I have talked about this many times before. There are things that happen when we invest in each other. There are things that happen when we listen to real music rather than that on the iPod, or when we buy something someone we know made, rather than stuff made in China or some other still productive nation that was imported by multi-national corporations and sold in the big box store. The things that happen are these... someone is encouraged in their growth. Someone is given meaningful employment that leads to greater participation in community life. Homes, schools and relationships are made more stable. People see value in their own lives and find hope. We begin to feel neighborliness or experience what Ivan Illich called conviviality. Next comes joy.
What we often have instead is a state that can best be described as benumbedness. But we had none of that today in the woodshop. I won't be lying to tell you that wood working is a favorite subject at Clear Spring School.
The photos above and below are of the current first, second and third grade project, and of the first grade students at work.
They're having such a good time! And those toys will be prized possessions that will be saved for their own children.
ReplyDeleteMario
Looks like a great lesson at work.
ReplyDeleteDoug do you have plans for the workbenches you use with the kids? They look to be time tested, functional and safe.
I do have plans for the bench. You can contact me via email.
ReplyDeleteDoug