Tag: wonder

Liftoff to the Moon: Human Hope & Courage

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Houston, we have liftoff.  My heart swells when I hear that phrase.  Today, I think of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, the NASA astronauts and Jeremy Hansen, the Canadian Space Agency astronaut who are, as I write this, heading back to Earth on their spacecraft, Integrity, after being the first humans to see the far side of the moon. They are also the first humans to go the furthest away from the Earth, 252,760 miles.  Imagine being that far from home!  What does that feel like?  How courageous and optimistic do you have to be to venture that far?  I am amaze and proud that we still live in the Age of Exploration.  I was beginning to doubt if humans had that creative bravery anymore, and I’m please tonight to see that we do.

Art Spa: Handmade Restorative Practice

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A few weeks ago, during a full-day professional development session, I facilitated an Art Spa event. I was amazed when twenty-five people signed up—I actually had to add more spaces! Seeing that level of engagement gave me hope; it confirmed that creating a dedicated space for creativity isn't just an "extra"—it's critical.

Somehow: Thoughts on Life, Love, & Anne Lamott

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A book in blue with a heart-shaped cloud caught my eye. It was "Somehow: Thoughts of Love" by Anne Lamott.  Anne Lamott.  She is one of my favorite authors – funny and irreverent.  Two of my favorite books are: "Bird by Bird" and "Help, Thanks, Wow!"  I am amazed by the skill with which Anne strings her ideas together.  She talks about real-life tragedies and triumphs with such insight.  Her faith is unquestionable.

Making the Broken, Beautiful

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When I read "Broken" by X. Fang and thought about a memory of something broken, I immediately thought about a glass jar that held cigars tightly packed in concentric circles. This jar was not something that I broke. No. But I can see it vividly even though this memory is close to 60 years old.  I thought the glass container was so beautiful, encircled by a red satin ribbon, holding something my father enjoyed – cigars.  When I saw it in the store, I knew I had to buy it for him for Father’s Day.  I was so pleased with myself and knew he would be proud of me.

Working in the Wonder Studio: Setting the Stage

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This month, it is the 3rd grade’s turn in the Wonder Studio.  I usually have a packed crowd waiting to create, but this group is a little reticent, and I have had only 3 to 6 students come to form.  However, what they lack in volume, they make up for in collaborative creativity. 

Reveling in Winter White: Cloud Dancer

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This morning, the snow called for me to breathe, slow my pace, and put my mind in order. It opened up a space for me to write and wonder, to dream and create.  I definitely have a deficit in those areas.  I don’t think I have attention deficit; I think I have intention deficit.  I get so involved in so many day-to-day comings and goings that I forget what is most important to me.  Thank goodness, nature has a way of reminding me, bringing back, pulling me into its healing sphere.

Taking Wing: Bird Research & Poetry in 2nd Grade

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As the students wrapped up their science studies, I offered to read some of my own bird poems to demonstrate how they could transform their research into creative writing. Becky and I envisioned this as a dynamic way to bridge scientific inquiry with creative writing, transforming our students into "poetic scientists."

Joy to Writers: Lessons from 2nd Grade

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 This week, I had the great pleasure of working with our 2nd grade students.  I did a short, guided listening activity in which I gave them multi-step directions and then they drew from memory.  The object they were creating was a girl, a simple shape by shape little girl with a party hat on her head and a present in one hand.  They all followed the directions perfectly. Then I asked them:  What is the girl’s name? Who is the present for?  What happened at the party?  Then on the back of their paper, they were asked to tell a story. It is still amazing to me what young children can do with a simple prompt.