ECOLECLAIRE FONTAINE NOVEMBER 2018
TOGETHER WE RUN!
CULTIVATING JOY!
Features CELEBRATE Donate
STAY CURIOUS 2018/ Volume 3/ Issue 3
CO N T EN T S November 2018
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Contents
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Calendar
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Bir thdays
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Celebr ating the Season
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Focus on Cur iosity
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Smar t Citizenship
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Classes
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Cer amics & Geology
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Mar shmallows
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Books We Love
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Gideon Gives Back
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Pr int Making
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Join us at SPARC
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Adver tise & Celebr ate
CA L EN D A R
Ecole Claire Fontaine
Sat, 1 Dec ECF Tour for Pr ospective Par ents Mon- Fr i, 3- 7 Dec AK Par ent- Teacher Confer ences Thu, 6 Dec Hannukah Celebr ation Fr i, 7 Dec Holiday Concer t under the Tr ee by Fr eder ic Michot & Adr iana Zoppo Mon, 10- 13 Dec CC Par ent- Teacher Confer ences Tues, 18 Dec 5:30pm Evening with SPARC Thu, 20 Dec Bir thday Celebr ation, Childr en Only Fr i, 21 Dec 5pm- 6:30pm Winter Celebr ation & Holiday Potluck 24 Dec- 1 Jan School Closed, Winter Br eak 2 Jan School Resumes 3 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
BI RT H D AYS
LOREM IPSUM DOLOR
November Oliver Sydney William
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SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE
December Alice Eleni
George Kitty
Fennel At
Ecole Claire Fontaine birthdays are celebrated monthly between the children and their teachers. Baking, singing and playing... this month Mr. Steve brought his erector set - a crane grabber that that lifts stuffies straight to the sky. 5 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
CELEBRATING THE SEASON
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The
Thanksgiving Gratitude I love my mama. I'm thankful for legos! I am happy when I'm running. I am grateful for my life! Yay!
annual Thanksgiving potluck was symbolic of our school culture, seated and shared between us all. We recognize the pr ivilege we have in being stewards of our ear th and reaffir m our collective responsibility to care for our environment. Adding to global climate change are methane emissions, 20 percent of which come from municipal landfills ? food waste makes up the lar gest por tion. We are thankful that this year we did not contr ibute to the problem. As we sit together throughout the holiday season, we resolve to take only the food we will eat, just as we teach the children.
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Ecole Claire Fontaine is focused on the cur iosity of children. When a new student begins, teacher s do not compel them to attend classes, instead they are encour aged and inspired.
FOCUS ON CURIOSITY
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Soon enough, as they see the other children r unning after chess teacher Pedro, they will look inside the classroom and someone will invitingly say, "Come on in, there's a spot for you." They become regular s. Pedro takes on the challenge of teaching a round table of apprentices the set- up, moves and str ategies of chess, while playing a game with each until they become ready to play one another.
Children must
be afforded the luxury of time. Nonsense it is to interrupt their creative exploration in order to follow a largely arbitrary schedule. The cultivation of a joyous life guides our days.
THE LUXURY OF TIME
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NURTURING CURIOSITY & FLEXIBILITY
The following article appeared in the November 2018 edition of WISE ed.review on Smart Citizenship By JoĂŤlle Dumas
I
find myself thinking about smar t citizenship dur ing inter actions with the families, teacher s, and children of Ecole Claire Fontaine; an ar t, language and nature school for young children. I believe that to r aise smar t citizens we must enter tain all the senses and cultivate words for the social br ain to for m. We must also entr ust in children the will to lear n and to share wisdom and cur iosity. In saying this, it is a given that we treat all lear ner s with dignity and nur ture their visions and hopes for the world. 10 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
Smar tness is found in one?s inner spark and will to live, one?s ability to think and exercise the br ain. It also deepens our cur iosity about the world we live in and keeps us flexible in uncer tainty. In my work as an educator, I believe in cultivating the talents of children to be stewards of the ear th, its elements, and its inhabitants. Intelligence is power ful because if nur tured positively, it can be the key to har mony and cer tainly the door to a better world. Under standing the natur al world
