School in a Suitcase

My personal opinion is that Theo and Vivi are doing a huge amount of “experiential learning” on our trip.  This more than compensates for the few months of kindergarten and grade two that they are missing.  However, we have also been proactive with the kids’ education.

We must have the Calgary grade 2 curriculum almost covered:  insects (cockroaches, a praying mantis, giant bees, spiders, butterflies and caterpillars, dragonflies, ant highways, and almost every other insect you can think of, but super-sized).  We’re also okay for “unique communities”, telling time, fractions, music, swimming, reading, and writing.

Theo’s menu-reading skills are a actually a bit of a problem:  “Vivi, there’s a kid’s meal!  Chicken nuggets and fries, and they have milkshakes!  What kind do you want, strawberry?”).

Vivi completed her Kindergarten curriculum last year in junior kindergarten, and had started working on grade one material in Calgary this year.  The kindergarten curriculum of safety and community awareness were covered here in unique ways for her:  earthquake safety training, and a visit to the Ubud post office.   Socially, we are not concerned:  she makes friends wherever she goes.

That said, the kids are still doing a fair amount of academic work.  They are completing a daily journal, and I am especially impressed with Theo’s effort.  He doesn’t want to miss recording a day or an activity, so I’ve had to encourage him to not take it quite so seriously.  Vivi needs more help but is a up to copying out a paragraph in her own words.  We also read books,  and play games such as Bananograms (like scrabble), Professor Noggins, “31”, and  “gin rummy”.  Vivi usually beats us all at “31”.

My pre-trip visit to the Calgary Waldorf school was also well-worth the gems we brought along:  The Wise Enchanter  (a journey through the alphabet), The Burgess Animal Book, The Eight-Year Old Legend Book, and Homer’s Odyssey for kids.

Besides all this, the kids will have attended a total of 4 weeks at Pelangi School here in Bali.  Pelangi was started by Canadian and American expats as a Waldorf style school, but is now following the English curriculum.  I find it a great mix of a gentle approach, along with solid academics.  The teachers are Indonesian, and the kids learn Indonesian and English.  I especially love the school cafe:  $2.50 for each child and I don’t have to worry about lunch or snacks!

The setting for Pelangi is ideal:  in a quiet rice field, with open-air Bamboo buildings.  The majority of kids are foreign as there is a cost, although much less than Green School.  There is also a significant Balinese attendance, with fee reductions and some expats sponsoring local kids.  Vivi had a slight bit of difficulty adjusting at first, as most of the kids in her class speak more Indonesian and Balinese than English.

Both kids are very excited about their upcoming school concert on Earth Day.  Theo is especially proud of his new drumming skills and is asking for a Bongo for his birthday.  If only I could transport Pelangi back to Calgary when we have to go home!