Leadership
The month of March was dedicated to friendships and alliances.
Friendship: a state of mutual trust and support between allies.
The week after the circus we got back on track with the discussion on Friendships: the importance of friendships, the best parts, the worst parts (miscommunication, jealousy, unfairness), what makes a friend the best (feel free to be who you are, have fun together, good listener)? how are you a good friend (share, listen)? what does mutual trust and support mean?
We passed the talking shell and shared wonderful memories of friends coming through, as well as shared ways they have felt supported and understood by their friends. We agreed that community is important to us and it feels great to have friends to count on.
This past week we talked about another form of alliance we may use as a support system. Our relationship with animals and the way that nature inspires us plays a significant role in each of our lives. Lots of us are lucky to have pets but we are all lucky to have animals here at school to connect and to take care of. We talked about how some animals rely on humans and how wild animals inspire us on a completely different level. The kids reflected on their favorite animals and how much their pets mean to them. I just wanted to highlight the support and inspiration that nature and animals provide, and how those relationships can be used as tools to feel less alone or for an extra boost of gratitude and joy.
As a class, we pulled cards from an animal spirit tarot deck and created an awesome class totem. The kids loved this and it was sweet to witness the connections they felt to the animals they chose.
The animal cards around our humble animal alter.
This Friday we will spend the class time together on the topic of Plant Allies. We will talk about how plants and herbs support our well being. We will cover trees, lavender, calendula, rosemary, citrus, mint and the positive aspects of plant essence. If we have time I would like to stroll through the garden to identify the plants, but also to chat about what each herb is used for and how. Hopefully we will have time for an art project too.
What i I hope the kids take from this:
You are surrounded by LOVE AND SUPPORT. You have friendships of mutual trust and support in your family and peers. There’s lots of guidance everywhere you turn! At school, at home, on the playground, in the woods, at the beach, in animals, nature and plant life..... recognize your allies and know that most, if not all, are always available for you.