Why did Kathy do it again; why did she fall asleep in class?
To find out why Kathy fell asleep in class, read along with Grandma Jean at:http://www.candostreet.com/grandma-jean/kathy-fell-asleep-in-class-again.html
Posts Tagged ‘Good Choices’
Chores
Thursday, April 13th, 2017
The boys were snacking with Grandma Hattie but she was wondering if Willie did his chores.
Then Willie asked, “Grandma, may I go to Orrie’s when we finish our snack? He has new computer games and he invited me to come see them.”
Grandma asked,”Did you finish your chores?”
Willie said,”No mam, but I will later, when I get back from Orrie’s.” Grandma Hattie answered, saying,”Willie that’s what you told me yesterday when I asked you to put your toys away, empty the waste paper basket in your room and hang your clothes up. You still haven’t done it and your cousin is coming for a sleep over in your room tomorrow night.”
Willie got all red in the face and said, “I hate chores. Why do I have to do chores anyway? I bet Orrie doesn’t have to do chores!”
Then it was Orrie’s turn to get red in the face. Orrie sputtered and said, “Hey Willie, don’t think that just because I use a wheelchair I don’t do my fair share of chores at home because I do! I fold my laundry when it comes out of the wash and put it away. I dust my room with a big dusting wand. I empty my waste basket in the main trash can in the kitchen.”
Then Hector chimed in, saying, “I have to do chores every day. I have to keep my room neat. I even clean off the table after dinner at night.”
These were not the answers Willie wanted to hear.
Grandma used the time to talk about chores. “Hector, Orrie, do you think it is fair to have to do chores?”
Orrie answered, “My mom says that we are a family and everyone in the family needs to take responsibility for helping around the house.” Hector added, “My mom works outside of the house all day and then comes home and cooks for us. She needs some help.”
Grandma had another question,”What about your taking care of your rooms?”
“Oh, that’s an easy one,” said Hector, “It’s my room, I messed it, I should clean it up.” Orrie nodded yes. He feels the same way.
Willie was still fighting the idea of chores. He said,”I bet you both get an allowance for doing chores.”
Hector and Orrie shook their heads and Orrie answered,”Nope, I do chores because their my responsibility, because I live in the house, because doing my fair share is expected of me.”
Hector nodded and said, “I get an allowance for spending money. It has nothing to do with chores. I get it if I behave properly, do my homework as I am supposed to and get good grades. I can earn more money if I do extra chores.”
Willie asked to be excused. Grandma wanted to know where he was going. Willie answered, “To clean my room. Orrie, thanks for the invite, but my room is a mess. Can I see the game some other time?”
Grandma smiled. Hector turned to Orrie and said, “Can I see the game? I don’t have any chores until after dinner.” Orrie spun his chair around. He and Hector helped grandma clear the table. Then they each gave her a big hug and a thank you and off they went.
Do you do your chores when you are asked to do them?
Bike Riding is Fun When We Keep Safe
Sunday, March 26th, 2017
It was that time again; time for Policewoman Paula to visit all the classes at “Can Do” Street Elementary School, and speak about bike safety.
It was officially spring, although it didn’t feel like spring. Summer couldn’t be far behind. With warmer weather, the “Can Dos” were looking forward to bike riding every day. Some of them had two wheel bikes and were good at riding them. Others were still learning to ride a two-wheel bike.
No matter, thought Policewoman Paula, they all need to to know how to be safe when bike riding.
After she thanked Miss Pat for having her, and greeted the “Can Dos” she talked to the children about how much fun bike riding can be if you follow the rules of bike riding and pay attention to what you are doing while riding.
Policewoman Paula spoke to the class about the following bike safety rules:
- Use a practice track to get really good at bike riding before you ride in the street. A practice area is where you get to apply biking rules in a safe area. A gym or playground with a flat, concrete area works well as a practice biking area.
- Obey traffic signs. Get to know what traffic signs mean, and have a parent test you before you go out in traffic.
- Wear a helmet whenever you ride, no matter how short the ride, no matter how hot the day. Make sure your helmet fits well. Your bike helmet should fit snugly without rocking from side to side. Helmet sizing pads help get the proper fit. The helmet should sit low on the forehead. It should only have about one to two finger-widths between the eyebrow and the helmet.
