Students in the younger and middle groups have been listening to and analyzing the books Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Jack and the Beanstalk.  We started out reading a certain version of each book and stopping every few pages to discuss what was happening.  We sometimes acted a part out or drew a picture.  We discussed questions such as: Is it okay to steal? What if you have no food, is it okay to steal then?  Is it okay to go into someone else’s house if they aren’t there?  What if they left the door unlocked?  What if they told you it was okay go in?  As we talked more and more about the fine lines around possessions and property, we brought into our class a reminder of our government class last year when we talked about what characteristics laws and rules needed to be fair.  Students drew and talked about what made sense to them in the context of what Goldilocks, Baby Bear, Jack and the Giant were experiencing in the book.  And then related it back to their own lives with what rules and laws they live with at their house and in their community.

To finish up the unit, we talked about what a trial is and what a court room looks like.  We watched a silly story about a baker that sued someone for stealing the smell of his bread. We are currently working on writing a script for the Giant to sue Jack for stealing and Baby Bear to sue Goldilocks for breaking and entering.  Some students will be a main character part, some students will be the judges and most students will play the part of the jury and decide on who they feel is telling the truth in each case.