The past couple of weeks, we have been learning about our bodies, how tall we are, how much we weigh, activities that make our bodies strong, foods that help us stay healthy.  The children have a wealth of information about what feels good and right for them. We have been reading stories as well as fact-based books about keeping healthy. We made a chart of things that are healthy for us, and have been playing doctor.  One of the best activities this week was letting kids listen to their own hearts with a stethoscope. We listened after a little yoga, then again after jumping up and down. The looks on their faces were amazing!  Listening to our own body doing its job!

The first month of the school year is always the New Year for me. Fresh, excited, happy faces.   New friends and old. I always wonder where they will lead me. (The parents think it is I who lead the children!) 

I have been the owner of Circle of Friends for exactly 14 years this October.  One year older than our son. I started it after having taught many years in New York City, knowing I would soon start a family, and not wanting to have to find full time care for my baby. Circle of Friends encompassed our son's life in those early years.

After the first year, I was almost always full, simply through word of mouth, and the grace of the universe that led amazing kids and their families to find me. This is the first year in many, that we have room for more. It is easy to get to know such a small group of children, most of whom I have known for years.  The flow is simple. It is easy to focus on the spontaneous learning going on in the room.  We started the year learning about eachother, simple things, like how tall we are, what we like to eat, our favorite things to play. We embrace the wonders of the season together, picking apples and pumpkins, baking and tasting the essences of Autumn.

When my husband asks how my day was lately, I feel sheepish. I have to smile, because the bright side of things right now, is that my days are light and easy, curiosity and inquiry ooze from my students with smiles and giggles.

The down side, for this historically non-tech teacher, is that I need to broaden my own learning scope and use blogs and websites and facebook to spread the word about our magical place!