You know you're at Sabot when....

... the children ask me to call them gods and goddesses instead of boys and girls. Or they wanted me to remind them to take their nectar bottles to P.E. or have ambrosia instead of snack.

 We recently had field day where our class took Greece as our country for an Olympic themed event. Realizing that there were twelve Olympians sitting on the thrones of Mount Olympus, the children decided that each should choose a god or goddess to be on the big day. In preparation, we took the characters on for weeks in advance. The children would play god and goddesses at recess, often incorporating bits and pieces of myths into the story lines they were acting out. I even convinced our math specialist to announce gods and goddesses names as a joke when calling children to the office.

Along the way I was telling this to another teacher who made a comment along the lines of, "Isn't it nice that these children can go to school where it is still cool to play gods and goddesses at recess? When my kids were in third grade it was anything but cool." By golly, I think she was right. The day before field day I was invited to be Hermes (since none of the girls wanted to be a god and we really needed all twelve represented).

It was magical! I have to admit that it has always been a bit hard for me to keep all of the characters and stories straight and it's all seemed a bit confusing, but something about cheering for Aphrodite while she did the egg race or chanting Apollo's name as he threw a water balloon shot put into the air really helped me to start making sense of it. These names started to come to life as I connected them to people I already had relationships with. Maybe there is something to playing god and goddesses. Maybe there is something to playing in general. The magic doesn't stop in their grade or shouldn't, anyway. If we let ourselves, I think this could be useful in middle school and as an adult. I just wished that I had joined the fun earlier.



How I Work

I am thankful to have the freedom and permission to let children work in the ways that work best for their brains. One child made a great discovery today...

He said,"I am doing the story of The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf but I am switching it up with the story of The Three Big Elephants and the Little Bad Mouse. This is how I would plan it. I would act it out with blocks to make sure I knew what was going to happen, what the elephants are going to do to the mouse. This would now help me to focus. If I was going to write a fairytale, I would plan it out with blocks."

With a few coins in your pocket... (continued)

Here is the work introduced in my previous post titled "With a few coins in your pocket..."
I included the work of all of the children so look through as you would like. Again, this work was not made to show all of their solidified ideas about how immigration changed America, but rather it was through this process that they did some of their best thinking.

I am a Greek jewelry maker and I came to America because I wasn’t getting enough money in Greece. I made earrings with one of them having a z hanging from it and one with an omega hanging from it. The z is the last letter of the English alphabet and the omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet. I did one z and one omega

because the Omega is for living in Greece and the z is for coming to America. In America I am getting more money because the earrings are a new style and people think they are interesting so they buy them and I get more money. Now American jewelry has a Greek influence.

 I am in the shoes of my father who immigrated to America. I want to fly on a concord so I created a model concord. I am going to America to seek education so I drew a computer on the side of the toy concord and wrote “Concord for Learners” on it. I will emigrate from the U.K. so I wrote U.K. Airways on it.

When I get to America, I will be a model maker. Inspired by my dad’s story, I will make model Concords. This is one of my models.

I made this because I emigrated from Greece and I needed to find a job in America. I decided that, as a blacksmith, I would make a lyre from my own home and everybody else would see what music was like back in Greece. I decided to bring the music with me to the new land. I would make these and sell these and everyone else would start liking them so other blacksmiths would start making them.

I needed a job in America. I thought of something an American might be interested in. Then I realized, I just simply had to show my old home. It would be so interesting to them. I mean who had ever seen stinging nettles? They would find it fascinating. And they had never seen the English flag so that would be pretty cool for them. It is going to be hard to find a job. But on the other hand, I will be able to fascinate people with my sewing.

I am from Russia. I made a toy boat to remind me of my trip from Russia to America. Back in Russia I was a sailor and in America I am a sailor too. I am bringing a toy boat to America to show America something new.

I am a German boat maker who makes large boats. I am also an air plane maker. I could help design a boat and then travel over to America on it, just like the designer of the Titanic. Once I get to America I could design more boats and help people get to other places on boats and airplanes. I would teach American about ways that boats work so they might want to use my ideas. This is how I would not be poor but still have a business going on in a new land.

