Willow and Birch Rooms

Students are now in high gear preparing their projects for next week's museum.  As we move closer to our final week, it is great to see the high level of collaboration and cross-fertilization among their topics; students learn from watching one another and constantly jump in to lend one another a hand with brainstorms and hands-on work.

Several of our older students have taken their turn teaching the class about a personal interest.  We have had student-led lessons on sign-language (Sam), making a six-pointed star (Emeline), assembling the hardware on a skateboard (Riley), decorating pastries with frosting (Ernie), and judging gymnastics events (Leila).

In our U.S. history studies, the class has been especially engaged in recent work on the Bill of Rights. Students reviewed three Supreme Court decisions on how the Bill of Rights applies to students' freedom of expression and privacy in schools. After reviewing a 1969 case about students' right to wear black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, students then applied the court's reasoning to determine if a student had the right to wear a t-shirt that said, "Mexicans go home," in the context of the current immigration debate. The discussion was lively and thoughtful as students weighed their moral reasoning against the language of both the court decision and the First Amendment. Consensus emerged that the hypothetical t-shirt would not pass the 'disruption test' as outlined in the court decision and should therefore not be allowed.

We are still looking for parents to join us next Friday, December 19th, at 9:00AM for present-making.  You would lead small groups of students in a craft project that you could bring in, or we could introduce.  Please contact Tom if you can help!

Finally, it is mandatory that all students have adequate snow gear here at school, including snowpants and snowboots.  The success of our outside time depends on this.

Museum next week:

Thursday 2:00-3:00

Friday 8:30-9:00

See you there!

Every morning in opening circle we are treated to recitations of anthology poems, recently composed sonnets, and guardian poet presentations, which include a short biography, an explanation of the poet's style, and what the student loves about their chosen poet.  The presentation also includes memorized recitations of two of the poet's poems.  It is wonderful to have the ringing of words, thoughts, and passions reverberating throughout the classroom.

Along the way students have been writing lots and lots of poetry and are working with Finn to pick two of their favorite original creations to redraft and redraft and redraft again.  All of this concerted effort is in preparation for next week's Poetry Café.  Poetry Café is Thursday, December 18^th at 7pm and will be held in our beautiful new theater.  All are welcome to listen to these emerging, creative, and profound voices and to enjoy a celebratory reception afterwards.

Here is a student poem to whet your appetite:

Me to Deer by Mira Capcara

I saw a deer bounding across the road

just under the little dipper

I ran the road

and bright eyes appear in the darkness of night

I'm glued in place by surprise and fright

One jump and the deer stands there 

Held in the middle of the road

Mom slammed the brakes

Its eyes were glowing

Bright light blinding me

confining me, binding me

Then sudden release from fear

and the call of early fall's saplings

The deer jumped out of sight 

Into the the darkness of night

Josh and Finn parse words.

Soup glee

Middle School happiness

Ski Equipment Sales