Viewfinder: Fieldstone Kids Laugh, Learn with Twisted Fairytales

 Fieldstone’s first grade teachers and staff helped their young charges dive into the world of fairy tales at an event they hosted Thursday evening.

All first graders and their families were invited to don their pajamas and head to the school’s media center, where they got a taste of fairy tales-with a twist. While the classic tales were available for reading in the book nook area, students rotated to different stations and heard some stories that were a little off-kilter from what parents remembered reading as children. The featured stories included titles such as “The Three Little Fish” or “Somebody and the Three Blairs.”

Students rotated to each station, hearing stories and making a bookmark craft, and had their “passport” checked at the end of each story. Once their passport was filled they were each able to select a free book.

“The first grade teachers just thought it’s a great way to welcome families into our school and to encourage reading,” Fieldstone principal Jeanette Aanerud said, noting that the event works well with February being their “I love to read” month.

 Aanerud said this is the second year they hosted the event. They tried to start two years ago but their first event was canceled when not enough families were able to attend. This year, by contrast, the event drew 99 children in addition to their parents.

“It’s great to talk with parents and interact with the kids outside of the normal school hours,” first grade teacher Jerry Kliber said, “in their pajamas and in my pajamas,” he added with a laugh.