Inspiration for the Week
May 12th, 2008
Fav. Foto Friday – Folkmoot Edition, part deux
May 9th, 2008As if last Friday’s international celebration were not enough, the whole week following Folkmoot, the gym is transformed into an international bazaar called the “Learning Gallery.”
All the countries represented that year have a display;
here’s the Native American one:
It centers around a beautiful backdrop, painted by the art teacher (on a single bedsheet), in a postcard-style tribute to that country/culture. The artwork that each child made is also part of the display. There’s a variety of cultural items on display as well. And finally, each area has an engaging learning activity (or two) for that country/culture.
All the countries represented that year have a display;here’s the Native American one:
It centers around a beautiful backdrop, painted by the art teacher (on a single bedsheet), in a postcard-style tribute to that country/culture. The artwork that each child made is also part of the display. There’s a variety of cultural items on display as well. And finally, each area has an engaging learning activity (or two) for that country/culture.
Each child is given a “passport” (complete with school photo on their personal info page) and invited to explore every country they can (they’re listed in the passport).
You can visit India:
Play with cars in homage to Detroit:
Try to guess the English equivalent of certain Australian words:
Take a stroll through New York:
Color your very own flag of China:
[Elle’s class got to go through with their “4th grade reading buddies”]
Make paper butterflies in Chile:
Or, you can head over to Russia:
Where you can challenge a buddy to a game of chess:
Once you’ve had lots of fun at a particular country, you go to get your passport stamped for that country. You earn your stamp by sharing something you learned about or did in that country.
[Third graders and older must share 3 things.]
Then, it’s off to another country, like England, for a little futbol.
You can also simply admire the wonderful artwork created by your school-mates; like these carnival dancers from Brazil:
Russian artist inspired found object art:
or Greek pottery:
Banners from countries made in previous years, but not featured in the current year, are used to decorate the hallways. 
I know I said it before, but it bears repeating…
I LOVE this school!!!
Things That Make You Go Hmmmm
May 8th, 2008I’ve been deeply pondering this one lately.
I may have arrived at a personal action step.
I promise to share it next Tues.
I may have arrived at a personal action step. I promise to share it next Tues.
Extra. Extra.
May 7th, 2008Thank you Elle for reminding me just how beautiful dandelions are.
Politics
May 6th, 2008
How exciting it is to have so many strong, qualified, ethical women on the state ballot – even if only half of them end up elected, what an AWESOME Council of State we will have in NC!!
[for those out of the loop/state, we have the potential for a female: Governor, Auditor, Labor Commissioner, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Treasurer — whoo hoo!!]
Oh, and while we’re on the topic… a big shout-out to “women”, without whom we wouldn’t have an election – at least if my experience is the norm. It seems like poll-workers (selfless servants of democracy) are almost always AT LEAST 85% female. I’m just sayin’…
Inspiration for the Week
May 5th, 2008You become what you believe, not what you want.
Fav. Foto Friday – Folkmoot Edition!!
May 2nd, 2008You’re going to want to come back later to witness the most amazing, adorable, heart warming event you’ve seen in a while. Here they are all ready for it:
Today was my favorite day of the year – it’s Folkmoot at the girls’ school. Every year, each class chooses a country and they learn a traditional dance (during p.e.) from that country, as well as creating arts (in art class, of course) reflective of that culture. Then they get together and the whole school performs their dances in front of the whole school and families. It’s the most beautiful display of global kinship and unity I’ve ever seen at a school – and yes, I cry every year at some point.
In honor of Folkmoot [it was inspired by this], I must do a multiple photo posting – there’s just no way to capture it in one. ENJOY!!
It begins with the parade of nations, as representatives from each class
come in to show us what countries will be featured.
come in to show us what countries will be featured.
Some of the countries we saw were:
Chile
Egypt
Vietnam
England
China
Pouran danced the Tarantella from Italy
Brazil
Faith and her older brother, Vahid, check the
program to see what’s coming next
India
As usual, several classes did the United States. We had a tribute to Detroit (Motown), and Gabrielle did the bunny hop
and some fancy moves with her pink cadillac
there was a Native American friendship dance
North Carolina (cloggin’ to Cotton-Eyed Joe)
that’s the music teacher (in pink) and Faith’s teacher from last year leading the class (you can see the assistant teacher ducking out from a cirlce of kids in the back left)
The guaranteed crowd-pleaser, New York, New York
There was also a step dance and a cajun two-step.
And we always end with a cute little number from the teachers.
In total, there were 22 dances. Countries not pictured above:
Portugal, Greece, Mexico, Russia, and Australia.
Man! I LOVE this school!!
My "Extra $2 Tip"
April 30th, 2008So, as the Princess of Rizvania prepared herself the other morning, my husband asked me why I went through all that just to read a story. I told him it was HIS fault and got the usual “whaaa….???!” expression in response.
You see, when my husband and I were first married, we ate out ALOT. Not because I couldn’t cook (Hon, it was NOT because I couldn’t cook!), but because, with both of us working, we had the money and not much time (funny how things can 180 on ya). Anyway… my husband would typically leave “extra-large” tips, even if the service was average, which, as a former professional waitress, drove me nuts. [I liked to think you should EARN an extra-big tip by being totally awesome – which, in all honesty, I was – I totally LOVE serving people!] When I confronted him over this nasty habit, he simply explained, “How many opportunities do you get in this life to REALLY make someone’s day for only $2 more?”
So, yes, I could have gone to the school that morning in a nice outfit (not my sweats), and the kids would have enjoyed the story, but with just a small investment in time (15 min.) and a little creativity, I decided to give them an extra $2. You should have seen their faces – so how could I not?!
Inspiration for the Week
April 28th, 2008Fav. Foto Friday
April 25th, 2008Today I get to be the mystery reader for Gabrielle’s kindergarten class. Last time I came as the Queen of Sheba and told a story of my encounter with the wise King Solomon. 
I wonder who will show up today?!
pssst… I’ll give you a hint – I’m sticking with the royalty theme.
p.s. just got back – the Princess of Rizvania had a delightful time!