What a busy last week of second grade in 2012! We loved learning about Egypt and are still discussing this intriguing ancient culture. We jumped around the continents and read stories from different cultures about special days celebrated. All of the cultures we learned about celebrate light in some way- in India, Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. We cleaned our desks to start off the new year fresh and organized in second grade!
We also learned about Ramadan, where beautiful lanterns have become symbolic decorations welcoming the month that Ramadan is celebrated. Charity is also very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadan. We made a "Charity Chain" of good deeds we can practice at home and in school- we were amazed how long our chain was when we put it together- that is a lot of good deeds!
And we read many stories from European cultures, where candles and lights brighten the darkest days of the year. We made delicious cookie houses, a European tradition which was a lot of fun for us to try!
