We had a lovely week finishing up our study of Ancient India. We continued our celebration of Dival - mehendi (decorating our hands with henna), rangoli (making designs from colored sand which we dyed ourselves), and having Divali treats, thanks to Molly Parker. We were ready to light our diyas, but discovered on Thursday morning that the critters of the woods really liked them. Two of the lamps were eaten completely, and two more were chewed on. We’ll just have to make some more and protect them from the critters next time. They were made from a wheat flour mixture and baked.
Each morning we enjoyed circling around the fire and starting our morning there. We appreciated the stack of wood that Russell Hollister sent us. The students learned the poem, Brahman, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, as a part of the block. Here it is:
If the red slayer think he slays,
Or if the slain think he is slain,
They know not well the subtle ways
I keep, and pass, and turn again.
Far or forgot to me is near;
Shadow and sunlight are the same;
The vanished gods to me appear;
And one to me are shame and fame.
They reckon ill who leave me out;
When me they fly, I am the wings;
I am the doubter and the doubt,
I am the hymn the Brahmin sings.
The strong gods pine for my abode,
And pine in vain the sacred Seven;
But thou, meek lover of the good!
Find me, and turn thy back on heaven.
They would benefit from reciting regularly, especially the last verse. When we return I want to video our reciting this poem for the next 1st Friday Assembly.
I do hope you will enjoy the Thanksgiving Break. This Thanksgiving we have so much to be grateful for, and yet we pine for family traditions that just can't happen this year. I want to take this moment to say how thankful I am to be a part of The Garden School, to be a part of the lives of your children, and to be safe from the pandemic.
Some of my students had a difficult time with the virtual learning in the Spring. On Wednesday there were two students absent, so we went inside and zoomed them in for the morning. I did this to make sure those two students did not miss the final story in our block, and also to show all of them the format we will be following when we are at home. I ask that you do the following to augment the experience for your child:
Please find a space for your child to have class that is quiet, and where they won’t be interrupted during the lessons.
They have a green bag which has all of their supplies and lesson books. Please help them keep these supplies organized, and ready to come back to school on Dec. 7.
Math practice assignments will need to be printed. If you do not have a printer, let me know so that I can either mail the hard copies to you or bring them by your house.
All main lessons will be live. I will also record these lessons and post when they are available for re-watch. Some of the specials classes will be live and others will be pre-recorded. Time slots have been allotted during the school day for each of these classes.
If you have any concerns about remote learning, please reach out so that we can talk and hopefully make the week successful for all of us. I will be available beginning Saturday, November 28, to answer questions, concerns, or coordinate delivery of additional materials. During the week, if you have questions, please feel free to contact me anytime after classes end at 12:30.
Have a great week!!!
Blessings and gratitude,
Kathee
