Teach Survival. This weeks Activities to Build on.
Monday 4/27
Teach Survival
The world is a tough place.
My daughter didn’t tell me she was bullied in 6th Grade until last night, we had moved to a new community that year, We were close as a family, my two daughters and I. We shared dinners together, spent lots of time driving to activities, spent time with our family (who we lived near there), but she never shared that girls in that school were mean to her until now.
The close friend she made in a boy at that school is still one of her closest friends. When I asked her why she hadn't shared this before, she said, "Mom, kids never tell their parents when they are being bullied." I thought, yes, this is true, and why I am so "on" when it comes to bullying and kids being kind and respectful of each other always.
On a positive note, she made good friends there, was a part of many different groups, a wonderful Church, American Girls (like Girl Scouts at a Library, based on the American Girls dolls adventures and stories), where I also taught a group of young children with literature, activities, songs and crafts, the Figure Skating Community, coaching, freestyle skating and learn-to-skate, they had multiple coaches, and she was a part of a synchronized skating team. Her younger sister, in First grade that year, also made good friends, and had some conflicts with girls along the way. We experienced new things, and they both made life-long friends.
That spring of 07-08 the Recession hit, I made some hard decisions, and we moved back the the community we had lived in before, based on multiple factors, pivoted again, and reconnected with our community here and worked through other difficult divorce issues, ultimately we have had a a good journey, however there have been many things to deal with along the way, custody, and a relationship that was important to the girls and I tanking during that difficult downturn for my former boyfriend's business and all the calamity that resulted from that difficult economic time. Heartbreaking, yet we (the girls and I) have made it through together and found love on the other side. Life always has it's bright spots and struggles. Being open to change and work through things together have been the most important factors in our successes.
The close friend she made in a boy at that school is still one of her closest friends. When I asked her why she hadn't shared this before, she said, "Mom, kids never tell their parents when they are being bullied." I thought, yes, this is true, and why I am so "on" when it comes to bullying and kids being kind and respectful of each other always.
On a positive note, she made good friends there, was a part of many different groups, a wonderful Church, American Girls (like Girl Scouts at a Library, based on the American Girls dolls adventures and stories), where I also taught a group of young children with literature, activities, songs and crafts, the Figure Skating Community, coaching, freestyle skating and learn-to-skate, they had multiple coaches, and she was a part of a synchronized skating team. Her younger sister, in First grade that year, also made good friends, and had some conflicts with girls along the way. We experienced new things, and they both made life-long friends.
That spring of 07-08 the Recession hit, I made some hard decisions, and we moved back the the community we had lived in before, based on multiple factors, pivoted again, and reconnected with our community here and worked through other difficult divorce issues, ultimately we have had a a good journey, however there have been many things to deal with along the way, custody, and a relationship that was important to the girls and I tanking during that difficult downturn for my former boyfriend's business and all the calamity that resulted from that difficult economic time. Heartbreaking, yet we (the girls and I) have made it through together and found love on the other side. Life always has it's bright spots and struggles. Being open to change and work through things together have been the most important factors in our successes.
She is 24, through college and well into the rigors of life, I am happy she came home last week. That we have had time to talk and do things together. That she has her job and can work from home. Most importantly, that she shared this with me, and that we could talk and cry through this. To talk through things she has been thinking about and working through, all these years later. The silver lining is ever-present.
Teaching Happiness comes from within is one of the hardest things I have taught to my children. These struggles to teach values and strategies are some of the most profoundly difficult and rewarding lessons of life.
The more I’ve delved into this blog, the more I question structured school and look more to the many models of Teachings that present themselves around the World.
For example, one of the most wonderful Units taught in the 6th Grade Curriculum at the School I work at is “A Long Walk to Water,” by Linda Sue Parks. In this Unit the 6th Graders read this book, and live the Unit by carrying a one Gallon Jug of Water with them everywhere they go for 1 week. The Kids remember this Unit.
For example, one of the most wonderful Units taught in the 6th Grade Curriculum at the School I work at is “A Long Walk to Water,” by Linda Sue Parks. In this Unit the 6th Graders read this book, and live the Unit by carrying a one Gallon Jug of Water with them everywhere they go for 1 week. The Kids remember this Unit.
In a nutshell, this book talks about access to water and all the issues incorporated with that struggle in South Sudan. Education, access to water, safety, family migration, civil war, refugee camps, loss of family and reconnection as well as triumph.
https://www.gradesaver.com/a-long-walk-to-water/study-guide/summary
"A Long Walk to Water," by Linda Sue Park, and Salva's refugee journey as a "Lost Boy of Sudan, time in refugee camps and walks through war to these camps, real life struggles of he and the other "story teller," Nya, Salva's journey to create Water for Sudan Foundation, Water for Sudan. This includes, Jimmy Carter's quest by his Foundation to eradicate the World from Guinea Worm, including Women's rights in the developing world, and life's journeys.
My daughter told me last night that the only thing she remembers about the Kindergarten year is the “Trip to Mexico Unit.” Where the class learns songs and performs them for their peers and later their families. They learn poems, make tortilla’s and set up the hallway like an airplane, complete with Bulletin Boards decorated, and the Teacher’s are Pilots and Stewardesses. The Kids make Passports for there Unit and need to use those when they get to “Mexico" and disembarque. They go through Customs and then make Tortilla’s and return on the “Plane” home and then get ready to go to the Busses.
https://www.gradesaver.com/a-long-walk-to-water/study-guide/summary
"A Long Walk to Water," by Linda Sue Park, and Salva's refugee journey as a "Lost Boy of Sudan, time in refugee camps and walks through war to these camps, real life struggles of he and the other "story teller," Nya, Salva's journey to create Water for Sudan Foundation, Water for Sudan. This includes, Jimmy Carter's quest by his Foundation to eradicate the World from Guinea Worm, including Women's rights in the developing world, and life's journeys.