fir st and the human existence second is par amount to being an effective citizen. The natur al world weaves together all of the cur iosities and key findings that we have explored dur ing human existence. Yet till this day we still do not fully know ever ything about the natur al world, and it continues to keep us in awe. One could say, ?smart is within me and all around.? A good education builds confident explorer s. When I read the poetr y of Jean de la Fontaine I am moved by the utter cer tainty that there is always more to discover. Foster ing inquir y will necessar ily lead to this realization. Lifelong lear ner s are the bedrock of smar t citizenship, a subject with an ocean of possibilities to be well- rounded, well- made and well- filled. An example used at a recent conference on education reminded me of my most ener getic students. The scene featured two young boys discover ing a water ing can. One of them takes to the floor, saying ?I am a flower! Water me!? There is no water in the can, which makes the children laugh even more. The video shown is pure theatre, and you can see the intelligence through the quick improvisation of the children. However, the teacher s decide that they need to cor rect this situation, ignor ing the laughter and order ing the flower s in the garden to be cut, placed in a
vase, and a flower store opened, adding a math lesson in the exchange of money. We know from Fr ancois Rabelais, ?To laugh is proper to man.? Instead, this instance of heavy teacher- led approach ignored the simple openness and playfulness of children that could have opened up fur ther possibilities for lear ning. When allowed to do so, children can lead at numerous levels, connecting as a network. continued next page 11 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
Smar t citizenship is the human fabr ic that we weave when we agree to disagree and appreciate our differences that add value to our knowledge, engage, par ticipate and share. It occur s through communication, the palmar y tool of human beings. I see love at the center of all of this, as it is the source of our connections to one another and our passions. As the school gates at Ecole Claire Fontaine swing open children are seen and heard as intelligent and sentient beings with the capacity to 12 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
sense and choose. As smar t citizens, we are individuals who are tr ue to our selves while shar ing with the world our thoughts, talents, and offer ing our help. There is a direct line between children, the school we have created, and smar t citizenship. I see it in the garden and hear it in the songs at choir time. I remember what Michel de Montaigne wrote: ?...I would also urge that care be taken to choose a guide with a well- made rather than a well- filled head...? fin.
MAKING MADELEINES
STARTING WITH SEEDS
Finding seeds inside feathery
flower pods. A curious discovery for the children.
UNDER THE SEA
Chef
Christophe, father of ECF student Lyn, is also an amazing baker. This month he guided the children through the delicious discovery of making Madeleines. Upcoming this holiday season will be ginger bread.
Oceanographer
Tim brings sea anemone for his students to understand. Most of his sea samples come from just down the street, found on the Venice shores of the Pacific Ocean. 13 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
WORKING WITH TEXTILES The winter schedule for Ceramics & Geology has evolved...
In
Geology Class the children begin to ponder questions that for m in the depths of the Ear th. What is in there, how old is it, is it alive, does it move? Does anyone live inside? As the ear th shakes, positions shift among clay, miner als, soil and stones. The children ask, "Is clay dirt?" Well, yes, but it is a deep subject. The title "dir t" is bestowed upon clay, inelastic ear th, topsoil and rock. Decomposing rocks are the basis of clay, with most types 14 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
containing different clay miner als, or ganic mater and var ying amounts of metal oxides, setting apar t the different types. Because of clay's plasticity, when wet it coheres, holding its shape. It does the same as it par tially melts when heated. Student cer amicists at ECF handle fir m clay and begin rolling. By twisting into shapes or stacking in circles, cakes, pots and pumpkins begin to for m. Figur ines are hardened before painting the
noses of darling dogs, donkeys and lions. Shaping clay aides in the under standing that ones actions influence the world. Hand- eye coordination, motor skills and spatial awareness all develop. Prowess in problem solving evolves as the notion is reinforced that all answer s are cor rect when creating your ar t. Just like squishing ones hands in mud can calm fr ayed ner ves, manipulating clay in cer amics soothes the mind.
Tuesday 11/ 27 8:30 Cent er of t he Eart h Tuesday 12/ 4 8:30 Moving & Shaking Thursday 12/ 13 8:30 Volcanoes Thursday 12/ 20 8:30 Geology wrap-up Ceramics will be held 9:30 on Geology Tuesdays
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© WILDCRAFT COLORING BOOK Lear ningHerbs.com/Wildcr aft 16 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
MARSHMALLOW We found a fantastic recipe to try for our wintertime cocoa LearningHerbs.com/Skills/How-to-Make-Marshmallows/
Digging
into a mar shmallow root with your finger unear ths the spongy white substance that was once used to make sugar y mar shmallows. No longer, however we found a recipe, thanks to Lear ning Herbs, that will help respir ation in this smoky, dr y air by using the healing mar shmallow root. And they will fluff up your cocoa. INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup rosewater 1/2 cup water 1 Tbl mar shmallow root powder
1- 2 Tbl hibiscus flower s (these make the mar shmallows pink!) 1 cup honey 1 packet of unflavored gelatin 1 tsp vanilla extr act Pinch of salt STEPS Br ing the water and rose to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the mar shmallow root and hibiscus flower. Stir with a whisk. Simmer for five minutes. Place in the fr idge until cool. Str ain through a fine mesh sieve. Add enough water to equal a full cup.
