INHARMONY

A community of young people

living in harmony with themselves, each other, and the earth

experiencing the JOY of learning together and expanding their world

I am planning a fresh, wholesome alternative for kids 10 and up, to learn in an environment with Nature , Animals, the Arts and Freedom.

It has the same philosophy and flavor of my A Nest in Nature and my Harmony Woods Earth School but for older children who have immense capabilities , varied interests, and who are, or who are becoming independent learners and freethinkers.

They will have the opportunity to expand their world with nature and animals, learn new skills, have time to devote to hobbies and interests, have regular social contacts, but above all, have all their learning become meaningful and joyful. They will still be able to follow their own learning plan, if they have one, but all in a way that the child will enjoy.

I want an atmosphere that children like to come to and be open to learn new things...a community of young people...where they can have a voice and choices and be respected for the unique people they are.

Learning can and should be Joyful. We learn in everything we do, from books to experiments to video games to just hanging out with friends.

We will host homeschool events here, as well as attending other activities and events elsewhere, to keep in touch with people and make more friends and increase our learning of the world.

I presently run A Nest in Nature preschool but am soo drawn to provide older children with the same experiences but on a deeper level, and to build a community of young people to live in harmony with themselves, each other, and the earth realizing that learning can be meaningful and joyful and that everyone has something to give.

(A Nest in Nature will continue in the future but as weekend workshops and summer nature camps.)

IINHARMONY will be held at our home, Harmony Woods Farm, 12+ acres full of learning opportunities in a varied, inviting and inspiring atmosphere. It is in N Middleboro.

We have horses, ducks, angora rabbits, a house rabbit, chickens, and a bulldog that kids can choose to learn more about and care for.

There is a pond, meadow, woodlands, a ridge, vernal pools and organic gardens that await exploration, observation, discovery and delight.

We have sunny areas and shady areas, areas to be all together and areas to chill out for some alone time.

We have a long paved driveway great for skateboarding and rollerblading, walking, biking, etc.

We live in a kid-friendly log home with an open floor plan with an adundance of light and windows looking out to nature.There is also a long deck, above ground pool, and a back porch...soon to be screened in.

INHARMONY will welcome kids 10 and up.

It will be an alternative for kids who want to homeschool but can't due to their parents jobs or other committments

AND

It can also be for the child already homeschooling but who wants to join in this unique community.

**PAGE IN PROGRESS**

My program will start in September .

NEW! I am not quite sure if it will be a full time program (4-5 weekdays) or a 2-3 day program. This is still in the planning stages.

There is a *flow* and more of a community when they are here more. There is more continuity with projects and plans, friendships, and the more they are here, the more they feel comfortable speaking up and making choices.

There has been interest among homeschoolers wanting to know about coming only one day a week.

I am open to that idea and might possibly have a few slots on certain days after the other spaces are filled.

You can be put on a waiting list for one day a week.

I have an application, which includes a questionnaire for both the child and the parents, and an interview process.

I plan to have a Parent Information Night and then an Open House for parents and kids who are genuinely interested. Please contact me if you want to attend my Parent Info night.

I would like enrollment to be complete by early summer .This will enable me to plan and also have some gatherings for the kids to get to know one another more throughout the summer months.

Space is limited to 4-5 kids at the present time. I will also have a waiting list.

There will be certain days that I can open it up to more than 5. Days that I know we will not be leaving the farm.

Please contact me at Harmonywoodsfarm@aol.com

COST

I haven't finalized cost quite yet but it will be between $25 - $40 a day, payable weekly or monthly...probably more on the lower side to enable more families to afford it.

It might depend upon how many days the child comes, how many hours each day, family situation, etc.

Parents will pay the cost of fieldtrips and other homeschool events that we attend.

A laptop would be helpful to have if the child comes full - time or is involved in specific activities. It is not mandatory in order to attend.

Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather

Lunches and snacks.

I don't *teach* them, they LEARN. . . from everything around them.

I guide them and help them find ways to make learning and life more joyful and exciting. We are on the journey together.

I am a facilitator.

I provide a rich and interesting environment for them to take from it what they will.

