May 2015 – Page 3 – Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island

Our visit to Slater Mill helped students think deeply about the birth of industrialization in this country. The fifth graders asked incredibly thoughtful questions about life during this time period.

Studying a piece of wool and thinking about the efforts it takes to go from sheering a sheep to making usable thread to make clothes. — Studying a piece of wool and thinking about the efforts it takes to go from sheering a sheep to making usable thread to make clothes

Carding wool made it easier to work with.

Only a wealthy family could have had a loom like this one in their home.

Beds were warmed up with coals under the sheets.

Taking the flax plant and readying it to made thread to make linen is quite a process.

Students were fascinated by all the machinery.

These machines were designed to fix machinery.

The cotton gin revolutionized the cotton industry.

Our school will welcome many family members and friends next Friday, May 8, our annual Special Visitors Day. It is such an awesome happy day! While reviewing books about families, I discovered some great stories that reflect the diversity of families. Families come in all shapes and sizes and are more diverse than ever before. Today’s picture books provide insight into interracial families, families with non-biological children, same-sex parents and intergenerational relationships.