We are looking forward to seeing you again this week! Hopefully, you had a restful and wonderful holiday – we are ready to dive in to the learning that will close out 2015 – TKG’s 5th year!
This Monday marks a NEW PARK LOCATION! We are now meeting at (park info omitted) until further notice.
Remember the Holiday Celebration?! We do…and we don’t want to forget the learning, collaboration and joy we experienced as the whole school worked so diligently the last couple of weeks of 2015; and we were so excited to be able to share our individual, small group and whole class passions with you. Our 5-7 year olds brought us the first part of their Charlotte’s Web play. As you saw (video link forthcoming), there were many opportunities for mathematical and literacy learning as well as learning about the dramatic arts. And as a foundation for it all- how to collaborate with a team, persevere and keep the process joyful and enticing.
Our 5-7 year olds demonstrated a teacher- initiated project, which you will have a chance to check out from each classroom throughout the year. That work happens either in our Open Flow part of the day (morning) or in our Community Project time at the end of the day. The middle part of the day is dedicated to our Personal Project Time. Back in November, our 9-11 class spearheaded the sharing of the passion projects they came up with during this time. The experience left a lasting impression on the 7-9 class. Many of our sprouts began asking if they could also share their passion projects this year. The thought of public presentation daunted none as our wonderfully nurtured and supported sprouts were eager to share with all of our community.
Below are a few comments from each of the 7-9 presenters during the creation of their project. We can read between the lines to hear students developing important life skills of leadership, grit, creativity, precision, time management, critical thinking, investigation, problem solving, conflict resolution and collaboration.
“I don’t think I will have time to make all four of my animal drawings for the holiday show. It takes a lot of time and I don’t want to rush. I think I’m going to focus on finishing the background of my horse drawing. I want to add more trees and houses, with a little chimney. I still have lots of space on my paper for background detail.” Anna
“I can use pencil in so many ways. I don’t even need to add color. Like I can make lines thick or skinny, or shape in, and it gives the drawing lots of different texture.” Aiel
“I never knew there were so many different types of rainbows. Did you know that there’s even a rainbow named Alexander’s rainbow? Crazy right?” Sydney
“Ok guys here’s your script, I’ll sit in front and tell you how it’s going. I’ll let you know if something needs to be changed.” Mia
“We have to be committed to this, if we’re really passionate about it, like every day we need to work on this.” Alex
“This is so frustrating, as soon as I’m about to finish they fall and I have to start all over!” Lucas (although he never gave up)
“Hey guys how about we work together, so we could connect them, and then it would be even more amazing!” Zara
“If we spend all our time arguing about what song or what costume, we are never going to have time to actually do it and practice.” Tillie
“Everyone should be able to choose their own costume, because we all have our own ideas. Even if we all are Mrs. Claus. So whatever you guys want to be is okay.” Jaiden
“We should all just do the same move so that way it can be fair. But it has to be something that we can all agree to.” Maiya
I look forward to seeing where these passion projects will go, and what new passions will emerge this New Year. Hope 2016 year brings joy, creativity and new found passions to you and yours!
Con Amor,
Yvette, Michelle and Lena