- Make sure the bike seat and handlebars are a proper height. You should be able to straddle the bar with both feet flat on the ground with about 2 inches of clearance.
- Check you bike each time before riding it for loose chains, low tires, broken spokes and other possible bike dangers.
- When riding a bike in traffic:
- Ride in single file and in a straight line on the right-hand side of the road.
- Make sure your hands are always within reach of the hand brakes.
- Use hand signals when turning. For a left turn, put your left arm straight out and parallel to the road. For a right turn, bend the elbow of your left arm so that your forearm and biceps form a 90-degree angle.
- Keep an eye out for potholes, sewer grates, uneven pavement, and soft shoulders. Warn riders behind you by calling out these dangers.
- Never ride with both hands off the handlebars.
- When biking, don’t wear headphones (they muffle the sound of approaching vehicles) or pants with flared cuffs (they can get caught in the bicycle’s chain).
Remember, no night riding; you are 3x more at risk of having a bike accident at night.
The Parade
Thursday, March 16th, 2017There was an air of excitement in the classroom. Tomorrow was the annual parade down “Can Do” Street. It wasn’t just any parade; it was the St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Yundi raised his hand and asked Miss Pat why “Can Do” Street had an annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Miss Pat replied, “To celebrate Irish heritage.” Yundi thought for a moment and answered, “Why do we celebrate Irish heritage? Who are the Irish and where do they come from? Are there any Irish in our town?”
“That’s a lot of questions,” said Miss Pat. “Let’s look at the history of the Irish in America for those answers.”
Miss Pat began, “We honor Irish heritage and its rich culture and traditions because so many of our forefathers immigrated from Ireland, a small country in Europe, to the US from early colonial days. They came like most immigrants, for the promise of a better life.
Irish Americans, especially those who arrived in the U.S. in the 1840s, had to overcome much suffering. The Great Potato Famine of 1845-49 claimed the lives of 1 million Irish back in Ireland. To escape starvation, over 500,000 came to America. Most of the Irish who settled in the U.S., during this period, arrived with little education and few material possessions. As a result, they encountered poverty and discrimination. Most were Catholics and also suffered because of longstanding prejudices against their religion.
Irish Americans fought in the Civil War, and all the other major wars ever since. They played a large role in the growth of this nation over the years, in the building trades, law enforcement, politics, and education.
There are 34.5 million Americans who list their heritage as either primarily or partially Irish. Irish is the second-most common ancestry among Americans, falling just behind German. (US Census 2013)
Cities all over the U.S. celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a parade and other festivities. The most famous of these annual festival traditions includes the Boston parade, with its first parade in 1737; the New York City parade, which began in 1762; and the Savannah, Georgia, parade which started in 1812.”
Miss Pat paused to let everything she said sink in. Then she asked, “Does anyone want to add anything?” All at once, Orrie, Bobby, Annie, Kathy, and Arthur J raised their hands. Miss Pat called on Orrie, who said, “My grandma and grandpa came to “Can Do” Street, from Ireland, when they were just married.” Kathy jumped in, saying,”My grandma knows how to step dance, which is a special kind of Irish dancing that she did as a child, in Ireland.” Then it was Bobby’s turn, “I’m learning to play the bagpipe; someday I will play it in the parade.” Arthur J shared, “I have a good voice, so I am learning to sing the Irish songs my grandparents love so much.” Annie, who had been waiting patiently burst out with, “My grandma makes the best Irish Soda bread, and I ‘m going to eat lots of it after the parade!” Everyone giggled at Annie’s comment!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Time Talk
Monday, March 13th, 2017
Miss Pat was going around the classroom asking each of the “Can Dos” to look at the clocks in the front of the room and tell her the time.
She soon knew that the class need help learning how to time talk…that is to say what time they see on the clock.
For instance, when the small hand is on the 3 and the big hand is on the 5 what do you say? Do you say twenty-five minutes after three or do you say three twenty-five?
Good thing Miss Pat had made some telling time games on the computer.
So, why not join the “Can Do” kids on the computer and see how you do with telling time?
Just go to the “Can Do” Club House, choose games and choose telling time.
Good Luck!
