More Love That School . . .

So much depends

upon

eager students

reading

and asking

questions

with such

energy

and enthusiasm

and good cheer .  . . 

Thank you, 

Camden schools

for the 

warm

welcome.

xx

Your Author

Love Those Schools, cont. . . .

One of the bonuses

of living in Maine

and visiting schools in Maine

is that the scenery

is always

magnificent

and the people

are ultra-friendly.

Lured by Island Readers & Writers

recently I visited schools 

in Jonesport and Beals Island.

They've been studying The Wanderer

and have developed so many wonderful projects 

based on their year-long theme:

Navigating the Storm.

Science, health, literature, art, math, music

incorporating all disciplines:

Wow!

Below are some of the art projects.

I wish I could have included photos

of all the other projects

but at some point

I put away my camera

and merely drooled.

(More photos at above link to Island Readers and Writers)

Tied into the above weaving

are individual scrolls

on which students had written

private messages about their own storms.

Above: flag and radio code

Left to right:

Ruth Feldman*, Principal Chris Crowley (Beals Island), Me,

Principal Dr. Debra Lay (Jonesport), and Jan Coates.*

(* = Directors, Island Readers and Writers)

Thank you all, for an inspiring visit!

xx

Love That School

Sometimes

I visit 

amazing schools

where the enthusiasm

and energy

and good will

is so high

that 

I 

swoon.

Bright and cheery welcome

students independently engaged

playing with words

celebrating books

and people

and

their

stories.

Thank you

Fay School

for a beauteous

and delicious

visit.

You're all

amazing.

xx

So Much Depends Upon a Teacher

Yesterday, I showed this photo of a box of treasures that came from a school in Texas:

This isn't just a random collection of 'stuff' - each item feels specially chosen and warmly offered, from the school tee-shirt (which I've already worn proudly) and thermal drinking cup (they know I drink tea and water while I write) to the fine, fine chocolates (they know I love chocolate) –

that come with this warning

(they have a sense of humor)

and these seeds

"seeds of esperenza and morning glory"

to be scattered 

(representing hope)

Clipped to the top right of the card is

a trio of trinkets

representing cats, dogs, journeys

(Love That Dog, Hate That Cat, 

and many journeys)

and letters, amazing letters

full of enthusiasm and humor and warmth

Listen to this one line:

"I like to say your name, it has a creek in it like a door closing real slow."

Referring to my Skype session with them, one says:

"All of the love and happiness imported straight from New York 

makes me flabbergasted!"

And poems - how about this one:

So much depends upon

Tacos

We gobble them

we make them

we fight over them

TACOS.

And of course, also in this box of treasures,

this perfect little red wheelbarrow

which refers to the William Carlos Williams poem

that means so much to the boy in LOVE THAT DOG:

so much depends/ upon / a red wheel / barrow // glazed with  rain / water // beside the white / chickens

This is a school with such a good feeling about it, from the teacher and students with whom I bonded several years ago, to their librarian and principal and fellow teachers and students - and there are more schools like this out there

ones where the administration and teachers and librarians 

set the tone

and 

so much depends upon

their energy and compassion and enthusiasm

and you can feel it

in the students

in their words

and their actions

and I feel honored to know them.

They are changing children's lives:

so much depends upon them

so very very much.

Teachers and Librarians

Above: a box of treasure from a school in Texas

a box full of words and thoughts and gifts  

and loads of warmth

I'm going to write about this school

tomorrow

but for now

I'd like to salute

teachers and librarians

everywhere

who

make all the difference

in a child's 

life.

Did you have

a teacher or librarian

who

made all the difference

in your life?

Mm?