One of the many benefits of our “links” based curriculum is the opportunity to play and learn in mixed age groupings.  Beyond our foundational “Links Friday,” where the entire Randolph community comes together, there are many other opportunities to interact with the other classes.  In the past few weeks, the Fungi Friends have been expanding their circles here at Randolph, branching out from our own classroom to find their place in our larger community.

On Friday afternoons, we have been joining the Upstairs Neighborhood (the Robins & the Kittens) for a “Buddy Read” at the library.  Instead of our typical library time of browsing, choosing a book, and reading with friends and/or teachers, we join the older students for a read aloud, then pair off to look at books with a buddy.  Whether traditional readers or not, both the Fungi Friends and the Upstairs students have lots to show and share with each other!

Each fall, the Downstairs class offers an apple taste testing to all Randolph community members ahead of our family apple picking field trip.  We created a large chart to collect our data, titling each column with the name of the apples we were tasting.  First the Fungi Friends had the chance to come over, taste the three varieties of apples, and then choose which one they liked the best.  After writing their name on the corresponding color, they added their apple to the chart, tracking in “real time” which apple was becoming the school favorite.  Then, we invited other classes to visit our playground space, where the taste test was taking place.  The Robins, Kittens, and Barn Owls were all able to come and add their data to our collection.  We have started to quantify our data and will continue to study it in different ways over time!

After the apple taste test, the Barn Owls stayed in our playground space and invited us to share in an anthropomorphic apple activity.  Each Barn Owl asked a Fungi Friend to color an apple with them and add googly eyes.  For many students, both younger and older, this activity and interaction was a step outside of their comfort zone.  After we finished decorating our apples, we all joined together in a circle to sing “The Apple Tree Song” in preparation for the upcoming apple picking field trip.

We are truly lucky to be part of a school community that supports and encourages linkages between age groups and classes.  Students have opportunities to be teachers and learners, switching seamlessly between roles, and scaffolding each other’s explorations.  Playing with both new and familiar friends helps us recognize and connect our different “circles” here at Randolph.  We notice that the kids are more cognizant of their “circles” as we continue to discuss our home and school families, as well as our larger communities.  If you are willing to share, what communities or circles are an important part of your child and your family’s lives?