{photo by Jenny Bischoff}
Greetings! Today we have a Wednesday Wonder that happened last year, but is nonetheless a treasure to share. For our new SLOCA families, this is a great representation of a “wonder” that we love to post to encourage each other. This comes from the Antoniadis family – Kary, Jimi, and daughter Antonia (Intermediate) are a Track B family starting their 5th year at SLOCA:
I have a most amazing Wednesday Wonder, but it took place last year during the culmination of our work on Don Quixote. All year long it has stayed in my memory, and it will be forever ingrained as a SLOCA magical moment.
Essentially Antonia created a ballet piece on Don Quixote, for an optional assignment in the Intermediate Don Quixote Packet. For me, it was an affirmation of the curriculum developed here at SLOCA, and reminded me how grateful I am for:
- Lisa Ann Dillon and her thorough and passionate overview of this novel presented at last year’s Trimester 1 Parent Literature/History Training. I am so grateful for these trainings and Lisa Ann and Sarah's delivery of them!
- Susie Theule's motto last year, based on Don Quixote, “To see life not as it is, but as it should be.” That motivated and resonated with me then, and a year later still does.
- The wonderful piece of literature that was presented and the selected version of Don Quixote that was appropriate and accessible to a 3rd grader.
- Assignments for this book that allowed my child the freedom and flexibility to create an expression of her interpretation of the literature in an art form.
Both my husband and I were really surprised to see what she created. Here's a video of her ballet:
This may seem like a simple ballet piece from a young girl, but I know, as the mother who sat side by side discussing the stories in depth with my daughter, that what she created in those few minutes were from her heart and how Don Quixote’s story touched her. I hope this serves as a snapshot of what our kids are capable of when they have such outstanding teachers, curriculum developers, and parental support.
Thank you for sharing this, Kary and Antonia! What a beautiful connection to literature, and a memory you’ll both have forever.
Kary mentioned our Parent History and Literature trainings – this is an excellent time to remind everyone that it's coming up! Our Trimester 1 Parent History/Literature Training is happening Monday, September 12th at 6:30 pm (with an optional Phone/Internet Safety Parent Seminar happening right before, at 5:30 pm). Come and be inspired by this trimester's history and literature, and you'll leave more prepared and ready to dive into these subjects with your kids!
Do you have a “Wednesday Wonder” moment you’d like to share with our SLOCA community? Email Down Home and tell us your story!
