Some "Why's" For Our Week

This week was quite busy, and the blog consisted almost entirely of "what's" - I told you what we did and posted an enormous number of pictures of your beautiful children. So now, I'd like to take a few moments to talk about a few of the "why's" - the reasons and reasoning behind a couple of our activities.

Still Life Drawing and Perspective-Taking

On Thursday, at Morning Meeting, we had a still life set up in the middle of our circle. I explained how artists use still life's to create paintings and drawings, and we also talked about the pencil and eraser as particularly good tools to work with, because of the ability to fix mistakes and to change a drawing. Then, I asked the Catbirds to help me draw, by breaking the still life into shapes. Now, obviously, this is a lesson in art and art-making. It is also a lesson in geometry. It requires careful observational skills, and an ability to translate what they are seeing into words - to communicate accurately to the listener. Thus, it is a lesson in language and communication. Friends were encouraged to raise their hands and take turns - a lesson in self control.

Friends were eager to help with the drawing and were excited about the shapes coming together to form the kangaroo. However, a few minutes into our project, one Catbird began to emphatically insist that the kangaroo had TWO eyes, while others could only see ONE! Then, to confuse matters further, other friends reported that they couldn't see ANY!

WHAT WAS HAPPENING? Friends enthusiastically began to compare notes, and started to move themselves around the circle, to see what their friends were seeing. Now THIS was the most exciting lesson of all - the dawning realization that things look different from different perspectives. This is such a key part of development for many of the Catbirds right now, so it was thrilling to see them struggle with the idea.

Wrestling? Really?

As you know, we also went to the triangle gym on Friday for a wrestling demonstration (after having had an introduction to the basic rules and equipment in the Commons last week). A few friends were beyond excited - having asked every day for a week and a half if it was Wrestling Day. 

So why are we learning about wrestling? Well, our interest in wrestling began early in the year, as friends playfully, and sometimes not-so-playfully, wrestled with one another. For some Catbirds, rough housing is a favorite activity, and we have worked hard to find safe ways for them to engage in physical play. There are many benefits to this kind of play, and research to back it up: 

In Praise of Rough Housing

What is often missing for our kids, is the understanding around parameters as well as the ability to exercise the necessary physical control. So first, thanks to some great Catbird parents, we introduced yoga. This is encouraging kids to stretch and strengthen their bodies, and to develop balance and control. And, while yoga has a myriad of benefits for the Catbirds, it was not getting at the itch for rough and tumble play. That's where another parent, and wrestling, came in. 

Our wrestling lessons have given the Catbirds a new respect for the art, and an awareness of how important it is to wrestle safely. Having the wrestling coach and middle schoolers to demonstrate and teach them moves has given them a new lens to consider how they move and their physical impact. 

Perhaps most importantly, this study lets the Catbirds know that their interests are important, and valued. We want them to understand that school is a place where exploration is encouraged and curiosity is satisfied. Plus, its been a whole lot of fun!