For those who may not know, we participate in an amazing homeschool co-op called "Children of the Boreal." It has grown over the years from a nature-centered playgroup for 3-6 year-olds informed by a Waldorf Kindergarten-type setting, to a full-fledged, year-round homeschool cooperative inspired by Waldorf Education and the Boreal Forest. This group of people has evolved into a beautiful community...a family of sorts, and has been such a positive influence, outlet, inspiration and network for not only the children, but for the adults as well.
I help to coordinate our "Twigs" group, a program for 7-9-year-olds. I absolutely LOVE working with these kids! They are energetic and fun and creative and certainly do their best to guide much of my own inner work and keep me on my toes.
Over the past few weeks our Twigs (with the help of Steve and some behind-the-scenes assistance from BuffaloHeart) have been working on an Earth Loom project that will become a permanent installment in the garden at Creamer's Field Migratory Refuge for all children and people of all ages in our community to add to and enjoy.
This project is, in part, a gift of thanks to Creamer's Field and the Friends of Creamer's Field who have welcomed us regularly throughout the summer over the past several years and supported our vibrant little homeschooling community!
As our group has grown, we seem to spread out more and more, and take up quite a bit of space at the Refuge with our different age-groups, circle times, activities, group times and festival celebrations.
Amanda, who has been working hard at home on the art of storytelling, came up with a wonderful story about a little girl named Poppy and her adventures building an Earth Loom in her own garden. It is always so interesting to see how story really plants seeds within the depths of the children, and how it really works on them throughout the weeks.
Week one of the Loom project was simply the story (along with some new songs and verses with a "weaving" theme during circle time).
Last week, I had a broken truck and broken toe, but thanks to Emily and Amanda, the Twigs continued by making their own small looms to take home!
 |
| photo courtesy of Amanda |
At last week's meeting, we layed the loom out on the ground to get an idea of how it would be joined together...
 |
| photo courtesy of Amanda |
...joined the crossbeams to the posts...
...raised and "planted" the loom...
(the following sequence of photos courtesy of Amanda)
poured the cement (to help with stability and prevent the wood from rotting really quickly)...
...and joined the rest of the group for a snack and some big play after all of that time following directions and doing focused work...
And nothing could have topped off the excitement of the day more than an impromptu sleepover...
No comments:
Post a Comment