Just what does making homemade pasta have to do with language arts?  In the 4th grade, it actually has a significant role in the language arts program.  Sometime before Grandparents Day, the 4th graders all began reading a novel entitled, Granny Torrelli Makes Soup.  One of the reasons this novel was chosen was because it is an intergenerational novel about a young girl and her grandmother, who guides her through some friendship issues.  This gave the children a chance to reflect on their relationships with their own grandparents and to complete some related writing tasks.  Before the grandparents/special friends came to visit, each child wrote a letter to their special guest, recalling a favorite memory and explaining what they felt they had learned from this person.  These were mailed to the special guests before they arrived for their shared day at MPA.  I imagine it brought a tear or two to many eyes as these letters were read, and I am sure they were cherished by all who received them.  One young fellow said he had learned “to be passionate about everything he does.”

Another wonderful aspect of this book was the friendship that developed between the young girl in the story and another child who was blind.  Grandma Torrelli gave many bits of advice on how to be a good friend and what friendship really is.  This all became more meaningful to the 4th graders as they had a visit from Connie, a former teacher who has been blind since birth.  It was amazing to watch her handle a classroom and intriguing to hear about her life as a blind person.

…but back to the pasta.  The novel ends with Grandma making homemade pasta for the entire neighborhood and letting her granddaughter know that every friendship brings something to a relationship and should be valued.  Since the novel ended with the making of pasta, what better way for our 4th graders to celebrate the end of the novel than by making their own pasta?  Consequently, the art of making pasta became the order of the day last Friday as the 4th graders learned to make their dough, create a volcano in the center of it, mix the flour with the egg and knead and stretch the dough until it was ready for the pasta maker.  The pride that emanated from the 4th graders was well worth the mess and the friendships solidified over a feast of homemade pasta and sauce created camaraderie that we hope will always remain with our 4th graders.  

Your child’s report card will be sent home in his/her backpack on Monday, November 19th.  Don’t forget to celebrate their accomplishments as it is always so easy to concentrate on where they can improve.  It is always nice to talk about the positives at the first read through and then come back a few days later to talk about what they might do to improve in a few areas.

There will be no school November 21st, 22nd and 23rd.  Panther Club is available on only the 21st in case you have to work or you want some time to get ready for the holiday.

Have a pleasant Thanksgiving.  We are thankful that you share your children with us.