Welcome to Circle of Friends, blog posts from T. Matt, Head of School.
Every year, Friends School Mullica Hill chooses an all-school theme that provides a common thread for instruction, opportunities for collaboration across grade levels and subject areas, and inspiration for community-wide activities.
This year, the faculty have chosen Circles as our theme. This theme encourages us to recognize and celebrate the connections that we have with each other and the ways that we support one another. A circle is an unbreakable bond! Circles can overlap and interconnect, and they can expand to include everyone!
There are countless ways in which Circles can be integrated into our learning experiences. Here are just a handful of examples:
- The life cycle of plants, animals, and people
- Circles occurring in nature: flowers, rocks, and trees; water and carbon cycles
- Circles occurring in space: planets and orbits
- Story circles and symbolism in literature
- Geometry and Venn diagrams
- Geography, lines of latitude and longitude, and compasses
- Circles represented in art: weaving, sewing circles, mandalas
- Musical structure and song themes
- Games in circles and circular equipment
We are kicking off the theme this week with a celebration of International Dot Day, “a global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration.” All classes will read (or have read to them) and discuss The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, a best-selling book that tells the story of a reluctant student-artist who is encouraged by her teacher to “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” We will then decorate dots using a variety of media and all of the creations will adorn the main lobby for all to see. Everyone is also encouraged to wear their own “dot attire” on Wednesday!
While these activities will take place in school, I encourage you to join in by asking your child about the story, their discussion, and their dot creation. Ask them how they plan to make their mark – in school, in your family, and in the community – and support them in carrying out their plan.
And I encourage you as well to “Make your mark and see where it takes you!”
In peace,
Matthew H. Bradley, Head of School
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