Needs & Wants

Hi, all! 

I hope everyone had a fantastic and restful weekend despite the rather dreary weather.  What a way to kick off spring!  As always, last week certainly proved to be quite a busy and fun-filled week.  For starters, we began our study of needs and wants and how families and communities work together to satisfy both.  First, we read A Chair For My Mother by Vera B. Williams.  A Chair For My Mother is a heartwarming story about a little girl whose family loses everything they own in a devastating fire.  Not only does an entire community rally behind them, but the little girl and her family also work together to buy the most perfect, comfy chair for all to enjoy by saving all their spare change.  This story sparked a fantastic discussion among the kids.  Afterwards, each of them drew a picture of something they would like to have given the little girl if they had known her and identified whether the item they drew fulfilled a need or a want.  Then, we assembled each of their drawings together to make a “quilt” of needs and wants for the little girl in the story. 

Here is a picture of our quilt! 

We also read Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money.  In this story, Papa Bear grows tried of Brother and Sister Bear’s spendthrift ways, so he decides to teach them all about saving.  After reading the story, the kids got to make their very own piggy banks.  For the next several weeks, your student will earn “money” for completing in-class assignments in the time allotted and also for good behavior.  After earning enough money, they will then be able to purchase an item from the treasure box.  The kids are really excited about this and cannot wait to start earning their own money!  

Just a reminder that this Friday (March 30) is a teacher workday, and the following week is Spring Break.  I hope you are all able to enjoy some time off with your child!  As always, thanks so much for all of your support, and I hope each of you has a wonderful week! 

Educationally Yours,

Ms. Bruner