This week, first grade students were introduced to the grade level core work, "The Little House" by Virginia Lee Burton. This classic book is as relevant today as it was when originally published in 1942. The story is a timeline of events demonstrating the relationship between nature and humankind. The main character, the little house, is presented in the beginning of the story as feeling happy and curious while living in the countryside. She watches her environment change around her and experiences sadness while witnessing her surroundings urbanize. The story invites the reader to consider how progress affects us including, what really makes us happy? What does a community want and need? These are questions that first graders will be grappling with throughout the spring.