What's New at LFS

The third grade class was a beehive of activity as they dove into their study of China and began preparing for Gathering.  Some students worked on calligraphy and tried to get the tones down for simple Chinese words. Others worked on costumes.  A couple of students organized a dance.  A dragon emerged from various scraps of cardboard, paper and material.  Three students created a beautiful map of china and added tape to show the three major topgraphic regions.  The learning was varied and driven by the passions of the particular students.       (from Tr. Alison's Weekly Notes)

First and second grade students --that's whoooo.  Tr. Jill's class presented all that they've learned about owls in a week-long investigation (as part of their study of Night) today at Gathering. Students shared information about the owl's body, owl sounds, and the lifecycle of the owl. We all learned about different kinds of owls, what owls eat, where owls live, how owls survive, and about male and female owls. Students also shared their portraits of owls with the audience.  Now the class will begin their independent research on a nocturnal animal.

It's September and all of the classrooms have been working to articulate a way that they want to come together as a learning community.  We are guided by Responsive Classroom practice and by Quaker process.  Students and teachers spend days thinking about their hopes and dreams for the year, what they need to be successful students, and their dual roles in school.

Coming to consensus on these class guidelines is not easy work.  We propose, we argue, we sift, and we reflect as each new idea is presented.  Walk into any classroom during this process and you might see frustration, joy, compromise, serious discussion, and a great deal of personal sharing.  You will see everyone involved in this very important work of creating community.  You might hear young friends being encouraged to talk to their brains so that they can discover what they really think about an idea.  Sometimes kids get stuck and sometimes they spend a considerable amount of time haggling over the wording.  Just when the process feels stalled, someone envisions a way forward.

The time is well spent.  Kids encounter the power of learning and creating in community.  They are empowered by having to take ownership of this process.  They are excited to share this tangible evidence of their budding classroom identity.  We hope you enjoy reading these statements of identity written by the students of Lansdowne Friends School.  (Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten are currently in the process of developing their rules.)

The bell will ring at 8:05 and the day will start at 8:15 despite today's weather.  There are reports of flash flooding.  Please be careful driving!