Creation

Last week we had the third great lesson, and I introduced the Fundamental Needs of Humans. We went for a walk down the lonely trail in the adjacent property (which, I know, is *lovers' lane* for high school sweethearts), and we found ourselves almost isolated in the middle of the city. The trees effectively blocked out the view and most of the sounds of the busy street in front of the school, and we were able to imagine . . . what might it have been like to live here before modern times? It was longer than most lessons, but the students stuck with it pretty well.

(Side note: while we were heading out we passed a high school algebra class that was outside using sidewalk chalk to work math problems in the cul-de-sac. I filed this idea away for later. Sidewalk chalk! Brilliant!)

After the lesson we went back to class, and Kati and I introduced the project day assignment: investigating ways to meet the fundamental needs of humans in pre-modern times. The students were stoked, and I expected great things.

Friday was the first project day, and we had an awesome curriculum training day. Lois is so amazing. Her ideas . . . I tell you, she could write books! Maybe she does, I don't know, but if she were to put all of her wisdom down, it would take the ages to read through it all. She introduced extensions on the fundamental need for nutrition - the bread party that we did last year and a thought provoking lesson on how much we have, and how so many have so little. I plan to do it on Wednesday.

While we were training, the students were home working on their project day submissions. Today we got to see what they came up with, and it was astonishing! So many fantastic creations, I could not have been prouder of my kids. After we shared our projects, we talked about creating our own classroom civilization. Kati sat down with them and led the group through a discussion that ended up with the students choosing to settle near a sandy seashore with a forest nearby in a temperate climate. We talked about what resources would be available, and then we turned the kids loose. They had been divided into groups or committees focusing on each of the five fundamental needs, and they spent the last hour of the day solving problems of shelter, nutrition, defense, clothing and transportation. I can't wait to see what they come up with.

Tomorrow is Timp Lodge. The students are looking forward to it. I am too, but I'll be glad when it's over. Field trips are always stressful.