NewsPre-K to 8
Gingerbread Globetrotters Urged to Write Pre-Kindergartners
Oct 1, 1999 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
Using the classic children’s tale of the itinerant gingerbread boy, Anne Somerville’s and Beth Smith’s pre-kindergartners are embarking on a year-long geography lesson. As the story goes, the gingerbread boy is popped into the oven to bake. When the little old lady goes to check her culinary delight, she watches the little fellow run out the door to meet adventures at every turn. Tracing the travels of this gingerbread globetrotter, the pre-kindergarten students are learning about the world.
To broaden and heighten their experience, Somerville and Smith are inviting anyone in the Darlington community to contribute to this learning adventure by sending a postcard or letter from different destinations.
“We would like people to help us by ‘pretending’ that they are either the gingerbread boy himself or that they have met him during their travels. We would love to get post cards from the cities that are visited,” Somerville explained. “We want them to tell us about themselves, where they live, and what they do.” The route of the gingerbread boy is being charted on a large map.
To kick-off this adventure, the children baked a large gingerbread boy, Friday, Aug. 27. However, an astonishing phenomenon occurred. When they went to retrieve their tasty treat from the oven the gingerbread boy was nowhere to be found. In his place was a bowl of popcorn and a note which read:
I’m off for adventure today,/ Grabbed my suitcase on the way./ Lots of things to do and see,/ Wish that you could go with me!/ Drop you a line and let you know,/ Oh the places I will go!/ Watch the mail,/ For who can tell,/ When a note will come to say/ That I will hurry home one day!
To broaden and heighten their experience, Somerville and Smith are inviting anyone in the Darlington community to contribute to this learning adventure by sending a postcard or letter from different destinations.
“We would like people to help us by ‘pretending’ that they are either the gingerbread boy himself or that they have met him during their travels. We would love to get post cards from the cities that are visited,” Somerville explained. “We want them to tell us about themselves, where they live, and what they do.” The route of the gingerbread boy is being charted on a large map.
To kick-off this adventure, the children baked a large gingerbread boy, Friday, Aug. 27. However, an astonishing phenomenon occurred. When they went to retrieve their tasty treat from the oven the gingerbread boy was nowhere to be found. In his place was a bowl of popcorn and a note which read:
I’m off for adventure today,/ Grabbed my suitcase on the way./ Lots of things to do and see,/ Wish that you could go with me!/ Drop you a line and let you know,/ Oh the places I will go!/ Watch the mail,/ For who can tell,/ When a note will come to say/ That I will hurry home one day!
