Knots on a Counting Rope

With this week's homework, you received a short length of rope.  This piece of rope is related to a story that the children have heard in class.  It's a story with some depth and children actually have to hear it several times and talk about it before they realize that the little boy in the story is blind and that his grandfather is preparing him for the time when he will no longer be with him.  Our children have heard the book Knots on a Counting Rope in class where a Native American grandfather tells his grandson stories about his life.  Every child loves hearing stories about themselves - on the day they were born, the stories about when they were a baby - those funny and happy family stories that are a part of your family's oral history.  That is the point of this homework. We want of our children to hear about their life from you.  They are actually writing "All About Me" nonfiction books in class so you may find some of these stories seep into their writing! Before starting, watch the video on this link (look for the story Knots on a Counting Rope) or below and then explain to your child that you are going to do the same thing that many Native American families do - you are going to share stories about your family! Then sit in a family circle and just make this a part of your dinner time each night and tell your children stories - share memories - about your family that make you happy, that make you laugh or even sad stories that are a part of your family's history.  With each story tie a knot in the counting rope.  The day before you bring the counting rope back to school, practice with your child a favorite story that they have heard so s/he can share it with the class.  Happy memories!