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What is in a tree house?

Watching our new Inspiration Commons grow and evolve this fall has been incredibly rewarding. Whether it has been watching a number of great presentations from Mr. Fletcher’s sixties class, holding events for parents, or seeing Middle School students scurry around while drawing on walls – I have been inspired. This is particularly exciting as our anonymous lead donor was entirely focused on creating a space that was not merely about new technology or toys for kids to play with: the vision was a community nexus in which we might share ideas and collaborate with one another.

One subplot in all of this has been the exhibition of student work, which is starting to build as well. Recently I have even tried to make a small contribution with some Ethics projects from my eighth grade students. However, one of the biggest highlights has been the fourth grade tree house projects. Spearheaded by Mr. Summers and Mrs. Witherbee and led by local craftsman Al Lofgren, our fourth graders have had the chance to build the fantastical tree house of their dreams. While I have yet to attend one of the after school working sessions, I have enjoyed seeing the creations evolve week to week as they are displayed in the main lobby. I bet Mr. Lofgren could explain to us more eloquently all of the learning lessons involved, but what follows is a smattering of what I have seen so far.


These tree house creations strike me as an amazing blend between the natural world and individual creativity. It reminds us that we don’t need fancy tools or high tech plastics to create something beautiful. I see some engineering-type thinking at work as these kids must be in some process of designing a layout and working through the structural challenges of their ideas. There seems to be a wonderful blend of the whimsical and the practical in such a project. I have to imagine the process of making these magical fairy-like homes also is doing something to build their self-confidence, as the end result truly looks amazing. So many visitors have commented to me on their beauty and creativity. In the end, the new tree house project reminds me of the way in which our new Inspiration Commons is validating making as an academic pursuit. I can only imagine that these fourth graders will head to our Middle School ready to take their creativity to an even higher level. If you get a chance, swing through the library and check them out; you will be amazed by what our fourth graders can do.

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