Gracyn was a pirate today! She dug in beach sand for treasure, Spanish coins, gemstones, jewelry and shells. She learned about the job of an archaeologist - finding clues to what happened in the past. She also learned that pirates were real people and that they influence our culture in exploring and settling in the new world. We read Do Pirates Take Baths by Kathy Tucker. Gracyn found and held a real lead cannonball. She dressed up as a pirate, eyepatch and bandana, and played the part. We looked at my power point presentation and learned why our region is known as the Treasure Coast. She learned new words - vocabulary, booty, loot, doubloons, archaeologist - and we added those to her vocabulary cards and envelope. We discussed maps and will continue next class. I took Gracyn to the election wall display and talked with her about it and how she might contribute and understand the election process. This will be something we will continue to do weekly for the next few months. She told me that she had already submitted some things for the school newspaper! I gave her some more ideas for that. We made a Social Studies folder and a vocabulary envelope for her classroom, to add to and review throughout the year.