I bow to your enthusiasm for my young artists’ visual journals. They are pure gold. We’ve been having parent conferences all week long. Mostly the parents are distracted, in a hurry, eyes glazed over with fatigue.
Those kind of eyes can’t see the rich imagery and symbols lying right on the surface of the pages. It’s like explaining a dream to a bear.
The kiddos leave their little journals on their desks. They want the grown ups in their lives to see what’s in front of them. So many aren’t looking.
So really. Thank you. For seeing them. For understanding how BIG they are, how dear, how important, how precious. It takes the kind of eyes you have to really see.
We finished Matilda. I love to read aloud to anyone who will listen. Especially when an eager audience claps at the end of each chapter and begs me to keep reading. Bliss.
Now we’re watching the movie. I copied down this line from the movie today. And did my best not to let a single tear leave my eyes and head south across my cheeks.
And so Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships onto the sea.
Sometimes strings of words put together just so have that affect on me. Sigh gulp sigh. And Matilda is such a brave little heroine for kids who are invisible in their own houses. Marching her 4 year old self to the library everyday. Building a nest for herself inside the books she reads. Sending her small smoke signals out into the world even when no one is there to see them.
That’s how the 2nd grade visual journals are. Just glue and paper to some, but to a trained eye, a loving eye – little smoke signals that say, “I’m here.”
if I had kids I’d want them to have teachers JUST.LIKE.YOU. thanks for sharing your wonderful little monkeys and their artwork with us. Good grief..how can a parent be IMMUNE to these wonderful little gifts? Makes me want to go volunteer at the local elementary school…I’d love to hang with these monkeys!..(do schools even HAVE volunteers? if not, why don’t they? I need to look into this!)
Oh my, Mary Ann. If I’d had a school full of teachers like you, I might have stayed as a principal in public education. You are terrific. Lucky little monkeys.
So many parents do not know to look, they hurry through their lives and miss so much. Thank you for showing these young ones that someone is looking and sees all the glory in them.
I am blown away by all these wonderful comments, Mary Ann.
Meanwhile, I am clutching my heart and whispering, “I see you! I see you!” Not just to the dear little craft monkeys in their hammocks of paper and glue, but to their parents, so worn after working 14 hours that they can no longer see. Someone didn’t see them once upon a time. Thanks heavens for Miss Mary Ann, the teacher who opens eyes. Perhaps one day the parents who were children in this class will pick up an amazing journal off a desk and smile fondly and kiss a small head.
And those children will be truly seen.
these journals are wonderful. thanks for sharing them. my 4th grader loves the book Matilda. she has read it many times. how i would have loved her to have you as a 2nd gr teacher. of course we would have had to move across the country for that.
I am so thankful that these children have YOU. What an encouragement that would have been for me, as a child. I am just so happy to think of what will come of your having been there. Future bliss!
Mary Ann, you’ve got me all choked up. Sadness and joy mingled together. Oh, it is so hard for children sometimes. And parents. These kids are so, so, so, so lucky to have you. I’ll say it a million times.
You express without harsh judgement the reality of working parents who struggle mightly with their own heavy burdens. That their children should be neglected is so unfair…but such is life. I have this very scenerio in my own family. Aunt, Grandma, Great-Grandma; we all do what we can to patch the void of emotionally absent parents. A teacher can make a big difference, too. NOT an easy job.
these journals take my breath away – would that I’d had you for a second grade teacher – THANKFULLY these kids do! They will take this experience out into their worlds where they will forevermore see things with an artful eye. Fabulous. THESE KIDS ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE YOU FOR A TEACHER. Wow, wow, wow.
Mary Boyer
Nancy,
Last year a group of very kind blog readers donated some wonderful supplies to the class. Our supply cabinets runneth over with wonderful things for the little craft monkeys! Thanks for asking 🙂
-Mary Ann
Yeah, what they all said. Do the kiddlets know that we eagerly await each day’s post to see what they have added today?
Your little “string of words” and the photos of the visual journals your darlings have wrought brought a tear to my eye….maybe more than one!
I’m thankful for folks like you mary ann. So thankful indeed. I taught an altered book/visual journal class to some adults who have a diagnosis of a developmental disability. Their work was utterly glorious – displayed for a whole month at our local library – some “got it” some didn’t. For the Viewers who understood the magic a wondrous thing occurred – they began to look at the artists are REAL PEOPLE and not just through the lens of their diagnosis. How I cherish the memories of this group. We are bound together in more ways than one ~ Just as you and your dear ones and their expressions of life.
you are a wonderful teacher and I hope someday when these little ones grow up you will see the fruits of your labor!! because you are touching these lil ones in ways you don’t even know yet!! Keep it up!! Love to see the journals. My 4th grade teacher always read to us and it was THE BEST part of my day!!! I had a set of The Chronicles of Narnia and she read those and it was wonderufl!! I’lll never forget it!!
