Learning Community Monthly Update - September 2025
- Dec 15, 2025
- 4 min read
“The chief symptom of adolescence is a state of expectation, a tendency towards creative work and a need for the strengthening of self-confidence.” – Dr.Maria Montessori - From Childhood to Adolescence.
September started with new enthusiasm as we got an order for return gifts for a birthday gathering. The month was full of production and exchange. In terms of farm work, we spent a lot of time in clearing the land for sports area and loads of discussion about how to make it smooth without stones.
Circle time
We continued the breathing and imagination exercise. From simple random words we moved to words we want to bring into our work. Each day brought new surprises as we wrote the words in small paper which we used during reflection. While we all struggled to bring the essence of the word into our work, we also realized a new word each day is too much. So, we decided to hold one word for a week. In verse, we are performing the same 2 English and 2 Tamil verse from the beginning of the term. In a months’ time, we all know the verse in our memory and the movements flow like water.
In the second part where we do vocabulary expansion, we are now reaching 250 words in Tamil and 200 words in English. The 3rd part has announcements about presentations, story sessions or any sharing of knowledge by students where we need other members presence.
Planning and Reflection
Students look forward for planning now. Now, we are moving a step ahead we plan and try to work with each other so much more ease. We are continuing the 5-minute reflection this month as well as it is providing a space for students to think and write, yet in a very simple format.
The imagination exercise is reflected in the weekend reflection process. Sometimes, I observed students just write few words to fill the reflection. In the beginning of the month, as a facilitator I shared my observation, and we had a short discussion on how the reflection helps in our work. I could see students took the feedback and trying to implement in the reflection.
Work
As we continue the sports study cycle, there is loads of work both practical and study. The new one hour of practical work in the morning is helping us to take it forward. This months’ change is we introduced a schedule where we work in groups of 2 each day for the morning practical work so that the other 2 can work on their study. This way they have a rotation that helps in contributing to study and production.
Art, Craft and Music
This month we made smoke fountains and pal leaf keychains as we received orders for a birthday party. This is our first bulk order. Our Singing journey continues with lot of new additions especially during our travel.
Farm work
Every week we are doing 1 hour of maintenance work in the farm with all age groups. This month, we spent time in lime plastering and planting 10 more trees and 5 varieties of flowering plants. We visited a nursery to but the plants.
Study Cycle
Sports study cycle is very expansive both in terms of practical work and also study. The biggest challenges identified are weeds and stones. Sports area preparation brought the question of “How to control weed growth?”. Students made a plan to study weeds apart from their chosen study areas. To handle the stones, they decided to create different models using sand, stones combination.
Land cleanup was the major work. We marked a region of 40 by 44 feet which would be our shuttle/tennis/volleyball/basketball court.
Festivals/celebrations
As part of birthday celebrations of community members, we planted new varieties of trees and plants near nursery area.
Production and Exchange
We executed our first bulk order of 25 palm leaf keychains, 5 perfume pouches and 5 smoke fountains. This brought in new necessities like creating a bill format, a page for products in our website and eco-friendly packaging ideas.
This September was our 20th month in the valluvam organic market. This months’ market was full of twists and turns. While the number of customers we received were huge and the number of products we made were limited, this brought an opportunity to have heartful conversations with some curious adults.
Costing and sales are always a major task before and after the sandhai. But this month, teens cracked a way of clean and clear costing and managing the sales data. They formed small teams to track each sale transaction along with customer details. This is a remarkable achievement in their journey.
Another super surprise was the new kids stall by little ones. This new stall opened up many new conversations and bonding between the young kids. There were so many attempts to exchange products between the 2 stalls. As I think through the journey, I could feel how easily the sandhai day goes nowadays and how beautifully each one of them is contributing to the stall in their own ways.
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