Our first month of school has flown by; in the past weeks, we have engaged in all types of learning in the process! We are so grateful to all of our supporters, families, and community partners for making the previous month possible.

What Was Month 1 All About?

Building Culture
Students are actively building the framework of our school culture through the creation of clubs – designed for learning through interests – and by working collectively to develop norms as an agreement for how we all cooperate daily.
By developing group “Circle” as a continued practice, we are strengthening the lastingness of our culture through vulnerability.

Building Futures
New Harmony students have had diverse opportunities to uncover which style of learning suits them best and how this informs their learning for their first projects and quarter one exhibitions in October (stay tuned!).
By having time to explore from where we are coming and to where we are headed, we are getting closer to uncovering how our true passions can guide our future endeavors.

Leaving-to-Learn

• A day-trip to Ship Island
  • Analyzing curious bug species, journaling about our relationship with water, and standing amongst buildings of historical significance
• The New Orleans Boulder Lounge 
  • Demonstrating new ways to use physical strength
• New Orleans Museum of Art
  • Acknowledging the history of marginalized groups through the “Changing Course” exhibit
• City Park
  •  Understanding the method of kayaking and water safety
• Horse stables at The Fairgrounds 
  • Navigating through history and internalizing the importance of wetland sediment
• Nora Navra Library
  • Discovering new research methods and determining personal reading interests

In-School Learning

• Lessons on the Mississippi River and Louisiana history through map-making and analyzing historical maps
• Creative exploration through various art projects, including papier-mâché boats, community maps, body maps, and personal identity flags
• Restorative Justice Workshops
• Interest Inventory to start the process of recognizing how personal interests can be translated into a career
• Composting, recycling, and responsible trash practices with members from 24 Carrot Garden
• Proposing student-initiated clubs and conducting presentations on the learning that will happen in these groups

Next week, students will begin their leveled math sessions and reading groups.

Fontainebleau State Park 

• Nature walks with master naturalist and New Harmony board member Dr. Bob Thomas
• Planned and cooked all of our group meals
• Kayaked and canoed in Bayou Cane
• Made mandalas from the nature surrounding us
• Swam and fished in Lake Pontchartrain
• Played a competitive game of Nature Bingo to discover wildlife and Louisiana’s greatest creatures
• Identified curious species of insects and other wildlife

NHH Families