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Tag: Gertrude Stein

Magic & Imagination in a Box

November 15, 2020November 15, 2020 ~ wordancerblog ~ 4 Comments

Magic & Imagination in a Box - A few weeks ago, one of my colleagues showed me the great gallery of objects her 4th grade students had created. I decided the 4th graders each needed a box of objects with which to create - fidgetneering boxes.

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  1. Trish's avatar
    Trish on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 29, 2026

    I loved reading this observation: "I was just setting the stage for children to create.  They did not need help;…

  2. wordancerblog's avatar
    wordancerblog on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 28, 2026

    Come to New Jersey anytime, Kim. You have an open invitation!

  3. kimhaynesjohnson's avatar
    kimhaynesjohnson on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 28, 2026

    What's so fascinating is that children are accepting and agreeable when it comes to working together (mostly)- - far more…

  4. Anita Ferreri's avatar
    Anita Ferreri on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 27, 2026

    I think you should give yourself a round of applause for inspiring their creativity!

  5. wordancerblog's avatar
    wordancerblog on Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the StageJanuary 27, 2026

    Yes, this is the best part of my job. I'm a learning specialist, but I made room (literally) for crafting,…

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4 responses to “Magic & Imagination in a Box”

  1. majfoil Avatar
    majfoil
    November 15, 2020

    Fabulous! My favorite lines are:

    “This is marvelous junk. Look what I made!”

    and the final line of your poem “Listen”

    They fit so well together. You comment that the marvelous junk is made magical. However, I think it is always magical. You and the girls didn’t make it magical, you listened (and looked) and allowed the magic to be seen and acknowledged. Much like you do with all those young humans you constantly recognize and certify as magical.

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  2. Julie Avatar
    Julie
    November 16, 2020

    I also love this line: “‘This is marvelous junk. Look what I made!'”

    My kids fill their backpacks with marvelous junk, and while it sometimes makes me crazy, mostly I love how much joy they find in tiny, simple things, and how much beauty they find in things I overlook.

    I love your story about the buttons as different as snowflakes. “The world in a button…” I want to pay closer attention to see the world this way!

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  3. Loralee Avatar
    Loralee
    November 18, 2020

    Absolutely wonderful! Buttons tell so many stories and I just love how you wrote about your memories…and shared how students having collection boxes for their things is sooooo good! Brilliant idea!

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  4. dkzody Avatar
    dkzody
    November 21, 2020

    I love the idea of a box of treasures for every child.

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    Reply
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