I encourage kids to try something new, to expand their worlds..." you never know when something inspires you and makes a connection in your life and you want more and more"

For instance, take Nature Journaling. A child says he really isn't into nature. but I encourage him to join in anyway. Perhaps he doesn't like to draw what he sees, but maybe he likes taking pictures instead. Maybe he just likes to explore and observe in the outdoors. Maybe he didn't realize how good it felt to be in nature. Maybe the nature part really didn't interest him but he liked being with other people. And that's ok, he has found out more of what he enjoys and what he doesn't enjoy. Now is the time for kids to *experience* the world, as much of it as they can.

I feel children should ultimately be responsible for their own learning and work independently. as well as in a group.

I want them to realize that learning is lifelong and should be exciting and joyful and that one can do anything as long as there is determination and passion.

Here at INHARMONY,kids can go at their own pace and choose what best suits them. I am here as their guide to make the most of their days and guide them in choices that work the best for them. Each child is a unique and capable being.

It's all about expanding their worlds and making each day the best it can be.

The children can work on their learning plan**, if they have one and need to include it in their days here, but they will also delve into other activities of interest..

Examples, but not limited to:.

-Animals and their care, including grooming horses and plucking angora rabbits fiber, animal observation and study

-Nature, pond life, wetlands study, tree science,nature journaling, nature crafts, decorating with nature, nature photography, art in nature, etc

-Organic gardening: planning, preparing, planting, harvesting; companion planting, worms bins, compost,etc

-Art , art appreciation, art projects: mixed media, altered books, art journals, atc's, collage, assemblage, paper mache, drawing, manga, cartooning, etc

-Cooking, baking, nutrition, where our food comes from, making healthy meals and healthy snacks that kids like

-History, hands-on projects, biography fair, history fair

-Science experiments in varied areas of science, scientific method, science fair

-Fiber arts: quilting, sewing, felting, ?knitting/crocheting

-Music, music appreciation, listening, playing, jamming sessions, performing

-Woodworking, upgrading animal habitats, making birdhouses, birdfeeders, building forts,etc

-Computer, must bring a laptop if want to delve into this.

-Writing, journaling, creative writing, poetry, newspaper

-Life skills and ways to become more independent.

-Crafts, assorted, using recyled and repurposed items

-Drama: skits, presentations, drama games,

-Games, board and card games, puzzles, video, outside group games

-Sports, basketball, wiffle ball, badminton/volleyball, skateboarding, rollerblading, fishing, ?yoga

-Volunteer opportunities...so many are available. I would love the kids to offer a field day and craft day for younger homeschoolers, if they are interested in that.

-Fieldtrips and Homeschool events, including homeschool bowling and skating too

ANYTHING the child is interested in, we can find ways to go forth.

I would also like to hear from the kids what *THEY* want more of

games?.. fieldtrips? the history of rock?..jazz?...world religions?...other cultures?..technology?....etc

The opportunities and ideas are ENDLESS !

Kids can also choose to be leaders and share something that they are passionate about.

We will have a daily gathering session for brainstorming, problem solving and sharing and will keep a large calendar for all of us to be aware of our plans. The kids need to share their views and preferences and make choices best for them.

There will be time for noisy and quiet activities as well as group and individual activities.

There will be blocks of time involved in activities....some kids might be caring for horses, while others take apart a computer, while others work on an altered art book, while others plot countries on a map. The days will be tailored to each child's wants and needs.

I also plan to invite people in ,from all walks of life, to come talk to the kids and share their jobs and passions . This will give them a better understanding of what's out there in the world.

There will also be chilling out tme, for we all need that ..and they will be able to enjoy music, games, movies and whatever they are into.

* * The learning plan is the learning or curriculum that parents have put together or agreed upon with their child to cover on a daily basis. The Ed Plan is what you have reported to your town. (I can also assist those parents who need help with a Ed Plan for their town.)

The learning plan doesn't always have to follow the Ed Plan. The beauty of living without school is to find what works best for your child and have the opportunity to make changes. There may be much of the Ed Plan that does not work. But when, and if, you have to report an evaluation to your town, you just report what you *did* do. I can help with that also.

Some people follow a daily plan, others don't. INHARMONY is for ALL KIDS whether they do or not.

If a child comes full- time he would probably *feel* he would need to work on it while here so as to not fall behind. There will be opportunity for that. I can also help the child find ways to make the subject at hand more joyful if it is something that is uninteresting to him.

One does not *need* a plan to join INHARMONY. One does not *need* to work on their plan while here.