Builder's fair

Yet another event I love at our school: The Builder's Fair.  The kids are told, "Build anything out of anything."  Then those who choose to participate bring it in for display.  Parents and middle schoolers help to write complementary comments about them.  It is a joy to watch them come up with an idea, figure out how to make it, experiment with making it, and experience the pride of showing it to others.  No competition.  No prizes.  Everyone gets the same thing: a paper with kind words about their specific project.  There were moments of frustration along the way, of course, but that's all part of it.  This is one of the times when I really delight in learning what my kids' true genuine interests are.  Thankfully, I think there is a general understanding that preschool kids need to experience this kind of discovery.  Sadly, I'm afraid it's typically lost (or at least tapers off) in the mid-to-late elementary years.  So, I am grateful that they have this chance to develop their own interests and their own style and that their school honors this.  Another way this is offered to them at school is the focus studies, which I think I've mentioned here before.  Last time, G-bear chose to do "Making Miniatures" and Moo chose, "Josephina: learning about the southwest."  This time, Moo chose "Neighborhood Naturalists."

Anyway, for the builder's fair, Moo chose to build Little House in the Big Woods.  G-bear chose to build a butterfly garden.