I find it hard to believe sometimes that parents are so oblivious to there own children… Your students’ journals are beautiful and unique like every child. You are a blessing in their lives… and most will remember this special time in their lives when someone “saw” them, nurtured them, made them feel special and confident…
Where do you get your art supplies from? I find it hard to believe the school district is paying for them – do you need things donated?
Beautiful post. Its something we all need to say at any age: “I’m here”.
A post after my own heart! I just adore children and always wanted to work with and help them! Especially in this world where all too many of them don’t get what they need… and I’m not talking food and clothing, but rather love and affection, encouragement and praise! Bless you for being the light in their little lives, for taking the time to nurture and love them while you teach them school subjects as well. I think the former is much more important for many of them!
N’awwww… kudos to you and the kiddos. these are faboo… or to use the kiddos own words “This is Cool” 😀
p.s. I miss you.I might have to sneek over soon for a battery recharge- or a drink!
you. are. a . jewel.
…and this is why I love you and visit your blog every day, Ms Moss.
francesca
…thank you for stoking the fires in these precious little hearts so that they can send out the smoke signals….
missy from the bayou
God I wish I’d had a teacher like you . . . oh I do (now)……
dont be discouraged about the lack of seeing – you see and i’m confident that the monkeys will remember you…do you move up with them or get a new brood of monkeys each year? you are a lucky find for them – these truly are wonderful
This just may be the very best blog post I have ever seen! I echo every one of the positive comments you’ve received! In life most people are looked at and judged, but few are seen and understood. To be seen, I think, is our deepest longing from childhood. There is so much of each child in every page they create. Even if you can’t get their blind and tired parents to see, you see. And you are giving the children methods and skills to see themselves and communicate this to the world. And you never know, because of what you’ve given them, someone might be there to see the smoke signals when they need it most!
The magic is what children do imagine, not what parents can see. You are the Facilitator, the bridge for either perspective. Your students are blessed and by assocation, so are their parents. If you are inspiring your students, you are a teacher!
I love this post. I am sad for the parents, working so hard, never had a teacher like you. I am not sad for the children, because they do have you for a teacher.
You are the best.
indeed…treasures in paper, and memories…precious to be sure.
Breaks my heart to hear that some parents aren’t even looking…these pages are simply wonderful and have so much life in them…Please let them know that we think they are amazing!! I always love to look at my son’s art work and I always praise him and tell him it is wonderful…how can you not? thanks as always for sharing these.
Beautiful! How blessed your little monkeys are to have a teacher like you. We all want to be really seen and heard, no matter what our age or place in life. But validation and encouragement are so important to a child. I still remember Miss Sweeney, the teacher who “saw” me (and I went to elementary school shortly after the world was created). I’m betting some of your students will long remember Miss Moss.
Well, so many times I wonder if the words I manage to say are enough to express the treasure I see before me, and often it just doesn’t seem like it can be expressed. It saddens me that the ones closest to them may not see what they have put forward. It may not be the deepest treasure of their hearts every minute, but whether it is or it isn’t, it is real, and it is them. Who else can it be? You don’t want credit, but I will just say that someone who does only what she already wants to do and can’t help doing has made a difference, and I know this because it has happened to me, one of your readers.
Matilda’s one of the best ever read-alouds and even if Cathie won’t listen again, I may just start reading it aloud tonight! And I just know you infuse it with LIFE.
I am sitting here just crying for your little craft monkeys. I haven’t written a comment lately, but you can bet I check your blog everyday, and I love seeing these journals. Just love it!
What treasures these are. Each one contains that scrap of life that is so important to second graders. I love to read any story to children, especially any of Roald Dahl’s. What a master storyteller. I miss that quiet time, when eyes are only on you, in wonder at the story that is being read. Enjoy.
Talk about a string of words that affect one’s self – “…but to a trained eye, a loving eye – little smoke signals that say, “I’m here.” THAT’s the one that got me!
What a wonderful teacher you are! They are so lucky to have you….you show them so much through their journals and vice versa….you make them feel proud of their artwork! Bravo!
my daughter teaches in a similar situation. your blog, this post, these photos have been inspiring. do keep carrying on. you are making a difference.
i’ve linked your blog in mine, to keep your ripple rippling.
sherry o’keefe
http://www.toomuchaugustnotenoughsnow.blogspot.com
Great, now I’m tearing up. You spoke a rare and noble truth, Mary Ann.
