When it comes to education
Albert Einstein and I share the same wisdom,
only he says it far better,
with clarity, humor, and a brilliant example
Einstein’s words:
Jennie’s words:
Assuming all children are the same
is putting a round peg into a square hole.
Testing is not a measure of a genius.
Believing in children creates a genius.
Jennie
You just never know when or where you might find a rainbow.
“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.”
-E.B. White-
Bev Bos was THE best when it comes to children, especially music.
I still sing this song to children.
Every child loves a rainbow.
Every child needs to look for a rainbow,
even grown-up children.
Jennie
Discovering an Eric Carle illustration
that is over 50 years old
is delightful.
His words give new meaning to the art.
“I often include the sun, and the moon, in my books and in a way I am trying to honor them by doing so. The sun and the moon have risen and set for billions of years and I feel it is the least I can do to put them in my books. Also, the sun and moon provide us with so much: light and warmth for plants and animals. Sunrise marks the beginning of our day (in most places in the world) and the calm moon is a source of comfort in the night. Both in the sky and on the page of a book, the presence of the sun and the moon let us know whether it’s day or night.”
This is my 40th year teaching preschool at my wonderful school. It feels like 10 or maybe 20 years. 40 is, well, a big deal…at least my school thinks so. At our monthly staff meetings, they have often surprised me with 40 of something – from 40 bags of Crunchy Cheetos, to 40 Valentines, to 40 lottery tickets, and now this:
40 words to describe Jennie.
My goodness. Yes, my fellow teachers know me well. My first reaction is a wonderful poem, “Fair Winds and Following Seas.” I read poetry with different eyes, and this poem speaks of a sea of learning and wonderful experiences. It speaks of spirit and heart, reflecting on years of teaching, passing what you know to others, and knowing you passed on love to the children. To me, this is a beautiful poem of hope and reflection, much like watching a sunset and waiting for the next one.
Fair winds and following seas,
may forever you feel, upon your cheek, the salty breeze.
Your spirit lives on in many a heart,
your words captured, and never to depart.
May your loved ones have the comfort in knowing,
to heaven is where you are going.
For all that they have to do is look above,
and they will be reminded of your love.
Jennie
I have great faith in children, because they are eager sponges, soaking up everything along the way. When learning is ‘hands-on’ that’s like electricity to the brain. Art is a perfect example. I tell children when they’re inspired, it goes to their brain, then to their heart, and shoots out of their fingers like fireworks. Yes, electricity to the brain – Art.
I introduced children to Piet Mondrian, Wassily Kandinsky, Impressionism, Pointillism, Cubism, Starry Night, and the Eiffel Tower. We played music to inspire their art. We used real tools and paints.
Next, I simply encouraged the children. They painted and painted some more. What happened still finds me a bit stunned, choked up, and in awe.
Really.
Rainbow Dots, by Adam R.
Two children chose to title their art after Boston Dynamics robots.
Atlas, by Robbie
Spot, by Justin
Kandinsky was very popular, and two children chose to replicate one of his paintings.
Starry Night is very popular in our classroom, year round. Our youngest child wanted to paint Starry Night.
I am very proud of my preschoolers. They worked hard, and it was a joy for them. Here is their art on display ‘for the whole wide world’ at our local post office:
“It took me a lifetime to draw like a child.”
~Pablo Picasso~
Jennie
March was busy in my classroom for many reasons. Spring is desperately trying to emerge. The bikes are back on the playground, and I got a ride on the double bike. Whee!
We’re in a frenzy in the best of ways preparing for our annual Art Show. I introduce art as if it is to be revered – because it is. First, I show children major works of art – slowly – commenting on how the artist painted the piece. Then I stop, as if I discovered something remarkable; I look at a child and say, “Wait! Tommy, you could do this!”
Every child is excited, and there are shouts of “I can, too!”
How? With real artist paints in tubes squeezed onto pallets, and wearing berets, children have the tools and the inspiration to paint like a master artist.
But there’s one more thing… the inspiration. Music.
I bring in my old record player and put it on the floor. “What is it?” The guesses are a suitcase or a box, or (when opened), a gate. Readers, I wish you could be a fly on the wall when I turn it on. A red light! The turntable spins, and when I rub my finger under the arm, the sound is loud.
There are no words, just spellbound children watching the ‘newest technology on earth’. When I pull out a record album and tell them, “This is music”, they don’t understand. Then I play the music (I played Beethoven’s Ninth and Meet the Beatles), and children are over the moon. We listen, identify instruments, and dance. Then we sit down. I tell them something important, and I say it with passion:
“When you hear music, it goes into your ears and into your brain. Then, it goes straight into your heart. When you paint, it shoots out of your fingers like fireworks, so you can create a masterpiece.”
Yes, that’s exactly what music does. Before children painted, they voted on the music they wanted to hear, classical or rock and roll.
Rock and roll was the vote
We began to paint, and paint, and paint. Starry Night is a favorite, yet looking at the painting is far more important than actually painting it. We can’t get enough of Starry Night!
Perhaps the favorite art has been painting in the style of Piet Mondrian. A piece of cardboard, dipping the edge in paint, was perfect for making those black lines. We have explored Pointillism, Impressionism, Cubism, Sunflowers, and making the Eiffel Tower with coffee stirrers. I must say, the children’s art is truly beautiful.
Next, each child names their framed ‘masterpiece’. It’s a powerful way to put meaning and importance to their hard work. After all, isn’t there a title to every major work of art?
Stay tuned for the art!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 