The three younger kids and I have enjoyed going to a once a month class this school year. A different country is featured each time, and we learn more about their location and customs. They are also treated a music experience, food, and an art experience from the country.
This month we did Thailand and our art was shadow puppets. The concept is that you cut detailed designs in the puppet and stand behind a curtain through which a bright light is shining. The light then shows the designs in the puppet onto the curtain.
The kids first had to brainstorm a concept for a puppet show, then create the characters they needed to perform it. Since Tikvah's birthday was this week birthdays were on their minds. Many of the children ran with a cat as one of their characters since the staff's examples they had made included a cat. So wallah. Their story was that the cat was having a birthday party.
I had to help them behind the curtain, so unfortunately I didn't get a video of their performance. It was a little song of "Happy Birthday" and that was it, but it was super sweet.
If you'd like to see the concept acted out, here is a Youtube video that shows a Thailand shadow puppet demonstration.
As we near the end of our school year and reflect upon what we've learned I'm overall really happy about how the year went. Homeschooling these kids is the right thing for them. They are learning and thriving, and I'm so fortunate to be both their Mama and their teacher.
