“No dragon can resist the fascination of riddling talk and
of wasting time trying to understand it.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
“The hunger of a dragon is slow to wake, but hard to sate.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin
“Dragons and legends...It would have been difficult for any
man not to want to fight beside a dragon.”
― Patricia Briggs, Dragon Blood
I want the next 20 days of school to be days my First Graders don't tear me limb from limb will never forget. I am reading A Game of Thrones by George R R Martin right now and was suddenly struck by how I have changed. I have never been one to read fantasy. A little Wrinkle in Time maybe, but not much else. A good friend suggested I try A Game of Thrones and I have sunk deep into the series. I find myself loving the imagery and the fantasy. It is while I was reading about dragons hatching that I suddenly thought DRAGONS!
So I have been madly creating a unit on Dragons to cruise us through the rest of the year. I happen to have a Dragon and Castle Lego set in my classroom that my kids adore. So I know this will be a big hit.
Dragon myths were created to allow human beings to make sense of the natural world. When a volcano erupted, it was a dragon breathing fire out of anger. When there was thunder, a group of dragons had flown overhead. Dragons are a part of our human makeup.
I found so many amazing books which I am reviewing and will share over the next few weeks. If you have any ideas, please share them! I am working on the idea that classical dragons will be the focus of our unit. Not comic strip-like dragons you see in cartoons.
These are some of the books I have adored so far.
I have not done a dragon unit in years, brings back some memories. We just hatched some chicks so lots of excitment and activities coming from that. I hear you about keeping the kiddies busy and engaged, we have had a bit of a heat wave and my guys are in full summer mode ! On a completely different note, I bought a new copy of Blueberries for Sal for Mother's Day. My mom was sick recently and in the hospital so this Mother's Day was very special to have her home and feeling better. She loved reading Blueberries to us when we were little, she really instilled the love of reading in me and it is just one of many things I love about my Mom. Happy Dragons ! Just a thought, Paper Bag Princess ......
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear your mother is home and well. Blueberries for Sal is such an example of how books can change us inside. I have multiple copies of Paper Bag Princess for our reading groups! Especially on the heels of our study of Rober Munsch! Thanks!
DeleteSorry, just had a thought....time for bed :)
ReplyDeleteI loved Game of Thrones!
ReplyDeleteA dragon unit will be LOTS of fun:). I like the idea so much I might start my new year that way:)
Barbara
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers
Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher is a fun chapter book read too.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Love the idea of a dragon unit - I would add in unicorns too!
ReplyDeleteJennifer@ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
I'm having a giveaway! Come check it out! http://herdingkats.blogspot.com/2012/05/bragtag-giveaway.html