Tag Archives: two-room school

First day of school on Islesford

IMGP5373  The quiet school yard soon starts to fill with friends from the community, arriving teachers and students.

IMGP5377 IMGP5380 IMGP5376Ashley Bryan calls it the “That’s ME!” school.

IMGP5378  Teachers Audrey Noether and Lauren Simmons welcome everyone and ask for hopes and good wishes from the group.

IMGP5386 This year’s art teacher, Mary Lyman, is totally overwhelmed by all of the things Ashley has just asked her to memorize. (….just kidding M and A…)

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Here’s to a great year for all of the new and returning students and their new teachers!

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The Ashley Bryan School will have 12 (13?) students this year in grades K through 8. My husband and all of his siblings attended this school, their father attended this school, and both of our sons attended this school. A great island tradition.

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Hammered copper round 2…

…at the Ashley Bryan School. On Wednesday I went back for the follow up art class to work with the older students  (grades 4 through 8) to finish the pendants and charm necklaces they started 2 weeks ago. Before we got back to work I showed them an article I found, in a past Ornament magazine, about the American sculptor Alexander Calder .

The students gave a very satisfying “Ahhhh” of recognition between Calder’s pieces and the hammered wire spirals and wire wrapped pieces they were making. Technique and art appreciation rolled into one afternoon. Yes!

Everyone was happy with their work. You can’t ask for much more than that!

My participation in the class was the result of a request from Meg, one of the two 8th grade students. Thank you for asking, Meg. I had a really great time!

One of Meg’s finished pieces:

Instead of saying “cheese!” I asked the students to say…”Alexander Calder!”

Halfway through the afternoon, the older students switched rooms with the younger group, who had been in music class. These specials take place every Wednesday afternoon at the Ashley Bryan School on Islesford. This time I stayed to do a beaded elastic bracelet project with the younger students. (grades K through 3)

Serious workers! And beautiful results!

Our two-room island elementary school is the same school my husband attended as a child, and his father attended as a child. Our sons, now age 29, attended this school as well.  It is a pretty special school in a pretty special place. I never take living here for granted.

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