Dem Bones... September 6, 2009, the Wright's Farm, Equinunk, PA

Lucia and Randy Wright, along with their daughters Samerit and Mariah, age 4, extended an open invitation for other unschooling families to join them at their former dairy farm for an Unschooling Unconvention Labor Day Weekend Campout.

It was a wonderfully freeform weekend, and it will take several days to absorb it, as well as several posts to document it. But the first one is for Annalise, who discovered a treasure beyond her wildest expectations, one which sweetened the entire weekend and gave her an outlet for several of her deepest passions, all at once...

What was this amazing, rapture-inducing item? A few random bones from a horse skeleton, including a very well-preserved skull!





All of the bigger kids were interested in exploring the bones, but Annalise was captivated. She loves horses, and learning about how bodies work, and puzzles, and mysteries....



Just a few short weeks ago, our little girl was afraid of skulls...but as is so often the way with her, she decided, at some point, to gather her courage and meet her fears head-on...which tends to lead towards an intense fascination with what was once too frightening to even consider...






She spent long moments of absorption studying first the skull, then each of the other bones...a rib, half a pelvis, two leg bones, and a vertebrae. She asked questions about teeth, bone identity, placement, and function, whether they were real or made of plastic...



After some thorough scientific research, she decided to try to reassemble the horse....








She took this mission very seriously, and gave it her full attention...













Because Annalise knew about the bones before Jeremiah did (he slept through the game of Explore the Forest that led to their discovery), she had bragging rights. And because she was more drawn to them, she quickly became our "resident expert". Quite a big deal for a little sister used to her big brother doing things first!



Miah, although interested in the bones, is more interested in computers and animation these days....and in the new game of "Can You See my Eyes If I Do This?"






In the space of less than 24 hours, Annalise visited these bones 5 times. Each time, she was free to linger and explore as she wished. Her questions were answered, and her passion fully indulged.

I have a feeling this experience will be with her, expanding her awareness, for many, many years to come...and I know that the time she spent with some bleached old bones brought her a great deal of joy in the here and now. =)