The Pillbug
Our first three customers, glanced up and over their sand stirring and scooping at the insect perched on the Queen's palm and said in answer to "What do you call this?" "Bug." "Bug." "Worm."
The Power of Storytelling
While we have many reasons for spending so much time on story -- we know the research. We know that story is essential to brain development, language acquisition, literacy, resiliency, and empathy -- sure we do! But here, gathered around a campfire, we hear and watch our work take flight as the children become the story tellers.
What I Learned in Kindergarten
I remember sitting at the edge of my teacher’s desk watching her eat an apple. Not watching, staring, I am sure of it now. Mrs. Madsen ate the whole apple. The whole apple! Except for the seeds. She held out these seeds in the palm of her hand and said, “Now, these will be for more apples."
Gaining a Sense Of Wonder. It Takes Time.
There are times over the course of the year, but especially towards the end of the school year, when a teacher can sit back and simply watch the children’s stories unfold. Resting easy, without intervention or instruction, trusting that all the supports are in place to be able to simply listen as the children’s individual stories sing, little melodies woven into great bursts of joyous song.