This morning I was on Thich Nhat Hanh website Plum Village and came across this video he just released. There are no words to express how excited I became while listening to his idea. There is such a need for mindfulness in our schools. I don’t know what one needs to do to be a part of this teacher training but, I’m hoping it’s in the stars for me to participate.
Take a look at the video below as well.
If I could build my own school this is what it would look like.
The entire student body and staff would begin their day with a meditation or yoga to quiet the mind and prepare for a day of learning.
Instead of a typical noisy lunch room, children would eat in a peaceful setting. I like the idea of an indoor garden for herbs to use in the preparing of healthy foods with an extension of the garden to enable students to eat in the garden or nearby, possibly outdoors.
Speaking of gardens…I’m a firm believer in schools/students growing their own fruits and vegetables for their school lunches. My school would definitely have its own garden with the students being the gardeners. I also like the idea of the older students being a part of the food preparation. I teach my students the idea of our classroom being a “school family” and how we must all work together like their families do at home. Students grow their own food, prepare their food, and help take care of the facilities. I like it. Teaches them respect and gives them a feeling of ownership.
The school would offer quiet areas outside for studying or outdoors classroom areas. Learning would be based on the needs of the children not a set curriculum mandated by a government who has no idea what the needs are of each individual child. Learning would be spontaneous based on curiosity, life events unfolding around us, and relevancy. Yes, math, reading, science and history would be a part of our learning. The method of teaching these subjects, the resources used, and the length of time spent teaching should be based on the individual students in your classroom not a national curriculum of a one size fits all mentality. You would have structure but, with the flexibility to flow with the students as the need warrants.
And last but certainly not least, it would be a school where learning comes from the heart.
I could go on and on but, I will have mercy on you! I have no idea what prompted me to do this post! It just came out of the blue. I think I just planted a seed. All great things grow from one idea.
Love, light, and peace
