I believe that theory and practice are indeed the pedals on the bicycle and you need both to move forward. (Loris Malaguzzi coined this phrase)
It is a goal to share this belief within my blog. It is important.
Today, however, I want to show
gratitude through images.
beautiful moments,
small and large
private and public
hard earned through perseverance
spontaneous gestures
independence
help from friends
help from family
exhilaration
quiet
togetherness
chaos
making
flow
solitude
the lit fire
connection
joy
love
Embrace this idea:
Without deep relationships developed with children, hand, mind and heart-
“this” would not be possible.
This is creativity.
Thoughtfullness.
The data gathered is called humanity.
Trust.
It is the force that makes life remarkable.
Not always easy.
But remarkable.
In full gratitude,
Marla
Binoculars above and walkie talkie below
(Katy, PreK first self portrait)
The surprise of translucent transformation.
(BK Adams I AM ART exhibit at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum) Both K classes got to view the exhibit and meet the artist. When I emailed BK the images he was just blown away. “Marla, wow, this is the reason I do what I do.”
Michael rummaged his hands through the jewels and held these two red ones up to me.
Me: You found two red ones. Your favorite color!
Michael faces me and presses them to my chest, “No, it’s your heart.”
I carried them in my pocket all day. Patting them. I took them home. They sit on my dresser.
Not always easy
but remarkable.
PS I have made many connections through reading and commenting on visionary blogs especially ones in early childhood education.
One of my favorites is a West Coast PreK teacher who is nothing short of prolific. He is also passionate, committed and fearless. I am humbled and honored to be nominated by him for the best best individual blog through Edublog. Please take a look at Teacher Tom . His review of my blog warms my jewel red heart.(and while you are there, brew a pot of coffee and read his posts!)
Marvelous! Matteo is intrigued by the picture of the airplane in the museum so we will be looking that up soon! Elisabeth.
So much great stuff in one post. Love it all! (and that must have been awesome for BK to see the kids react to his art. So thoughtful of you to share it with him, how else would he know, and so much more authentic than adults make polite comments at an opening)
Not that there’s anything wrong with polite comments at an opening.Wouldn’t it be cool to have a gallery exhibit for adults where everyone had to draw what they were feeling at the opening?
WOW! You did it! (the costumes…) I was waiting to see how that project played out. I love the photos of their drawings/plans with the final product. Love the painting on clothes! Just fabulous.
These pictures are beautiful! What extraordinary work by the children on their costumes! Thank you for sharing these fabulous photos, Marla.
The costumes look GREAT!!!
I feel the energy of your classroom in these blogs. Your innovation, your interaction with our children, your energy, and your ability to communicate it to us is truly appreciated. It is inspiring and we are so grateful to have you in our lives.
“The data gathered is called humanity.” Wow. I’ll now be thinking about this all week.
Thank you, Marla, for working with young children. I wish I could sit as a fly on the wall at your school sometime. I’ll bet I would learn more in an afternoon than I have in 10 years in my own classroom.
you give me pause. you give me a smile and lots of inspiration. you and the students give me hope.
thanks for these beautiful photographs and your poetry.
love,