Amanda Lyman teachers Core 4+ at the high school. This year she applied for a grant through Baldwin Education Fund titled, “Gather Round the Table” and was selected as recipient to put her idea into action.
Q: What is “Gather Round the Table” about?
“I titled my application Gather Round the Table because my goal was to host one activity a month with my Core 4+ students where we would all sit around the table and enjoy a snack or complete an activity together learning how to connect with one another and practice appropriate conversational skills.”
Q: What are some activities the class has completed so far?
“In September, the class made m-n-m protein balls. In October, every student painted their own pumpkin with a design of their choice. We then displayed the pumpkins in the library and had both students and staff vote for their favorite one. This month we made pumpkin energy balls.”
Q: What are some upcoming activities the class will be completing?
“In December students will be making homemade hot chocolate treats. Next semester we will be making candied popcorn, homemade trail mix, and charcuterie boards.”
Q: Why did you select this for a grant?
“Last year my students and I were talking and one of my students mentioned that they never had dinner at the dinner table. Their family did more of a come and go style and just ate in the living room or in their bedrooms. As we were talking about this, more students chimed in that this was their experience as well. As a mom of three, family dinners are the time in our house where we connect with one another, discuss important matters, and just hang out. I didn’t want my students missing out on this opportunity. There are a lot of lessons and soft skills learned around the dining room table. I wanted to provide my students with an opportunity to experience creating a meal, sharing the meal with each other, and modeling for them the types of conversations, collaboration, and camaraderie that takes place around a table when a group comes together to eat.“
Q: What has gone well so far?
“The kids really enjoy creating their own snacks and trying new things. I try to make snacks that students could duplicate at home. Students’ favorite activity this semester was painting the pumpkins.The students sat in a circle with their desks each day they painted and the laughter, shared stories, and fellowship that took place was exactly what I wanted this grant to do!”
Q: What will you change moving forward?
“Next semester, I am going to be more intentional on the days we prepare food to have students put away their homework, ipads, and other work and just spend a few minutes enjoying the company of the people in the class. I will have some conversation starters ready to go and will focus on being present and enjoying the company surrounding you.”