At our Waldorf school, each class is in charge of a specific task. The elementary grades (1-5) turn their classrooms into different "stands". One room was turned into a book store, another into a tea and coffee lounge, and yet another into a mini cafe. The sixth class took turns at some of the outdoor kiosks like the fresh waffles stand or the punch tent. Obviously the parents play a large part in making all of this happen.
The older classes have similar projects. The seventh class made and sold pine wreaths. Although they started this at the beginning of the week, their parents were scrambling at the end to finish. Other things included homemade cookies, a used bookstore, and making key chains out of pieces of wood.
Classes ended at noon the Friday prior to the bazaar. Each class was assigned a task to begin setup. Decorations had to be put up, lights had to be strung, and tables and stands had to be built. Outside vendors began coming to the school to put up their displays and goods.
The Waldorf Basar is also a chance for the school to put itself on display for the community. Our English colleague Annalie's pride and joy is her handcrafts class where she teaches the students how to card wool, spin it into thread and yarn, and then weave scarves or shawls -- all in English, of course. After setting up the chairs and stands for our sixth grader's next performance up in the loft of the main building, Mike and I helped Annelie set up her display.
The round thingies are the spinning wheels -- like Gretchen's!
Here is Annelie posing with the yarn that she and her classes dyed with natural substances like herbs and vegetables.
More naturally dyed yarn made by Annelie and her classes.
The main hall was packed with different stands. There were ceramics, wood crafts, display dolls, fruit leather....
This is what it looked like Friday afternoon.
And this is what it looked like Saturday morning.
A view of some of the classrooms...
The bazaar committee (made up of teachers and parents) had planned interesting activities outside of the classrooms as well. One example was a chance to do some metal smith work with a real anvil and hot metal. What kid doesn't like to whack hot metal pokers and send sparks flying?
They offered archery in the gymnasium.
We had a cafe set up in the music room of the main building that was run by the 8th class parents. They brought in cakes and desserts galore to sell all day. To accompany your dessert of choice a bit of musical entertainment was provided every hour by the students. There were short pieces on the piano, flute, a strings/flute ensemble, and lastly the 8th class performed a bit of African drumming and dancing from their class play they will be performing in February. It was quite a sight.
One could also find plenty to eat outside. There were three big tents that were set up that morning - one for dining and special Christmas punch (apple and cherry flavored); the second for grilled food like brats (it is Germany), thinly cut steak, vegetable kabobs, pommes (french fries), and potatoes; and the third, a tent for an activity comparable to making s'mores... but not really. That third tent held a fire pit for kids to roast a special kind of bread on a stick. It's as simple as it seems - you glob a bunch of dough onto a stick and toast until done. I did not get a chance to try it, though it is apparently a very German tradition. A picture is below.
Here is the 7th class's display of handmade wreaths.
And to go full-circle, Mike documented my attempts to spin wool at Annelie's station. Let's just say it did not go very well at all. Mike was actually better at it than I -- and more patient!
It was a long and full day for us, but also extremely interesting. We had a lot of food, looked at a lot of little trinkets, and got to hang out with some of our students. It was really nice to see them in a setting outside of the classroom.
And this is what it looked like Saturday morning.
A view of some of the classrooms...
The bazaar committee (made up of teachers and parents) had planned interesting activities outside of the classrooms as well. One example was a chance to do some metal smith work with a real anvil and hot metal. What kid doesn't like to whack hot metal pokers and send sparks flying?
They offered archery in the gymnasium.
We had a cafe set up in the music room of the main building that was run by the 8th class parents. They brought in cakes and desserts galore to sell all day. To accompany your dessert of choice a bit of musical entertainment was provided every hour by the students. There were short pieces on the piano, flute, a strings/flute ensemble, and lastly the 8th class performed a bit of African drumming and dancing from their class play they will be performing in February. It was quite a sight.
One could also find plenty to eat outside. There were three big tents that were set up that morning - one for dining and special Christmas punch (apple and cherry flavored); the second for grilled food like brats (it is Germany), thinly cut steak, vegetable kabobs, pommes (french fries), and potatoes; and the third, a tent for an activity comparable to making s'mores... but not really. That third tent held a fire pit for kids to roast a special kind of bread on a stick. It's as simple as it seems - you glob a bunch of dough onto a stick and toast until done. I did not get a chance to try it, though it is apparently a very German tradition. A picture is below.
Here is the 7th class's display of handmade wreaths.
And to go full-circle, Mike documented my attempts to spin wool at Annelie's station. Let's just say it did not go very well at all. Mike was actually better at it than I -- and more patient!
It was a long and full day for us, but also extremely interesting. We had a lot of food, looked at a lot of little trinkets, and got to hang out with some of our students. It was really nice to see them in a setting outside of the classroom.
gah, looks amazing! and mike looks REALLY studious and european in that first picture. :-) hope it was fun, it sounds like you've been busy. miss you all!
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