The Impossible Patriotism Project:Book-of-the-Month February 2009

The Principal's Book-of-the-Month this year has been tied to technology. In February each class was given a copy of The Impossible Patriotism Project by Linda Keer. It is the story of Caleb who is confounded by his teachers' assignment of creating a project that represents patriotism for Parents' Night. As his friends get right to work by drawing maps of the country, making paper-mache Liberty Bells, and designing Statue of Liberty costumes, Caleb longs for help from a father he knows won't even be able to make the event. We are a school close to the Mayport Naval Base, so many of our students know first hand about sacrifices our armed forces are required to make to keep our country safe. Patriotism is very personal for them. Celebrating and thanking our men and women in the armed forces hits home for so many of our children and their families.

At the end of the Book-of-the-month presentation, the Principal asked each student to recognize the contributions of our troops by putting their thanks into writing. Classes could choose from a variety of opportunities. For instance, they could send a virtual postcard, could send individual letters of thanks, or could send a picture to be included in a school video - another opportunity to integrate technology into our teaching! View the video.