Learing about worker's rights in conjunction with the PPS November strike
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We have many friends who have older siblings (and a few kindergarteners we are hosting) who are a part of PPS. A number of our students have been going to support the teachers during the ongoing strike.
Today we read Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type, by Correa Cronin & Betsy Lewin. The book features Cows and Hens that go on strike (refusing to supply milk and eggs) because the barn is cold and the farmer won’t help.
They find a typewriter to communicate the need for electric blankets. A resident duck acts as the neutral party. The other farm animals rally around and support the Cows and Hens. After a bit of negotiation, the farmer agrees to supply the electric blankets and the strike resolves.
Friends were enamored with the idea of a strike. They came up with their own ideas about what they might strike about. One friend wants to strike for more baking time, one for more candy, and one for more digging time at home. :)
After our discussion, our older kids were able to articulate the reasoning behind the PPS teachers strike.
Next we read, Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1090, by Michelle Markel.
New information during lunchtime: Our kids are demanding lollipops, chocolate bars, and more inside playtime. We’ve come to an agreement on more inside time, but they are considering a strike for school day candy. However it seems the strike has been averted due to the teachers offer to bake non-candy treats with them (banana bread) next week. The children have accepted the proposal. :)
