Learning experiences

Today was the second time I helped a literature teacher at a school for students with learning differences and/or ADHD bring a book set in the Middle Ages to live for a fuller, more complex learning experience for her students. No, this was not an official SCA demo, in case you were wondering; I'm a Duval County School Volunteer, complete with tag and background check, and it's something that makes my heart beat faster :o)

While last year I was only able to provide a basket packed with medieval goodies from various walks of life in the Middle Ages and short explanations to help understand these items, this year we managed to find a date that worked for both of us so that I could be there in person and in persona. 

I had the greatest time!

We enjoyed a proper commoner's picnic in the shade of trees and a medieval tourney gallery sitting on a picnic blanket in the grass after everybody had had a try at sitting on one of my gothic benches. We munched on bread, cheese, grapes, turnips and dried fruit, washed it down with apple juice and all the while poked through the various medieval items I had brought along from the tools of the trade of a scribe to a medieval glass, tableware and spices.

The boys asked intelligent questions, were curious and very comfortable with our novel set-up which I enjoyed very much. The 45 minutes went by all too fast; I think we could have easily spent another hour or two just trying to grind more cinnamon, write with a quill and maybe, maybe I could have talked them into dancing a Bransle or two after all :o)