The classroom was prepared. Manzy had organised the boys with the keys. I immediately was sided by Nivarna and Kelsey who had two little boys with her. It was sweet that she wanted to herd them. I let them in the classroom and then we had to make decisions. Did they want to work together on the mandala, yes. Did they want anyone else in, no. I closed the door the journey had begun the goal was to finish the mandala.
They needed to draw options so they could vote for the best. Each drew their own mandala. Kelsey had come in with two younger boys. She made a hurried drawing of something and then started helping the boy next to her. I would have prefered her to focus on her own work.
I got to the point of four options. All the learners had drawn out what they understood from my description of a mandala. There were three the same Kelsey and the two little boys all had the same image. They did not copy her but were coached by her. She meant well by getting them brave enough to draw. They felt the teachers voice was to far away, they got her.
We had gotten to the voting part and I put all four images out and asked everyone to vote for which one they thought was the best. Everyone voted for their own image except one small boy voted for Kelsey. Perhaps he was beginning to think strategically. Other learners were now knocking on the door. They wanted to join in, it took a lot of energy explaining softly that they were interrupting a process inside.
Back in the room. I then asked who wanted to put the voted image on the final board, no one. Kelsey walked out with her two boyfriends and I allowed Nivarna to continue as I had spend so much time keeping people out and clearing the space and getting them all this far. I did not feel like getting another random set of four to work together.
She did her design that was closer to the brief than the voted one, more beautiful. After a while she got tired. Her concentration was not as good. I showed mercy and allowed another girl in. It took a while for them to get along and be comfortable working together, I am thankful they could work together. The class reached an end point. Kelsey did not finish the work that had been voted for. She left with her followers. Nivarna had come in alone. She was strong enough to get to an end point solo.