Preparing for Graduation

Our graduation last month was beautiful and fun (albeit hot). The children worked so hard to prepare each and every detail! We must extend apologies for the delayed story, but needless to say, graduation work took up a lot of our time. For photos and videos of graduation day, head to our shared Google Drive. Below are some photos of the hard work the children did to prepare. (Unfortunately we didn’t catch many photos of the children creating our paper fan favors or decorative paper lanterns, but everyone participated in some way or another.)

Our Cape Theme

If you missed graduation day, in order to understand our “cape” theme, you’d need the context of our “processional” (a.k.a. cape flight) music. Many of you who were there expressed how special you found the song, and to be honest, it touched me so deeply that it took many, many rehearsals to keep from tearing up! For context or nostalgia, the lyrics are below:

The Cape

Eight years old with a floursack cape
Tied all around his neck
He climbed up on the garage
Figurin' what the heck
He screwed his courage up so tight
The whole thing came unwound
He got a runnin' start and bless his heart
He headed for the ground

He's one of those who knows that life
Is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath
Always trust your cape

All grown up with a floursack cape
Tied around his dreams
He was full of spit and vinegar
He was bustin' at the seams
He licked his finger and he checked the wind
It was gonna be do or die
He wasn't scared of nothin' boys
And he was pretty sure he could fly

He's one of those who knows that life
Is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath
Always trust your cape

Old and grey with a floursack cape
Tied all around his head
He's still jumpin' off the garage
And he will be till he's dead
All these years the people said
He's actin' like a kid
He did not know he could not fly
So he did

He's one of those who knows that life
Is just a leap of faith
Spread your arms and hold your breath
Always trust your cape

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Decorations

We made a patterned banner out of strips of tablecloths! Many children participated in the making of this banner, and each time we worked on it, the children assumed particular jobs. Some children cut the strips, some worked on tying (one job for “holding” and the other for “passing through”), others worked on maintaining the pattern (“red, red, white, white…”).

We made a patterned banner out of strips of tablecloths! Many children participated in the making of this banner, and each time we worked on it, the children assumed particular jobs. Some children cut the strips, some worked on tying (one job for “holding” and the other for “passing through”), others worked on maintaining the pattern (“red, red, white, white…”).

After many children used watercolors to create a beautiful background, Berkeley and Fiona worked together to write the words to our welcome sign.

We made a patterned banner out of strips of tablecloths! Many children participated in the making of this banner, and each time we worked on it, the children assumed particular jobs. Some children cut the strips, some worked on tying (one job for “holding” and the other for “passing through”), others worked on maintaining the pattern (“red, red, white, white…”).

After many children used watercolors to create a beautiful background, Berkeley and Fiona worked together to write the words to our welcome sign.

We took several days to paint the BIGGEST banner, adding new colors each day and finishing off with some glue and tissue paper to add dimension. Finally, we added letters. We sorted them and ordered them by reading the phrase on a nearby whiteboard: “ALWAYS TRUST YOUR CAPE.”

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Programs

Using a reference in order to write what we wanted to say, many children chose their favorite color marker and got to writing. the trickiest part was positioning and ordering the letters and words, but it was beautiful to watch the children work together — helping, mentoring, and learning from one another.

Using a reference in order to write what we wanted to say, many children chose their favorite color marker and got to writing. the trickiest part was positioning and ordering the letters and words, but it was beautiful to watch the children work together — helping, mentoring, and learning from one another.

Using a reference in order to write what we wanted to say, many children chose their favorite color marker and got to writing. the trickiest part was positioning and ordering the letters and words, but it was beautiful to watch the children work together — helping, mentoring, and learning from one another.

Using a reference in order to write what we wanted to say, many children chose their favorite color marker and got to writing. the trickiest part was positioning and ordering the letters and words, but it was beautiful to watch the children work together — helping, mentoring, and learning from one another.

Can’t forget the signage to welcome our families and friends to take programs and favors!

We worked hard exercising our fine motor skills and early geometric understandings to fold the programs into trifold shapes and seal each one closed with a sticker. There were so many!

We worked hard exercising our fine motor skills and early geometric understandings to fold the programs into trifold shapes and seal each one closed with a sticker. There were so many!

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Capes!

First step: we learned about sewing patterns. We laid the big cape patterns for each part down on the floor and used real straight pins and real child-sized fabric scissors (so much responsibility and confidence!) to cut our shapes.