I am a blacksmith from Ireland. I make horseshoes. I made a horse and I would bring that horse on the ship with me so that I can travel to places faster in America. When I got to America, I became a teacher and taught people how to make horse shoes. That is how I made money in America.

I am a chocolate maker from Germany. I came to America because I wanted to escape World War I. I came on a ship and I felt very alone in the world because I was one of the only people from Germany. I felt cold, sad and sort of worried that I wouldn’t make it. I think the chocolate making from Germany will help me get money and get a good job.

I am a Chinese toy maker. I came to America with my family to have a better life. I made a ship and life boats and my family to represent how I came to America. By me coming to America I will change it because there might not be certain types of toys that are like the Chinese versions.

I came to America as a food maker. I decided to make lasagna to show how I immigrated with the cheese shaped like my voyage on top. People probably haven’t had lasagna so I cold make a really good shop after I start out on the streets and such.

I am a living room designer from France. I came to America because I wanted to escape slavery. I needed to get money so I decided that a living room designer would get me money because I did the living room designs back in France and those people liked them. Now in America their living rooms have a part of France. They have French influence.

I am a mirror maker from Germany. I came to America because I wanted to have a better business because people didn’t want mirrors in Germany. I thought that since lots of people came from different places that they might want to see or try out a mirror from Germany to see what it is like. It will give a new variety of mirror to America. My talent might get more used than back in Germany.

Slowing Down

 "If they had never come we wouldn’t be here."



                         "...each one brings one piece of America."

 "If other people come to America then it actually changes America and America changes them."

"... without all of these people coming, America would be tiny and boring. There wouldn’t be certain foods, any cool designs of houses, it just wouldn’t be right without these people coming."

How Has Immigration Changed America?

I asked the children this question several times and we had a few brief conversations about their ideas but mostly I just let the idea sit in their brains. I know that this is a lot of work to share at one time but I couldn't choose  between them. Treat this like a museum of ideas. Read what interests you.

I think an important point to make is that these drawings are not illustrating ideas that were already solidified in the children's minds. It was through drawing and discussing their drawings that the children really worked through most of the idea they communicate here. The drawing was one more way to process. It slowed us down to let us think more deeply.




My mural represents an immigration liner. The immigration liner has flags from all different countries such as Brazil, Argentina, England and Scotland and the American flag. I did the flags because I thought it represented all of the different countries and nationalities coming to form America. I think immigration has changed America because it has made more countries come together.

My mural represents how all of the cultures came together. Like in New York all of the cultures came together in one place. I drew four buildings, each from a different culture. I drew a Chinese temple, a castle for Ireland, a pueblo from Zimbabwe and a sky scraper for modern America. It shows how all the cultures came together to make a city.

Immigration has America in a lot of ways and I tried to represent how we got all of our different ideas for our architecture and buildings.

My mural represents what things people built or brought to America. Some things on this mural are things that we use today. The calendar came from Egypt. The tea cup came from England. The castle came from Ireland. Immigration has changed America by bringing cultures and different things like animals to America.

The picture I made is a bunch of flags of the world, but not all of them because the piece of paper wasn’t big enough. The flags I made represent a bunch of people coming from different place to America. The way immigration has changed America is that without all of these people coming America would be tiny and boring. There wouldn’t be certain foods, any cool designs of houses, it just wouldn’t be right without these people coming.

This is basically showing how immigration has changed American fashion. Each of these pictures represents a different country and their fashion. Each country is equaling our fashion these days. You could take the boots and the shirt from England and mix it with a purse from Russia and a sash from Italy and you will get an American kind of fashion. It is basically kind of saying how immigration has encouraged new fashion in America.

My picture is of a bunch of restaurants from all over the world. At the beginning of the mural, the restaurants are only American. Then as time goes on, the restaurants become a wider variety and there are a lot more than just American restaurants. It shows that if there were no immigrants then there wouldn’t be any dumplings or pizza or burritos or curry.

