Christy's Report for March 30

Willem, Elizabeth, David, Nathaniel, Amanda and Conner were present at Sunday School. We used the first lesson in the "Fair Play" book of the Uniteen Life Issues curriculum which went really well with the lesson we did last week. This lesson was about how preconceived ideas can limit our experiences.

The kids blindfolded themselves, then each held onto a large piece of string and tried to make various shapes. In order to make the shapes, they had to communicate with each other and compromise, which often meant letting go of their preconceived ideas of how the shape should be. The first shape they made was a square, which they all reported was fairly easy. The next shape was a triangle and they were asked to draw what it would look like and where they would be in it before they tried to make it. No one ended up where they thought they would, and no one had predicted the final shape, although they did manage to make a nice triangle. The next shape was a TREE! Elizabeth was very frustrated and perplexed that there were no further directions. She knows how to make so many kinds of trees that she didn't know which one to choose. The kids brainstormed and it was suggested that they make a Christmas tree, which would be easier to make. Then Conner and/or Nathaniel (I'm not sure which one said it first, but I'm sure they do so you can ask them if you want. :) suggested making a triangle Christmas tree with a square base. Everyone was excited about this suggestion and although it took a lot more direction and compromise, they succeeded in making a Christmas tree with string while blindfolded!! (I keep telling everyone how brilliant they are!)

Between tries and after the last one, we discussed how it felt to compromise and let go of preconceived ideas. We talked about their preconceived ideas of "popular", "nerd", "funny", "straight-A student" and more. Amanda has negative ideas about what it means to be popular because in her school, it usually means snotty or cliqueish. However, she really likes Elizabeth who we learned considers herself popular because her idea involves being yourself, being friendly to everyone as much as possible and having lots of friends.

We all had a lot of fun and we learned from each other, which is always exciting to me. I really enjoy facilitating this learning community because I always feel like I learn as much as the kids do!