Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm offers birth –2nd grade (soon to be 3rd grade) education based on the Waldorf philosophy on a working farm in Essex, NY.
Sprouts News
Hello everyone!
Twice a week Barbara Kunzi, former owner of Black Kettle Farm, comes to Lakeside to teach handwork to the grades children. One week she brought a sheep to school. The 1st and 2nd grade children brought food and water to the sheep. They waited quietly for the sheep to come and investigate their outreached hands. They pet the sheep, sheered the sheep, and cleaned and carded it’s wool. Barbara has guided the children through building their own drop-spindles and has taught them to spin yarn.
The grades children greet Ms. Kunzi everyday with the respect given to a Master craftswoman and a well-loved teacher. Together the class says a verse and gets to work…some on their knitting projects, some practicing rhythmically pressing the foot pedal on Barbara’s spinning wheel.
Everyday that Barbara comes to school the Sprouts children watch Barbara and I greet one another. “Hello, Barbara!” They see Barbara set down her textile bag, brimming with colorful yarns and interesting tools, while she removes her shoes and coat and prepares to greet her class. Even though my greeting is simple, I always feel like I am filled with appreciation for Barbara’s presence at our school, her former home. Barbara is always so gentle and cheerful and attentive to the little Sprouts quiet curiosities.
Support for our school from community member’s like Barbara mean so much to me, as a teacher. She has valuable wisdom for our young learners, and her authentic life experience and warmth are fitting additions to childhood education. And it may appear that Barbara’s contribution to Lakeside is only to the grades program, but upon closer look, you will see there is more.
This Wednesday when Barbara walked through the front door and said hello, one little Sprout, came running through the kitchen door. “Hello, Barbara!” he said as he wrapped his loving arms around her legs. “Oh, My! Well, Hello!” Barbara responded in turn with delight in her voice and with warm encompassing arms.
The young children are sensory sponges. Not only do they absorb all of the sound, smells, sights, and tactile sensations around them, but they also feel, with their whole bodies, the warmth that we show toward one another. I am so glad the school children have the experience of sensing teachers who are grateful for one another’s contributions. I am grateful the children can sense the warmth and joy shared between the parents (who work so hard to bring goodness to their children’s lives and the whole school) and faculty. I am grateful that our children are learning that all people are good, and wise, and caring, and worthy of gratitude and warm embraces!
The Sprouts children benefit from the richness of all of our programs at the school. All that we do in our class is about filling the senses with goodness. Watching the work of the older children provides the Sprouts a window into what is to come. We see heavy farm work, quiet book work and artistic expression. We see children dressing themselves and cleaning their classroom. We see elaborate stories and circles and celebrations, but the Sprouts are soaking in more than the work itself. Like in the interaction with Barbara, the children are soaking in the attitude with which we approach one another and our work. When we are joyful to see each other, helpful toward one another, joyous in our work, energetic as we meet new challenges, and responsible in our caring for animals and babies that shows through clearly…and without need of explanation.
Please mark your calendars for Lakeside PlayGym at the Whallonsburgh Grange on Saturday mornings in January and February. It’s free and loads of fun for your birth-5 year olds! This is also a community wide event, so invite your friends to come with you!
With Light,
Emily Schmitt
Sprouts Teacher & Mt. Tots facilitator
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