So Monday started slow. We didn't do much. There was a bit of grumbling that we didn't do the Tie "Die". But, I said we had supplies to do it only once. They did pick out shirts for the actual event, and then it was simply a day of reconnection. I don't worry about these days. In fact, I expect them. I wasn't sure how may "do nothing" days there would be before they started to self-organize. Day two started slow again, but then the older boys came and propositioned me. They are interested in making money at this point, and so I told them the yard needed some work. They cleaned off the leaves on the garden, and around the fence, and that was the end of their Art Garage for the day. The girls found some nail polish and started doing their nails. We broke out a puzzle, and Melody came by to give us a hand. The old house paints were put to good use painting anything in sight. Then it was time for "school". It is so intersting that even the most reluctant students, LOVE to PLAY school when school is out. They wanted me to be the teacher and tell them what to do. I told them they should tell me what they wanted to learn. It was so foreign to them, that it will probably take awhile before we achieve this level of learning. They all organized their desks, and were waiting patiently for me to teach, so I said we would learn about the solar system. I taught them the song "Sally goes 'round the sun" then they added each of the planets at the end phase. We wrote out each planet in chalk, and then played the game all the way through to pluto. They even had a final exam where they had to name the planets in order. It was a perfect example of a free school model where the teacher is only there to be responsive to what the students are asking for. What a fun day!
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Abigail LarrisonEducator, Scientist and Art Maker. The purpose of all life is to spread joy. What brings more joy than making art? Archives
November 2023
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