Post Contributed by Jocelyne Adkins, Program Director
Hi Families!
Beye Discovery students began making their "Unicorn Story Boxes" last week for our "Creatures of Myth" theme and complete them today. We introduced the topic of unicorns by discussing their physical traits according to myth and the magical powers unicorns were said to possess (to heal and purify). We also read a beautifully illustrated picturebook by Teresa Bateman (author) and Greg Spalenka (illustrator) called
The Eyes of the Unicorn. In the story, a duke, his son and nobles have set out for a unicorn hunt. The servant girl who is sent to serve lunch the day of the hunt, wakes after falling asleep under a tree, and finds the unicorn resting with it's head in her lap. Ask your child about how the rest of the story unfolds (you could have heard a pin drop in the room, the children were quite engaged in this story!)
We also talked about how myths were perpetuated* through influential leaders such as Julius Caesar; in folktales about Noah's arc; and by artists (especially the well known Unicorn Tapestries in the Cloisters Museum, New York City).
*(see the book
Mysterious Encounters by Elizabeth Silverthorne).
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| Elise |
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| Joseph |
For the project, students first completed a handout to identify the components of their story boxes. Identified characters (including at least 1 unicorn), places, objects, emotions, and weather conditions were then drawn or written on cardstock pre-cut into rectangles and circles. One special card was also reserved to identify the magical powers possessed by the unicorn. Small clear plastic boxes donated by the Cleveland family held all the story components, including additional items such as marbles, feathers, gold stars, and sea shells, to provide additional storytelling fun.
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| Joseph |
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| Dexter |
The completed storytelling boxes are beautiful artifacts, in addition to being terrific story-starters. They are perfect for taking on road trips or to the park for some story-making fun (not to mention a great rainy day activity as well). Well done students!
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| Joey |
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| Jordan |
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| Caroline |
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| Nana-Yaa |
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| Nana-Yaa |
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| Yinka |
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| Leila |
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| Leila |
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| Leila |
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| Emily |
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| Jadon |
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| Elizabeth |
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| Anika |
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| Anika |
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| Norah |
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| Norah |
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| Elizabeth |
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