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My time at the school house has always been inspiring. Who wouldn’t be inspired being in that creative environment immersed in love? However, today things happened on a whole other level and I caught a glimpse of how wonderfully amazing learning can be.
After spending too much time last night researching un-inspired, tired, old Thanksgiving crafts I narrowed it down to a couple options. I presented my “exciting” idea to the 1st group who were apathetic at best but compliant nonetheless. And I am pretty certain a few “important” things were learned as we talked about the cornucopia and made collages of the different foods served at Thanksgiving meals past and present. The next go around I offered this project and was met with the same un-enthusiastic response from the 2nd group of kids, I said “ok, then what do you want to do?” Almost immediately the kids started throwing out ideas of what they wanted. Here is a quick rundown of what transpired.
Alaira invented a new crocheting technique using toothpicks and yarn which she taught to Sophia and Lola which turned into making clothes like the pilgrims wore. I took that opportunity to introduce the book “A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl” and showed and read to them a few pages about the work they had to do, clothes they wore etc. We chatted about how many clothes were in their (our girls) closets at home today and what they thought the quantity of clothes the Pilgrim girls had. We talked about having to make each piece of clothing by hand with limited materials vs going to the store to buy any hundreds of options.
Lola, who had discovered the sewing boxes the day before quickly choose to work with those materials again. She threaded the needles and I showed her how to double the thread and tie a knot then we pulled out the buttons and she began to sew them on. She kept building on her idea with more excitement in each new idea that popped up in her head- making a gingerbread girl out of felt then sewing it on to the other felt piece she decorated with buttons. She could not find the brown color felt she wanted so she decided to color the gray piece brown (very resourceful).
Sophia became quickly engaged in the minute details of making a ballerina doll with felt and markers, feathers and pipe cleaners. Liam, pretty much uninterested in the clothes and doll making was watching Alaira with the toothpicks and started tinkering with them. I offered a few suggestions of items he could make relating to the Thanksgiving story and his eyes showed a glint of interest when I suggested a boat. So a boat it was; the Mayflower was what I called it. The same name as the one the 1st pilgrims came over on from England. He then got out the corks and I watched him become completely engaged in building using toothpicks, corks and tape; and more tape. Then everyone thought tape was a good idea for all of their various projects. So I bit my tongue and let the roll dwindle down though I did try to suggest glue a couple times. Gavin saw Liam’s design and quickly decided to begin building his own creation with corks and toothpicks.
Damon came over and watched for a couple minutes then turned around and pulled out the popsicle sticks and started toying with them. “Hey!” I said, “That reminds me of the houses the Pilgrims had to build.” “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking!” he said excitedly, big smile and bright eyes. Nothing at all like the glazed over look in the eyes of the kids (my own included) who were following my chosen project of the Thanksgiving collage a little while earlier. So I then got a few other books including “The Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy” and opened to pages that showed the houses that were built out of planks they brought from England and rough wood from chopped trees and thatched roofs.
All of this took place in the Atelier, around the light table, me sitting on a stool casually mentioning things about the 1st Thanksgiving and how it related to what they were each working on. 5 girls, 3 boys standing around the table, completely, effortlessly and passionately engaged in their chosen work. The table was stocked full of felt, pipe cleaners, markers, feathers, corks, toothpicks, construction paper, sewing kits, glue, scissors, yarn, popsicle sticks and tape. The Zen of learning unfolded before my eyes.
Creative thinking, problem-solving, geometry, measurements, math, art, co-operation, sharing, turn-taking, community, support, fine motor coordination, history, listening, pride and accomplishment were all at that table. There was no fighting or resistance, even with only 1 roll of tape! They were working individually, simultaneously yet together on a bigger level of creative energy which flowed easily around the room. One idea would pop up then inspire another, then another. They took quick breaks to look up from their work, just long enough to see a friend’s project, make a contribution to the Thanksgiving conversation or show me or their friend how awesome what they were doing was.
And it was.
-Michelle
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Yes. Give them what they need to thrive, and then get out of their way.
(And note to ourselves to pick up more tape. In bulk!)
Project-based learning doesn't have to be all or nothing. It doesn't have to be your entire curriculum (although it could be), so if you're a structured Latin-loving Classicist, or a relaxed unschooler, project-based learning can still be brought in. It should be. Carve out time for your children to do self-chosen project-time. Our role as parents and educators is to be there to offer support, but not do it for them.
Even for those families who don't plan to homeschool long-term, or be a part of our co-op long term, I strongly encourage you to get your hands on this book, read it, and try implementing some of these things at home. Your children will thank you!
