The Daily Bark
February 2, 2010:
Phew! It’s been a busy few days at The Barclay School recently, and we have just started the second month of 2010!
Last Tuesday, Mike Cox, owner of the local newspaper, the Columbia Star, visited to share his extensive knowledge and beautiful collection of American Indian katchina dolls. Mike dispelled myths about the origin of these fascinating artifacts that we had been studying. He so inspired our students that Will disappeared into the art room during lunch and reemerged with his own katchina “creation”, complete with brightly colored feathers!
Today, Dr. Karl Ek, USC professor and local “rock hound” sipped tea as he shared his stunning collection. The students held “Fools’ Gold” and split sheets of mica. We held crystals to the light and peered inside geodes. Before long, the students produced their own collections and the morning disappeared! Dr. Ek taught the students how to “slowly and carefully” shape sandstone, and he thrilled them by leave a large chunk behind from which they have vowed to create a “goblet.”
This afternoon we went for our weekly swim in Columbia College’s pool. The students are already swimming more laps and diving with fewer belly flops! We also interviewed the Coach about what she does to instill teamwork in her students!
Tomorrow is Junior Master Gardener Day at the Botanical Gardens. We have already planted marigolds and mint at school, and we are rooting plants and performing several experiments! So far, the ivy has not found its way out of the maze, but the celery has changed color! One of our talented dads, Tim Lamons, has made small, wooden raised beds for each student, so we have also been looking through gardening books to get ideas of what we can plant in the spring.
On Thursday, Dr.Paul Higgins will return for our regular weekly lesson in American Sign Language and to share several of his original “rhymes.” Paul has also become our resident “Treasure Seeker!” He always arrives with a car full of recycled goodies for the school.
Following our studies of the Civil War, our daily volunteer, Patrick Saucier, also of USC, helped the children created an authentic “ treat.” The children loved making the Civil War “hard tack” cookie with him on Friday, but I do not think any of them really enjoyed eating it!
Thank you to everyone for sharing their time and talents with our lucky students! Please come back and visit!
