The Rhythm of Hearthstone School

Autumn Corn Planting

2011-11-03T15:11:00.000-07:00

True to harvest time, the recently harvested corn has begun to sprout at Hearthstone.

The lower school planted sprouted kernels in small pots that can, in time, be transferred into the ground.

Max, one of the students in Ms. Linda's first and second grade class, gave his newly planted sprouted kernel a ride on the swing before he went upstairs to check on the corn form drawings the class completed earlier that day on the chalkboard.

As the weather cools, the students of Hearthstone enjoy these fleeting sunny and brisk days.

Julian's Review of the New Orleans Trip

2011-04-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

Hearthstone School's High School lent their time and energy in early April to help repair New Orleans after it was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Even after so long, the city is still in pieces, so the St. Bernard project was happy to see young Waldorf students from across the country come down to Louisiana to help rebuild, replant, and renew New Orleans. Hearthstone's group began by planting Cypress trees to jumpstart the ecosystem after hundreds of trees were washed away in the flood waters. We then continued on to rebuild homes that were demolished and still hadn't been reoccupied by their former owners. On our off time, our group went to one of Nola's signature music festivals taking place during the French Quarter Festival, where we ate local Cajun food, and mingled with the locals to grasp the rich culture that still engulfed the city. I enjoyed helping people overcome the scars Katrina had left on the city. Hopefully, what we did will help to continue paving the road to recovery. New Orleans will always have a special meaning to me and my class.

John's New Orleans Review

2011-04-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

On April 6-12 Hearthstone's High School went to New Orleans to help out by replanting native plants after many ecosystems were severely damaged by the salty flood waters after Katrina. Our group also rebuilt homes for the people that had to leave during hurricane Katrina and returned to damaged but repairable homes. While we were in New Orleans it was amazing to see how many homes are still not lived in because of the damage Katrina caused five and half years ago. The first task Hearthstone had was to replant the Cypress Trees that were heavily harvested in the 1900s and then almost wiped out by Katrina's flood waters washing them away. Thursday we helped rebuild a house near the Mississippi River in the Irish Channel District. There we had all kinds of work to do, such as: trim work, painting, caulking, and installing doors. The lady that lost the house has not been living in it for almost six years. Just about every night the High School went down town New Orleans to watch the wonderful music and enjoy the food. The overall trip was a great experience.

The highlight of my trip was the swamp tour. It was nice to be in the Louisiana backcountry and swamps. Seeing the the alligators and riding on the boat was a lot of fun.

Hearthstone High School Students Give Back to the Community

2011-04-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

Written by: Sierra Fleming

Three of Hearthstone’s high school students, John Casper, Josh Casper and Julian Bauchspies joined the Sperryville Rescue Squad in the winter of 2010. The three said, “Joining has given us a higher sense of purpose”. John joined after being inspired by his uncle who had previously worked in fire and rescue. Julian and Josh joined to give back to the community and for a good lifetime experience. To join the rescue squad they all had to pass a CPR class which allows them to participate in writing information on the patient and helping superiors on scene. John shared that “I like the excitement and adrenalin rush that I feel when leaving the station on a call”. This amazing experience has motivated Josh and John to go into fire fighting and Julian to become a paramedic and continue rescue as a profession.

Sierra's New Orleans Review

2011-04-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

My name is Sierra Fleming. I am a Hearthstone high school student. This is my perspective on the trip to New Orleans.

On April 6, 2011 Hearthstone’s high school left Virginia to indulge themselves in the city of New Orleans. We toured the city, observed the culture and worked with the Saint Bernard’s Project on rebuilding homes that were damaged in Katrina. My most enjoyable learning experience was when we toured the wetlands. It was mind blowing when we learned that so much of the wetlands were disappearing. The Louisiana marsh land is like no other. Their wetlands are home to some of the most unique plant life and animal habitats. That is one of the reasons it is so important that people all over the world lend a hand to help recover lost wetlands. I look forward to going back to New Orleans and experiencing it all over again.

Josh's New Orleans Reflection

2011-04-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

My name is Josh Casper. I am eighteen years old, and am a high school student at Hearthstone School.

This year for our service trip we went to New Orleans and this is what I thought about our trip.

April 6 we left Reagan National Airport from Washington D.C. and at arrived in the Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans that afternoon. The first two days our class gave a helping hand to the people affected by Hurricane Katrina who lost their homes. All the students and teachers helped rebuild two houses that were destroyed by Katrina. When we were not working our group went into downtown New Orleans to experience the culture of the city through their music, food and people.

My favorite part of the trip was seeing Glen David Andrews and Amanda Shaw play at the French Quarter Festival Friday night. The Glen David Andrews Band was a lot of fun because they had people of all ages playing with them, including: an 11 year old drummer and a 13 year old rapper. In the middle of the show Glen David Andrews crowd surfed all the way to where we were standing, so I had to help get him back to the stage while he surfed the crowd.

Another one of my favorite things about this trip was rebuilding the houses. I know it meant a lot to those people who have been out of their homes for the past five years.

The last thing I really liked about our trip was the swamp tour. Being able to experience the Louisiana swamps and rivers was a great experience. Seeing live alligators in the wild was the most exciting part of the swamp tour. I would definitely do the swamp tour again.

Hearthstone high school students lend a helping hand in New Orleans

2011-04-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

April 19, 2011

Contributed by the Hearthstone Journalism Class

On April 6, Hearthstone high school students Julian Bauchspies, Sierra Fleming, John Casper and Josh Casper all departed on a service trip to New Orleans, Louisiana with teachers Aron Weisgerber and Elizabeth Shaw, and school director Jane Mullan. The group’s travel expenses were paid for by a grant from the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. The students were awarded the grant due to their willingness to help in the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans. The city is still in healing from Katrina, the hurricane that devastated the area five and a half years ago. The students raised money for the New Orleans service trip through beeswax candle sales (made by Sierra), bake sales (through the culinary arts class), serving food at the open mic at Hearthstone in March, and by donations from families and friends of Hearthstone School.

The Hearthstone group’s rebuilding efforts included working with the St. Bernard Project, located in the St. Bernard Parish, an area that was under water for six weeks after the levees broke. While working there the students planted trees to help re-establish important eco-systems that were washed away in the flood waters. The students spackled and painted walls, did trim work, caulked, did frame work, and installed doors and windows in the homes of two women who have been out of their homes for five and a half years. They were both examples of people in the parish who had cancelled their flood insurance one year prior to the levees breaking. Many others found themselves without flood insurance after the levees broke for the same reason: FEMA changed the guidelines for residents in the St. Bernard Parish in 2004; the government no longer mandated that all residences of the parish must have flood insurance. Since the parish was a generally low-income neighborhood many residents cancelled their insurance to put food on the table.

While in New Orleans the students also helped rebuild the Waldorf School of New Orleans in their new location, located on higher ground, in the Irish Channel District. The group also had the opportunity to experience real Cajun culture by attending a shrimp and crawfish boil, attending the French Quarter Music Festival, and taking a swamp tour in Slidell, Louisiana.

The final day in New Orleans was spent touring the waterways, marshes, bayous, diversions and levees with a cooperative extension agent from Louisiana State University. On our tour we learned how important the wetlands of Louisiana are to hurricane protection for New Orleans, and how important those wetlands are to the entire country. We learned that the swamps and marshes of coastal Louisiana are among the Nation's most fragile and valuable wetlands, vital not only to recreational and agricultural interests but also the state's more than $1 billion per year seafood industry. Human activities as well as natural processes cause the staggering annual losses of wetlands in Louisiana. It is estimated, by Louisiana State University, that Louisiana loses its wetlands at the rate of one football field per every 38 minutes.

The extension agent also showed us where the levees broke in the lower 9^thward and told us stories of how fast the water rose and what the people in the neighborhood heard and felt when the destruction began. The lower 9^th ward was the most heavily devastated area of New Orleans once the floodwaters began to rise. The “X”s still spray-painted on the outside of many of the houses that were not washed away in the flood served as a constant reminder of the devastation that Katrina and her aftermath caused. The “X”s were spray-painted by search and rescue groups to indicate when they checked a house, how many people were found inside each house alive or dead, and which rescue group checked each house.

“You could really feel the unity and the love the people of New Orleans developed since the catastrophic flooding and hurricane in 2005. It is evident in the way the locals greet each other, the songs they sing, and the way they remember those who were lost in the storm’s aftermath,” reflects Hearthstone teacher Elizabeth Shaw.

According to high school student Josh Casper, “It was a great learning experience, and possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity although I have high hopes of returning to New Orleans in the future to help with the rebuilding and experience the culture all over again.”

Amanda Shaw & The Glen David Andrews Band at the FQMF

Great Blue Heron on Swamp Tour in Slidell, LA

I Have a Dream, Too

2011-01-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

Today the nation observes the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. His true birthdate is January 15, 1929. He is one of the most celebrated and influential people in our country's history. He played a major role in the Civil Rights movement in the United States from the late 1950s until his assassination on April 4, 1968. He died for the rights of African Americans, and he died to set us all free from the bondage of hate and inequality. One of his most notable speeches was given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. The day of August 28, 1963 at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Over 250,000 people attended the march.

In observance of Dr. King, each student in our class wrote their own version of the "I Have a Dream" speech. Below is a copy of one speech, written by Trusten Murrah, age 10.

I Have a Dream, Too

"I have a dream that one day this nation will treat other nations like friends.

I have a dream that one day the world will solve a problem without violence.

I have a dream that one day the world will be at peace.

I have a dream that we will look to other countries for help not war.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day we will use words instead of weapons.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day we will worry about the next generation instead of war.

This is my hope and faith. With this faith we will be able to live in this world without war.

This will be the day when love fills the world."

Spring Outdoor Program

2011-01-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Outdoor Program took place last May in the George Washington National Forest, in Fort Valley, Virginia. Attendees included Hearthstone School teachers and students from grades three through eleven. The highlights of the program included fishing, rock climbing, hiking, orienteering, and camping.

The outdoor program was designed and led by Aron Weisgerber, a teacher at Hearthstone School. This is what he had to say about the experience this past spring: “The location was very diverse, giving us the opportunity to practice and hone multiple skills, including rock climbing, wild food preparation, and primitive camping skills, within a small national forest. The orienteering exercise was very beneficial for the students and overall I think that the location and exercises we completed were successful.”

Weaving Fibers: a Family Tradition and Way of Life in Oaxaca, Mexico

2011-01-05T10:47:00.000-08:00

On October 13, fiber artist Wence Martinez, from Oaxaca, Mexico came to Hearthstone School and presented a slide show and lecture on weaving wool. Mr. Martinez taught us about sheering sheep for wool, spinning wool, growing cacti to farm the bug, cochineal, for red dye, other natural dyes, using looms, and weaving wool rugs and ponchos. Wence Martinez wasborn in 1959 in Teotitlan del Villa, Oaxaca, Mexico. He is a full Zapotec Indian. He began weaving under his grandfather and father’s instruction. In 1974 he entered the National Institute of Weaving in Mexico City with a scholarship. In the late 70’s he did weaving and paintings of Edmundo Aquino in his private studio. The year of 1988 he met an artist named Sandra; they would spend their lives together. From 1994 to the present Wence and Sandra have run the Martinez studio in Jacksonport, Wisconsin where they both have their works on display.

Winter Ski Lessons

2011-01-05T10:46:00.001-08:00

Each January Hearthstone School attends a ski program, which lasts for six weeks at Massanutten Ski Resort in the Shenandoah Valley. The ski program includes skiing and snowboarding lessons, lift passes, and equipment rentals.

Massanutten has fourteen slopes. The shortest ski slope is called Nutten-To-It, which is 800 feet long and perfect for the beginner. The longest ski slope is called ParaDice, it is 4,100 feet long, and is categorized as a black diamond slope, which means it is one of the most difficult slopes to traverse.

Seed Saving Field Experience

2011-01-05T10:45:00.000-08:00

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is a local seed saver catalog that offers many varieties of heirloom, non-genetically modified, and/or organic seeds that grow well in the mid-Atlantic region as well as other latitudes that are comparable. The middle grades through high school went to their farm and office for a special tour and discussion with Paul Blundell, co-manager of SouthernExposure Seed Exchange.

Paul explained the different varieties of seeds they sell through their catalog. We had lunch, then we toured the property with River, who showed us the gardens that contained different varieties of tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, greens, and cabbage. There are around 23 people who live and work at SESE. It was an educational and fun field trip, we learned a lot about the importance of seed saving. We hope to use some of the skills and ideas learned at SESE at Hearthstone in our gardens in the future.

History Field Trip to Montpelier

2011-01-05T10:43:00.000-08:00

Last April the Hearthstone middle and high school students travelled to Montpelier, the home of former President and Founding Father, James Madison and his wife Dolley. After touring the home our group was given the opportunity to observe an archaeological dig located on the property of Montpelier, conducted by the archaeology department of James Madison University. There were hands-on activities located across the property. The students conducted their own archaeological dig, then toured the archaeology laboratory. They were able to do handwork that was common in the early nineteenth century, such as sharpening hand tools, woodworking, and blacksmithing.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

2011-01-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

In September the middle and high school students took a field trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the National Museum of Natural History. The purpose of the field trip was to view the ancient mummies from Egypt and the various ancient Greek artifacts on exhibit for a limited time. This field trip enriched the learning experiences of each student by giving them an opportunity to see actual mummies and actual ancient Greek artifacts. Seeing the rare mummies may have been a once in a lifetime experience for the students and teachers.

Fundraising Efforts at Hearthstone

2011-01-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

Hearthstone School holds fundraising opportunities and events throughout the year including bulb sale, auction, holiday bazaar, organic chocolate, boxtops, grocery stores, cartridges for kids, annual appeal letter. Last year Hearthstone School began a fundraising challenge in which an anonymous donor offered to match up to $50,000 of raised funds for our school. We met that goal. Each year we have succeeded in our fundraising efforts. This school year we must raise $100,000 to keep our school thriving.

Hearthstone School Participates in the Pennies for Peace Campaign

2010-09-10T07:00:00.001-07:00

Above is the book that inspired our class to join in Pennies for Peace Campaign

Above from left to right: Leif Kvarnes, Noah Waller, Trusten Murrah, Liam Bauchspies, Jasper Gros, and Liz Shaw

Hearthstone School, Sperryville, Virginia

Monday, September 13, 2010

The students at Hearthstone School have joined hands with tens of thousands of other school children around the world who share the vision and dedication to empower communities through education in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hearthstone students are embarking on a Pennies for Peace campaign to broaden their cultural horizons and become members of a global family dedicated to peace.

How can a penny bring peace? It doesn’t buy much in Rappahannock County. But in the villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan, it can buy a pencil, start an education, and transform a life. In a region where terrorist organizations recruit uneducated, illiterate children, that pencil can empower a child to read, write, and learn. The Pennies for Peace program goal is to encourage children, who are ultimately our future leaders, to learn the value of philanthropy by collecting pennies for global peace.

Hearthstone students will have an opportunity to study the cultures of Afghanistan and Pakistan, learn to work and share together in their Pennies for Peace campaign, and come to understand their own capacity as philanthropists – one penny at a time.

Many schools, hospitals, homes, and crops have been affected by the massive rains and flooding in Pakistan. According to the U.S. Department of State 20 million people have been directly affected. 61,776 square miles have flooded. 1,248,704 homes have been damaged or destroyed. 13,900 square miles of cropland has been damaged or destroyed. According to the BBC 10,000 Pakistan schools have been destroyed by the floods and 9 million children have been affected. Hearthstone students hope that the pennies they collect will also help fund the rebuilding of schools in Pakistan.

After reading Three Cups of Tea (the Young Reader’s Edition) the students in Ms. Liz’s class decided that they wanted to be a part of Greg Mortenson’s efforts to build schools for girls and boys in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Luckily the Pennies for Peace project is exactly what the class needed to get started in their mission for world peace.

“World peace is attainable, but we are doing it all wrong. Fighting violence with violence is not getting us closer to a peaceful world, but education is; to attain world peace we must fight ignorance and hate with education,” says teacher Liz Shaw.

Hearthstone will place jars to collect pennies at the Corner Store in Sperryville, Oldway Art Center, the Rainbow Market in the Rappahannock Wellness Center (on Hearthstone’s campus), and in Hearthstone School’s main office. The school will be collecting pennies from September 13 through December 17.

The pennies that Hearthstone students collect can add up to make a real difference.

1 penny = a pencil

2-3 pennies = an eraser

15 pennies = one notebook

$20 = one child’s school supplies for one year

$50 = one treadle sewing machine and supplies

$100 = maternal healthcare supplies for one year

$300 = one advanced student’s annual scholarship

$600 = one teacher’s annual salary

$5,000 = support for existing school for one year

$50,000 = one school building and support for up to five years

Children in over 400 mountain villages in remote northern Pakistan and Afghanistan are on the waiting list, hoping to learn in a new school. Hearthstone students hope to help build a bridge of peace, one penny at a time, offering alternatives to the cycle of terrorism and war.

About Pennies for Peace

The Pennies for Peace campaign is a program of Central Asia Institute (CAI), founded by Greg Mortenson, author of the #1 New York Times best seller, Three Cups of Tea. CAI is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that promotes and provides community-based education and literacy programs, especially for girls, in remote mountain regions of Central Asia. Founded in 1996, CAI has built, to date, nearly 100 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which serve more than 28,000 students, 14,000 of whom are girls. Greg’s story and more information about CAI can be found on the web at www.ikat.org.

Contact Information

Hearthstone School

11576 Lee Hwy.

P.O. Box 247

Sperryville, Virginia 22740

Office (540) 987 - 9212

Email info@hearthstoneschool.org

To find out more about Hearthstone’s Pennies for Peace campaign, please contact: Elizabeth Shaw, Hearthstone School Middle Grades Teacher, lizbeth.shaw@gmail.com

High School Culinary Arts Field Trip to Café Torino

2010-05-01T09:08:00.000-07:00

On April 15 the high school culinary arts class took a field trip to Café Torino in Warrenton,Virginia with their instructor and talented cook, Marguerite Dunn. The students went to Café Torino to discover what goes on in a restaurant, behind the scenes. The students learned what goes on in a kitchen, from the morning preparation to what happens when the doors are open for business. The students were able to experience what it takes to prepare food, and get it out of the kitchen to the customers.

Chef Andre of Café Torino gave the high school culinary arts students an opportunity to try their hand at baking cookies, making tuna salad, and slicing mushrooms using new knife techniques they learned at the restaurant. After an hour of working in the kitchen the chef made the students an authentic Italian pasta dish for them to enjoy for lunch.

Currently the culinary class is learning how to take ingredients and be creative with them.

Marguerite will give the class a limited amount of ingredients and challenge the students to come up with a tasty dish using only the ingredients she has provided. Texture, complimentary flavors, and food crafting techniques are utilized throughout this challenge, giving the students a gratifying and enriching opportunity to cook and learn. Most recently Marguerite gave the class an onion, garlic, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, and bread. The students came up with a delicious herb and tomato crustini.

Living Sky Foundation Presents Project Pledge

2010-04-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

On April 27 and 28 Hearthstone School hosted a gathering of artists, musicians, students, and teachers for the illustration of a new world pledge. The pledge known as " Earth Allegiance" was created to celebrate a global allegiance and draw attention to the unity of all living creatures on earth. The focus of the mural was to draw attention to all the endangered species on our planet and the urgent need of protection for our fragile habitats.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, as well as the 40th anniversary of Rappahanannock League for Environmental Protection (RLEP), students from Hearthstone School and Belle Meade School in Rappahannock County, Virginia united for a two day collaboration and creation to illustrate a mural for a new "Earth Allegiance" pledge. The students researched some of the over 500 locally endangered creatures from information gathered from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries "Wildlife Action Plan". The students also included some of the endangered plants native to our area that they had learned about in their botany class. The group then discussed, sketched, and painted the images from what they learned, ultimately creating a beautiful mural and canvas rug. The entire project was initiated and supported by Cherl Crews, Director of the Living Sky Foundation who commissioned the assistance of Tim and Constance Friesen of AVECARTS (Arts Vitally Enrich Communities). Connie and Tim are a professional artist team who traveled from their home in Wisconsin and who's direction, organization, and artistry made this mural possible. While painting and collaborating Frances Miller, Hearthstone music teacher, facilitated beautiful music for the group to enjoy. Students and others joined in drumming and singing throughout the day.

The ultimate vision for the pledge is for other schools and communities to come together for the common good of art, community, and preserving our planet. The mural created today could be used as a templet for other schools or groups to illustrate their own mural with species not only native but also endangered in their own backyards. For more information please visit livingsky.org

A special thanks goes out to: the talented artists and facilitators Tim and Constance Friesen from Arts Vitally Enrich Communities, Cherl Crews of the Living Sky Foundation, local artist Davette Leonard, the students and teachers of Hearthstone School, local artist Monica Newell, students from Belle Meade School, musician & Hearthstone teacher Frances Miller, and the Rappahannock League of Environmental Protection.

