New Year’s Day!
Noodles for breakfast,
sweet rice cakes.
A red envelope stuffed with money
in my pocket.
And lions in the street outside.
I fly downstairs to be there
when they come –
leaping, pouncing,
prancing, roaring,
jumping, dancing,
shaking their neon manes.
Drums beat
feet stamp
hands clap
voices shout
Chinatown,
this is Chinatown!
-Kam Mak
(From My Chinatown)
Tiger. Image. malaysiasite.nl. Web.
The Spider and the Fly
by Mary Howitt
Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,
‘Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I’ve a many curious things to show when you are there.”
Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again.”
“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?” said the Spider to the Fly.
“There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I’ll snugly tuck you in!”
Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!”
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, ” Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I ‘ve always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome — will you please to take a slice?”
“Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind Sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”
“Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I’ve a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself.”
“I thank you, gentle sir,” she said, “for what you ‘re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.”
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
“Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple — there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!”
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue –
Thinking only of her crested head — poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour — but she ne’er came out again!
And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
Unto an evil counselor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly
.
Mary Howitt. Photograph. https:/…/html/1807/4350/howittm.gif. Web.
Last week Roger Angell spent the morning with the students of Noble House. He told us stories and showed us pictures of his step-father, E. B. White. Mr. Angell also read passages from several of E. B. White’s books and his own memoirs entitled, Let Me Finish. I have posted two letters he wrote to the class, one before his visit and one written afterwards. Please go to the “photo” section of the blog to see more pictures of this event.
We began our annotation presentations of Charlotte’s Web today. Students were responsible for sharing interesting parts of their chapters, including themes such as change, friendship and life and death. We noticed many of E. B. White’s lists (even lists within lists!) and his beautiful descriptions of the farm and nature. Students also pointed out instances of foreshadowing and numerous comparisons. We look forward to annotating our copies of Charlotte’s Web in the coming weeks.
Dear Noble House Students and Parents,
Welcome to the 4th grade! I hope you had a wonderful summer and I look forward to a year full of excitement and adventure with you all. Please check the “homework” section of our blog in order to see what is due and when. I update it as assignments are given. Also, the poem of the week is always posted in this section. This week’s poem is by e. e. cummings and it is entitled, “maggie and millie and molly and may.”
I look forward to meeting you all very soon!
Love,
Ms. Noble 
