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Honoring Nature Poem
Here is a nature appreciation poem and activity that is especially popular in Helen's kindergarten class...
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Appreciating Internal Motivation
At our recent building fundraiser, Nitai Deranja, the co-director of Education for Life, gave an inspiring talk about the work we do at Living Wisdom Schools and why we do it. One of our goals at LWS is to create a schooling experience that is more internally motivated than externally motivated. When students feel safe and inspired, a curiosity bubbles up and learning occurs naturally...
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Holiday Generosity
In the Primary class, we've been reading lots of books about Christmas this last week before we go on our break (we studied Hanukkah and Solstice earlier in the month). The theme of many of the books is the old adage, "it's better to give than to receive," and the students have been really compelled by this saying. During show and tell this past Friday...
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The Polite Game
Our kindergarten teacher, Helen, teaches the students a game called the "Tea Party Polite Game" at the beginning of the year. The students sit down to tea and they brainstorm ways to be polite...
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Positive Regard
We love the work of Becky Bailey and Conscious Discipline here at Living Wisdom. Her philosophy of discipline is rooted in love, compassion, and respect, and she offers practical suggestions for how to implement the philosophy. One of her fundamental ideas is, "what you focus on, you get more of." Sometimes, we get stuck in a negative feedback loop with the kids in our lives...
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Welcoming Summer!
We have a tradition in the Primary class that helps us mark the transition into summer. I read my favorite book about summer to the students and then we make a list of our dreams and wishes for the summer...
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Affirmations in School
Lately, I've been enjoying introducing affirmations to the Primary class at various points in the day. I've found that doing a brief affirmation introduces sweet and positive spiritual moments throughout our day. We learn a new one weekly...
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Happy Winter!
At Living Wisdom Schools, we support the exploration and expression of all sorts of traditions and we focus on the Festivals of Light celebrated around the world this time of year. We ask our families to share their traditions we us, teach us something, and expand the possibilities of what we can do with our families. This diversity of traditions is a blessing and gift for our school community. Here is a poem to celebrate the Winter Solstice and the return of the Light. Hope you all have a blessed and light-filled beginning to your year! “I heard a bird singIn the dark of December A magical thingAnd sweet to remember.…
