Catching up

Miss E's perspective on recent weeks:

On Feb. 21st, the group listened to the part where Gilgamesh found the ferryman to take him to Paradise Shore to meet the immortal Utnapishtim. After foolishly destroying the ferry, Gil was told by the ferryman that he must collect 12 large wooden tree trunks to connect together to punt across the dangerous river. The group improvised this scene while I read aloud. J and E test out a blanket to represent the water, while R and H find objects to represent punting poles. (video to come)

On Feb. 28th, the group, minus a couple, read about what happened when Gilgamesh reached the short of paradise and met Utnapishtim. First, the group discussed what their ideas of paradise would be. We got some pretty diverse answers! they were all expressed excitement in painting their idea of paradise (pictures 1-4)


On March 7th, with everyone in attendance, we read of when Gilgamesh fell into a deep sleep. For seven whole days! Utnapishtim's wife, Saba, baked a loaf of bread for every day that Gilgamesh was asleep. When he woke, there were 7 loaves of bread, all in different stages of decay. The group seemed to be getting pretty hungry at that point, so we baked some Mesopotamian inspired bread! (pictures 5-8) This talk of food also inspired them to think about possibly having a Mesopotamian feast!

Out of the darkness, into the garden

In this episode, Gilgamesh, distraught and grieving from the loss of Enkydu, goes searching for immortality. He travels for what seems like an eternity through a dark underground tunnel, and finally makes out a pin point of light.

He emerges into a lush garden where trees are glistening with jewels and fruit.

Here is that garden recreated.

A Ziggurat from Sand

From a few weeks ago in early February:

First, some chilly storytelling. Next, a ziggurat built in the sandbox: