Themed Learning, Chosen by Learners

Each of our four terms has a theme, chosen by the learners themselves as part of our daily Community Council meetings.  In the middle of each term, learners begin a process that will decide the theme for the next term.  Advisors set boundaries for this process - the theme must be broad enough that it will appeal to a wide range of individuals and robust enough to be able to develop a diversity of classes and workshops within it.  Once the learners have chosen the theme, Advisors help them develop an Essential Question that captures the nature of it.  Advisors and learners then brainstorm a list of classes, workshops, projects, and activities that relate to the theme and continue to use the democratic process to refine these offerings and create a schedule for the next term.

Fall 2023 Theme: Games

Essential Question: Why do humans play games?

This fall, we are immersing ourselves in the world of games.

a few of our classes:

• The Physics of Sports

• The Game of Pig (an introduction to probability through games of chance)

• Video Game Programming

• Games around the World

• Dungeons and Dragons

a few of our projects:

• Minecraft mods programmed in Java

• simple video games programmed in Scratch

• a card game based upon the pretend play that happens during breaks

• elaborate backstories for D&D characters

Of course, not everything relates to the theme.

We are a self-directed learning center, so nothing is ever required. Some learners choose not to participate in classes or projects related to our theme, and that’s ok! Here is a sample of other stuff happening at The Hedgerows this fall:

• a research project about the Carboniferous Period

• math skill-building using Beast Academy

• a read-aloud of Death by Black Hole by Neil deGrasse Tyson

• a research project about superheroes

• elaborate gingerbread houses for the 33rd annual Portsmouth Gingerbread Contest

• and so much more!