Project Pledge

I pledge allegiance to the earth

Of our beloved solar system

And to all of her creatures for here they dwell

One planet united in harmony

With universal love and compassion for all.

Botany Field Trip to Sacred Plant Traditions

2010-04-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Ms. Liz's class traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia on Monday April 26 to visit Kathleen Maier at Sacred Plant Traditions, an herbal medicine school. Kathleen is a former Rappahannock County resident, who has studied plant medicines for years. She has an herbal medicine school in Charlottesville, the school draws speakers, botanists, herbalists, and other talented people in the plant world to speak at special events and classes throughout the year. Kathleen and her staff teach classes on fermentation, gardening, medicine, women's interests, and herbalist programs.

We were lucky enough to borrow some of Kathleen's time to learn about her gardens, school, and apothecary. The students curiosity was ignited from the visit. The fact that the very ground we walk on holds medicines to cure us amazed them. Common plants such as the plantain and ground ivy are not so common any more. These plants are medicine. The more love and care we give to these plants the more we will receive, it is a universal law, and plants are not exempt.

Earth Day at Hearthstone

2010-04-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

We had a busy Earth Day this year! We started off the day in the garden, at the vernal pond Ms. Tamara and the high schoolers spearheaded. The pond is located in our wetland area in the gardens. The hole was dug by a back-hoe and is now a permanent pond. It currently has hundreds of wood frog tadpoles residing in the pond. We hope that salamanders and other wetland creatures find the vernal pond as a home and a safe place to lay eggs, etc. The first few hours of Earth Day we planted black willows, alder trees, dogwoods, marsh hibiscus, cardinal flowers, black-eyed susan's, milkweed, boneset, and sedge around the vernal pond; all of which are native plants that will thrive in the wetland area we have helped develop.

Next we loaded up the van and headed out to Old Hollow Rd. A few miles from Hearthstone School. There we picked up trash along the roadside until lunch. The road was strewn with old beer cans and soda bottles, but after we left the sides of the road seemed much more green and happy!

After lunch and a bit of recess we all met in the community room for the presentation of the students' science fair projects. Each year for the past three years the students have been asked to conduct a science fair project based on sustainability, recycling, energy alternatives, endangered species, wildlife, plants, etc. The science fair is held on Earth Day every year. This year the projects ranged from "How to Make Bio-Diesel" to "The Gray Wolf".

Springtime Projects in Woodworking Class

2010-04-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Some of the various projects currently being completed in woodworking class include: a decorative snake, two benches, an "egg", a spoon, a table, and a karate bow. Below are some pictures of the students at work!

Jasper Found Jasper!

2010-04-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

On our mushroom hunting trip to Little Devil's Stairs one of Ms. Liz's students, named Jasper, found a nice hunk of red jasper. According to Dave, Ms. Liz's husband and geologist, this is a very rare find for the area we were hiking! Great find Jasper!!!

Botany Block - Fungus: Hunting for the Elusive Morchella

2010-04-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

Mr. Aron's class along with Ms. Liz's class took a morning field trip out to the base of Little Devil's Stairs to go mushroom hunting.

It was a cool and cloudy morning in early April. We were prepared with lessons on fungi, a long talk on the dangers of mushrooms, bags for our morels, and hiking boots. We were determined to collect some edible mushrooms that early spring morning.

After about five minutes of searching Mr. Aron found the first morel, a small white morel, hidden among decaying leaves in moist soil. Later Ms. Liz and class found a little patch of black morels. All in all we found around nine morels that morning before heading back to Hearthstone School.

When we returned to school that morning Ms. Liz took the mushrooms to the Lower School kitchen and soaked the morels in salt water for a couple hours, so that the bugs and dirt would fall from the little honey-comb shaped mushrooms. Then she rinsed them and stored them in a paper towel in the refrigerator until we were to cook and eat them.

The next day for morning snack we went to the Lower School kitchen to cook the morels. First we cut the morels in half long ways, next we put them in a pan with a little butter and Spike, and last but not least we all immensely enjoyed a very yummy snack.

Easter Egg Hunt at the Lower School

2010-04-04T13:18:00.001-07:00

Botany Study Begins: Sketching on the Hazel River

2010-04-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

Ms. Liz's class just began a unit study of botany. On Friday the class took a trip to Hazel River to search for lichen, moss, flowers, ferns, coniferous trees, and fungi. We found many excellent examples in the woods that day.

The children were given an objective to accomplish before we left school. The children were to find one of the plants we discussed in class on the trail up the Hazel River. Once they found their plant they were to sit and sketch the plant, while paying attention to where the plant was located, including the background with special attention to light and darkness.

Each child found their plant and each child made beautiful sketches of each. We will continue to work on these sketches, while researching each plant.

What a HOOT! ~ Felted Wool Owls

2010-04-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

In crafts class this past March the students made wool owls with Tami Ruggiero, parent and craftswoman extraordinaire!

The wool the children used for their owls was all natural, sheared from Tami's in-law's sheep. The kids started off with a mound of wool and a felting needle each, and slowly beautiful owls began to take shape.

Check out the hard work the kids did, and these BEAUTIFUL owls they created.

Doing Our Part & Learning to be Peace - Watercolors & Story

2010-03-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

Once upon a sunny day an elephant, who was taking a stroll and minding his own business, stumbled upon a hummingbird. This hummingbird was not like every other hummingbird that elephant had ever seen, oh no, this hummingbird was not zipping about drinking up the nectar from the giant honey-scented flowers that surrounded them. This hummingbird, this very little brightly colored hummingbird, was lying flat on her back, with her little toothpick legs sticking straight up in the air.

Well, the elephant had never seen such a thing, and if you can imagine, the first thought through this elephant's mind was, "Is this little bird okay? Do hummingbirds take day naps?"

The little hummingbird took note of the perplexed elephant standing in front of her. And to her amusement she continued lying in the grass, with her legs sticking straight up.

By now, the smile in her eyes told the elephant that this was no lazy bird, lying about on a sunny afternoon. This hummingbird was certainly up to something.

"Excuse me little hummingbird, what in the world are you doing lying there with your legs in the air?" asked the elephant.

"Why I heard the sky may fall today, so I am doing my part. If the sky should fall, I shall do my part to help, and keep the sky up with my feet." the hummingbird replied, quite matter-of-factly.

"Hmpf. You? You think you can make a difference if the sky should fall?" scoffed the elephant.

"I am doing my part, as I have said. I cannot hold up the sky alone, but together we could make a great difference."

"I see. I shall join you." The elephant then laid down, rolled over, and stuck his giant feet up into the sky.

The two stayed this way for the rest of the day. The sky never fell, but if it had, those two surely would have made a great difference in the outcome. From then on the elephant nor the hummingbird ever forgot how important their actions are in the grand scheme of things. Even the smallest of actions can make a great wave of difference.

~Adapted from a Chinese folk tale~

Music Project: Creating Instruments with Our Head, Heart, and Hands

2010-01-28T07:22:00.001-08:00

Every Wednesday for the next three weeks the students of Hearthstone will create various musical instruments. The first week we converted plastic buckets into drums and painted them with vibrant colors. During this time we scavenged the school grounds for materials we can use as instruments, instilling the value of using what is available, "Waste not, want not.". We also found a large metal bell-like structure and metal scraps, we hope to weld these together this spring with the help of local welders.

The project we are focusing most on during this six week period is the creation of a large wooden amadinda, more commonly recognized as a xylophone. To make the amadinda we first had to collect two pieces of cedar measured at 10x2x4. We then measured and cut the wood. Currently we are tuning the pieces to the right key by shaving the underside to raise the key or the ends to lower the key. Our next step will be to assemble the pieces in a hanging structure.

This program is offered through Frances Miller and Liz Shaw, teachers at Hearthstone School. The program is open to students and home schoolers of the Hearthstone community that are not attending the six week skiing program.

New Bus Magnet!

2009-10-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

Whose bus is that???? Oh I see :)

Annual All School Corn Maze

2009-10-29T06:23:00.001-07:00

Animal And Autumn Hike on Hawksbill

2009-10-29T06:09:00.001-07:00

The third through fifth grades are studying animals this block, and with the peak of the fall colors falling on the date of our new block we decided to drive up the mountain to the Shenandoah National Park to hike the Lower Hawksbill trail to the highest peak in the park and observe signs of animals. Above are some images of that beautiful fall day!

Michaelmas Celebration

2009-10-29T05:51:00.001-07:00

The third through sixth grades decided to create an original play based on the concept of courage and strength that is often brought about during the celebration of St. Michael. Each child chose an influential person from history, researched that person, discovered how that person was courageous and how that person changed the world, then we wrote a play around their work. Jasper Gros was the "Hearthstone Newspaper Journalist Extraordinaire" in the play. He traveled through time with his handy time machine to interview Ludwig van Beethoven (Trusten Murrah), Benjamin Franklin (Jackson Strickler), Sequoyah aka George Guess (Leif Kvarnes), Mother Teresa (Grace Jones), Albert Einstein (Liam Bauchspies), and Abraham Lincoln (Noah Waller). They ended the play with a beautiful rendition of "With My Own Two Hands" music played by Frances Miller and the high school.

Kitty & Linda's Class performed the traditional Michaelmas play of "St. George and the Dragon". The first and second grades were the townspeople, Princess Una, King, St. George, and fairies. The high school made the dragon and acted as the dragon in the play! Good work everyone!

All School Hike at White Oak Canyon

2009-10-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

On Septmber 11, 2009 the entire school went on a hike to White Oak Canyon to celebrate the beginning of the school year! Below are some pictures from that beautiful afternoon!

Picture of the First Days of School!

2009-10-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

First and second graders in the sandbox!

Kitty's dreadful dragon!

Grades 1st and 2nd Beeswax display, from "St. George and the Dragon"!

Noah and Leif working on their pencil pouches in crafts!

September was National Sewing Month.

Third through sixth grade crafts class!

Back to School Photos!

2009-10-04T09:32:00.000-07:00

Students and Aron playing football at lunch recess!

Kay Kay Kola Kenyan/Swahili Drumming Game during music!

Play practice for the 3-6 grades Michaelmas play!

The drummers in Kay Kay Kola.

More play practice :)

Field Trip to Oldway Art Center

2009-05-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

The students of Hearthstone school took a field trip to Oldway Art Center, in Sperryville, VA for a glass blowing demonstration by Eric and Leif (5th grade at Hearthstone) Kvarnes. It was a very educational trip, Oldway truly represents the best of artists in Rappahannock County and surrounding areas. Leif is one of the youngest glass blowers in the states. His father, Eric a master glass blower, has been teaching Leif how to work with glass since we was just a two year old! He and his father sell their work at Oldway, stop by and check it out!

Snoopy!!! The Musical - A Definite Hit

2009-05-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Wow! The kids really shined at both performances. The jokes were short and sweet and the songs were amazing. The cast was made up of five elementary students, Trusten, Jasper, Noah, Leif, and Kalila, and one high schooler, Preslee. The band was made up of the school music instructor, Frances Miller on piano, high school student Josh on bass, and part-time student Jackson, on drums. Two high school students, John and Julian, worked lights. And the director, John Miller, worked sound. It was an amazing performance, I can't wait to see what they do next!

Lost Camera

2009-05-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

Blogs will be on hold until it turns up! Keep your fingers crossed :)

May Day Celebration

2009-05-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

It rained and poured, but the sun did come out for our beautiful May Day Celebration!

Dandelion Folklore

2009-05-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

Folklore says the dandelion:

is also known as the "Shepard's Clock" because its flower opens at 5 am and shuts at 8 pm

is also known as the "Child's Clock" because, legend has it that, however many breaths it takes you to blow all the seeds from the dandelion is the number of the current hour

is truly a good barometer, if the dandelion is open expect sun for the next while, if it is closed go find your raincoat

Erik the Viking Comes to Hearthstone

2009-05-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

The third through fifth grades just finished their final block on the Norse Myths. To top the final story, Ragnarok, I knew it had to be special, so Tami, a Hearthstone mom, offered to invite her neighbor Eric up for a chat with my students. It was much more than that, as you can see!

Erik, the Viking, came to Hearthstone on April 30, and gave a magnificent talk on Viking history and lore. The 3-12 grades attended the morning talk and were able to try on various metal helmets and chain mail, as well as see some authentic replicas of Viking treasures and weaponry found by archaeologists throughout the last few decades.

The students were very impressed and eager to learn more about their own heritages after the talk. Most of the children were convinced they had to be part Viking :) by the time recess rolled around.

Beautiful Day for Yoga

2009-04-26T16:44:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures from yoga class this past Friday! Spring has definitely sprung, it almost feels like summer.

Shoulder Stand - Sarvangasana

Tree Pose - Vrksasana

Earth Day Science Projects: a Big Hit!

2009-04-26T16:37:00.000-07:00

The students of Hearthstone School should be very proud of themselves! The entire student body, except for the kindergarten/1st grade (they will join next year), participated in the second annual Hearthstone science fair. This year the theme was Earth Day! The projects ranged from saving rain forests to solar ovens. Below are pictures of some of these magnificent projects! Well done kids!

Clay Frogs for a Cause

2009-04-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

The chytrid fungus is spreading throughout South and Central America and causing frogs and salamanders to die in large numbers, thus negatively affecting these delicate eco-systems.

Fortunately there are concerned people who are trying to find a cure for the infections this fungus causes, and they are saving local frog populations by putting the frogs in a safe place to reproduce and then putting the frogs back after the fungus has been regulated.

Jill Fetterman, our pottery instructor at Hearthstone School, has decided to create colorful clay frogs with her class. These frogs will represent the frogs being affected by the fungus. They will be sold to raise money to donate to various projects that are helping to deal with the fungus epidemic. The third, fourth, and fifth grades are the creators of these beautiful frogs!

Stay posted to see when and where you can get your very own Hearthstone frog!

In the Garden

2009-04-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

Miss Kitty's movement class will have a sharing with the Youth Performing Arts Ensemble at the BB&T Center on Saturday, May 30 at 7 pm.

For more details contact the office at (540)987-9212 or check back with this blog soon!

Childhood is a journey, not a race...

2009-04-21T11:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a collection of photos I thought would be nice to share.

Trusten's guitar pick to add to his collection, given to him by Mr. Paul Reisler.

Kids playing at Darden Towe Park after the hike!

Jasper jumping a creek by the Rivanna River!

Thiassi the Storm Giant disguised as an eagle. (Norse Mythology)

And they're off!

Snoopy!!! The Musical

2009-04-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

The play is moving along as planned! Rehearsals have been going smoothly and the students are in preparation with Frances & John Miller (directors extraordinaire) for the two performances! The musical will be open to the public on May 7 in the afternoon and May 8 in the evening. Reservations will be taken through the office at (540)987-9212, admission as a donation only. If you are interested in posting an ad or congratulations in the program please contact the office. Stay posted for more details!!!

Artwork done by Trusten Murrah, grade 3

Hearthstone Garden Beds Prepared

2009-04-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 9, the Hearthstone students gathered during the morning lesson time to pitch in and help clear the garden beds of rocks, and till the soil. We will be ready to plant starting next week. Our plants have been growing healthfully in the cold frames the high school built in woodworking class. We plan on growing greens, tomatoes, peppers, sunflowers, horseradish, eggplant, and squash.

Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Thursday afternoon the children of Hearthstone School searched the play yard for brightly colored eggs. It was a beautiful day for such an event!

Intergenerational Songwriting with Paul Reisler

2009-04-10T12:58:00.000-07:00

Paul Reisler, musician and founder of Kid Pan Alley, invited the Hearthstone lower grade students to join him at the Rappahannock Senior Center for a morning of questions and answers between the seniors at the center, and the children of Hearthstone.

