Last year, and the year before, Max was a part of the Pilot program. He was here for me when I was on parental leave, caring for an infant. I, in turn, got to be here for him and help him learn the ropes of running a program like the Pilot. One that allows for freedom to learn what you want, but creates a structure that works for each individual. At the end of last school year Max got a job running the Big Picture Program at South Burlington High School. Last Tuesday, we took a bus up there to visit him and have a day of student-led workshops with our two programs. At this time of year we hope that students have found a structure that really works for them. Some are still realizing that they really should be organizing their time and using a planner, yes. But others are really rolling. Writing thousands of words, organizing events, making, thinking. We took this trip to highlight how it’s been going and to see a bit of the similarities and differences that personalizing learning in two different schools in Vermont can bring. In the morning, after some comradery exercises lead by Max and Maddie, Avery gave us a short presentation on the difference between perfectionism and excellence as pertains to their years and years of flute playing. As pertains to wanting to be very good at something but not allowing perfect to be the goal. Avery guided us to understand more about WHY we are doing the project that we are doing. When we have more choice – should the choice not have more internal motivation wrapped in it? After a pizza lunch we had an afternoon with student workshops. Knives taught people how to make zines (say zeeens, people, like mag-a-zine), Eli looked at storytelling and poetry, some made music and did character development with the BP students leading. We got on the bus, a little late, and headed back to U-32 with just enough time to miss the busses (for some, sorry Annaliese). Pilot students saw that they have quite a bit more freedom to choose how they go about their project work. Big Picture students have freedom to choose what topic they study but the structure is a bit more there. For better or worse. It all depends on the human learning. And now... for a break. Short as it maybe, the fall is a long haul and this will be our first five days off in a row. I hope that you find some restoration over next week and that you get to be with those that you love and the people that support you. The holidays create a great opportunity for joy and belonging for some and for others it can be quite the opposite. Remember to reach out when you can to people that might need a friend at this time.
And listen to some good music too! I’ve been listening to the song The World Turned Upside Down by Billy Bragg a lot. I like Billy Bragg quite a bit but I would not choose to listen to this song several times a day without it being requested by my kid. He got into it simply because the lyrics contain the word “diggers” and therefore “play digger song” is a common request. Luckily we already owned the 45 – so it’s to abide his request at home. With this daily listening I’ve been paying attention to the lyrics in a way that I haven’t before. Today in Seminar we are going to have a brief discussion about a section of these lyrics that seem to have a particular connection with our impending holiday. Give a listen and let us know what you think. In summary and to say it with a bit of levity: humans can be very silly. Have an excellent break -- we will be back with more updates in December as the end of the semester approaches. Be well, amyK
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