Checking In and Asking Questions
We made a decision to set intentions and amplify them through positive affirmations and action steps. We asked each other, “What do we want?” In this way, the theme of our official first day of homeschool became: “Intention.”
We started the school day with a morning fire, with a drizzle falling in the woods. We expressed our gratitude and shared our ideas for the day ahead, setting our intentions. Gabriel, age 5, asked what intention means, and several of us answered: “It’s like a goal,” said Tiger, age 11. We agreed an intention can be a goal, a plan, and a commitment.
Naturally, this conversation transitioned to the subject of positive affirmations. Tiger demonstrated: “I am happy to be here.” We took turns affirming we are safe, strong, and living well. Passing the Talking Stick, we explored, discovered, and shared our intentions for the day. We stated them aloud as affirmations, e.g. “I’m glad we get this chance to put our energy into something important to us.”
Rosalie shared her appreciation for passionflowers with us.
Ocean’s big brother Tiger helped him out when his feet were too sore to walk.
While the natural elements held space for our school session, we demonstrated the use of sacred cedar, and we talked about what it means to bless ourselves. We practiced this by holding a hand to the gut to represent our willpower, holding the other hand to the heart. In this way, we focused on our feeling and willing.
We also discussed prayer, and we asked the question: “What does spirit mean to you?” We heard lots of answers: “Soul,” “God,” “Emotion,” “Elements,” “Everything,” and many others. I offered my interpretation, then I spoke aloud a prayer of thanks for all the people present on our first day of homeschool.
Before leaving the fire, we sang a few songs, including “The Animals Come.” Then we turned on our imaginations with a scouting mission for animal shapes in the trees, finding an alligator, a dolphin, an elephant… Rosalie made everyone laugh when she started clapping loudly at the ground and yelling, “Wake up the worms!”
Our sweet dog, Honey, joined us for the outdoor adventure
It was a hot dog summer day, cooled by a refreshing rainstorm.
And then we agreed to transition into our next activity: bocce ball. This game was an absolute blast, and one of the best parts is that everyone was a winner at some point. Our youngest kid, Ocean, won three rounds in a row.
Ocean, smiling, brings lots of laughs to the school group.
Some of the next activities included a visit to a rope swing over a muddy pond, where Daniel and Tiger took turns playing Supertarzan. They whittled spears, under supervision, gaining trust with the use of knives. Rosalie assisted in the kitchen, preparing lunch, while Gabriel and Ocean engaged in some free play, building with LEGO blocks.
Naturally, We Held Space for a Core Curriculum
Meanwhile, Kate worked with the little ones on some early reading activities, relying on a book called Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Abe Books. The kids also zoomed through some books about Ancient Lost Cities, and the Wonders of the World, collecting pictures for collages.
For our grand finale, we went for a Spirit Walk on a .67-mile loop in the neighboring woods. First, we played Follow the Leader, with the idea that each person would be able to practice leadership, while the others followed in alignment. However, the boys jetted ahead, rushing to the finish line, racing with each other. That’s when I realized I needed to clarify my intentions.
So we circled up and talked about what happened. At this time we practiced generous listening, opening up to the various viewpoints. And then we made some new agreements by establishing our intentions: “We want everyone to stay together,” “We want to make safety the top priority,” “We want to practice listening and bring our awareness and respect to this outdoor space.”
Yehee, that’s me, with Rosalie and Kate.
The day’s final sharing circle became an opportunity for each person to check in, integrate the day, and express their feelings. Ocean expressed some desire for more laughter and play. We walked the second lap together until the kids were getting noodle legs. Then we caught a second wind with some wheels: skateboards, rollerblades, and a tandem bicycle.
I’m happy to say, every kid shined in his or her own way.