Ask Me About Friday, September 28, 2018

The end of the first five day week of school, and I sent home some very tired kids, who had no problem admitting they were tired!  The kids are really doing a great job at school with routines, following rules, being kind, and learning the names of their classmates.  They have earned lots of Bear Bucks, especially for their outstanding behavior in the cafeteria.  I'm so impressed with how well they are able to open most things in the lunch.  One friend today actually opened the packet of Craisins, which is not easy!
We listened to the story Thundercake, by Patricia Polacco.  This is a story about the author as a child and her fear of thunderstorms.  Her grandmother, or Babushka, helps her overcome her fear.  Ask me to tell you what her Babushka did to help her find her bravery.
The little girl and her Babushka make a Thundercake during the story.  The children could hardly believe that there were tomatoes in this cake.  Here's the recipe in case you too would like to make Thundercake!

                Patricia Pollaco’s Grandma’s Thunder Cake
 
Cream together, one at a time:
1 cup shortening
1 ¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs, separated
(Blend yolks in.  Beat whites until they are stiff, then fold in.)
1 cup cold water
1/3 cup pureed tomatoes
 
Sift together:
2 ½ cups cake flour
½ cup dry cocoa
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
 
Mix dry mixture into creamy mixture.
Bake in two greased and floured 8 1/2 –inch round pans at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.
Frost with chocolate butter frosting.  Top with strawberries.
 

The children drew pictures, wrote some words, and told about a character in the story and a feeling, with evidence from the text of how they knew the character felt that way.  We are looking at comprehension of the text, so children can draw, write, and/or tell to show their understanding.  I will be sending these papers home next week.  You will see a P, I or N circled as well as a rubric that tells about the scores.

Have a great weekend!
​Miss Wolfe