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by Nita & Annie

Kindergarten just would not be complete without a study of Fairy Tales especially since we are also studying "long ago and far away" (Medieval and Renaissance).Many of the tales are set in those exciting times and have the signs, symbols and clothes that represent the essence of what we will be experiencing with Bells and Motley.

We also believe that fairy tales require the mind to be attentive to detail,to be highly active in problem solving,to roll through tunnels of prediction and meaning making,and to tumble down hills of emotion and run back up again.We will be reading many fairy tales together and learning to identify the main character,the problem in the story,how the problem was solved and if magic was used to solve the problem.By posing these questions and answering them we will notice patterns emerging from all of the fairy tales and learn to link the stories or problems that the characters are faced with.Bridget will be using computer time to reinforce sequencing as we read our fairy tales.

Fairy tales also lend themselves beautifully to be acted out in plays and musicals. Jodie used the general structure of a fairy tale for a musical that the Kindergartners performed for assembly. We will be integrating the fairy tales during Art to allow the children to visually and artistically create their favorite character from a fairy tale.

Fairy tales,like the best picture books,provide children with the rules for living.They uplift us all with their grand examples of love and sorrow, courage and fortitude,being brave against the odds,living by one's wits,and caring for the downtrodden.They're the best sermons in literature,thundering into children's memories and remaining there as signposts to a well-lived life.