9/6-9/12
I talked to a few parents this week who commented that the only thing they know about school is that their child is playing and having fun! I love that school is fun! But sometimes I wish parents could see the richness of activities that their heroes are participating in each week…
In the Spark Studio the heroes explored the Challenge Donut and the Hero’s Journey. They are discovering when a work is just right for them – not too easy and not in their panic zone. It is beautiful to watch heroes, who previously chose works that were easy for them, start to challenge themselves. We also began exploring what it means to be on a Hero’s Journey.
Heroes are learning how to support one another in their ideas, how to take turns when playing together, and how to work together to accomplish a common goal. This week in our Loose Parts play, heroes combined their ideas and made a hot tub. They discovered a way to support their “tub” so all friends could dip their toes in the sun warmed water. The look of pride on their faces was priceless. They had come up with an idea all on their own and were successful in executing it.
On Thursday, heroes found a grasshopper while outside. There was much discussion on a perfect home for the grasshopper and what it needs to survive. Heroes thought through many possibilities and explored the pros and cons of each makeshift home using their Loose Parts play materials. Valid points were presented as ideas were shared and discussed.
In the Fire Studio heroes are having fun during Writer’s Workshop. Kara provides a mixture of partner and individual games and challenges, allowing heroes to mentor one another while also progressing in their individual writing skills.
During Civ heroes read various renditions of “Ravana.” They then had the choice to create their own version in any medium. Several heroes chose to write and perform their own play.
Free time before school starts is also an important and “fun” time of day. Whether heroes are working or playing, they are building a tribe together each morning.
And while quest time may seem like they are just playing and having fun, this week we explored the culture of India through dance, art, reading, games, and stories. It was delightful to witness different heroes’ preferences and interests as they dove into the various activities. Quest time is designed as a chance to survey new and interesting topics together, and then dig deeper individually into those things that light a spark in each hero. Ask your heroes whether they designed a fabric pattern, decorated a camel caravan, learned about Gandhi or Hinduism, played with small stones, or made sand art.
The fire studio continues to work on their lip dub. This massive cooperative group effort – organizing, planning and executing a lip dub/music video that includes every hero – vacillates from “so much fun” to “so frustrating I want to quit!” And that is exactly why we do it 🙂
Oh! And I can’t forget the epic river rides and beautiful camping this weekend. Yes, they were so much fun. They also had another purpose… that of building community. I believe both were accomplished!
At times I wish parents could witness all I see happening each day. And yet, if heroes are seeing their work as play while they learn and develop cooperative and self management skills, what more can I ask for?! It really is more than just fun… and a lot of fun!