The Gifts
Cows are a big deal to the Masai, so this gift was significant. The cows still live in Kenya and they can never be slaughtered. A Masai elder takes care of them. If I get a chance, I plan on swinging by and visiting these cows. There are 35 in the herd at this point, to my knowledge.
We did an arts based strategy with the theme of this book where the kids simulate gift giving. The kids write "I want you to have this" passages. Then in a line they approach a kid who is sitting there and read their words. They're supposed to symbolically give something they care about, something they think will help the other person feel better. Not all kids wanted to participate but most did and the event was lovely. I want you to have this. This blanket. This stuffed animal. This skateboard. This pencil. This box.
I'm going to follow up with the theme of gifts. Why people give them? Why people don't? I'm going to read William's Doll about a kid who wants a doll for a gift but his parents don't want to give him one.
In short, things are going well with The Thirdlanders. And I'm touching base with the olde Fourthies at recess on Tuesdays. Several of them want me to do a pull up so every Tuesday I give it a go. So far no luck, but the crowd of kids around me watching me hang from the bar seems to be getting bigger each week. I need to work on my arm strength.
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jw