We learned a lot of interesting facts about growing up in Rappahannock County from the talk. We also learned how easy we have life compared to yesteryear. It was humbling, rich, and sometimes comedic hashing out the differences between generations. Paul will come to Hearthstone next week, April 15 & 16 to write a song about what we learned from the folks at the senior center. He will also be meeting with the people at the senior center to write a song about us next week.

There will be a concert at Rappahannock Elementary School on May 1st. More information to follow.

Celebration

2009-04-10T12:41:00.000-07:00

The fifth grade completed their study of ancient India on March 30th, and Kalila's birthday just happened to be that next Wednesday! The class decided to take a trip to Charlottesville for the day to eat lunch at The Royal Indian Restaurant and then take a hike by the Rivanna River in Darden Towe Park of Charlottesville, VA.

Eel on the Playground

2009-04-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

Last week one of the fifth grade students, Leif, found a dead eel on the playground! This was a first for our school. We are located on the Thornton River, adjacent to the Shenandoah National Park. The eel had been caught and partially eaten by either a hungry bird of prey or raccoon, then it was left on the edge of the play yard.

The eel happened to be an American Eel in its adult stage. The eel was approximately 12 inches long, with a girth of about five inches. These eels like freshwater, and live most of their lives in rivers and estuaries from the Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The females spawn in salt water, going as far as the warm waters of Bermuda. These eels hunt at night, eating dead fish, carrion, invertabrates, insects, and in extreme situations other eels. During the day they hide in sand, gravel, or mud.

We decided to leave the eel for another hungry creature. The next day the eel was gone.

Junior Ranger Program to Continue in April

2009-03-29T16:50:00.001-07:00

Shenandoah National Park offers a Junior Ranger Program, where children complete a series of worksheets in the Jr. Ranger book, and attend two or more ranger led hikes or lectures. The third, fourth, and fifth grades have completed two ranger led programs this past fall. The programs will begin again on April 4. We plan on attending the Appalachian Trail hike and the ancient volcano hike. By May our third, fourth, and fifth grade students will all be official Junior Rangers of the Shenandoah National Park!

Video Contest - High School Video on Recycling

2009-03-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

The more views their video gets, the better. This is a contest to spread awareness of recycling and its benefits. If their video gets the most views by April 22nd they will win $500.00. The class decided that half of the money won will be used to fund their beach trip at the end of the year, and the other half will be donated to Hearthstone School.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7hGXB1li2c

Adventures at Rikki's Refuge - Febraury 2009

2009-03-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Ms. Liz's class has been working with Rikki's Refuge since 2007. Last year the class raised over $100 for Rikki's Refuge by growing organic vegetables and flowers and selling them at the Waterpenny plant sale. This year the class will be making a book about the animals at Rikki's Refuge to sell at the Rainbow Market. In preparation for the book the class (along with the first and fifth grades) went to Rikki's Refuge in Orange, VA for a day of feeding, petting, and sketching the animals. We were also able to meet with Kerry Hillard, founder and director of Rikki's Refuge, for some questions and answers as well as a few stories about living with 1,200 animals.

Rikki's Refuge in Orange County, Virginia, is a 367 acre, no-kill, all species peaceful sanctuary supported solely by donations of kind and loving individuals. The refuge is home to over 1200 animals of 20 different species, including but not limited to cats, dogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, pigs, emus, chickens, ducks, geese, a chukar, peacocks, and more. Visit their flikr site to see the refuge in action! It is owned and operated by Life Unlimited of Virginia, Inc. an approved not-for profit Virginia Corporation and IRS tax code 501(c)(3) corporation as determined by the IRS. Federal Tax-ID number 54-1911042. A financial statement is available upon written request from the State Office of Consumer Affairs.

Lower Grades Shelter Construction Complete

2009-03-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hearthstone lower grades, third through fifth, completed the construction of the Plains Indian tipi. The tipi is located in our beautiful play yard, just beside the herb and vegetable gardens. The tipi measures 14 feet in diameter and approximately 18 feet tall. The tipi door faces east for maximum sunlight in the mornings. There is a smoke flap and rain guard that can be utilized if needed. We have decided fires will be off limits inside the tipi. It will be used as a classroom for various lessons, and a meeting room for mediation and story-telling.

While constructing the tipi the students engaged in hands-on learning utilizing various information they have learned throughout the year. For example, when positioning the tipi poles to the north, east, and west they used their geographical knowledge, and when spacing the tipi poles the students used their measurement knowledge. The children's craftsmanship and determination truly showed when they were stripping the trees of their bark and applying the oil to protect the wood. History and creative play were evident when the classes imagined they were Sioux Indians building their home in the windy prairies in the west, hunting bison and telling stories of Wakan Tanka.

The tipi has already withstood strong winds and heavy rains, the structure is sound. The class decided while building, that the best way to keep the tipi grounded would be to bury the three main poles in the ground. This may be something we will have to remember for the next tipi we build.

This spring the lower grades will be painting the tipi. The classes have brain-stormed various ideas for designs, and we have the plans down. Unanimously the classes decided that the Hearthstone symbol will be the main focus of the tipi. Geometric shapes and perhaps an eagle may adorn our tipi by summer. Stop by and check it out if you are in the area!

Thank you to Jane Mullan for the tipi canvas, and to Christina, Eric, and Leif for the donation of the poplars for the poles. Also a big thanks to Ms. Liz, Mr. Aron, and the third through fifth grades for a job well-done.