My youngest (the twins, age 6) are attending a "camp" run by the aftercare program at our elementary school this week (February vacation.) While my daughter loves school, both of them are more than enthusiastic about going to this program. Enough so that the getting out of the house on time isn't much of a problem this week.
Sure, you say, it's because they are playing all day. Well that's true, but the people who run this program have set up some brilliant activities with no pressure that I think can teach more than regular school can at times. Today they had a construction day, where they did domino runs, knex towers, and marshmallow/toothpick structures. They built a tower that reached their gym's ceiling (and that took some engineering) and had to use a lot of logic to build a domino run over 200 feet long. Even their marshmallow structures had a distinctly geodesic flair. No pressure, lots of fun, and guess what? Learning definitely took place. It's true that their going bowling tomorrow, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't learn a little physics. The teachers would deny any ulterior motive of education, of course, but the fact that they are passionate, caring and fun makes the learning effortless.
A tip of the hat to those creative, engaged people!
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