On December 10, almost 50 third graders - a mix of English and Spanish Immersion students - constructed and decorated gingerbread houses together. While this is a long-standing tradition, in an effort to align this event better with learning goals and Discipleship Practices, this was the first year they did it without any adult helpers.
Instead, students worked in groups to help each other assemble each other’s houses before they started working on adding the candy decorations to their own house. This required patience, team work, and good communication.
In preparation, third graders spent some time pondering what Discipleship Practices such as Servant Living or Grace Breathing or God Glorifying might "look like" or "sound like" in an activity like this.
Upon reflecting on this experience the next day, the third graders reported the following:
I enjoyed…
Decorating and frosting my house.
That we could decorate our own house.
Choosing my candy for my house.
Helping others a lot.
I saw or noticed…
"Glorifying God" when…
Henry was holding the house for Oliver.
Cecily was encouraging me.
Owen said, “I will go last.”
Eden helped Grade hold her house together.
Monroe helped me with my wall.
My group was helping me.
Nehemiah helped Cristopher spread the frosting.
Our “Community Growing” when…
We helped each other with holding people’s houses.
We were laughing with each other.
We were talking a lot about funny people in our families.
We were all talking to each other.
Spanish Immersion students helped us.
Most of the Spanish Immersion kids are my friends now.
Everyone was happy and excited to do their gingerbread houses.
We helped lots of different people.
“God was Reflected” when…
Skylar was helping others.
Elizabeth complimented my house.
Sophia and Kinley said I was doing a good job on my chimney.
Sophia said Gibson's house was great.
Ivy said that my light was a great idea.
“Beauty was Created” when…
I saw everyone’s finished houses.
People were helping others.
My group was having fun.
We got along so good.
Kids were laughing and having fun together.
I saw the smiles on the people’s faces when they wanted to show me their house.
I noticed “Grace Breathing” when…
Ella was teaching us and giving us steps and saying, “Yours looks great!”
Zoey was calm when I broke my graham cracker.
When my group paused to help me.
Grace’s house fell apart but she didn’t get angry.
I was patient when my crackers kept breaking.
When Grace said, “It’s okay.”
Owen cracked his cracker and he said, “It’s okay.”
I saw “Servant Living” when…
Skylar was helping Jaiden with her house.
Mrs. D helped everyone with frosting and candy.
Nemo helped Cristopher hold his house.
Ellery stayed in from recess so she could help clean the tables.
Goldie and Monroe helped me when my house fell down.
Easton helped me get the candy I needed.
Jaiden said, “If you need help, I will help.”
Ellery let me have most of her frosting because she had a lot left.
I shared my green frosting and grabbed a knife for her to spread it.
THANK YOU for your generous donations!