long days in the classroom settling playground disputes, delivering instruction in hand-washing techniques that minimize water splashing. doling out classroom etiquette on sneezing. earlier this week, there was a backpack throwing incident involving a heavy crockery plate, a fork, a huge pool of blood, a black eye, and a hair-raising lecture on running in the hallway delivered by yours truly.
it’s the time of year when the honeymoon has faded and the kids have just woken up to the fact that their teacher is not right in the head. the jury is still out on whether that will end up being a blessing or a curse.
art to the rescue!
i can tell you that my jury has been in deliberation since august on whether or not this year’s class can hold a candle to last year’s. i’ve been leaning heavily in the NO direction, but things are starting to shift.
by the way…these are practice poppies for their very first drawing and painting on real watercolor paper.
which. we did today!
report cards are due, parent conferences are coming up, my final evaluation looms on the horizon and i have half a dozen field trips for which i must recruit parent volunteers.
somehow or other it will all get done.
i usually play soothing calm music during art but today i cranked up the volume. the vibe in the room was fantastic, joyous. everyone was swaying in their seats, and perfectly absorbed in painting. really cool.
i think i can say it was today that things began an internal shift for me. the music, paint, light in the room. good stuff. a balm to wrap around all of my prickly parts.
hope you’re making your own music. swaying to what matters. finding those rare & lovely moments that pull you into the here & now.
Just lovely, MAM. These kids are so blessed to have you for a teacher! I am THRILLED that you incorporate art into your teaching. For example, if you had not opened the door to this amazing excursion, many of those kids would lead their lives not knowing that they are talented in -some- area? And an introduction to the world of art and music that they could possibly never know, if not for you. Carry on, Darling Mary Ann!
So charming!
Thank you for the link to a new music discovery for my creative art times – Sense – terrific electronic sounds. And thank you for the words you write. I love these glimpses into your life.
Mary Ann,
I thought it was time I tell you how much I love your posts. I am a former music teacher, currently director of Music & Liturgy at a Catholic Church in Wisconsin. Nothing feeds my soul like art and you bring that to life in so many ways. It truly brightens my day when I see that there is a post from you. Your students are blessed to have you touching their lives and so am I!! Thank you for all you share and know you make a difference far and wide!! ❤️ Peggy Kolonko
nice of you to chime in peggy. thank you 😘 waving to you in wisconsin where i am imagining you are enjoying some autumnal weather..wish we were!
it sounds like they are really pushing the boundaries, but i have faith that you will prevail. you always do. last years group were great little artist, this years are starting to measure up. keep up the good work. we need more teachers who are really tuned in and have the fortitude to deal with today’s kids.
thanks for the vote of confidence mary xo
The thing about children (well, A thing about them) is that they are so uncivilized. It takes a lot of work (and a LOT of repetition and vigilance and enforcement) to get them to a point where they know (and mostly follow) the rules. Tiresome and tedious for the vigilant repeater/enforcer……..
How lucky your kids are to know someone who is willing to take on the vigilance/repetition/enforcement AND also give them so many means of expression — words, lines, colors……. I think that delivers a message of the requirement for basic civility, with a bright colorful note that individuality and creativity are in addition to that civility (not a replacement for it!).
Love your description of the vibe in the room with the music and the painting. I have to believe that was good for everyone’s bodies/minds/souls.
What lucky kids, to be getting so many of the things kids desperately need, all in one classroom…………….. On behalf of humanity, I thank you for working to turn out better future adults. 🙂
uncivilized. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! yes indeed.
but they are also nice kids. most of their wrongdoing is a result of foolishness, not malice and for that i am v.v.v. grateful!
Even the nicest people can be incivil…. 🙂 First one has to know (and, dare I suggest, understand) the rules, and then one has to be willing to follow them….
Glad your kids are nice! That has to be huge, for forging happy relationships.
Thinking of “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity” (or foolishness).
Even with adults I am working to attribute to stupidity, rather than malice, and treat it as though it were an educational opportunity. “I bet you did not see the ‘no smoking’ sign. Thank you for not smoking here.” And then I turn around and walk away, so they don’t have to feel they must defy me (“not the boss of them!”…)…..
Speaking up, more and more, about more and more things, these days……………… Figuring that if those smokers heard that from nearly everyone who passed, at least some of them would give up smoking there as being too much trouble………
I love seeing your students’ artworks. They are incredibly lucky to have you for a teacher.
My sentiments too, Genie. They will always remember this class and this teacher. And for some it will start a lovely art journey. What a special opportunity!
thanks genie, but i doubt they feel very lucky after one of my bee-in-the-bonnet lectures. ha ha ha ha ha!!!
Remember – Comparison is the thief of joy…
I hope you’ll share your playlist when it’s done. I need one for writing and art making. And to just keep on going when my creative life is threatened by that other one 😉
will do! for now i am loving SENSE – ESPER – not my usual musak, but i’ve been enjoying.
Mary Ann, you are my hero 🙂
I’m a third grade teacher who has somehow ended up in school management and have felt my passion for art in the classroom teaching slowly waning- stress and lack of time is a killer. You make aware of just how much my kids are missing out with me always running around getting forms filled, signed and stamped….and making sure my colleagues have done the same. Something’s got to give – and it’s not teaching or art.
I think your kiddies will surprise you – how could they not with a teacher like Ms Moss showing the way 😉
leanne i hear you on the stress/time. it’s a constant rushing pushing pulling wrangling. art really does save lives. mine at least!
sounds a lot like the employees i had when i was a manager…. HA…. so glad i was able to retire…