Today’s (Wednesday, 3 March) highlights include The National Zoo, The Library of Congress, and the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit.

Today (Thursday, 4 March) we toured the Capitol

building, with some time observing the Senate Gallery, and also toured the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Newseum, and walked many miles through this fine city …

Snow Day or Go Day ?

When I was a kid I cherished the very few days that it snowed enough to cancel school. Come on – a chance to go sledding at the golf course or skating at the pond behind the school. Who wouldn’t choose that over sitting in a classroom all day?

Truth be told, even as a teacher for lo those many years at Wightwood, and as much as I loved teaching, hearing the phone ring at 5AM and being told that we were getting a well deserved break from school was a pleasant experience. Back to sleep.

So what’s up with the CELCers? Last Friday, almost every school in the state was closed; certainly all the ones in our district. Did that phase M&M and their loyal troops? Not a chance.

We had a day planned on our property that included tending our maple sugaring evaporator, making seed pots for tomatoes and herbs, and making some homemade ice cream. One might say that the day was designed for “fun”. And at some level, one would be correct. That is the beauty of this program. Real life experiences and education should be designed to be fun. Not all the time, but certainly on a regular basis.

You have to look closely and listen to see all that’s going on during these “classes”. Science, math (metric and U.S. customary, of course), social studies, physics, culinary skills, physical labor, and yes, FUN! It’s a beautiful thing to observe and be part of.

So here they come, stomping up our driveway, snow and wind in their faces, supplies in hand, smiles on their faces, positive attitudes, ready to get busy, cooperate, learn, experiment, take risks, be challenged, support each other, problem solve, and yes, have FUN! And they did all of it. Never heard a complaint or a word that their buddies were home, relaxing or playing in the snow, or, I’m sorry to say, spending hours in front of a computer screen, cell phone, or Blackberry (or is it a Raspberry?).

These kids are active, always on the move, doing and learning. Never a frown. M&M have designed and are implementing a “real school” in the best sense of the word. Sally and I can’t wait to see them again. Not just to observe it but to be part of it.

It’s even better than a snow day, light-years better.

Rob Cole-Whiffen

The day began with a reading class, segueing into expository writing where students actively engaged in writing and workshopping their pieces, and continuing on our way …

At Trap Rock Ridge Camp, otherwise known as Rob and Sally’s, there were true signs of Spring as students measured and cut newspaper for seed pots.  Students added wood and strained the particulates from the maple sap steaming away in the boiler outside, while indoors in the kitchen, homemade chocolate ice cream made from scratch was being prepared.

After a fine pizza lunch and taste of our ice cream creation, CELC students got back into our cars and headed to an art class in Short Beach with painter and artistic wonder, Gritli Rabin.  She began by asking them to consider the lines and patterns on a leaf and how all things in nature are connected.  Watercolor art allowed students to explore blending of color and image over an unbound area.  Next week she plans to juxtapose this by through exploration of line and drawing in a detailed way.

A satisfying CELC-styling day!

Students will share lots of exciting science during our interactive display.  Projects range from building the better fuel cell to finding out just how permanent permanent markers are, and more.

“He made me feel like I coud be a part of things and make a difference when he made the point that everything counts and you can make a difference – you don’t have to do something huge.” H.S.,  8th grade student.

The Peace Jam conference for the Northeast region will take place the weekend of March 26, 2010 at the University of Hartford.  Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Adolfo Perez Esquival will meet and speak with students at the 2010 Northeast Peace Jam.

Our time there turned out to be a class in small business ownership, bigger-picture business philosophy, food service industry, a behind-the-scenes look at making waffle cones, and a delicious afternoon snack.

Ben and Jerry’s ice cream began years ago, when college roommates were contemplating what to do after graduation.  Ice cream making met environmental and social consciousness, and their concept continues today.  Thank you, Helen, for your enthusiasm and courtesy towards our group.

Waffles aren’t something you think would be made during a cooking class.  Ah, but you have thought wrong!  On Friday February the 5^th the Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) had their weekly cooking class.  They turned a simple, easy food into a masterpiece with homemade whipped cream and fruit toppings.  In the past CELC has made other harder, more extravagant foods, such as Chinese pork dumplings, egg rolls, red velvet cake, and pumpkin pie from scratch with homegrown pumpkins.  On Friday the 12^th CELC is making Baked Alaska for both Valentine’s Day and as a kick off to mid-winter break.

Connecticut Experiential Learning Center (CELC) prepares for 2010 CANstruction, a creative food drive, exhibition and competition. One of the most unique food drives in the world, CELC students will work with George Penniman Architects, exercising their structural genius to build a spectacular structure using little more than full cans of food. All this design talent is put to the test to make a difference in the cause to fight hunger. Completed structures will be on display at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford beginning 15 May  and all of the cans used will be donated to the Connecticut Food Bank. For more information or to make a donation toward the purchase of cans, please contact Melinda or Maria at mandm@CTExperiential.org or 203-215-2317

CELC students had a full day on Friday, 22 January.  After the Geeography Bee and a pizza lunch, we made our way into New Haven to the home of artist Daniela, founder of Blend For Kids.  Students have developed quite a connection with Daniela who enthusiastically shares her passion for art and inspires students to want to learn and create. Each student has been assigned to research a specific time period of art history from around the world,  from the Stone Age to Modern Art.  This week students worked on forming clay sculptures in the style of their own time period.  Next week, students will have an art opening/sharing at the Blackstone Memorial Library, where each will  present his research and discoveries as well as share individual clay creations.

After seven preliminary rounds to determine the four finalists, there was a three-way tie for the third finalist and third-place winner.  The tie-breaker round commenced followed by a final championship round, which then determined our 2010 Bee champion!  She will take a written exam this Monday, the 25th that could qualify her for the State and then National competition.

Students were all very pleased and proud to have been a part of this Geography Bee and asked if we could do it again next year!  This may be the start of a CELC tradition  - we will compete in a local Spelling Bee in March!

As part of our peace studies program, CELC students will take part in the

19th annual DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Birthday Commemoration of Litchfield County

on Sunday, 17 January 2010

from 4:00 PM to 6:00PM

at the Trinity Episcopal Church, Torrington, CT

for more information, visit

http://www.ctnonviolence.org