 By Lia Grippo On the nearest Saturday to May 1st, we gather as a community to put an old tree into the ground. Brilliant ribbons tied to its top make a shelter of sorts, like a large colorful tent. The outer boundary held by parents and loving adults, the small children gather within, bedecked in flowers and spring colors. There they dance, well, walk or skip, in a circle. Some are joyful, some bewildered, some concerned at being there without a parent’s hand to hold. They circle, at the center of the community, wrapping the aged wood in the beauty of spring and the promise of summer. There, at the center, new life. And we, at the edge watching over it. Once the children have finished their dancing, the adults step in, holding our ribbons like we would a partner’s hand. The music starts again, and out of the rhythm grows movement. Some traveling sunwise, others moonwise, we begin to weave together a pattern. We laugh as we go, for no reason other than because it is fun!!!! The children watch. They see the adults of their communities, move in unity, joyfully, playfully, again and again, and they know they are a part of something. 
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The Maypole Song Here we go round the maypole high the maypole high, the maypole high Here we go round the maypole high, let colored ribbons fly Lasses and lads go skipping by skipping by skipping by Lasses and lads go skipping by let colored ribbons fly! (To the tune of "This is the way we wash the clothes, so early Monday morning...) 
Here's a branch of showy May, A branch the fairies gave me Who would like to dance today, with a branch the fairies gave me Dance away, dance away Holding high the branch of May Dance away, dance away Holding high the branch of May  We built a ship upon the stairs
All made of the back-bedroom chairs, And filled it full of soft pillows To go a-sailing on the billows. We took a saw and several nails, And water in the nursery pails; And Tom said, "Let us also take An apple and a slice of cake;"-- Which was enough for Tom and me To go a-sailing on, till tea. We sailed along for days and days, And had the very best of plays; But Tom fell out and hurt his knee, So there was no one left but me. Robert Louis Stevenson
 BEDTIME(A poem for the end of the day)
The evening is coming, The sun sinks to rest; Straight home to the nest. "Caw!" says the rook, as he flies overhead; "It's time little people were going to bed!" The flowers are closing; The daisy's asleep; The primrose is buried In slumber so deep. Shut up for the night is the pimpernel red; It's time little people were going to bed! The butterfly, drowsy, Has folded its wing; The bees are returning, No more the birds sing. Their labour is over, their nestlings are fed; It's time little people were going to bed! ~Thomas Hood Posted by Heather Young, Water Striders teacher
Sing of the earth and sky, sing of our lovely planet, sing of the low and high, of fossils locked in granite. Sing of the strange, the known, the secrets that surround us, sing of the wonders shown, and wonders still around us. --Aileen Fisher Take a walk either alone or with your child. As you walk slowly along try singing or humming in response to what you are noticing around you. Your song can be a tune with or without words. Open up all of your senses and notice what you feel inside of your own body as you perceive the shapes, textures, colors, smells, sounds and sensations of your surroundings. Aboriginal creation myths tell of creator-beings who wandered over the continent in the Dreamtime, singing out the names of everything that crossed their path - birds, animals, plants, rocks, waterholes; singing the world into existence. As simple as it is, when we sing or hum a known or improvised tune, we participate in ancient medicine. Modern science now confirms what humans have intuited all along, that no matter our age or culture, singing is one of the best ways to help ourselves feel better.  Here's a cup
and here's a cup Here's a pot of tea Pour a cup and pour a cup and have a cup with me Sipppp.......  Posted by Tyler Starbard, Dandelion teacher
Twist a tongue, and tongue a twist, how fast can your tongue twist these tricks? Tongue twisters, or phrases with successive similar sounds, are a fun way to help enhance pronunciation skills. By practicing these tricky phrases we are strengthening and stretching the muscles involved in speech. Tongue twisters can also bring awareness and growth to speech patterns and language. For the adult: Begin slowly and carefully by modeling crisp pronunciation and avoid running words together. Repeat the phrases with increasing speed while maintaining clarity. If too much excitement sets in, it can also be fun to speak phrases as slowly or as quietly as you can. Try these with your kids: Busy buzzing bumble bees The pack of flies had a lack of pies. And to their surprise, a bad salad, and so they sang a sad ballad. |
AuthorWild Roots staff authors include Erin Boehme, Lia Grippo, CJ Cintas, Anne McCarthy, Tyler Starbard, Jenn Sepulveda, Heather Young, Amalia Smith Hale, Natalia Pareja... Archives
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