North Carolina Friends School

Another deep clean breath of fresh air. I could simply feel the respect and genuine learning taking place here. The pictures alone show what fun they have here while they learn. A Vietnamese Pig rescue pen for pigs that have been let go in the wilds of North Carolina. An hand elevator for books up to the loft in the library. A row of boots for all students to wear when exploring in the bog. I had a wonderful conversation with Frances, the biology teacher about the wonderful relationships formed between students and the teachers, students and the school, students and administrators. Everyone seems to actually listen to one another and respond - a hallmark of Friends Schools.

Exploring & Learning Today in North Carolina

The fun things I've done this week with my 18 month grandson (a challenging age for hands on projects) (while his parents are taking exams as first year MBA students) has been making pinecone bird feeders, baking cookie cutter sugar cookies, making sheet forts and pillow castles, doing acrobatics like flying angels and flips together, and making play dough. He's great because he never puts stuff in his mouth. He never does projects like these so it's been great fun. He's loved it. One activity he was too young for was the visit to the library where he jumped on the couch, ran into walls of book shelves, and hated, hated waiting in line 15 minutes to check out the 10 truck books I got. He loves the books however. He'll learn. Today I explored Chapel Hill and Durham, North Carolina shops trying to buy netting to cover the crib because my large 18 month grandson (looks like a 3 year old) is climbing out of his crib. These nets seem to be common for many parents these days on the standard crib. Why don't I remember using anything to keep my children in their crib through the night? Did we not need them because there were no real "safety standards" on the cribs then? Can anyone enlighten me on this minor problem. Ultimately there were no nets in any of the stores. It's evidently an online item only. We took the crib turned it around so the higher side that had been against the wall is in front and we shoved it into a corner for the back and side wall. I used a child door safety gate between the wall and a part of the crib for the fourth wall. Interesting. So that's what I explored and learned today. Problem solved until the net comes. Also as I took my grandson for a walk Bartlett Tree workers warned me of a bee hive that had been sawed down during their work and was now on the ground. They couldn't touch it because it was their understanding that bees are protected from being destroyed right now. Any insight on that issue? Explore, teach, Explore, learn, teach.

It;s National Play outside Day!

Let children explore themselves outside. Teachers assign daily homework with an outside component. Set up your sundial outside with the 12 pointing north. Try jump roping 10 times or more. Come in with your record of how many times you could jump in a row. Think of an assignment for the class to do outside. I went to an MIT social where a gentleman spoke about efficiency in businesses started by Demming. a leader in talking about ways to get quality and still be efficient. He was instrumental in getting Toyota to become the world's greatest car maker beginning in the 50s. What I learned today: There are nine frogs indigenous to New Hampshire. The peeper differs from the tree frog because it has an x on its back. There is a leaopard and jaguar frogs with spots. Leopards have square spots. Questing is a fun way to explore: SEE valleyquest.org, Letterboxing.org or orienteering or using a GPS in geocaching.org Lots of fun ways to go outside and find treasure boxes all over the world. Check it out. In future posts expect lots more websites that will be helpful in exploring.