May, 2008
It was a blessing to instruct at St. Augustine’s School today as part of the WISP Program (Writer’s in School Program). These grade six students were enthusiastic and full of words and phrases.
I led them through a writing exercise based on a template I wrote which took them through the four seasons. In this template, they liken things of themselves, either physically or emotionally or spiritually, with the images of nature.
The amazing thing about nature is that there is no element that does not parallel itself with our natures. If we are angry and surly, so then can the storms or skies be. If we are full of brilliance and sun-fed hope, then how much more can the elements of the day equal or outdo our shine.
We had a chance to share our poems with each other and as always I am so encouraged by their absolute power of their imaginations and uninhibited use of words and description.
April, 2008
I was once again participating through the WISP program… this time I headed for the grade three class at St. Lucy’s School.
This was an absolute delight, as young children are so eager to listen and learn and are full of initiative and wonder.
I led them through a template/poem I constructed titled “If I Lived Inside an Envelope.”
Oh the ideas we shared…everything to bringing along the aquarium and brother Bob to stuffing their favorite burgers and books under the flap of the envelope. Children have such imaginations!
When they had finished their poems and we had a chance to each take a turn reading , they were then able to decorate/paint/sticker them and set them up on easels, ready to take home.
These are just a few of the letters I received back from the class.
March, 2008
Today I was at Namao Junior High School through the WISP Program (Writer’s in School Program) to lead them in an adventure of poetry.
It’s interesting how doubtful the class looked initially. I’m sure the students were wondering what this class would entail and why was I coming to speak with them. But soon we found a connection and they were brilliant writers, putting their thoughts with ease onto the page.
We did three pieces of writing. One of them was out of the idea that seeing is believing.
Sight is one of our most prominent senses.
We can see something and no matter what anyone else tells us, we are guided only by the image we saw. It is stamped on our eyelid.
And what we see or think we see, can determine how we talk or act around someone, whether we feel a betrayal or not, whether we keep on believing in them…or ourselves.
The exercise they were led to write on was to think of themselves and some situation that perhaps they were curious about…perhaps something they saw or were immersed in, but didn’t really understand the underlying dynamics of it.
It did not have to be a negative thought like thinking/feeling your friends were talking about you.
Perhaps they had a sick grandpa but no one ever really explained to them what was wrong with him. Perhaps family and friends said they did not need to know all the details (all this done to protect our children of course).
But this can lead an individual to form their own conclusion…right or wrong…and it makes a person act or feel a certain way.
So what if they were to imagine themselves invisible.
For one hour.
Where would they go? What would they like to find out hear or discover?
What circumstance would they wish to plant themselves inside of, to find an answer to, to feel something, to know something that they do not know or understand currently.
And to think carefully….
What they see might not affect the situation at all…they might not be able to change anything!
But what they see..or hear…might change “them”.
What action will it lead an individual to take? If someone could be invisible…for just one hour…where would they go?