LINDA CHIDO ART
HOW TO MAKE A WINDOW STAR
Every year, we begin our homeschool year on January 16th, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I chose this day because I like the opportunity to begin our school year with a great message we can hold in our minds and hearts throughout the year.
This first week back, like in years past, we'll revisit with all the books we have about Dr. King, watch his speeches, and talk about all of it. Over the years I've extended this conversation to include other civil rights leaders like like Harvey Milk, Cesar Chavez, Rosa Parks and others.
I first introduced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to my kids when they were wee littles. At that time, we obviously weren't having deep conversations about civil rights but I wanted to share with them some of Dr. King's message. While I was researching I found The Star Code through a Waldorf education website. The Star Code gave me a tool to introduce Dr. Kings ideas to my littles. As the kids grew, we expanded our reasons for why The Star Code is important and also added other civil rights leaders into our learning.
The Start Code begins with a five pointed star. Each point corresponds to a value we want to reflect upon:
RESPECT for people and property
KINDNESS to self and others
CELEBRATION of diversity
APPRECIATION for the good in each other
RESPONSIBILITY for what you say and do
In addition to starting our year with a review of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and The Star Code, we also make kite paper window stars. This three part combo is a new school year tradition that I just love. Over the years, we've tried a variety of paper stars from the book, Magical Window Stars by Frederique Gueret, but we always come back to the tried and true eight pointed star.
Give them a try with your kiddos. What does the Star Code mean to your family? Have a rousing conversation while you make window stars with your kiddos.
INSTRUCTIONS
How to make an 8 pointed kite paper window star:
Supplies:
- kite paper (it feels like parchment paper and you can order packs of colors online)
- glue stick
- transparent tape to hang your star in a window
