An A+ Week

Well I have to say that these kids are in the groove! We read a heavy-weight book this week that is part of our Reader's Workshop curriculum. The story was quite educational, moving, and tremendously sad. Below is the summary of Pink and Say, by Patricia Polacco. 

Pink and Say ISBN: 0399226710
Pink and Say highlights the brief and special friendship of two young boys, Pinkus Aylee (Pink) and Sheldon Curtis (Say), during the Civil War. When wounded attempting to escape his unit, Say is rescued by Pink, who carries him back to his Georgia home where he and his family were slaves. While the frightened soldier is nursed back to health under the care of Pink’s mother, Moe Moe Bay, he begins to understand why his new found friend is so adamant on returning to the war; to fight against "the sickness" that is slavery. However, it isn’t until marauders take Moe Moe Bay’s life, that Say is driven to fight. Although ultimately, both boys are taken prisoners of the Confederate Army, fortunately Say survives and was able to pass along the story of Pink and Say to his daughter Rosa, Patricia Polacco’s great grandmother. As it was told, Pink was killed just shortly after being taken prisoner, therefore Patricia’s book "serves as a written memory" of him. At the end of the story Patricia bids the reader, "Before you put this book down, say his name (Pinkus Aylee) out loud and vow to remember him always."
One of the more heartwarming moments of the story is when Say tells Pink and his mother that he once shook the hand of Abraham Lincoln. Convinced that his encounter is a "sign" of hope, Say reaches for Pink’s hand, exclaiming, "Now you can say you touched the hand that shook the hand of Abraham Lincoln!" At the end of the story when the boys are separated, Pink reaches for Say one last time to touch his hand. Ahhh, tear-jerker!!!

I'm so impressed with how maturely this class discussed the book. You would not believe the conversations I was overhearing about the Civil War, friendship, slavery, and our country. AMAZING!

Also this week, we used our ActivExpressions, also known as "the clickers,"to review pages upon pages of NECAP math problems. Math is 100% more fun and engaging when our lessons include this technology. 

Take a look at what we're asking these kiddos to do. They all brought the papers home tonight. They're paying close attention as I teach or review the skill because they are waiting to VOTE!!