"Hello, Siri."

"Did Hitler bomb the United Kingdom?"

Well, that's a question I never expected Vivian to ask an iPhone.

Her class continues their unit on WWII with a lesson on VE Day and Vivian's homework was to research VE Day.

Then she asked if she could have an app so she can do research so she can be a Fulbrighter. (cue: awwwwww.)

Now Vivi is in her room talking to Siri. Enquiring minds want to know:

"Will chickens rule the world?"

She asked this right after the Hitler question. The correlation isn't apparent to me.

Now our wee ace reporter would like to fill you in on the status of her ear:

 

Let's backtrack to this morning and work our way chronologically through the day. I needed to get up to Queen's to meet with the administrators from Israel and Palestine for school visits so Jennifer, the babysitter, came and stayed with Viv for a about 15 minutes, then drove her to school.

The bus is pretty crowded so Gareth and I drove in his car to meet at the first stop, St. Colman's Primary School and Fairhill Primary Schools, which participate in Shared Education together.

 

What hosts! Lining our entrance, kids from both schools stood in cold drizzle, smiles lighting up their faces and polite "hello" and "good morning" salutations chorused. Piped over a speaker was a flute -

 except it wasn't a recording! It was a little boy playing the flute! He was remarkable! I took a video so you could hear him, but I didn't want to film him and mess up his playing so that's why you see the banners and foyer.

The principals of the two schools gave inspiring talks about Shared Education, but it was the kids who stole the day. Four students spoke their passionately in their own words about the difference Shared Education is making in their lives. They love having friends from the other school; they don't see "other"; they see peers.

 

The kids are partnered with a student from the other school and one activity they did was make shirts for each other.

The students performed Irish Dancing for us -- it was brilliant! -- and I have video but didn't include it here because I don't have signed permission.

East Jerusalem, West Jerusalem, Northern Ireland - education changes the world

From there we went to Phoenix Integrated Primary School

 

 

Their school is modulars, but they make it work beautifully. The space is spotless -- really, really clean (and they'd just had lunch in their Great Hall before we arrived!) and incredibly inviting with bright, fun, happy colors and excellent uses of space. My favorite thing is their garden area. Little kids were moving dirt in wheelbarrows, shoveling, raking, planting, and playing. It was beyond my expectations of what learning by play can be.

every space is used effectively -- even corners

The storage shed is tricked out to look homey and inviting

Our technical arts students could make these!

you know someone in our area can donate a couple tractor tires :)

  

these are examples of repurposing in the best way!

I don't know where they got paint this bright, but it's stunning. Plus, the shady tree is lovely.

I'm looking at you, creative people.
I know some artistic people who could do this on our playgrounds and future gardens.

 

How do I love thee, School Garden? Let me count the ways (via hopscotch)

I don't know how to make this, but it was a huge hit with the kids. Are there any weavers out there?

Let them build! Big!

Kids always love drawing on the boards in classrooms -- give 'em what they want.

They had a lot, but didn't need much storage space.

I mean, come on.
This is awesome.
Every kid who passed by maneuvered over these dozens of different ways instead of walking around them.