My second day at the artist in residency went well. I was not so tired and adjusted well. It was the same older kids first half of the day, and the younger the second.
I’ve realized that what people need to do most for a successful children’s yoga class is to be flexible. That is one of the ideas I gave the gym teacher that wrote the grant. Many teachers adhere strictly to a lesson plan. I sense the energy of the class and any other special circumstances that come up. During one class, a boy said part way through, “Can we play a game?” I sensed he really wanted to move, and it was at a time where I thought, “Why not?” During warm ups and before the story.
I use the walking meditation game, in which I teach kids slow heel toe walking and to focus on their feet, and when I ring a bell they can go wild and crazy for a little bit, then ring the bell again and they come back to calm walking meditation. Also, a fourth grade class had used some of my ideas for the curriculum, and a boy had a poem using the letters in the word Colorado. The teacher didn’t want to interrupt my lesson plan of tree stories, but I thought, “Why not?” So we did it and it was so much fun. There was the state fish, the Rainbow Trout, so we did fish pose. eagle pose for the state bird the Lark Bunting. R, rivers – upward boat. It was fun and it celebrated the poet.
Additionally, the gym teacher liked how I used nonsense poetry to warm up kids right off and move the body. I decided to show her the Owl and the Pussy cat with the children, so changed my plan there. There are bong trees in the story! And its the rhythm of the language that programs kids’ brains.
Tomorrow another day! Must now make dinner, read with each of the children. They sent my daughter a practice CSAP test home today! I’m supposed to note her reactions to it. Somehow I feel it may freak her out! Zombie world infiltrating our home! With my son, I’m horrified they don’t read any great literature to study writing, so I’ll be teaching him that. I am getting the strong urge to homeschool and travel the world with my kids instead of living in zombie land. I tell my kids I’m working on breaking them out of prison. We shall see.
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