Welcome back from our Director!

Clara B, Josie, and Kennedy balancing on the tight rope
Entering our fourth year, WLLC is off to our best start yet!  Our community has grown with many new families and our staff has grown with some amazing new Mentors!  Three weeks in and we are already feeling super connected and diving into our learning adventures!  We've added a new class this year and after voting on class names we have the Ruby class (5-7), the Sapphire class (7-9), the Emerald class (9-11), and the Opal class (11-14).  We have small classes with a maximum 1:8 Mentor/Learner ratio so we are able to really support everyone's learning styles and unique inspirations.  Our aim for every Whole Life Learner is that they will grow with: 

Self-Awareness
Self-Confidence
Creativity
Academic Excellence & a Love of Learning
Community Connection & Global Citizenship
Wonder & Joy

These are just a few of the ways we are transforming education - thank you for being a part of this community and this movement! 

                              ~Michael Carberry


Mother Earth Mondays Learn about Growing, Harvesting, and Creating!

 

Nany teaching about composting
Mother Earth Mondays has kicked the year off with a focus on exploring the EARTH element by investigating soil and compost, making seed balls, creating pinch pots, enjoying earth-based face paint, dying fabric with red clay and making a cob sculpture for the school!
 
We have also been learning about, harvesting and processing herbs from the Mint family; introducing SitSpot (independent nature connectivity exercise); beginning to recognize local bird language and doing some basic finger crocheting to activate our hands for the natural cordage making we will do in the upcoming months.
 
Cultivating curiosity, gratitude and a deeper awareness of the natural world around us is the foundation of all the activities we explore at Mother Earth Mondays.  
A word from our shining new Mentor

"As the newest mentor, I am honored
The Emeralds playing a word game during language arts.  
to be a part of the WLLC community! 
My son Sid and I both feel so welcome by all of you, and we are thrilled to get to know your amazing children. The Sapphires (the 2nd-3rd grade class) have been spending time with me in Language Arts, Social Studies, and Inspired Learning. I also have the privilege of teaching Language Arts and Social Studies to the Emeralds (the 4th-5th grade class) and the Opals (the 6th-7th grade class). I love getting to be a part of all of these young people's lives, be it in a class discussion or on the playground. Plato once said, 'Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.' And of course, I am always at your disposal, if not in person then by email or phone."
-Ms. Carly, carly@wholelifelearningcenter.com, 919-208-3625

 
In Love & Service,

The Whole Life Learning Team
512-944-0279 
In This Issue
News from MEM
A word from Ms. Carly
One Day Program Insights
Michael's Adventure
Alternative Education
Alliance Fair
 
Join us at the Thinkery's outside courtyard for a free, fun, and family-friendly event to learn about many of Austin's most innovative and effective learning environments! Meet the inspiring educators and get your questions answered while your kids participate in a variety of hands-on activities. WLLC is a part of this alliance and we will have a booth for everyone to come visit. Come out to support this amazing community of educators we are a part of.

Healthy snacks and beverages are provided. Sponsored by the Thinkery and Alt Ed Austin. If you want more info, please check out the facebook event page!
Insights from our One Day Programs 

Learning about the human body in Ms. B's room

       Our newest one day program, Explorations, runs each Friday from 9-3 and is open to home-schoolers. In this program, we are delving into Math and Science concepts and applying them to hands-on activities and Nature Awareness. As the foundation for both our Mother Earth Mondays and Explorations programs, we are following the order of the Iroquios Confederacy Thanksgiving Address, which begins with giving thanks for people.

       So, we began this year in Explorations with studying the human body as well as our ancestors and the people native to the land we currently inhabit here in Texas. We utilized important math concepts to construct small scale teepees. And each day we are engaging in fun games that are developing our awareness of the natural world. We are excited to continue our Explorations on Fridays. Please contact kristen@wholelifelearningcenter.com if you are interested in trying out this program for your child! Ages 8-13.

 

Michael's Weekend Adventure
    Michael just returned from Ashland, Oregon where he presented at the Holistic Teaching & Learning Conference. People were so excited to learn about all of the amazing things that are happening at WLLC!  He has returned with an abundance of ideas and inspiration and many more great connections!