Hey Mary Ann
I am standing up giving you and each of those precious minds a standing ovation. Your thoughts are as true as the sky is bright blue today. You and the craft monkey’s journals have reached into each and every tiny crack of my heart. You have no idea how many times I have visited your blog just so I can look closely at each kid’s page, marveling at the capacity of emotions their pages express. Joy, happiness, wonder, wanting to fit into this big ‘ole world. You are a rare a gem as an educator Mary Ann. I am glad you are in these kids world.
Hugs. BEAR HUGS.
Why can’t you be my kids’ teacher?? why are there not more like you?
Aww man! now you made me cry! Beautiful post! i gotta read that book to my kids
I was a middle school and high school teacher as saw the results of years of parental neglect in the behavior and lack of creativity in many low income students, kids whose parents both worked and who came home too tired at the end of the day to even give a thought to encouraging their children’s talents and interests. Yet, some had dreams and ideas and plans because of loving parents and teachers.
I love that you pour your life into these children. They won’t forget, and many will go on making beautiful things out of the remains of their days. All they need is a foundation like you’re giving them, and a new a gluestick now and then. They don’t even need scissors because they can tear up ephemera and create their own beautiful books.
Maybe a corner of every food pantry should have a box of art supplies for the creative ones.
Echoing all the other comments made here. These kidlets will remember you long long into their adult lives. This I know for certain, because I cannot name the teachers who taught me math and English, but I remember the teacher who taught me art and pagentry, from winding the Maypole, to the designing of the dress to wear while winding said Maypole. Mine was green with a headress to match. Mrs. Farrell and I designed it, my mother sewed it. My Mom must still have the B&W photo of it.
Bless you Mary Ann, for what you are bringing to these childrens lives.
Oh your little monkeys are so lucky to have you…to send their ships out into the world.
x…x
You do know you are a special kind of teacher, right? The best kind! But honestly, those art journals are FANTASTIC! And not just saying that either. They truly are a visual feast … why? They are so honest and real. Kudos to your little kiddies.
This post made me cry….for the kids who don’t get recognition for their creativeness….for the parents who are missing so much. Thank goodness the kids have you!
When I look at the talent pouring out of these kids, the creative expressions take my breath away. I think they are blessed to have a teacher who knows how to value what all too often the rest of our world overlooks. Great stuff!
The monkeys did not immediately know how to create the journals. If a group of second graders (or adults) were given the materials and told to “Create”, some things might happen but nothing like this. YOU were the guide and cheerleader who led them to find their visual voices. The families need a guidebook to help them actually see what lies before them. That is the next challenge (far greater than and in a way, more important) than leading the monkeys to water.
I echo all these sentiments. you have given them something more important than grammar and arithmetic. joy and the ability to express it. priceless. it is a shame that the parents don’t have eyes and hearts able to see but this is
not unusual in the world. showing the monkeys that they can show what they feel is a genius gift. and thank you for sharing the work. they are inspiring. they are what we aspire to: to see things with fresh and unjudging eyes.
MossCottage, I thank you for seeing what most miss and giving them a chance to grow. Matilda is one of the movies also I watch and its a wonderful movie,one that I will enjoy for always. I also like coming here and reading your words they bring peace to me for your one of the ones who care and we sure do not have alot of that in this world.
Have a great day,
Linda
Your students journals so elegantly display the results of a caring, nurturing teacher. So many “littles” have their creativity snuffed out these days by poor teaching. Kudos to you for allowing them to soar!
You showed them how to make smoke signals. Some of them may turn into very brightly burning fires of light in the future. Hope so.
Poor parents – so caught up in the struggle of life, so as not to see the beauty. Those poor parents didn’t have a teacher like you when they were young.
And it takes a very, very special teacher to enrich their lives with art and to help them soar. Some of the monkeys will remember you and how you helped to set minds free and help them to soar their entire life. You are opening doors for young and old minds alike. Bless you indeed Mary Ann!
GOD ALWAYS SEES the sweet little children AND the teachers that show the love…BLESS YOU MARY ANN!
Praise God that you are a beautiful teacher to your sweet little monkeys!
So sad that some parents are so caught up in the world to notice the internal workings of their childrens’ minds.
You go girl !!
So sad. Thanks for sharing these journals, I think they’re beautiful and you’re obviously doing a great job with the kids!
I read this and like you struggled not to let a single tear leave my eyes and head south across my cheeks. Thank you Mary Ann for sharing the journals.
you are so right! 😉