SOLSC 2015 #2: Why do you see it that way?

Each day during March, I am participating in the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC). All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, every day for thirty-one days. My slices will be primarily about teaching preschoolers. Check out the Two Writing Teachers  website for lots more reflections on teaching. Thanks especially to Stacey, Tara, Anna, Beth, Dana, and Betsy for hosting this writing challenge. 

*******

She is standing at the hallway window, watching intently.

I join in the fun. 

We stand quietly together.

The field is white with frozen snow, with large patches of ice. I am surprised at how 'untouched' the field still looks, several days after the snow has fallen. It speaks to how cold the days have been, this snow is frozen and set.

But today has brought a bit of a melt, and an elementary class has grabbed the opportunity to play in the field, rather than in the more limited space of the playground in front of the school. 

Is there anything more joyous than a warming day in winter, sun bright overhead, and freedom to stomp around in the squishing snow and ice? 

Yes, there they are, near to us, "in the foreground,"

just outside our window,

the students and their teachers,

playing in the field.

The students are

slipping and sliding,

holding onto one another,

heads bent in laughter,

sometimes falling onto the icy ground,

sometimes rolling into others - either mischievously or unexpectedly, I can't tell,

happy, happy faces,

some find sticks and attempt to break up the ice,

others try to skate in their shoes,

many are holding hands, locking arms, using each other for support,

faces wide open with smiles.

"It's amazing!," I breathe to my colleague.

"Yes. They should not be out there at all. Someone may fall and break an ankle or a wrist. Look, that child has a stick! That could really hurt another student."

I look at her in astonishment, caught off-guard.

"Oh." 

I softly add, "I see happy students," and I slip back to my classroom.

Same view, same moment, two perspectives.