Who is Emily Dickinson?

Emily Dickinson is also an American poet. She lived in the 19th century and in later life, she rarely left her room. Most of her friendships were developed by correspondence. This morning in class I read her short poem, There is No Frigate Like a Book, and I feel a little less sad about her lonely life when I think about the words in this poem - maybe she had all the company and adventure she needed in the books that she read. I was looking for a poem for intermediate students to say aloud together before a read aloud of the class novel. But I found a term I love - "prancing poetry" - that I think students would enjoy as well. I can imagine inviting students to build their own collections of "prancing poetry" and I can think of some old favourites that they might add, such as "The Highwayman". But that's another post! Here is a link to another of Emily Dickinson's poems that I like, "Hope" is the thing-with-feathers. It makes me think how the arts are a comfort for people when they are lonely or going through a hard time.

Who is Maya Angelou?

I hear that she is Oprah's friend. And we know that she is a poet because today we listened to one of the poems that she has written - Caged Bird. Now I know why Maya Angelou's autobiography is called "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings". And I've discovered that she has been quoted as saying that "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song!" For more information on this amazing woman, see her official website: Maya Angelou: Global Renaissance Woman. The poem that I read today can be found on a website by The Poetry Foundation.

Your Blogs are Flourishing!

I have just finished putting links to the blog addresses that I have received from you. I have commented on most of the posts, although I will not always comment once you have begun to comment to each other. If your name is missing, please resend your blog address - I may have missed it in my always overflowing mailbox! or if you are having trouble creating a blog, come and see me tomorrow - Monday, between 3 and 4 pm and we will do it together if we can. If you can send it before then, so much the better, although I will be working on someone's thesis tomorrow so I won't be posting any more links until after I've met with him around 5 pm. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the blogs today and I am inspired by the colours, images, thoughts...note that the order that the blogs are listed will change to put the ones that have had posts added most recently at the top. I think that will help you to choose which ones you want to browse. And if you browse, no "lurkers"! Please comment to let the blog author know you have been there. Let's talk on Tuesday about revising the blog rubric to give you credit for commenting on each other's blogs - I didn't mean to miss that!

What Makes You Happy?

How can we express our personal ideas and feelings about happiness using simple drawings? Can you draw the happiest stick person you can? Now look - what kinds of lines would make this person look happier? What colours? Try it and see. Try lots of ideas or try the same idea over again - artist's often work on the same image many times untol they are happy with it or move on to another idea. Keep drawing this very happy person doing happy things. Notice what you are thinking about happiness as you draw. What other tools and materials do you need?

Shape of the Day for Thursday, Sept. 19

1. Welcome: Are You Ready for a Story? I'm ready for a story, sitting still. Eyes are looking forward and I will Be ready for a story when it starts. I'll listen well to every part. Featured Children's Literature: Ish by Peter Reynolds 2. Music and Dance - Hand Jive set to music - Green Onions. Explore other music selections, contexts, purposes, i.e. lullabies, cultural music 3. Building on Strengths (remember the concept of "ish"!) group in four corners for Music, Art, Drama, Dance strengths Brainstorm a list of the experiences that brought you to this corner Prepare to give a 15 minute group overview of the curriculum - what should students in K-7 know and be able to do as a result of achieving the PLOS? Time to Build/Create the overviews with your group. Also time at the beginning of Tuesday's class, before sharing.

Hello

Do you know how to flourish? Begin with recognizing what brings you Positive emotion (beauty, fun, freedom!) and purposefully seeking more of it. Notice your Engagement and do more of the things that capture your full attention. Consider your Relationships and take care to build and sustain them. Find ways for your life to have Meaning - determine the importance in what you have experienced and what you have to contribute. Finally, develop and celebrate your Accomplishments. This PERMA framework for human well-being is from the work of Martin Seligman, in the field of positive psychology. I believe it is a useful framework for our young students to use to explore, through visual art, how to create happiness and well-being in their lives. Please join me in experiencing this arts-based inquiry for ourselves and designing similar experiences for children!