Liz's Class Notes

The Senior Learners saw Bay Street Theatre's production of The Crucible. In class, they learned about Henry Miller, the McCarthy hearings, and why Miller used the Salem Witch Trials as an allegory for what was politically happening during the 1950s. Working in groups, the kids identified contemporary issues that have produced similar hysteria and misinformation, such as book bans, canceled celebrities, issues of race, and the teaching of the history of racism. It was surprising to some just how relevant Miller's play is today.

We're working hard on our apprenticeship portfolios. John Dewey is famous for saying, "We do not learn from experience...but we learn from reflecting on experience." As the kids unpack their many apprenticeship experiences, they delve more deeply into their learning. Developing a digital portfolio has many benefits, and we plan to present them at a couple of gatherings in January. We'll keep you posted.

Our class has a table at our upcoming Home for the Holidays event on Saturday, December 2nd, from 10:00 to 3:00. I'll be there, and the kids can take turns selling our wonderful sun prints and trinket dishes that we've been making in class and the studio. We're raising money for our annual trip - this year to Boston. The only detail I have now is that we'll go in Spring. I'll let you know when I have more information.

— November 20, 2023