Schoolhouse Rock "We the People" Preamble song/film on YouTube*
"The Birth of the Constitution," a Peanuts film (24 minutes)
The National Constitution Center website, which among other resources includes
- Amendment "cootie catcher" foldable templates
- Online game: Which Founder Are You?
- Online game: Bill of Rights Game
Bill of Rights ("Shake It Off" parody) on YouTube*
In keeping with Constitution Day and since we are just starting out on the school year, the theme this week for class visits for kindergarten to 2nd grade is rules--following them, breaking them, and appreciating them. For specific readalouds, see the Weekly Readalouds page of this website.
Grades 3, 4, and 5 are learning and reviewing library skills. I've taken to doing this for a few weeks at the start of the school year with the upper grades. The library collection and catalog are logical and easy-to-use--if you know how; and happily, most of the library skills we use in the PK library will be used by lifelong learners in middle school, high school, and public libraries. Practicing these skills is well worth the time.
We have an exciting community event coming up: On Tuesday, September 28, James Dashner, author of the best-selling Maze Runner books, will be speaking at Mira Costa. Tickets are recommended but are free of charge. Mr. Dashner will be signing copies of his new book, The Fever Code, which can be ordered from the ticketing website. I hope to see you there!
Also, please click on over to the website of the Manhattan Beach Public Library. The library has many events coming up for elementary-age children as well as great activities and services for teens and adults. In particular, on Wednesday, September 14, from 3:30 to 4:30, there's the monthly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) event for children in grades 2 to 8. The topic this month is Building Blocks. Then on Wednesday, September 21, from 3:30 to 5:30, students in grades 2 to 5 can attend Get Smart on Art and build their own Kandinsky-esque circle collage. The annual bookmark contest is starting very soon, so watch this website for information on that!
*YouTube advertisements, sidebars, and comments are often inappropriate for children! Please supervise your children closely when they are viewing YouTube content.