Klahanie School
May 2015 Newsletter
Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the
ones we move toward. When we are
listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.
- Karl Menninger
April 2015 Reflection
Thank you for such
wonderful conferences! As
always, the joy of sharing how your child is moving, feeling, exploring in
class is a fantastically fun experience!
We had a month full of amazing growths and connection as a
group. Being inspired by the
Compassionate Listening work I am thankfully afforded to practice and
experience trainings in; our circle times have been sprinkled with
compassionate listening exercises tailored for our young multi-age group. We have been playing a “listening game”
each day (the children have begun requesting) where a child holds the talking rock to share a story or
thought. We listeners then have
the fun job of listening to the facts and
take turns repeating them back.
We also ask the person what they felt, or will some times guess if
enough leading words are given during the story and ask if that was the feeling, the emotion? The last
step, if enough is shared in the facts and feelings, I help frame it with “it
sounds like you really enjoy or value having
quiet, independent time” or “…. time spent with family,” etc. to help highlight
the idea of an internal value which
are always positive, imbedded truths in all humans and what connects us to one
another. This story/listening
exchange along with greeting each and every person around our circle silently,
only with present and loving eye contact, are pillar foundations to the work of
Compassionate Listening peace development work. And the Klahanie School children are soaking it up!
This month we also have experienced a class of all boys more
frequently than not because the girls have been out of class for varying
reasons. This is a new experience
for both Patsy and I in the classroom, to have a classroom with only boys
present, and the rewards of such an experience have been plenty. This has also inspired me to re-look at
The Wonder of Boys: What Parents, Mentors
and Educators Can Do To Shape Boys Into Exceptional Men by Michael Gurian,
PH.D. a wonderful and practical book framed to help support boys becoming
sensitive and strong men. I share
this because I am floored by the level of empathy, connection and compassion
brought forth by this dynamic group of very young nine males. I feel deeply honored to be an educator
of such a loving group of Teamwork! And when the girls are here with us, it is
all the more rewarding!
Earth Day week we celebrated with many earth songs, planting
seeds, discussions of edible and non-edible and invasive and non-invasive
plants in our garden as well as releasing our Painted Lady butterflies. We also began more introductions
to our solar system.
March Curriculum Topics
Niche In Nature
I’ve got a Niche in nature,
no matter what you say.
I’ve got a niche in nature
and it’s going to stay that way.
We’ve each got a niche in
nature, whether we’re big or small.
If niches are protected
then there’s room enough for us all!
….
Butterfly Song
Ten little eggs all in a
mound, out come the caterpillars crawling around.
Then they will sleep and we
know why, out they immerge as butterflies.
Butterfly, butterfly what
lovely wings.
Flutter by, flutter by how
my heart sings.
Butterfly, butterfly I’d
like to know, when it rains, when it rains where do you go?
….
Bend and Stretch, reach for
the sky.
There goes Jupiter, there
goes Mars.
Bend and stretch, reach for
the sky
Stand on tippy toes oh so
high.
·
Our Solar
System!
·
Teamwork: All
groups that create teamwork
·
Bees: bee hives and teamwork, bee life cycle
and why they are so important
·
Cinco De Mayo:
More Spanish language
introduction, music/dance and foods (please feel free to share what you like
from Mexican culture and knowledge!)
·
Mamas! Mother’s Day love!
Reminders/Thank You
·
The last day of school
is moved to Wednesday June 17th:
o Classroom
sing-along at Noon
o Family end-year party potluck 5pm-7pm Dockton Park
·
Please
remember to put sunscreen on your child as well as supply them with a water
bottle. We will continue to do
our walks to Klahanie beach and having water available is very helpful. Thank you!
·
Thank you
Meaghan Goliday for organizing our Scholarship fundraiser! And to all those who sold, bought and
supported! This always goes a
long way!
·
Please
check out our Parent Reference on our school blog for some amazing children and
family book references we visited this month
