I feel so blessed and grateful to be a new adventurer and volunteer at the children’s school!  I am primarily helping the younger children learn math and reading but find that they are so excited to teach me everything and include me in their learning which is so rewarding.  I am overflowing with joy and wonderful things to share!  This is the first in what I hope to be many posts to share snapshots of a day at school here on the Farm of Peace.  Next time, more pictures!!

Last week we trudged down to the stream on the North edge of the Farm to look for aquatic insects.  The children are learning that certain insects cannot survive in water that it not clean.  After finding insects mostly in class two and even some in class one, they know the water is very clean because  class one insects can only survive in the cleanest of water.  Praise God!  We turned over rocks to find black fly larvae, caddisflies, mayfly larvae, leeches, and more.  The children then came back to the classroom and drew what they remembered.  Not just in the river, but all along the way to and from the river, Eddie, their teacher reminded them that they are scientists!  Who is dining at this tree stump and leaving acorn husks behind?  Squirrels!  Who has made a home under this log?  No visible residents today.  Can you feel the great and wondrous expansion in the life of a child…?

Besides weaving science and art with nature, music is also a big part of their week.  Application of patterns and rhythms is important when knowing how to apply math, (Imagine: Counting out loud, making movements with your body, taking turns and staying in rhythm all at once!!!)  but it also comes into play with music and in the instrument they are learning, the ukulele.  Three weeks ago they sang a special performance of the two songs that they themselves had written:  “Coming to America” and “Speaking Japanese.”  Here is a clip of “Speaking Japanese:”

Song: “Speaking Japanese”

A special thank you to all the people who have supported the Farm of Peace and our children’s school, The September School.  You are truly helping to create a precious jewel.

With love,

Rifqa Rebecca Zaban-Boylan