Pinpoints Pinpoints Magazine Spring 2020 | Page 20

WORK
HARD
PLAY
HARD
Parents and educators know it, and children certainly show it. Outdoor
time to run and play is essential. Lessons learned on the playground can
often be as important as lessons learned in the classroom.
Two years ago, as part of the ONE School planning stage, TLS students
had a say in designing the new middle school playground. In the Design
Thinking class of Becky Johnson and Linn Jefferson, then eighth graders
Maren Johnson ’18 and Lilly Adams ’18 were among those who gave valuable
input to the visiting landscape architect, who listened attentively while
students spoke.
Thinking back, Maren says, “The new playground is really cool to see
because my friends and I helped design it so everyone would have something
to do. It looks fun to play on, and now there’s room for everyone.” Lilly
agrees, adding, “I’m super excited to see everyone enjoying something my
friends and I helped with, since we enjoyed creating the design.”
The class wished for three basketball courts, rather than two. As a result,
the layout of today’s three basketball courts is taken directly from the Middle
Schoolers’ ingenious cloverleaf design. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grades
18
each now have their own court, a place allowing them
to practice the Mission Skills, teamwork and creativity.
Middle School Head Tim Alford says, “It’s just what
they were clamoring for.” As it turns out, the Middle
Schoolers’ three-leaf design is what other students at
other schools in other states were clamoring for, and the
TLS design has caught on with a strong following.
The Design Thinking group realized swings have
always been popular. The new swings, with their TLS-
green, steel support structure, are two-person or buddy
swings, that evoke a different sensation from regular
swings. Seventh grader Jaden says, “It feels like a roller
coaster’s on our playground.” Classmate Alexander
echoes that, saying, “It constantly makes you feel thrilled
and excited.” Griffin Miller ’07 , seventh grade social studies
teacher, says, “They like to have a lightweight person on
one end and a larger friend on the other side so they can
swing higher. It’s a physics-in-motion experiment out
here on the playground.”
The nearby ginormous climbing apparatus is a 3-D
geometry lesson just waiting to be explored. There’s
plenty of room for all. Some imagine it’s a spider web
to crawl through; others play up-in-the-air tag within it
on the roping. Mr. Miller points out, “It’s angular, yet
abstract; it looks like an abstract piece of art. I’ve noticed
students are more creative in their play, in all the different
ways they manipulate the shapes.”
On that wish list for the landscape architect two years
ago and, consequently, on the playground this year
students have more flat space, more green space, more
sitting space. The field near the library terrace is a prime
spot for sixth graders to play football or a favorite place to
sit with a friend. TLS CFO Susan O’Brien notes, “It was
a purposeful choice to keep the large, open, green space
for running or kicking a ball. The playground maximizes
the ability of a group of kids to collaborate. It is a great
space that encourages great energy.”
Lessons of the playground are life lessons to be sure.