16/12/2016 1 Comment learning event: "living in a Biosphere"Image: Courtesy of Noosa Biosphere, http://noosabiosphere.org.au/posts/understand-our-biosphere Visiting the home of another homeschooling family is an exciting event for us. We don't know many people and I relish the chance to talk with others about their experiences with homeschooling, get their take on how they juggle work and play, and find time to do their own thing too. Add that to a workshop for the kids on the really interesting topic of 'Living in a Biosphere', and I was ON THAT! In the beautiful town of Cooroy we found ourselves luxuriating in the natural surrounds of a fellow homeschool parent's acreage; our feet in the cool grass, lungs taking in the clean air, bathing in the energy of the trees on her property. What a privilege! We were there for the kids to learn a bit about their home; a natural, national treasure, the Noosa Biosphere. via a homeschool run workshop. I didn't know what a biosphere was, let alone know that we were living in the midst of one of the most celebrated in the world! Love, love that I get to learn this stuff too! That alone was pretty cool... but the thing that really blew me away was the calibre of the information and the learning presentation provided for the kids attending on the day. I am so pleasantly surprised, seriously impressed and secretly so excited with the immense pool of talent, skills and enthusiasm within the Sunshine Coast homeschool community that I've happened upon in my quest to improve our life. Its really quite remarkable. What has struck me the most is how well educated the parents are. It really cracks the stigma and misguided presuppositions wihtin the mainstream community that homeschooling families are somehow less educated, or weird, or hippies. Like any community there is diversity across the entire spectrum, though I've found that the majority of the homeschool community here on the Sunny Coast is passionate, highly educated, pro-active, visionary, open minded and open hearted people who are intent on creating a better world for their families and society as a whole. The kids (and yes I learned heaps too!) learned about their biosphere home... what's a biosphere? Our children explored this via a short and engaging video (watch it yourself here) created for educaiton purposes by the Noosa Community Biosphere Association (NCBA) afterwhich they were able to tell us of the great variety of endangered and rare fauna living in this area, what a biosphere is, and why it's important. We adjourned a picnic spot at the bottom shady paddock next to the quietly clucking chooks for a fact/fiction fusion story about Alby, an albino turtle (see Alby here) discovered in this region 12 months ago. The kids listened intently to open-ended story which they were then asked to create a conclusion to - 'what happened to Alby' by creating puppets and performing their story in the 'Biosphere Box Theatre'. Maya and Wilby split up. Wil already had a clear picture in his mind about the players in his pantomime headed for the puppet table. Maya, highlighting her passion for paint yet again, began to explore with splashes of pigment on coloured paper, designing a new shell for Alby. Each child creating their version of the story in their chosen medium. Once complete their puppetry was played out in the 'Biosphere Box Theatre'. Maya and a new friend, Miss S, teamed up and performed ad lib together a delighful rendition of Alby's adventure, whilst the others preferred to explore Alby's story alone. Maya's story was down to the detail and complex. She described the journey of Albi and how he had ben saved by a boat which showed him the way home using painted paper puppets on sticks. She had rememered the instruction from the story and designed a green shell with a wavey lined design on Albi's back to help him disguise his albino shell and blend in with the waves in which he swam. Wilby demonstrated his careful thought and consideration of Albi's future life with a strong conclusion and creative turn of events for the little turtle whom he had been painted in "shark camouflage" to protect him from the dangers of difference in the wild - the vulnerable turned predator. Both kids displayed that they had not only listened and learned during the Biosphere activities, but that the learning was now rooted into their hearts and minds. For 2.5 hours they were not only thoroughly entertained and creatively expressing their knowing, but actively engaged in learning and caring about our environment and how to protect fragile life. While the kids created their turtle masterpieces, we parents had a chance to talk and get to know each other. We shared information, resources stories and similarities. I felt so calm, relaxed and a deep sense of 'rightness' spread through my cells... I am where I belong - I am with a group of like-minded people, my tribe. I have something to offer in this community, and I am grateful to be able to receive the bountiful knowledge, cameraderie and care that is born of a common care for the future world our children have been born into. I no longer feel isolated and alone in this journey. My children and I had a wonderful day. We all learned some really interesting things in a deeply satisfying exploration through nature, art, story telling and friendship. Why would we do schooling any other way? ----- BIOSPHERE RESOURCES: I have included links to the Noosa Community Biosphere Association and Biosphere Noosa in the Resources page so you too can explore the wonder in which we live and learn how you can be an active part of protecting and sustaining our home.
1 Comment
18/12/2016 09:46:18 am
I'm glad I've found your blog now Kristy. So cool to keep records like this of your homeschooling journey and to share with us lots of extra tips and tricks. It all helps to share the knowledge around and the inspiration. support and encouragement. So glad you are finding HOME'S COOL!
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