Today was another incredible day. I am starting to pinch myself every morning to make sure I
am not dreaming! I was able to tag along with the year 5 and 6 classes today
for their Waterwise sailing program. Yes I said SAILING!!!! I boarded the bus with 22 excited 10
year olds and headed off to Torbay! As we drove up to the gorgeous waters, 30
little sailboats lay beached on the sand.
I started to get so excited for what the day was going to hold!
I
have never been sailing before and didn’t think I would make the best skipper,
so I was slightly relieved to find out that I was only going to help man the
rescue boat! With a motor and no
need for skill, I was exactly where I fit! The morning was spent teaching students how to move their
sails and rudder to move their little boats. I was able to get a full lesson on what sailing means simply
by listening to the instructors out on the water. I am surprised daily about the amount of time spent in
“outdoor education”. This idea
that learning can be hands-on and often occurs outside of the classroom is
refreshing and exactly how I want to teach!
There
were three different sessions of sailing.
The first session went very smoothly, with just the right amount of
wind. The second session had a
wonderful start, but ended in chaos because we lost the wind. The five rescue boats had to then tow
30 different sailboats back into the beach. With kids screaming and laughing and trying to capsize their
boats while tied to the motor, it is a miracle everyone arrived safely to
shore! The last group finally got some incredible wind and we ended up far out
into the ocean. I was so impressed
by these little people and their innate capability. They battled huge waves, changing winds and rain and still
managed to have a successful trip out and back to shore. Had I been in a
sailboat I am sure I would have been lost to sea!
As
the weeks go on, I am being reminded every day how precious a child’s mind
is. So many times I think we
forget that 10 year olds are only 10.
They aren’t authors, historians or mathematicians yet. They are simply kids. It has been fun to be involved in
such an open school philosophy, where kids curious minds are put to test in
real life scenarios and inquiry. I
am being challenged and stretched in ways I never imagined and am better for. I truly hope I can bring back this
freedom, inquiry and hands-on learning to my future classroom.
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