Hello all! Alexis is back to exchanging postcards again. School will be out of session soon and she is excited to begin this learning adventure once again. Alexis is 8 years old and will be doing more of her own posting on this blog and her facebook page. This week she mailed 3 postcards to: RUSSIA, GERMANY, and BELARUS! She uses a service called Postcrossing that provides her with addresses; however, she would also like to receive and send cards within the United States. So, if you live in the USA and would like to send her a postcard send me message through her Alexis World Traveler facebook page.
Thank you,
Alexis's Mom
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Can You Send Me A Postcard?
Friday, March 2, 2012
Wrapping Up Black History Month
This has been an extremely busy month, we've been doing many many home improvement projects so we have been getting a little behind in our posting lately. I'll try to do better this month.
For February we have been working on learning about black history. Here are a few of the books we've read.
The Beatitudes: From Slavery To Civil Rights
From Goodreads.com: Since the earliest days of slavery, African Americans have called on their religious faith in the struggle against oppression. The Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount form the backdrop for Weatherford's powerful free-verse poem that traces the journey from slavery to civil rights.
My 2 cents: This is one of the most powerful and uplifting children's books I have ever read on the topic of slavery and civil rights. Along the bottom of each illustrated page the beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount Mathew 5:3-12 are subtly placed.
Blessed are:
- the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
- the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
- they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
- the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Each verse of the poem tells how God was there through slavery, he was there through the civil rights and he will be there always. Alexis's favorite part is when the poem says 'I was there during the inauguration of President Barack Obama. I was the Bible...' This book is powerfully uplifting. Recommended
As Good As Anybody by Richard Michelson
This book shows the lives of Dr. King and Abraham Joshua Heschel starting at boyhood through the end of their lives. Martin faced discrimination because of his color and Abraham faces discrimination in Hitler's Germany as a Jew. The two men find their way to each other in the struggle for human rights by uniting Christians and Jews and blacks and whites.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Black History Month: Henry's Freedom Box
February is Black History month and each year we choose books related to slavery and the civil rights movement. This month we will be reading about Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, as well as other stories.
We started out with a picture book called Henry's Freedom Box. This is an amazing story of a slave named Henry. Henry devised a plan to mail himself to freedom. He purchased a crate and arranged to mail himself from Virginia to an abolitionist in Pennsylvania. Henry traveled inside this crate for 27 hours. He was transported by wagon, railroad and steamboat and often the crate was place upside down making an uncomfortable journey unbearable. Henry's hope for freedom gave him the strength to remain still inside that crate and Henry did make it to freedom and he became known as Henry "Box" Brown.
This book is based on a true story of the underground railroad. The story of Henry "Box" Brown can also be found in The Underground Railroad by William Still.
 |
| Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine |
Alexis was very amazed at this story. She found it fascinating that someone would mail themselves inside of a crate. Some of the questions she asked is "How did he breathe? Could he get air?" We learned from the author's notes that Henry took a tool to drill holes for air as well as a little water and a few biscuits. You cannot read this story without taking the time to reflect about what it would be like to be in a crate for 27 hours. I imagine it to be an extremely painful experience.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Yeh-Shen: A Chinese Cinderella
One of our goals as we study different countries, is to also read Cinderella stories from around the world. This month we found Yeh-Shen: A Chinese Cinderella, at our local library.
This version of Cinderella dates 1,000 years earlier than the European version. It is similar to to the European version , Yeh-Shen has an evil stepmother and half sister. They force Yeh-Shen to wear rags to hide her beauty. Here is where the story differs, Yeh Shen's only friend is a fish, who she visits and feeds everyday. Her stepmother, who does not want Yeh-Shen to have any friends not even a fish, takes a dagger and kills the fish to serve for dinner. Little does she know that the bones of the fish are magical. Yeh-Shen hides the fish bones in a safe place, away from her stepmother. One day, when Yeh-Shen tells the fish her desire to have beautiful clothes to wear, her wish is granted and the fish provides her with a beautiful dress and golden slippers. The story continues in similar fashion to the European version, so I'm sure you can imagine what happens next.
It always amazes me that stories hundreds or thousands of years apart can be so shockingly similar. We do truly live in a small world.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale
After a long holiday break, we are continuing our geography project by studying about China. We started our project by reading The Runaway Wok by Ying Chang Compestine.
Even though, Ming's father works for the richest man in Beijing, he does not have enough money for a large New Year's feast. Per fathers instruction, Ming goes to the market to trade his eggs for a bag of rice. Instead of rice, Ming brings back a singing magical wok. With a skippity hoppity ho the wok skips off to the rich man's house and brings back a feast and much more. Ming's family uses the gifts from the wok to empower the poor in their community.
This is a book of beautiful illustrations and a story of generosity. Alexis says it reminds her of Jack In The Beanstalk.
The author's note at the end tells facts about the Chinese New Year as well as the origins of the wok. She also shares a recipe for festive stir fried rice, a significant dish for Chinese children during their New year festivities.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Read To Feed Mission Accomplished
Alexis has been working very hard the last five weeks to accomplish her goal of reading 20 books for Heifer International's Read To Feed Program. As of yesterday, we are declaring Mission Accomplished! Through sponsors, Alexis has raised $65.00. Woot woot! This money will be used to purchase gifts of livestock for families living in extreme poverty. The livestock will give families a source of income and a source of food. The best part is...this gift is one that keeps on giving! Each family that benefits from Heifer International promises to "pass on the gift" by giving a female offspring to a neighbor in need. This program truly uplifts communities, and Alexis is very proud to be supporting such a great cause!
Below is the list of books Alexis completed for Read To Feed.
- All The Colors Of The Earth
- Pigs In The Mud In The Middle Of The Rud
- Sitti's Secrets
- The Paper Crane
- Yard Sale
- Who's In Rabbit's House
- Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
- Junie B. Jingle Bells Batman Smells (P.S. So Does May)
- Click Clack Moo
- Noel's Christmas Secret
- Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy
- Junie B. First Grader, Boss Of Lunch
- Freckle Juice
- Madeline
- Madeline's Christmas
- Pippi Longstocking's After Christmas Party
- Mary Clare Likes To Share
- The Puppy Who Wanted A Boy
- Knuffle Bunny Free
- The Cat Who Wore A Pot On Her Head
Friday, December 9, 2011
Knuffle Bunny Free Storytime by Alexis
Another book down for Read To Feed, watch as Alexis entertains you with her dramatic reading of Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems. Unfortunately, the camera died before the ending.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