My mural represents a bunch of people coming from all different places across the world until in the United States they can meet up somewhere and become friends and know each other but they are still from different places. For example, in the post office a person from Belgium and a person from Ireland meet together and become friends. But then the person from Ireland meets another person from Japan and they become friends. But then the person from Japan also meets the person from Belgium and then it is three people from different countries. The main idea of this mural is that there are different people from different places in our country.

I did a picture of the Mayflower to represent the pilgrims and how they changed America. They changed America because they went over there and started the country America. If they had never come we wouldn’t be here. We would be in a different country with different cultures or would we exist at all?

I put the different flags on my mural to represent how many people in the world came to America and how much it has brought us different food, clothing, style, languages and how much it has contributed to the country. The names of the countries on the mural are individual different colors to represent that each one brings one piece of America.

I chose to draw a big ship with people on it that are from different places and have different things and different clothes. It represents all of the different kinds of people in the world and I have a big American flag over top of the ship to represent the United Sates. All of the people came to America for different reasons. That is why everyone has something different, to represent what they do.

My mural is food from different countries, like for instance pizza or tea. If we didn’t have immigration we couldn’t have foods like that. I drew pictures of the foods and then drew the flags representing the country they came from.

If other people come to America, then it actually changes America and America changes them. They can change America by teaching other people how to say words in their language and people in America help them understand the American language. I drew people with their flags on a piece of paper and would come to America. Each one is saying “hello” in their language.

With a few coins in your pocket...

Close your eyes.

Imagine you are leaving your home to come to America.

When did you live?
Where were you from?
How were your traveling?

Now you have come to America.
You have only a few coins in your pocket, but you realize that to survive here you will need to make some money. Imagine a skill you have. To get someone to hire you in this new land you will have to make something. The example of your craft will have to be so good that someone will be amazed and feel that they have to hire you, even though you may not speak english or have a good reputation here.
The thing you make should be a great example of your ability, and also tell the story of your journey to America.

(Stay tuned for updates)
Check out the finished products here



Our Side of the Story

Here is our side of the "friendly sign" story

 http://atelierista-anna.blogspot.com/2012/05/putting-up-friendly-signs.html

 The children started to notice signs all over campus.

 We found ourselves huddled around them with other classes

wondering what the signs were and where they came from.

We couldn't help but feel happy and more friendly as we read the signs.

Our afternoon did not go as planned. We left our plan to live in the moment.

We chased around campus on a treasure hunt to find all of the signs.

 The element of surprise had a feeling very cheerful indeed.

Tinkering with Fairytales

Crossing Paths

"Last night I found out that I have an ancestor who came on all the way to America on a ship when he was just 12 years old. He made a very successful business for himself growing and selling plants in a nursery. We know he came through Ellis Island around 1880..."

"1880??!? That is right when my great great grandmother came from Norway!"

"Maybe they knew each other."

"Maybe your ancestor sold flowers to her great great grandmother!"

Just saying...

Yesterday during history one child threw in a subtle comment I found interesting.

"Could immigration hurt America? Just saying..."

I can't wait for him to ask the class today. We've been talking about this whole topic about being positive because it is the story of us. But can it hurt America? Just saying...

I guess the thing I find most interesting about his comment is that the children are stumbling upon the complexities of an issue that has been the subject of debate for adults and governments for ages.

Jessie was my ancestor!

I keep overhearing conversations.
"I'm English and German and Irish.What are you?"

The children are starting to connect ideas about immigration back to their own families. I think it all started during one of our readings of  When Jessie Came Across the Sea.

Theo: Jessie was my ancestor!

Andrea: What do you mean by that?

Theo: Maybe someone who was like Jessie came from Russia or England or Italy and then came to America… actually that is not possible because my dad is an immigrant so… I am the son of an immigrant because my dad came from England.

I've been holding this conversation in my pocket. I've been letting is just sit in the back of our minds. I've been waiting for the right moment to bring it back to our circle. I can't wait to hear what they say about this idea now, weeks later.

Jessie was my ancestor... and she was yours, too.

Thinking For Jessie

We have been investigating immigration. We have been using music and drama to think about one of our guiding questions.

