each cake or pie (as "A's" family refers to them) is baked with a trinket inside.  We actually had four!  "A's" mother baked two King Pies, each with two trinkets inside.  One King Pie was for the girls and the other was for the boys.  We had two Kings and two Queens!  The story is that whomever finds a trinket in their piece of Kings Pie shall be King or Queen for that entire day.  Our little Kings and Queens were so very excited about finding their trinkets and wearing their crowns, and we all were thrilled to enjoy the delicious pie! Here are some pictures of our happy morning!

This week in JK

Everyone enjoys a nice long weekend, but it is an even bigger treat when it comes in celebration of the life of an amazing man! The children were truly touched by the story about Martin Luther King Jr. that was read to them last week in the Library, but they were mesmerized by the video clip that I showed them this morning of the "I Have A Dream" speech.  I so enjoyed watching them watching the video.  Here is the video:

After watching, the class enjoyed a heartfelt discussion over ways we can make the world a better place, just like Mr. King did.  Please visit our classroom to see the ideas that were shared and then illustrated.  Our children have such wonderful hearts!

One of the children brought up that taking care of our environment is one way of making the world a better place.  So true!  The children will plant a beautiful friendship garden on Friday during Exploring as part of our building a better world dream.  If your child would like to participate in this project, please be sure to send in a flowering plant by Thursday afternoon. Thank you!

This week the children will enjoy books written by Laura Numeroff. We have lots of fun learning experiences based upon her many wonderful books!

Next Monday, January 23rd we will take a field trip to American Stage in downtown St. Petersburg.  Our class will leave at 9:20am and return by lunch time.  I can take two parent volunteers.  Please let me know ASAP if you are available to join us.

Looking Ahead!

February 9th is Spring Conference Day.  When you signed up for conferences in the fall you were automatically placed in the same time slot for the spring conference.  If that time slot is no longer convenient, no worries.  Please contact me as soon as possible and we will look into a new time or day.

I am available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays after school.

Have a great week!