An Auesome Fall
Fall is here! We have experienced the budding of life in spring and the flowering and abundance of summer. This year, our Auesomers are being encouraged to reflect on how they have grown emotionally, recognizing that trying new things can help people move beyond their comfort zones, that challenges can help them to mature and adapt, and cope with the ever-changing seasons of life. In this fall’s initiative, our Auesomers emotional and physical development are supported through outdoor play and exploration. They are encouraged to acknowledge and overcome any uncertain feelings they may have, like fear, hesitation, or tiredness - if they want to keep their outdoor adventures going. With that in mind, we welcome opportunities to learn how to adapt to situations and overcome hurdles that come in our way. The temperatures may cool down during the fall season, but the fun is just heating up for our Auesomers!
Resource Fall
To kickstart the fall season, there is nothing like a compelling narrative to light up our Auesomers curiosity. At Auesome place, our Language Arts content is built around books. Each weekly content has at least one book that connects to the theme of our learning. Taking literature outside provides our Auesomers the opportunity to explore it in a completely different environment. In the beginning, they may be unsure of why they are going outside; however, in time, these restorative experiences become additional motivations for reading. Within each learning theme, they are guided to discover new findings and communicate and reflect on their understanding, whilst gaining plenty of practical vocabulary, contexts, and concepts in English and Chinese. Who doesn't enjoy observing the leaves changing into multi-colored works of art before finally falling away? Reading a book such as Leaf Man, while encouraging our Auesomers to discover leaves of different shapes, sizes, and colors can instantly bring the story to life.
Play Fall
The Liangmaqiao park and river, conveniently located within walking distance, offers ample opportunities for our Auesomers to connect previously learned theories and knowledge to project-based learning experiences. Art journaling gives our Auesomers the chance to reflect on other subjects through an artistic lens, which can help them gain a deeper understanding of what they’ve learned. When it comes to starting a journal, it can be anything from a loose collection of thoughts or photos and writings with a specific purpose. Part of this freedom includes encouraging our Auesomers to choose their journaling tools and getting them excited about the activity. They are always encouraged to lead the experience by choosing how and where to gather information. Photography is so much more than clicking a button and taking a picture. For our Auesomers, it is about learning how to tell a story and seeing our communities through a new lens. It is the process of photographing something meaningful to them and then using that photo to spur their writing, developing a narrative around the subject. Captured reflections of nature, when integrated into journals, can support our Auesomers in reflecting on events and expressing their thoughts and feelings. Through this process of expressing their feelings, they can begin to develop a growth mindset, which builds self-awareness and emotion-regulation skills.
Event Fall
Authentic purposeful outdoor experiences with cross-curricular connections are the foundation for enhanced learning. Very importantly, our Auesomers develop a sense of resilience, as they uncover how to overcome obstacles and challenges in the natural environments. By practicing how to manage their feelings and thoughts, they develop self-regulation and confidence in their abilities, and gradually find it easier to manage their emotions whenever similar challenges show up. Beyond that, being outside allows our Auesomers to incorporate the natural world into their art projects. By collaborating with their peers, they investigate objects and materials and are interested in finding out what things are, how they work, and why they happen. Using nature-found items, the process of working out how to create a new color and replicate the shades of the leaves they’ve collected is a problem-solving skill in action. They will also need to be observant of elements that can help to anchor their artwork, which requires quick decision-making skills. When practiced in conjunction with structured indoor learning, our Auesomers can get the best of both worlds, and develop to their fullest potential!
Thank Fall
We create memories throughout our lives, but none are as important as the ones we are instilled as children and young adults. Occasionally a series of events build to a dramatic conclusion, which can lead to a truly life-changing experience. Recalling happy memories and creating new ones through positive experiences can generate feelings of gratitude. By regularly depositing happy, positive memories into their memory banks, our Auesomers know they can always count on and revisit them whenever they need an emotional boost. Through the exploration of season, memories of happy experiences, especially ones that involve social interaction, reshape how we see ourselves for the better. After all, one of the greatest gifts we can give to a child is making memories that last a lifetime.
Fall will come again next year, but these precious moments are fleeting. And when it comes to taking in the beauty of life, there’s no time like the present.
“Don’t worry,” he told her. “Some moments you must let go. But remember to keep the dear ones near – for good memories will shelter you from the storm. And the great ones will keep you warm.”
《Leaves》
By Stephen Hogtun
