"M week" part II

Yesterday my Kindergarten students made marble mazes in celebration of M week in which they are studying words that start with the letter and sound M. Maze and marble. are among many The kids loved the project and wondered if they'd be allowed to take them home. Of course. That's one of the important points of manual arts training. The work that goes home is better than grades at showing proficiency and understanding.At the Clear Spring School,  coloring, decorating and personalizing is an important part of the process, one that was overlooked in the early days of Educational Sloyd but that excites the kids of today.

Who needs a report card when kids have done very real things, that capture their interests and imaginations and demonstrate their growth.

I expect a similar experience today as I embark on a two day box making class for adults. Adults and children are not much different when it comes to learning. We learn best through guided play. We are pulled forward to learn new things because our imaginations have become captive in our explorations of self. The very odd thing is that we've public school's that ignore what we all know about the process of learning.

Make, fix and create. Assist others in learning likewise.