My daughter told me last night that the only thing she remembers about the Kindergarten year is the “Trip to Mexico Unit.” Where the class learns songs and performs them for their peers and later their families. They learn poems, make tortilla’s and set up the hallway like an airplane, complete with Bulletin Boards decorated, and the Teacher’s are Pilots and Stewardesses. The Kids make Passports for there Unit and need to use those when they get to “Mexico" and disembarque. They go through Customs and then make Tortilla’s and return on the “Plane” home and then get ready to go to the Busses.
It’s been my experience with my own kids that the experiences that meant the most were this one described above, The 5th Grade National Seashore Trip, here, where they stay over for 2 nights, with their teacher and the staff at the National Seashore. Every class asked for all the years I have taught explain this as a highlight of their educational journey.
We moved in the 6th Grade year (see above) and my daughter had another similar experience with the CT Public School system and a trip to Colebrook and Natures Classroom. These are literally the memories my kids still share, and they are grown. So I have questions about the conventional school model, and I am always open to looking to different models for Insight and Ideas. Some alternative Education models below:
We moved in the 6th Grade year (see above) and my daughter had another similar experience with the CT Public School system and a trip to Colebrook and Natures Classroom. These are literally the memories my kids still share, and they are grown. So I have questions about the conventional school model, and I am always open to looking to different models for Insight and Ideas. Some alternative Education models below:
Montesori
Environmental Education
Boarding Schools
Agricultural Education
Technical Schools
Each has their own intrinsic values and excellent highlights.
After this “Homeschooling” experience I have a friend who is seriously considering Homeschooling her kids from now on.
There are so many tools available to the Homeschool population and they are all very accessible online.
9 Real life Skills our Kids need.
When I was a kid we whittled, cooked, and did chores.
This has arguments for cooking, budgeting and life skills.
Sharing Kindness eases anxiety
HISTORY
Norman Rockwell contributed many Illustrations to the Saturday Evening Post and his depictions have contributed to our Historical Visual Reference.
Check out the Curriculum Page at the Berkshire Museum.
The Collection is incredible.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS-ELA
This Weeks Journaling, Writing, Life skills, Sharing, ACTIVITY, pick one below or create your own.
Flat Cat
Flat Fido
Flat Stanley, Gingerbread Man
Kindergarten Unit. Can be adapted for other ages as well.
Our Flat Stanley went everywhere with us for a Week, My younger daughter made a journal and we photographed him and their travels and experiences until Flat Stanley went to the next child in the class the following week and so on.
These are excellent ways to teach, experience, recording, problem solving. There are so many valuable lessons here.
CREATE YOUR OWN Flat _________.
What do your kids like?
Have them come up with an idea and make their flat being.
Document,
Make an Instagram account together, and share with your "Family," our family includes our close friends also.
Zoom with their extended “Family” members.
Make this a week long unit.
Older students can create something else. Their favorite animal, an ideal friend,
A person they admire (Rock band, entertainer, sports personality, regular old person they admire, maybe a special person who has passed)
This experience should be fun.
SCIENCE/Strategy
Make a MARBLE RUN, DOMINO Course, HAY BALES, Whatever you have, Create a Visual and Activity Driven Course.
Alter it, how does it function differently in each situation.
Document
Compare
Discuss
Finalize, Hypothesis VS. Results.
Cannonball run? Marble run?
Make a MARBLE RUN, DOMINO Course, HAY BALES, Whatever you have, Create a Visual and Activity Driven Course.
Alter it, how does it function differently in each situation.
Document
Compare
Discuss
Finalize, Hypothesis VS. Results.
Cannonball run? Marble run?
Check out Kiwico.
They make and deliver STEAM projects for a fee. It’s a subscription
But they also have free online activities.
Make a Marble run…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJJfpuV3ne0&feature=youtu.be&utm_medium=email&utm_source=blast&utm_content=diy&utm_term=lgx&utm_ad=1172329&utm_campaign=lgx-30-042520
SCIENCE on SURVIVAL PROTEINS
on survival.... 11 animals you can eat if in a Survival Situation.
https://www.popsci.com/gross-animals-you-can-eat-to-survive/?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email
SCIENCE on SURVIVAL PROTEINS
on survival.... 11 animals you can eat if in a Survival Situation.
https://www.popsci.com/gross-animals-you-can-eat-to-survive/?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email
GEOGRAPHY
Need a break from being indoors, look out, here are some beaches to see.
Need a break from being indoors, look out, here are some beaches to see.
ASTRONOMY
Check out the Orion Constellation in the night sky with someone you trust.
Check out the Orion Constellation in the night sky with someone you trust.
STRATEGY
below, From The New York Times:
below, From The New York Times:
Classic Board Games With a Touch of Tech
How to use video conferencing to play traditional, real-life board games with people who are sheltering in different places.
Art.
Draw a tree house you would like to build.
Label and write a story about your adventures living there.
Image from Pinterest
Happy Monday. Thanks for stopping by my Blog.
Best wishes for a great day and week ahead,
Eliza
Happy Monday. Thanks for stopping by my Blog.
Best wishes for a great day and week ahead,
Eliza
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