On Friday afternoon, TNCA mom Juliette Benezra-Winston brought her drum circle, Wild Bodema, to school for some West African drumming fun with the pre-K through 5th grade classes. (The middle schoolers were off on their own adventure in downtown Asheville.) Thanks, Wild Bodema, for making us smile, getting us moving, and giving us a nice tie-in with our school-wide geography unit on Africa to boot!  

We learned how different drummers add in different rhythms, so what starts as a simple beat ends up layered and complex. 

Everyone got an instrument--and a chance to practice keeping time; some students joined the circle for a bit with some makeshift drums. 

We learned how to do a traditional harvest dance--tilling the soil, sowing the seeds, and bringing rain and sunshine for a good crop.  

And we ended with a joyful free-for-all. 

All in all, it was a glorious afternoon. 

On Monday of this week, storyteller, strummer, and child whisperer Sam Maren visited with our pre-K through 2nd grade students in honor of granddaughter Nora's seventh birthday. The kids were entranced.

Here's a sampling of the "Pop"-style fun, along with lots of smiles and giggles:

Today, the entire school was honored with another Veterans Day visit from Owen's dad, Major Allen White, who did an army-style show-and-tell with his collection of berets, bayonets, dehydrated food packets, and other sample equipment; he also discussed army uniform history and the evolution of camouflage. From pre-K all the way through eighth grade, our students were wide-eyed and brimming with questions.

We are so lucky to have such involved family members. Thanks to Pop and Major White for sharing your time with us!