First step: we learned about sewing patterns. We laid the big cape patterns for each part down on the floor and used real straight pins and real child-sized fabric scissors (so much responsibility and confidence!) to cut our shapes.

First step: we learned about sewing patterns. We laid the big cape patterns for each part down on the floor and used real straight pins and real child-sized fabric scissors (so much responsibility and confidence!) to cut our shapes.

First step: we learned about sewing patterns. We laid the big cape patterns for each part down on the floor and used real straight pins and real child-sized fabric scissors (so much responsibility and confidence!) to cut our shapes.

First step: we learned about sewing patterns. We laid the big cape patterns for each part down on the floor and used real straight pins and real child-sized fabric scissors (so much responsibility and confidence!) to cut our shapes.

Next, it was time to learn how to use a sewing machine! Lindsey busted out her great grandmother’s sewing machine. Although we have a more modern model somewhere, the old one is our favorite to use with the children. It’s big, sturdy, mechanical, and carries some simplicity with its levers and switches in place of buttons. Seeing how each part works mechanically really aids to the understanding of the functionality of the machine.

While a teacher controlled the speed, the children carefully guided their capes under the needle. It was tricky to keep up with the speed and to keep the direction straight. Each child’s beautiful stitches added uniqueness and prideful ownership to each individual cape. We discussed the difference between a seam and a hem and used our new expertise to get to work!

Next, it was time to learn how to use a sewing machine! Lindsey busted out her great grandmother’s sewing machine. Although we have a more modern model somewhere, the old one is our favorite to use with the children. It’s big, sturdy, mechanical, and carries some simplicity with its levers and switches in place of buttons. Seeing how each part works mechanically really aids to the understanding of the functionality of the machine. We discussed the difference between a seam and a hem and used our new expertise to get to work!

We learned the most important parts of the machine: the needle, the thread, the presser foot, and the backstitch lever. Many children felt so proud of their new knowledge and used it to teach the next child which parts are which! We discussed the difference between a seam and a hem and got to work.

We learned the most important parts of the machine: the needle, the thread, the presser foot, and the backstitch lever. Many children felt so proud of their new knowledge and used it to teach the next child which parts are which! We discussed the difference between a seam and a hem and got to work.

We learned the most important parts of the machine: the needle, the thread, the presser foot, and the backstitch lever. Many children felt so proud of their new knowledge and used it to teach the next child which parts are which! We discussed the difference between a seam and a hem and got to work.

We learned the most important parts of the machine: the needle, the thread, the presser foot, and the backstitch lever. Many children felt so proud of their new knowledge and used it to teach the next child which parts are which! We discussed the difference between a seam and a hem and got to work.

We learned the most important parts of the machine: the needle, the thread, the presser foot, and the backstitch lever. Many children felt so proud of their new knowledge and used it to teach the next child which parts are which! We discussed the difference between a seam and a hem and got to work.

While a teacher controlled the speed, the children carefully guided their capes under the needle. It was tricky to keep up with the speed and to keep the direction straight. Each child’s beautiful stitches added uniqueness and prideful ownership to each individual cape.

While a teacher controlled the speed, the children carefully guided their capes under the needle. It was tricky to keep up with the speed and to keep the direction straight. Each child’s beautiful stitches added uniqueness and prideful ownership to each individual cape.

Our last step involved getting that pesky drawstring through our “drawstring pocket.” We used a drawstring threader and exercised those little fingers to poke it all the way through.

Our last step involved getting that pesky drawstring through our “drawstring pocket.” We used a drawstring threader and exercised those little fingers to poke it all the way through.

Of course it was important to try our capes on before moving on to decorating.

Decorating time! We donned our aprons and used fabric paint to bring our visions to life!

Decorating time! We donned our aprons and used fabric paint to bring our visions to life!

Decorating time! We donned our aprons and used fabric paint to bring our visions to life!

Decorating time! We donned our aprons and used fabric paint to bring our visions to life!

Decorating time! We donned our aprons and used fabric paint to bring our visions to life!

Decorating time! We donned our aprons and used fabric paint to bring our visions to life!

Decorating time! We donned our aprons and used fabric paint to bring our visions to life!

Decorating time! We donned our aprons and used fabric paint to bring our visions to life!

Decorating time! We donned our aprons and used fabric paint to bring our visions to life!