Category: Play

Working in the Wonder Studio: June Wrap-up

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The last  two weeks of school found the girls busy wrapping up their spring projects in the Wonder Studio.  Even though I warned them not to start anything new, some of them could not resist.  They spent their recess times painting, making, building mazes, sewing pillow, and making oodles of miniatures.

Poetry & Pasta: Kindergarten Wordplay

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My love of poetry extended into May this year as I read aloud to our Kindergarten classes.  I had read my poetry and facilitated poetry writing with students in 1st through 5th grades in the month of April.  Finally, I had a little more time to bring the joy of verse into Kindergarten.  I found the perfect picture book to share, Pasta, Pasta Lotsa Pasta by Aimee Lucido.  Since I am of Italian heritage, I found this book to be particularly fun and engaging.  Ms. Lucido’s wordplay is exquisite and invites  young children to join into the rhythm of the story.

Working in the Wonder Studio: Creative Spirit

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I have noticed in the last few years that the 5th grade students love to fabricate small intricate items during their final Wonder Studio sessions. I’m not sure if it’s because they want to be able to quickly complete projects that they can take home as mementoes of their Primary School years, or that they are working on a math PBL unit on Tiny Houses, so their minds just naturally go to the miniature. However, most of the students are making objects other than items for their tiny houses, even though I bought materials that would allow them to construct tiny furniture and other accoutrements.

The Art of Poetry: Eating Our Words

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I'm not sure what I like to do more: write poetry or make delicious things to eat. I do know that children love to prepare food because of sensory stimulation it entails. Making food from scratch is a creative process, much like writing. You imagine, plan, and then set to work creating something special. Whether the final product is a poem or a delectable dish, the process is the same, and the end results are satisfying.

Stormy Weather: Celebrating Poetry Month

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I loved stringing words together.  I loved the way they formed in my mouth and rushed out into the air.  Poetry was magical, and I felt I had some of that magic in me. Now, as a poet and teacher, I enjoy bringing that love of the spoken word to children.  This month, Deborah, my friend and dear librarian at the school where I teach, invited me to be the guest poet during her library times with 1st through 4th graders.

Support Stuffies: Managing Test Anxiety

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There was a lot of anxiety in the room even though we had tried to make the students as familiar with the test as we could possibly do.  We also did not place a lot of importance on the test, but the children sense it is important, it does reflect on how smart they are, and it does matter.

Spring Break Artifacts

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It is my last couple of days on spring break.  I’ve slept late, ate good food, written poems about food, and took long walks capturing the beauty I saw with my camera.  I am trying to do things that nourish me, that uplift me, that help to better understand my purpose. The sunshine and warm weather has definitely lifted my spirits, and I hope I have absorbed enough of its healing energy to bring back north to our muddy March season.

Sew Easy: A Heartfelt Journey

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Many things that my mother loved, I love - teaching, making art, reading, eating cheese and crackers, putting on bright lipstick, and sewing.  My mother was an amazing seamstress and dress designer well before she had kids and became a teacher.  She would hold a piece of fabric in her hand, fold it, cut it without a pattern, and make something wonderful to wear.  She had a gift, and it was magical.