“We like to say ‘play messy so they’ll think messy’"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

From across a small field at Oak Grove Farm Friday morning, two-year-old Charlie Phippard saw children experimenting with water and dirt near the edge of the woods. 

“Mud,” he exclaimed, dashing across the space. 

Elsewhere, toddlers poured buckets of water down makeshift slides, sprayed it at tubes of duct-taped plastic bottles, played with colored, frozen blocks of it, created pools for small stone pigs with it, and submerged a variety of things into containers of it. 

The children watched the results of their play with a combination of serious focus and sheer delight. 

This is Tinkergarten, a play-based learning program popping up across the Milford area.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180810/millis-learning-through-play-at-tinkergarten

Tinkergarten had some classes in Franklin in August of last year
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/08/two-quick-updates-on-tinkergarten.html

https://twitter.com/tinkergarten

"Curiosity is the most powerful thing you own"

"Curiosity killed the cat" is an old saying probably based upon some truth, passed down and now lost. The message though is one of caution, don't go too far, don't explore, don't learn what is at the edges. Not a good message for a world where life long learning is becoming a requirement.

James Cameron tells the story of how following his curiosity has resulted in Avatar! His learning about leadership and teamwork built upon a bond of respect is wonderful.



"Failure is an option, fear is not"

Let's move from curiosity and fear to dance. The body is a wonderful thing. It possesses such great moves. Some moves were recently seen during the Olympics when the snowboarders showed off their flips and twists, the ice skaters performed their Triple Lutz and Quad jumps. Watch this piece on what these dancers can do.

Just imagine if some of these moves worked their way on to a snowboard or the ice rink? What would it be like?



The advances these dancers have made exploring the limits of what their bodies can do, has been fostered by the internet. Easy access, cheap video, "keeping up with the Jones"... driven by curiosity.


Note: email subscribers will need to click through to Franklin Matters to view the two videos shown here.


Franklin, MA

Dark Tide - Book Review

I had published my short form book review of Dark Tide previously.

My long form of Dark Tide was published Tuesday as part of the month long Love Affair with Books on the Joyful Jubilant Learning blog.

You have my permission, indeed encouragement to click on over, read it and participate in the conversation.

Dark Tide is the focal point for On the Same Page at the Franklin Library this year.

Franklin: I can use your help

Franklin: 2 bag recycle walk, originally uploaded by shersteve.

Yes, I can use your help. Franklin can use your help.

I came up with this brain storm of an idea a couple of weeks ago. When Dolores and I go walking now on the weekend, I carry a bag (or two) and pick up the recycling I find along the way.

All Franklin walkers could help in this effort. Take a bag with you. PIck up the recycling.

A little bit at a time, Franklin will be cleaner.

A little bit at a time, people will notice us picking up the recycling.

Maybe after they notice, they might stop and think about tossing their recycling out on our roads and sidewalks.

Our walk today generated two bags and I could have easily filled about a dozen more.

A little bit at a time.

Franklin matters. Please recycle!