Saturday April 29

 Hello all

Another exciting week in the land of ice and snow.  Actually, it has really milded up.  The snow has melted so fast.  Actually it is a big issue for the north--usually this is the season for hunting and fishing, where the locals put up all the food they need for the year.  But with the melting ice and snow, it is too dangerous for them to go out on the land.

Yesterday, the policemen came and created the "sugar shack".  They brought 2 coleman stoves, and 2 huge soup pots.  Each pot was filled with real maple syrup, flown in from the south.  After an hour, the boiled syrup was ladled out on a shelf of snow--and there was the maple candy!!  Yum.  I have seen pictures of this, but it was so great to really participate in it.

A big breakthrough with 3 of my students this week.  They were able to read a 3 page story, discuss it, and answer questions, all by themselves!  It was a grade 3/4 level--amazing!!  I am so happy.  This is what it is all about!  Just last year, they didn't know the alphabet--and now--reading! A miracle.  The other students are coming along at their own pace, and have made a great beginning.

Boiling up the syrup

Checking to see if the syrup is hot enough for the snow.

Readying the candy making suface.
Yum!

Yum, yum, yum!!


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