"What might it feel like to immigrate?"

Helping the children to be able to take this perspective was really high on my list of intentions for this history topic because it develops empathy. I wanted them to be able to put themselves in the shoes of an immigrant in order to connect to their own family history. These stories are not just about random people way back in history. These people were our parents and grandparents and great grandparents. Their journey is why we are here now at this place, in this culture, at this time. They were the life blood of America. But playing that role was not easy. I guess I hope they find respect and appreciation for those who have gone before.

And if they can empathize with their ancestors, then I think that perspective will help them to look at people in our day and see the faces of their ancestors. I hope that perspective guides their interactions with people who might be new to a place under any circumstance.

The most amazing part of working this way is that I cannot take the children there without also going there myself. I feel inspired by the stories I hear. I find greater and greater respect for the courage, determination and hope in the face of so much unknown with each immigration story I come across.

We have spent a great deal of time with one single picture book called When Jessie Came Across the Sea written by Amy Hest and illustrated by P.J. Lynch. After hearing the book several times, the children stepped into the shoes of Jessie as she left her home in a small village to travel to America.

The children then became the voice of Jessie to share her hopes, dreams and fears along the way.

Here are a few of the scenes accompanied by the children's words.

The village rabbi announces that he has a ticket to America and
that he will choose someone from the village to go in his place.

 "I feel hopeful that we can go to America."

 “Wow! America! I want to go but what if Grandma can’t handle herself without me?”

“Who is going to get chosen to go to America?

“I am sad that his brother is out of this world but I am also excited that there is another ticket open for America for a new life for me.”

“What if he picks me? I don’t want to go. It is far away from Grandma."

The rabbi arrives to announce to Jessie and her grandmother
that he has chosen Jessie to go to America.

“What if he picks me? I don’t want to go. I need to teach Grandma.”

“Me!?! Why me?”

“I’m mad because the Rabbi picked me and I am going to have to leave Grandma. I am determined because I can’t just give up and start crying all over the place and I have to go to America. And I am nervous because I am worried that I might not see Grandma again.”

                    “No! Don’t pick me! Pick Grandma instead … but then I wouldn’t be with Grandma either!”

“I can’t go without Grandmother but I can’t just give up! I don’t want to leave Grandmother.”

Grandmother waves goodbye as Jessie's ship departs for America.

“I am really nervous on the ship without Grandma. I don’t know any of these people. How will I know what to do or say?”

“Grandma! No I want to stay. It will be all different and strange. Grandma!!!! Don’t leave me!!!!”

“Please don’t do this. I very badly want to stay with you. You are my only relative. My worries are that you might die while I am gone. I couldn’t bear that in my heart. My heart would drop and shatter.”

“I am lonely already.”

“I am determined to finish this but I am very lonely and sad and afraid of all of these new people. I don’t know about them. But I am excited to go to the “promised land” and excited to learn a new language, but I am still REALLY sad about Grandma.”

 

“I am really excited that I am going to America. I want to have freedom and I want to earn money and sew lace in a shop and be happy there.”

“I am excited about America but I wonder if I can do it. I wonder if I can sew good enough. Will I be able to make enough money? Will it be hard in America or will it be easy?

Jessie is sad, lonely and sick during the stormy first half of her journey.

“Uhhhhhhhg, I feel really sick and sad. Why did the Rabbi choose me?”

“I hope I have a good life in America. I hope nothing happens to this ship.”

“I feel so uncertain about this journey. I don’t know if I should feel happy or sad. Sad because I miss Grandma and my home but happy that I am going to America. It is the land of opportunity and the streets are paved with gold. But I don’t know if I am going to be able to do it”

 “I am so afraid of these people and nervous about what I am going to do.”

After the storm, the passangers cheer up and begin to interact.
Maybe things won'd be so bad in the new land.

                                                 

                 

"I can’t wait for America but I’m going to miss Grandma. I am probably going to think of a way to bring her to America."

"The sun is coming out and I am happy now.”

“I am so happy that now we can have a little bit of fun, at least, because it wasn’t fun when we were all sad."

