The children had worked for weeks on making a welcome sign in the Woodworking space in the Front Yard. Teacher Adriana facilitated the hammers, goggles, screws, and wire tools used in this mixed age space. When the sign was complete, the children met to discuss where it should live. She began in the West Wing reflection meeting.
Adriana: We are wondering where our sign can live in our school. We need a place where everyone who comes can see it and feels welcome.
Lola: (pointing to the identity wall in the West Wing) I know, on the wall. The wall right there next to our photos.
Adriana: Remember, this sign is something both the East Wing and West Wing worked on together so we have to think of a space where it can be seen by the entire community.
Clem: I know, the entrance. The door where you come in where our parents drop us off.
Emilio: Well, what about if a wolf comes and sees the sign outside and eats it up?
Adriana: It sounds like Emilio is concerned about a wolf eating the sign.
Clem: (taking Emilio’s idea into account) What about if we put it in the same entrance door but not outside?
Emilio: So not outside the entrance door, but inside the entrance door?
Lola: No, I really feel like it should be there next to our photos.
Adriana: (Inviting Lola to think outside of her own idea) I’m thinking about the East Wing children. I’m wondering who wants to go and ask them for their ideas of where to add the sign?
Harrison: I want to go, and Clem too.
Adriana then met with East Wingers and supported Harrison and Clem in sharing the ideas so far:
Agnes: This is our sign and it’s all finished.
Clem: We need support deciding where we can hang the sign.
Madeline: Oh I know, maybe the front door but not the door on the side.
Adriana: You mean in the hallway?
Madeline: Yes.
Remy: That’s a space where everyone who comes in can see it.
By revisiting the same question in different reflection meetings, the children had time to brainstorm more ideas and also give them the opportunity to notice similarities. As they question their peers’ suggestions, they were also challenged to not only stay persistent but to explain the thinking behind their ideas as well as involve others in their thinking. Our “Welcome to New School-West” sign is giving all of us an experience in which we are practicing being part of a community.