Links Explorations

April 21, 2023

Read on to find out what we explored in Links this week!

Notes from the Field With evan

The ceaseless rush of seasonal learning opportunities draws us outside during Links; from maple sugaring to counting the first spring ephemeral flowers emerging, from preparing for tree planting and prepping the gardens. This week, we made a little time this week to go inside the Library and experience the wonders of our Milky Way galaxy and the cosmos beyond through the magic of Starlab, an inflatable planetarium borrowed from the Mid-Hudson Teachers Center at SUNY New Paltz. This beloved, awe-inspiring experience is a much awaited yearly tradition at Randolph, but this is the first time students had the chance to enter Starlab twice after first experiencing it earlier in the fall. Although the children were already familiar with Starlab, we were mindful as ever to introduce this round of expeditions into the inflatable dome from a whole child perspective, addressing the social and emotional needs of each individual and group to best prepare them for this immersive learning opportunity. Before kids ever glimpse the stars being projected they have already had an invaluable opportunity to reflect upon and discuss their experiences of fear, nervousness, and anxiety and share with each other tips and strategies for successfully managing this feeling. To this end, groups helped Siobhan transform the library into a dark and cozy “cave” space in which to explore and unpack the many swirling emotions that can emerge as we gear up to crawl into a dark dome and into the night sky.

All of this frontloading prepared us to get right into Starlab once it was set up and make the most of our precious time. Listening to all students returning to Starlab for their second time this year and older students adding this newest journey to their visits from previous years illuminates the rich potential of our Roadmap approach, where rather than follow a linear sequence of “lessons” toward a predetermined end point, learners move in a spiral with the opportunity to circle back to familiar topics to uncover new understandings and layer increasingly nuanced knowledge upon the foundation built during past experiences. New teachers and visitors are consistently stunned by the comprehensive knowledge of stars, constellations, and astrophysics that our veteran Starlab-goers can readily recall, and you should be sure to pick your child’s brain for all the information they are bringing home this week.

Gazing in awe at stars and constellations inevitably awakens in all the universal human impulse for story-telling and mythologizing. The projection drums that allow us to see constellations through the eyes of cultures around the world, from Native Americans to ancient Egyptians to China, offer a singular opportunity to contemplate the intriguing commonalities and differences in these diverse peoples’ relationships to the stars. One exciting new feature of the Starlab curriculum this time around came through collaboration with Michael, who brought some of his familiar instruments into the dome to enhance our storytelling practice in the unique context of Starlab. In Michael’s words: “I was delighted to get lost in space this week in Star Lab. Linking up with Evan, I was able to really enjoy learning along with the kids where the Pleiades is located, that the Dog Star is the brightest star we can see in the night sky, and how well informed and engaged our Randolph students are. I also greatly enjoyed accompanying Evan with sound effects during a story. It was truly a theatrical experience that we all got a taste of in the tent, and an important lesson on how transformation can occur in our very own library, with a few tricks of the trade being employed with great care and professionalism. It was one of those times where I really felt proud to be a part of such a fantastic community.” Just like newly received images from the latest Nasa mission, this collaboration with Michael around music and our year-long theme of storytelling in the Starlab environment showed us a thrilling glimpse of whole new universes to explore on future expeditions.

Another awesome new discovery we made out in the cosmos on this voyage was the awesome potential for our most seasoned Starlab visitors, the Elder Guardians, to take turns serving as assistants and co-teachers during other groups’ lessons. These “interns,” as they decided they wanted to be called, demonstrated their capacity to serve as leaders of our school and took joy in passing on their accumulated knowledge while also learning to assist in operating the projector and care for the equipment. The students-teachers’ own words best summarize the value of this culminating experience:

“It feels nice helping out and being close to the little kids. It’s like Buddy Read but five times better”

“It has the best stories. How different cultures see constellations gives us ideas about what different cultures believe in.”

“It lets us see from [other people’s] perspectives.”

“I like explaining the science of what stars are really like. I get to help other kids really see the constellations.”

“I like the opportunity to take something I’ve spent a lot of time learning about and teach it to other people.”

“I like to teach because it helps me memorize more about the stars. If I keep teaching I’ll probably be able to recognize them better.”

“You get to teach kids about constellations that you learned a long time ago.”

Just as Michael expressed, we can all feel proud to live and learn together in such a fantastic community, and children and families still have a part to play in this wonderful voyage through space. The next clear, mild night we have please make a point of turning off all the lights and going out with your kids to hear all they have to tell you about the night sky as we continue to revolve around the closest star, exploring the universe together.

In (and Outside of) the Studio With Nina

Mud Season

Every year, around April, we enter into a favorite season- Mud Season!

As we think about what it looks like to navigate mud and wet boots and rain gear, we start up one of many clay explorations that take place during the year. Clay season and mud season go hand in hand!

One of my goals this year has been to start making our own dishes to use for special occasions like Harvest Feast and Maple Fest. Last week, the Carriage House began this process! They learned about 3 different ways to hand build (not on a pottery wheel) bowls and plates. They experimented and practiced- they noticed which techniques were hardest and which were easiest to master. They had challenges and frustrations when it wasn’t going the way they hoped. They learned how important moisture is when working with clay- especially for something we want to be free of holes and cracks! They drew their designs in the clay with a gentle touch and planned out what colors of glaze they’d like to use.

I’m excited to see these bowls and plates go through the kiln, get glazed, and be used here for many years to come!

As the Carriage House explores making dishes with clay, the Upstairs Neighborhood and Fungi Friends have been digging deeper into their bird/nest/egg explorations using clay!

We took a few days to explore bird guide books and choose a bird that we wanted to try drawing or sculpting. They chose birds that inspired them and also that they thought might live near us- the Fungi Friends used their experience and the birds they’ve seen around them to choose. The Upstairs Neighborhood used their experience and their reading skills to check in the guide books for their location.

After choosing and sketching, the children embarked on sculpting their birds, nests, and eggs! They practiced scoring and slipping the clay to connect multiple pieces together. They problem solved when their sculptures weren’t becoming what they envisioned. They helped each other with ideas and issues.

Next, their birds, nests, and eggs will go through the kiln and then be glazed. I can’t wait to see how their bird community comes together!

Back in the Stacks with Siobhan

A Randolph Little Free Library

With the amazing and wondrous Star Lab quite literally taking up the entire library this week, Nina and I decided this would be the perfect time to collaborate on a library- and art- adjacent project we’ve been thinking about for a while: a Little Free Library of our very own designed and built by Randolph kids. Little Free Libraries are pretty ubiquitous, but if you haven’t stumbled upon one yet, there’s a lot of information on their website.

To start, Nina put out some photographs of all kinds of Little Free Libraries and we let the kids do some noticing.

Next we had a brainstorming session with each group to come up with ideas for design, location, and accessibility.

Finally, each kid got a chance to sketch out a design.

Here’s a small selection of ideas!

The next step is to thoughtfully narrow down all of these ideas into a single design. Common themes so far include trees, birdhouses, fairy houses (or fairies working and living in the Little Free Library); each group contributing to and creating one part of the library; multiple libraries placed near each other to create a Little Free Library village; and potentially designing a library that would go in a more public place (which would include asking permission from business owners or town councils).

We will keep you updated about this project as we go along. Also, if any of you are interested in helping with the building and installation when we’re ready, please feel free to reach out to Siobhan (library@randolphschool.org), Nina (nina@randolphschool.org), or the office team (office@randolphschool.org)!

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