Cover up the center of the image and the flying dots appear to speed up.
Cover up the outside edges of the image and they appear to slow down.
Cool, huh?
As soon as I saw this ABC news clip, I knew I had to re-post it!
In Vashon, Washington, teacher, Erin Kenny has a unique view of Kindergarten education. She has developed and launched what she calls a “Forest Kindergarten” – a Kindergarten class that meets outside EVERYDAY no matter the weather.
Intrigued? Watch the video:
From the school’s website:
Friedrich Fröbel, a German educator, opened the world’s first outdoor kindergartens (children’s gardens), more than 150 years ago with the belief that young children should play in nature, away from an emphasis on too many numbers and letters. Today, Germany has several hundred of these Waldkindergärtens, or “forest kindergartens,” in which children spend their entire class time outdoors year-round. Similar schools exist in other European countries, however there are very few of these programs yet in the United States.
I love it when every once in a while a WEIRD idea like this gets some coverage and ruffles the feathers of all of us who are so accustomed to the “normal” way of doing things!
What do you think? Could you send your 5-year-old out into the forest everyday for “Forest Kindergarten”?
Yesterday we visited one of my favorite outdoor stores, Gander Mountain on my day off. Outside they had a “bargain bin” and I picked up a three pack refill of something called, “Knot-A-Bag”. I’d never heard of it before, but it was only $1 and after reading the package I thought I could come up with something that would make this $1 purchase well worth it.
When Ella came home from school and Jess was working on dinner, I grabbed one of the refills and ran outside with both Ella and Ezra to try my hand at creating the biggest balloon any of us had ever seen. I unraveled about half of the refill and tied one end and then Ella helped me fill it by running around with the end open – I filled the rest with a few huffs that got me lightheaded, tied off the other end and voila we had a 15-foot balloon! I did the same with the other half and after Ezra punctured it, was even able to make two smaller ones, ripping out the portion that had holes and re-tying!
Here are some photos of the kids playing with their 33-cent balloons! (we still have TWO refills to this again – and I’m tempted to run back and see if Gander Mountain has any more left in their bargain bin!)
Full photoset of our balloon-flying adventure is here.
Want to try it for yourself? You can pick up a similar-style refill kit on Amazon for just $5.
I had a great conversation with a couple of ladies from our church this morning. We were brainstorming our upcoming Halloween alternative event and a few other things and I was explaining to them my response to the sometimes-asked question, “How does this type of event benefit our church?” Before I could even put into precise words my completed thought on how I will respond that question, one of them helped me along by referring to something that she had recently read that pitted the two ideas of “service” and “sale” against one another. It was exactly what I was talking about.
Our upcoming iLOVESHIP Halloween Alternative (Trunk-or-Treat) is all about SERVICE and not about the “SALE”. It will take hard work, volunteers, money, and the ever-dwindling commodity of time from numerous people. There will not be a pay-off afterwards (except maybe some leftover candy and hot chocolate..) By setting up our event in a parking lot of an area business, we’re not looking to bring a lot of attention to our church, we’re not looking to increase our attendance, it’s not a fundraiser. What it is is an opportunity to serve families in our community with a safe alternative to trick or treating. I can’t wait!
I don’t want to EVER be found guilty of “selling” Christianity. May it be said of me and any ministry I am a part of that we are ‘guilty’ of serving our community in Jesus’ name!
I am so thankful to be a part of a fellowship of Believers who are of like-mind and of one accord! (insert lame Christian-joke about a Honda here)
I am excited to continue dream up ways that the Shippensburg First Wesleyan Church can continue to LOVE GOD and LOVE PEOPLE without thinking, “what’s in it for us?”
What does your church do to serve your community without an earthly dividend? What about your family or you personally? I’d love to hear your responses – leave a comment!
I captured a few key moments from this momentous day in the Sheets clan. We are SO proud of our Ella!
My favorite part of this video is near the end when Ella changes gears and asks about what Ezra did all day. Her genuine concern for her brother is no act – she is as sincere as they come!
