Week 10 Update - Ms. Drea’s Explorers
Dear Parents,
Just like that, it was the end of the Fall semester. We read a lot of books this week, focused on gratitude and Native American Heritage month. Your children aren’t telling fibs, but I did misspeak when I said there were 600, not 500, federally recognized tribes living today in the U.S. Hearing the children attempt pronunciation of federally and recognized was magic. They are so hungry to hear about our neighbors and I encourage you to learn more together.
In case any of you would like to bring the books home, they were Feeling Thankful by Shelley Rottner, Ancient Thunderby Leo Yerxa and Many Nations— an Alphabet of Native America by Joseph Bruchac.
For adult reading (about children) I have to recommend Native American History for Kids with 21 Activities by Karen Bush Gibson, Thanksgiving Address translated by John Stokes and Kanawahienton (David Benedict of the Turtle Clan and Mohawk Nation) AND a new one to me (thanks to our director Bridget Kelley) In the Three Sisters Garden by JoAnne Dennee.
Everyone stomped their feet like horse’s hooves to Ancient Thunder and well pretty much all day! Friday, we went on a hike through the opposite side of the creek in search of Twist Leaf Yucca. We found it, and we beat it down… and we made the most beautiful mistakes attempting primitive cordage. Saturday’s bunch was way too jazzed for that kind of project and besides, I’d found a yucca right in our free play area. Ouch!? Instead, we got lost looking for Friday’s new entrance to the creek and ran up and down its edge on our way to say farewell to the cows.
Blind Samurai felt almost perfunctory on Friday (Saturday we forgot it and everyone complained). Explorers were so cold they preferred to close their eyes and try to kick their hands and their bottoms and run in place to warm up. Friday we fed the chickens a special oatmeal treat and Explorers discussed whether or not they wanted herbs in their oatmeal while we mixed it. (Consensus was no) Saturday’s explorers tasted herbs and veggies-- or didn't-- as we told them all goodbye.
We also tasted wax beans from my garden and Boggy Creek, ate homegrown kabocha squash muffins and popcorn (courtesy of Texas owned Homestead Gristmill). Hopefully next Fall we’ll be sampling these treats from Hamilton Pool Farms own CSA. The Three Sisters guided both our days really. The children heard one of many origin tales about them. Ask them to share it. See if they remember!
For those who do home gardening, growing squash, beans and corn with companion herbs and flowers (Three Sisters) is such a wonderful learning opportunity. It’s a story dear to me, having 3 sisters myself, as it praises both the gifts of individuality and the magic of symbiotic relationships. Symbiosis-- simplicity and complexity in one. Aren’t we all discovering what mutual benefit means?
In the Explorer class, we’re still discovering what personal benefit means. Sometimes it can be so challenging to let children feel what they feel. How many times have we let “it’s ok” spew forth as our child’s behavior clearly indicates it isn’t ok? The amount of interceptions that take place in class sometimes resemble a football flea flicker. On paper, Wilderness Awareness sounds hip and right on. Yet we can be so averse to our child actually experiencing not only the wilderness outside themselves, but also the wilderness within themselves too. For new humans still learning about their own selves— that self awareness is tantamount. The fires and (functioning) cordage have plenty of time.
We’re all so lucky to have little teachers besides us to learn both. I’m so lucky that you all trust me to share in that learning. Navigating this understanding while keeping all the children safe is a real challenge that rewards my soul and brings great meaning to my life. I can’t thank you all enough for letting me be a part of that. Goodbye until Winter Camp and/or Winter Semester. Haven’t signed up? Do it here!
Until then,
Drea M.