Paki (Olive’s dad, EW) joined us for our last Friday’s Farmer’s Market trip! Teacher Roxanne, Paki and Olive, Bea, Miro, and Archer hopped on the #33 and shared a strong image of children as public transportation riders, capable collaborative players with ideas of their own and curious, open foodies!
The Venice Community Council had a craft on hand today. The children were given pre-cut bird shapes made from paper plates, tail fans, feet, beaks, and eyes. Once sorted, the glue was administered and ready to be put together. While these East Wingers are used to more autonomous work and are highly capable of gluing, sharing, sorting, cutting, composing, counting, and creating, the public may have a different image of them. The children naturally chose the chalk for a more independent expression. 
We hope, with the juxtaposition of the two events, pre-cut and pre-planned vs. open ended materials to use, the Venice Community Council booth has another idea of children’s capabilities.
That task completed, the group then ventured to the mushroom booth with all its exotic offerings and respectfully observed the displays and engaged with the vendor (while clutching the bird craft in hand – no harm done!).
These visits give the children a larger idea of their neighborhood and connections to its systems and people. This sense of place grows into a sense of stewardship. Being aware of and a part of your city is a strong foundation for citizenship and a feeling of home. – Kristin & Roxanne