Knights of the square table

As I look at the accumulated experiences I created for kids over the years, I always think about the ways we could/should include technology to enhance and extend the experiences and empower imaginations even more. Web 2.0 and the emergence of amazingly powerful tools have created a palette for creative teachers to paint from that is unlike anything that has existed in human history. This to me is an amazing time, but let me take you back to a time of chivalry and knights, of bravery and pride, a time of the knights of the square table.

Once again the KFC bucket begins the adventure as young knights and knightesses embark on a mission of valor and bravery.

With cardboard swords in hand, we practiced the skills we would need to slay a dragon and save a princess from the dark knights. The focus was on a culminating event designed to build confidence in each kid. Facing the dragon was imagined to be that experience.

Homebase was our own castle with working drawbridge and within it's keep the citizens of the kingdom would be safe from dragon attack and black knight onslaught.

As the helmets came together, they got decoration in the form of horns, face shields and feathers. They would inspire the appropriate fear in the dragon.

With helmets and proper attire my young, brave knights and knightesses were ready for adventure.

Part of our adventure included building artifacts that would stay in the gallery to teach people about our adventure.

One last practice session refined our skills for Tomorrow's

battle.

Each kid was to face the dragon in single combat and follow rules designed for safety and fun.

It was sometimes dangerous to be my friend at that time. My buddy Jack was the dragon and after three years his costume afforded much more padding that the first year. He was so funny as the dragon and my helpers and parents were the black knights. We always prevailed and I watched shy kids defeat shyness as well as a dragon over the years.