“Yay! The sun is coming out. Everyone is playing cards and being happy."

" I have a piece of Grandmother with me—her lace-- so I am going to sew with her lace. I still miss her but I am still happy that the sun came out.”

“What is it going to be like in America?"

                                     

"We are almost there."

"I am scared and happy and sad.”

“Hi! Would you like me to sew some lace for you? I could make you a handkerchief or fancy up your jacket.”

“I wonder what it is going to be like in America, where the streets are paved with gold."

                          

"Would you like me to sew something for you? I know how to sew.”

The whole ship gathers in silence to witness their first sights of America.

“Wow! Look at all of those tall buildings. I’ve never seen the Statue of Liberty before. In my old town there wasn’t a statue at all.”

“Yay! I am so happy that I get to be in America instead of this ship.”

“Whoa, is that really America? It is so… big!”

“America? America? FINALLY! It took so long and I made it. At last!!”

“This is so nice being on the ship with my new friends but there is America. Now I am going to have to leave my new friends and I might not ever see them again. "

I am going to get Grandma here and I am going to have the time of my life here.”

“What happens if by the time I have enough money for the ticket, Grandmother has already passed away? Or what if she has grown too old and she won’t be able to take care of herself?”

“What if I don’t get past Ellis Island? What if I have to go all the way back?And if I do get in, where will I go? Will I be able to make money? 

“What if the person that takes care of me dies and I am all alone?"

"What if I won’t be able to get enough money to get food?”

“Ellis Island! I really hope that we don’t have to fill out papers and sit for the longest time and ugh… Everyone says it is kind of nerve wracking.”

“What if I can’t understand anybody in America? I don’t speak English? Will I be able to get by with just my Russian? Will I be able to learn English? How long will it take me?"

Jessie is questioned at Ellis Island.

 “In Russia there are a bunch of trees and everything but in this place there are hardly any trees and it is so so crowded. It is like there are too many people here!”

“I am not used to this many people. I can hardly even see around. I can’t even see a centimeter in front of me there are so many people.”

“Where can I go to find the person that is going to take care of me?”

“I’ve never seen so many people and so many buildings. This place is so advanced that it is a bit scary. What happens if I don’t fit in? What happens if other people tease me and call me names? Will I fit in?”

“I can’t even find the right door. Is that it? No. Is that it? No. I am so confused right now!”

America? Ellis Island? I am here. I am proud of myself but it is BIG and I could get lost and there are so many people. Why did I come to America in the first place? 

“This place is… I’m confused because there are so many things. I have never seen this much stuff in my whole entire life. All I have seen are trees and a few houses until this day.”

"Will where I live be good or will it stink?”

“But wait, this place is gigantic. There are about 100 doors. Which one do I go in? There are so many people in these amazing uniforms but where am I going? What is this place? What do we do here?”

“I wonder if I am going to make it. Do I have all of the medical stuff? Can I run that far? [referencing the medical exam fitness test sometimes given] I hope I make it.

Years later, Jessie and a boy from the ship are reunited in New York.
Eventually he asks her to marry him, but Jessie wants to wait until Grandma can be there.



“I never thought I would see him again. I thought he would only be in my life one time."

“Lou! I remember him and he brings back good memories.”

“Oh my goodness, I haven’t seen him in year but I really like him because he is nice and kind. We have a lot in common. I make lace and he makes shoes and that is pretty in common. I can’t wait to hang out every single day.”

“I am so happy to see Lou. I want to date him because he is from Russia, just like me. He is my kind and we can speak Russian together and we are not just SOOO different. But if I dated this guy from Italy is would be like, “What?!?” And I know Lou, I know him really well. He makes me laugh and he’s so kind and joyful. He makes me happy.”

“Wait a few months or so. Give me a few months and then sure. I want Grandma to come and I almost have the amount of money that I would need to get her here.”

“Soon! I want to bring Grandma here so that she can see me all grown up and happy.”

“I want Grandma to come and see me get married and see how much I have grown and that I can speak English.”

“Maybe in a while, Lou. First I want my grandma to come and we can get to know each other better since we last met.”