Our school year is in full swing. The weather is changing, final crops are being harvested and friendships have been formed as we enter fall, let's reflect on some of the learning and fun that we've had in the Children's Garden.
The mud kitchen has become a staple in our outdoor classroom. Each classroom we see children drawn into the messy environment, seeking what the Mud Kitchen has to offer. Messy, Child lead environments are where we relationships being fostered, creativity and imagination emerging, and fine and gross motor skills being used constantly. We followed the students lead and noticed that we needed a dedicated mud kitchen area. It was decided that the sand pit would become the new mud kitchen. After the sand was removed from the triangle, students helped transform the space into our new mud kitchen. Students navigated challenges such as how to transport all of the soil and how to share tools. Teachers helped scaffold conversations about how to share space, tools and ideas. Disagreements and conflicts between students throughout the project were an important part of the learning because we were able to guide the students through it towards a shared desired outcome. Classes also constructed the design and decided where the kitchen structure should go. Some students in 101 even helped Dana and Nick move the kitchen!
Our students have also taken pride in their work. We've heard them say, "we're working so hard!" And "we helped build this!" Working together on a shared project is a practice of B'rit, because it engaged the students with each other and their environment. Their pride in the project has helped build a sense of community. Students felts heard and their desires were honored. When we listen to the ideas of children, amazing things can happen.
Pictured below you will see some of the work the students did. Together they helped moved 20 bags of soil! And they moved countless wheelbarrows full of dirt from the old mud kitchen to the new area. Even the babies of 114 were involved. They were some of the first students to try out the new area! The students are already sharing their ideas of what is needed next. Stay tuned for what else emerges in the mud kitchen as students continue to construct their mud kitchen learning.
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