Take half of the mar shmallow mixture & put in a medium bowl. Add gelatin. Set aside. Take the other half of the mixture in a small saucepan along with the honey, vanilla extr act & salt. Br ing to a simmer. Put candy ther mometer in mixture until it reaches 2400 (soft ball) then remove from heat. Using a hand mixer on low on the mar shmallow & gelatin mixture. Slowly add the hot mar shmallow & honey mixture while continuing to mix. Once the mixtures have been combined
continue to whip on high for 5- 10 more minutes. Pour the mixture onto an 8Ă—8 pan lined with oiled parchment paper Let sit until fir m (@3 hour s). Slice with a knife. Roll in rose petal powder or powdered sugar if you want them to be less sticky. Drop atop your cocoa. SIMPLE However, if too complicated, just slice a few roots, boil in a sauce pan with water, add sugar to taste, boil some more and then let cool. Voila. It's also good for sore moods & throats, and is a fine moistur izer. 17 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
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NEW IN THE LIBRARY Ecole Claire Fontaine is fond of buying books from our neighbors at SALT on Abbot Kinney Blvd. Our latest treasures:
ABC Mindful Me by Chr istiane Engel Dinosaurium cur ated by Chr is Wor mell & Lily Mur r ay Egypt Magnified by David Long, illustr ated by Har r y Bloom
It Starts With a Seed by Laur a Knowles, Illustr ated by Jennie
Webber (enjoyed during Gardening Class)
Mr. Bear?s ABC by Vir ginie Ar acil
A Pile of Leaves by Jason Fulford & Tamar a Shopsin
Professor Astro Cat?s Atomic Adventure by Dr. Dominic Walliman & Ben Newman
The Story Orchestra: The Sleeping Beauty illustr ated by Jessica Cour tney- Tickle
Walls by Br ad Holdgr afer, illustr ated by Jay Cover
What Can a Citizen Do? by Dage Egger s & Shawn Har r is
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GIDEON'S TREATS FOR TOTS Proceeds going toward Backpacks for Un-housed Children
As
par t of the Backpack Dr ive for Unhoused Children, Ecole Claire Fontaine student Gideon took it upon himself to r aise funds. He went dog- to- dog to sell his mother Rosalie's handmade, or ganic dog treats: Hugr y Dawgz of Venice. His weekend project r aised $109, all of which he donated to the backpacks progr am 20 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
for un- housed K- 12 students in our community. Gideon's Treats for Tots can still be ordered online. You can join too. Until December 7th we will accept donations of backpacks, empty or stuffed with necessar y items, in the ECF office. We will also continue to collect funds online no amount is too small. The wish list includes
book lights for reading without electr icity, blankets, hats, solar powered alar m clocks, per sonal hygiene products and backpacks suitable for the older children. Based on infor mation obtained by the schools, there are approximately 60 local un- housed students who attend our neighborhood campuses. Let us do whatever we can.
Friday, Dec 7th
In conjunction with Friends of Coeur D'Alene Elementary & the Education Committee of the Venice Chamber of Commerce
Donationsnow accepted through Friday, December 7th. Thank you! 21 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
PRINT MAKING
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In print making this term Ecole Claire Fontaine students have experimented with rollers, textures, brushes (including q-tips), and thick paints of all colors
Join us for an evening of
wine and children's creations. 5:30pm Tues Dec 18th, at SPARC, the Social & Public Art Resource Center, 685 Venice Blvd. Their finest printswill be exhibited. 23 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
24 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE 4 WEBSITE.COM/MAGAZINE
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A D V ERT I SE O U R CO M M U N I T Y W IT H
For rates please contact Media@LAClairefontaine.org
On Sale in ECF Office Chess Set Vinyl Mat & Pieces $20 Ecole Claire Fontaine logo aprons for children $22
ORGANIC
$35/box includes a dozen eggs Order Here by W ednesday noon for M onday delivery
PRODUCE 26 ECOLE CLAIRE FONTAINE
Bread Art isan Bakery delivers t o school Order Here by Wednesday for next week pick-up
CELEBRATE
Boat Parade in the Marina, Sat, 8 Dec. Abbot Kinney Snow Day! Sun, 9 Dec. Enjoy the Nutcracker at Cal State Sledding, Caroling & Santa! LA's Luckman Theater Dec 8 & 9 Santa Run, Santa Monica & Venice, Sat, Be sure to indicate support of recent Dec 15. ECF Alumna Vivian Wersinger For ECF families: Holiday Celebration & Potluck, Fri, 21 Dec. when buying tickets here.
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©EcoleClaireFontaine2018