Curriculum Corner: 'The Art of Playing in the Woods'
Almost all the lessons I plan are the same things I would teach at public school, just with fewer standardized tests. We work hard on projects. And then, sometimes we just play in the woods, and we learn so many things I could never have planned.
By David Choquette, Blue Mountain School Copper teacher (serving nine- to11-year olds)
On a recent afternoon I planned a team fire-building challenge, but it got too windy. We were disappointed, so as consolation we went to our campsite for some whittling time.
Copper students are always asking to whittle because we feel powerful when we’re using a knife, but whittling is really about patience and working within the limits of the wood. It’s a mindfulness activity through-and-through.
We offer locally sourced, insect and rot resistant hemlock, and lots of other species for just about any project.
We also can provide firewood, kindling, mulch, sawdust, and shavings.
Inside we produce paneling and flooring in various, often rustic local woods.
Come by or call Stacy
276-692-8754
Some afternoons most of us actually whittle, but this day there were a lot of other activities. There are now two Copper “shops” competing to sell various sticks and other artifacts.
The storefronts were built with construction scraps. Most students are both employees and customers, so there are a lot of opportunities for labor disputes and negotiations. The words communism and capitalism have come up. One shop gave out print advertisements, and the other shop’s owner admitted to me his whole enterprise was an elaborate scam.
Some students wanted to sell interesting rocks at their shop, so they did a bit of geology, figuring out how to break them into appealing shapes for their customers.
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There was also a tattoo parlor. Students mixed water with charcoal and clay, and crafted sticks into tools to decorate each other. There was artistry and materials science going on, but I think we were really learning about consent and peer pressure.
One student climbed a tree and stayed up most of the hour. Was he observing nature or social dynamics from his high perch? Another student was reading “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” to prepare for a Halloween performance. Another student was listening to the scary stories in order to overcome her fears.
Several students felt our campsite had too few walnuts in it, but they knew where to find some nearby. We don’t use nature field guides as often as you might think because our group has so much plant and animal knowledge to share among us. The walnuts became the new currency for the shops, replacing the barter system we had before. There was also a walnut-based marble run.
Blue Mountain School is now accepting enrollment in our Early Childhood classes, ages 2 1/2 through first grade! To schedule a tour visit our website or contact the school at contact@bluemountainschool.net or by phone: 540-745-4234
I trust families enough to admit that I did almost nothing but watch during all this time. The students didn’t need me. When I tell people about my job at a “hippie school,” I sometimes joke that we just play in the woods all day. In truth we spend most of our days on reading and math.
Almost all the lessons I plan are the same things I would teach at public school, just with fewer standardized tests. We work hard on projects. And then, sometimes we just play in the woods, and we learn so many things I could never have planned.
“Curriculum Corner” is a bi-weekly column written by Blue Mountain School teachers to share insight and school happenings. Blue Mountain School is a progressive, contemplative school in Floyd where intentional curriculum planning is part of the everyday.