Rituals and Traditions

As we finish up Session 5 one day ahead of schedule (when we move, I will miss every aspect of this schoolhouse except the agonizing decisions over whether to cancel school in the rain!), I'm reflecting on the highlights thus far. In several ways, this was perhaps my favorite session. At least, the last two weeks were. It was so gratifying to see them, even those who struggled with focus for the first few weeks, diving into their Ancient Greece projects and feeling the satisfaction of producing their own best work and presenting it to their peers and parents. This was real engagement.

One thing I've seen unfold in our classroom over the year is a core of rituals and traditions that holds our culture together. It's like a community liturgy that helps the kids to feel secure and connected -- and hopefully loved.

(Miles is a Master Hugger.)

• The daily schedule. It rarely changes. 
• Launches and closes -- nowadays punctuated, every single time, with our "Konichiwa Circle." We go around the circle, bowing respectfully to one another and giving hugs. They will not let me forget this!
• Birthday ceremonies. On or near a classmate's birthday, the "Birthday Jar" sits out all day. We all fill it with notes wishing them happy birthday and highlighting what we love about them. At closing, someone reads the notes aloud to the birthday child, we clap however many times correspond with their new age, and we sing "Happy Birthday."
• Call and response. At Quuddle before lunch, especially since we've been focusing on self-control, I say to them, "I am a king!" They reply, "For I know how to rule myself." At closing, the very last exchange is this: "The Lord be with you!" "And also with you!" 
• The chore jar. This is a new one -- studio maintenance jobs are written on Popsicle sticks. Everyone draws one each afternoon, places the stick in his or her pouch on the door, and is responsible for that chore during Studio Maintenance. The two Cleaning Champions supervise. 
• MPH (Math Power half Hour). When this is done each day, the Worker of the Week chooses a quick activity that gets everyone running around outside, or dancing inside on a rainy day, for five minutes (timed by Abigail). 

We still have plenty of little wrinkles to smooth out during an average week, but my hope is that they feel the mess and effort are worth the work, because they're invested in belonging to a strong community. 

Enjoy your break, and we'll see you in Session 6!