We have been very busy here at the Little Round Schoolhouse.  The final countdown has begun until school begins.  As we’ve been preparing the schoolhouse for the beginning of the school year, we’ve noticed how much early the sun is sinking in the sky than when we first begun construction.  And a cool wind has been refreshing us as evening approaches.  Autumn is on the way!

We are so excited to open our doors and welcome the sweet children who are a part of our community.  Scott and I (Becca) feel truly blessed to be a part of this school family.

So many people in the greater community are responding to what we’re doing.  It definitely uplifts us to experience the encouragement and support that we have in the beginning stages of this journey.  Several people have sent us generous donations of money and materials, dozens of people have volunteered their time and skills, and even more people have spread the word about what we’re doing.  The response is amazing!

As we begin the final days until the schoolhouse opens its doors, we want to repost our needs.  Please look through this following list and see if you have any of these things sitting around your home or in your attic or basement.  We would love to give your old things new life and space.  We will be very grateful!

There is a direct link to a frequently updated version of this list on our site here.

Art Supplies

1. uncarded wool–we have some dark wool, but we also like some light-colored wool
2. wool carders
3. felt–an on-going need!
4. needles
5. thread
6. cloth
7. scissors (children’s sized)
8. wool roving
9. sheets of beeswax
10. natural hair brushes
11. empty small baby food jars (for watercolor painting)

Teacher Supplies

1. beeswax candles (1” x 4”)
2. wooden candle holder(s)
3. candle snuffer
4. lyre
5. match box

Furniture

1. short-legged table (two short)
2. benches or stools (to seat 14)
3. circle time rug
4. kitchen shelves
5. painting drying rack
6. small table

Kitchen Supplies

1. small bowls (14)
2. utensils (enough for 14)
3. cups (14)
4. little napkins (14)
5. serving utensils (ladle, wooden spoon, etc)
6. mixing bowls (2)
7. baking sheets (2)
8. pitcher
9. rags
10. tablecloth

Creative Play Furniture

1. play stands (2)
2. play area shelves
3. balance beam
4. wooden fridge
5. wooden range
6. wooden sink/cupboard
7. silks
8. dyed muslin
9. baskets (various sizes)
10. smooth stones
11. log blocks (made from tree rounds)–have some; could use more
12. wooden blocks
13. sticks
14. dry beans
15. shells
16. pillows (for cozy corner)
17. 2-3 dolls (made from natural supplies, “waldorf” dolls)
18. toy crib (wooden)
19. puppets–can always use more!
20. balance board
21. wooden cars
22. wooden animals
23. wooden train
24. play dishes
25. play utensils
26. play napkins
27. play cups
28. play food–have some but could always use more!
29. wool balls
30. bean bags

Structure

1. yurt!
2. infrared heater (to heat 400-450 square feet)
3. small solar panel

Once the platform was complete, we had to put up the yurt in order to protect the insulation and plywood that we had just put down. A moderate amount of rain could ruin the work we had just completed. As soon as we began to talk of bringing the yurt down to the platform (it was in pieces in Scott’s art studio), we began to hear thunder and noticed dark clouds approaching. One of our school families arrived and said they had just driven through pouring rain. Uh oh. We began to work fast. Really fast. It was exciting and a bit nerve racking to move as quickly as possible in order to beat the rain.

The first thing that went up was the door.

We then brought down the khanna–the wooden framework that will hold up the canvas. We unrolled it on the platform and stretched it out. This part was really exciting for me. The space was quickly taking shape!

After the khanna was stretched out, we put a wire along the top of the khanna.  The rafters were then stretched between the wire and the center ring.  Charlie held up the center ring while we stabilized it with the first 4 rafters. 

We continued to add one rafter at a time until all were in place.

The roof canvas was then lifted up and pulled down over the rafters. 

Next we hung the side walls/canvas.

We painted the wooden rim around bottom.  Actually, Ms. Ruby painted most of it.  What a joyful helper!

We also added stairs (since the children can’t fly) and a real window (in addition to the vinyl ones).  

It’s hard to believe how quickly our schoolhouse went up once the platform was built.  It took about an hour, thanks to the approaching rain acting as a huge motivator.  I love walking to the back of our yard and seeing the schoolhouse sitting there, all round and beautiful.  I can’t wait to finish up the inside and then fill it with beautiful toys and–most importantly–beautiful children.  Our community has grown just as quickly as our yurt and it brings me great joy and excitement to think of the sweet faces that will be joining me in our new space soon.

I believe that Waldorf education lays an invaluably strong foundation for children.

As we’ve literally laid the physical foundation for our schoolhouse, my mind has pondered on the deeper meanings of all this.  As I was pouring the footers for the posts and caulking the edges of the platform, I realized that the physical work I was doing parallels this deeper, spiritual work.  Without the strong footers, our schoolhouse might shift and could even collapse.  Without the protective caulk seal, moisture would damage the internal structure of the platform.

As teachers, it is our purpose to provide an entry into school that fosters joy, creativity, possibility, and wonder–the foundation for life-long learning.    Our school day reflects the deep belief that a child’s natural, creative play lays the most important foundation for later academic success.  Waldorf early childhood programs are designed to enlivening the imagination and lovingly guiding each child toward his or her understanding of the world.  A school experience that recognizes and protects the sanctity of childhood will lovingly guide a child toward success in adult life.

As we work to build our physical schoolhouse, we focus on these things.  It is the hearts of the children that are on the forefront of our minds as we move forward.

After digging two foot holes with an auger, we added rebar and mixed and poured concrete.  These footings will be holding up the school, so making them strong is very important.

Once the footers “cured,” we attached the octagon we previously made to posts that were attached to the footers.  The frame of our school is up!

Now we lay the subflooring which will hold insulation.  It was exciting to see the round shape already taking form.

We all worked a long and hard day.  Even Banyan got to help!

After the subflooring was built, we laid plywood on top and trimmed the edges to a perfect circle.  Then we filled it with insulation to keep little feet and bodies warm.

Plywood was then placed on top and trimmed to a perfect circle. Here is the platform just before it was trimmed.

Here’s a picture of the cool notched board once it was bent around the platform.

Banyan’s Gramma came to help keep him happy and occupied. At one point, he took it upon
himself to collect tomatoes for the workers. He filled our new wagon with tomatoes and
pushed it across the property and down the hill to the yurt platform.

The platform is finished. We have constructed a strong foundation for our school.
Next, to raise the yurt. We may perhaps be Asheville’s first school in a yurt.