Dear parents,
Hope you had an easy week surrounded by loved ones and a steady rhythm to your days. We’ve been lucky to receive some warm sunlight this past week, it has been uplifting during this time. This past week was especially hard for us upon hearing the news that all Georgia schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year. This is certainly not how we imagined the year would go, but trust that it is all for the best. We hope to continue connecting with our students by bringing our Garden to your homes through our virtual classroom.
This week Ki Holly shared a very timely and beautiful story called, “The Great Pause”. It is about a kingdom made up of four villages- North, South, East, and West, each one ruled by a kind queen. The people in each of the kingdoms worked very hard and while the adults worked, the children would play in a magical forest near a special well, where they were tasked with collecting water in a bucket at the end of the day to bring back to their village. But something strange happened when one friend drank from the bucket- the boy stood as still as a statue, as if he turned to stone. As each child returned to their respective village with their buckets full of water, it wasn’t long before the same thing happened to those who came in contact with the strange water. The people of the kingdom didn’t know what to do, so they asked the queens for help. The queens came together and decided they would have all the well water removed and the bottom of the well was to be inspected. When they sent down a bird to inspect the bottom of the well, they found a suspicious stone covered in moss at the bottom, “Old moss woman!” the queens called out together. Have a listen with your child if you haven’t yet, and find out how a new joy was found in all the kingdoms after that.
For activities this week, we offered a yarn and stick craft where your child could wrap yarn around a stick found in your yard. This is a fun and creative project that requires few materials. The outcome can be beautiful and there are many ways you can use this new colorful stick, such as making a wall hanging. Another stick activity we offered is the nature paintbrush craft, where your child can create paint brushes using things they may find in a nature walk- leaves, flower petals, dried grass. Wrap the nature item to the stick with a rubber band and your child can create a set of their own nature paint brushes! For the practical work, the children could polish wood using simple ingredients that you likely have at home. The children love polishing crayons at school, this will be a similar experience.
We also provided a fun superhero activity, which could physically challenge the kids- from balancing, to hopping, to stretching their body in all sorts of fun ways! This is a fun activity that will get their hearts pumping and is sure to make them laugh! Another activity that requires focus and helps with balancing and coordination is the outdoor chalk walk, where you may use chalk to draw different kinds of paths- squigly, zigzag, and so on and have your child walk it, or hop it, you can get creative!
We also introduced a new Spring circle song called “In my Garden”, it’s a sweet song that really reminds you of all the goodness of Spring.
A delicious snack bar recipe was also shared that requires no baking! This can be a good treat for your child and they can also help you to make it!
Finally, we also provided two stories that the children are already familiar with; they love these stories and this may bring comfort to them to hear it again.
Thank you for all that you do and we wish you all well.
The Sun with loving light
Makes bright for me each day,
The soul with spirit power
Gives strength unto my limbs,
In sunlight shining clear
I revere, Oh Great Spirit
The strength of humankind,
Which Thou so graciously
Has planted in my soul,
That I with all my might,
May love to work and learn.
From Thee stream light and strength
To Thee rise love and thanks.
—Rudolf Steiner