Actually, I am staying up late tonight to see the full lunar eclipse on this Solstice Eve.
I have until 3:00 am to wait for the moon, what a perfect opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Solstice and share images from the SWS Solstice Celebration on Friday, December 17th:
The Moon Ritual in the Art Studio
Singing and tent raising in room 12
The drama and expertise of cookin’ panakes, waffles, bacon, sausage and more…
and quiet moments,
even the stuffed animals took some quiet time in the beds made by kindergarteners.
As I reflect on the SWS Solstice Celebration, and await the full Lunar Eclipse this evening, I am struck once again by the affect of wonder in our lives, young and old.
(First snow in DC happened during school last week)
“Wisdom Begins in Wonder” -Socrates
Wonder and creativity often get discounted in education, especially public education. I recently wrote a short essay as a guest blog. Here it is, Picking up feathers, and other thoughts on creativity by Marla McLean.
On the eve of the longest night of the year, I am filled with gratitude and hope. The problems and despair in the world are overwhelming. It is not too hard to get swallowed by the darkness. Somehow witnessing wonder (in whatever form) diminishes the fear.
I thank all my “teachers” of 2010. They came in the form of young children, co-workers, friends, family, SWS family, bloggers, my college students from the Corcoran, my studio mates, the teachers and admins in Lima, Peru.
They also came in the form of rain and snow, sparrows, squirrels, my dog, mountains, oceans, and the rainbow swirl of oil found on asphalt during a city summer. Books, music, art, and the kindness of strangers. The great energy of Washington DC and Silver Spring. Both mistakes and discoveries were my teachers, as well as discomfort, frustration and contentment.
A rock, a beam of light, a feather.
If it’s possible to see the sun and moon align this evening on the Winter Solstice (the first since Dec 21st 1632!), I imagine it’s possible to wonder all types of possibilities right into existence.
Happy Solstice and Happy New Year to all.
Great photos, Marla! The shot you began and ended with is fantastic – it almost had a SOUND coming out of my computer. I’m guessing the view was great last night – it was windy enough to blow clouds out of the way. The celestial harmony you saw is a cold and predictable (from years away; those astronomers are good) fact. Just like the snow falling, the oil swirling, double rainbows, etc. What you do so well (and kids do naturally) is make it your own – find something in the physical experience of neurons firing in your brain that you can possess, explore and share. I think this is what you mean by wonder. For me the coolest part of it all is that we can even DO something like wonder.
While you were writing your blog I was staring into our third fire of this vacation – as my WAY overpriced Home Depot logs popped into smoke it reminded me that no energy is ever created in the universe. The energy output and energy input are constant. The energy used up by the beech tree to grow is now expressed more quickly in warmth and light and sound. BUT when people wonder and communicate and connect (and teach and learn) it feels like something new is created. I’m sure you’d agree that all the solstices in the world can’t compare to a child GETTING it right before your eyes.
A former Pre-K student of mine (now in ninth grade therefore I am extremely old) asked me on the playground one day, “Mr. Havner, does god know horses like to drink water?” That was a good day!
You have tremendous energy, Marla, which you share with all of us. We are so blessed! You have created a peaceful world, rich with magic and wonder for your students. Me, I headed to bed before the full lunar eclipse. You have made me aware of my loss!
Tonight as I celebrate the solstice with friends, I’ll be thinking of this post, and you, and the “wonder and creativity” I find each time I visit you here. Peace, Marla, and happy solstice to you as well.
Dear Ms. McLean,
My grandson Henry is in the kindergarten class at Peabody. I love keeping up with what’s going on in your wonderful art program. Thanks so much for such wonderful, inspired teaching. ART MATTERS! and makes the world so much better. I’m sure that planting these seeds at this early age will bear much fruit.