1. What is the best time to do things?
2. Who is the most important one?
3. What is the right thing to do?
Second graders had some very wise answers to these questions, and we discussed how the characters all had their own answers and perspectives. The main character, Nikolai, has his own experiences in the book that lead to the story's answers to the questions:
1. The best time to do things is now.
2. The most important one is the one you are with right now.
3. The most important thing to do is to do good for the person you are with.
How do you answer these questions in your family? This is a beautiful book that provides an opportunity for families to discuss and reinforce their own beliefs and philosophies.
We also read one of my favorite books of our ancient China unit, "Ming Lo Moves the Mountain," by Arnold Lobel.
Ming Lo and his wife are in a terrible situation, living too close to a very tall mountain: their roof is full of holes from falling rocks, it is always dark and cold, and the rain never stops falling. Ming Lo gets various pieces of advice from the wise man in the village, but nothing seems to help. Your second grader can tell you how the problem was eventually solved. Spoiler: it has to do with this wise bit of advice (that second grade philosophers figured out on their own): sometimes to solve a problem, you need to change yourself.
The VISION of Cascade Heights: Cascade Heights fosters the development of the whole child through a rigorous, multisensory, experiential education. Young scholars gain cultural literacy and an appreciation of multiple perspectives through a cumulative, integrated, and objectives-based education. As a small community, we take pride in ourselves and our school, and provide a safe, positive space for young minds, bodies, and hearts to grow.
The MISSION of Cascade Heights Public Charter School is to inspire the social, emotional, academic, physical, personal, and ethical growth of children and partner with parents who share the same mission to prepare them to be members of a global society.
Our school is a school of choice, and our school is based on a charter which stipulates what curricula we use. Committing to our school is at least in part committing to our curricula, mission, and vision. Thank you for your vote of confidence!
