Family Connections

One of our best resources for gaining knowledge is our families. Often, we invite our family and friends to share their talents or other ways they might be able to help with special events or classroom studies. To connect with the Cardinals ongoing conversations and learning on moment of silence and mindfulness practice we invited Lee, Evan’s daddy, to teach us an exercise. 

After our assembly, Lee stopped in and taught us about meditation. He first asked the Cardinals what they knew about meditation to which some replied, “Makes you feel happy”, “Better”, and “Peaceful.” Lee then explained to us that he and Evan meditate every day as a way for them to feel happier and healthier. He invited us to participate in a game by using our imagination. Lee first asked us to “think of a place you’d like to be that makes you feel happy”. Some of the responses were...

Radha – “Rainbow Land”

Kate – “Eagle Land”

Violet – “Ponyville”

Trace – “A police station”

Wyatt – “MagnaTile area”

Noel – “MagnaTile”

Lilly – “I wish I was in Pony Land”

Evan – “Florida”

Katy – “New Orleans”

Lee asked us to find a comfortable sitting position and shared an activity that would help us sit up straight, it required a “make believe string”. Ask us what it was! Lee then encouraged us to close our eyes and pretend we were in this special, magical place that we wanted to be in. Wow! The feeling of peace was certainly felt all around us. After opening our eyes, we began a discussion about the experience. “This is very good. Is like Meeting for Worship” was Jayden’s response. “I like meditation because it feels like when you’re sleeping and you have good dreams” remarked Trace.

Lee also talked to us about a “mind jar” and how it can help us appreciate mindfulness. He compared it to a snow globe. When shaken, it is filled with “snow”. Watching the snow settle helps us relax our unsettled feelings inside. He said he will be back another day and tell us more about it ... and help us make our very own. We can’t wait!  

Thanks Lee and Evan, for teaching us this wonderful tool to help us feel happier and healthier. Thank you!  

Later that morning, we were honored with the presence of Violet’s mommy, Kristen.  Kristen is a science teacher in our Middle School and when she learned that our class was  interested in studying birds, she informed us that her 5th grade students were also studying birds this year! Fifth graders were exploring bird feathers and Kristen volunteered to come into our classroom and share her expertise about birds as well as a special activity with feathers with our children.   We had a most informative discussion followed by a read aloud and a fun hands-on activity. Our next steps include visiting the 5th grade students in Kristens science class in Middle School and working together in an activity  relating to birds. 

Kristen read May Garelink’s book, What Makes A Bird A Bird? The Cardinals got the chance to play scientists as Kristen posed some thought provoking questions; “Is a bird a bird because it flies?” “Is a chicken a bird?” “Is a bird a thing that sings?” “What is the special thing that makes a bird a bird?” Do you know? Ask your Cardinal, she or he will tell you.

Thanks, Kristen, for all your teachings. And, thank you for adding to our theme of study library books! 

Connecting home and school in authentic ways creates meaningful experiences for our children on so many important levels.  The sense of pride that both Evan and Violet experienced in sharing their family with their 'school family' was evident from the moment their parents entered our classroom. Children young and old ( as well as adults too!) are searching for connections in their world and the natural progression of sharing their parents with their school friends and teachers supports one of our underlying goals of building and developing our Community together. By making meaningful connections with our children's families, we become a closer family at AFS.   The added gift is the wonderful learning experiences that we all grow from when our families share their interests and experiences with us. 

 It takes a village... we teach and learn together is an joyous and loving way together.....