This is a Tuesday
Slice of Life.
All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day.
A big thank you to
Two Writing Teachers for providing this unique opportunity
for teacher-writers to share and reflect.
At closing circle, a three year old calls out,
"Ms. Ingram, President Trump does not like people who wear scarves."
My heart aches. Where has she heard this? Has my student Farid, whose mother wears hijab, heard what she said? Why must this be something a preschooler knows? How would you ever begin to discuss this with preschoolers?
Ugh. These are ugly, ugly times.
Petula Dvorak, in today's Washington Post, "We have become a nation that detains a 5-year-old with dual citizenship, keeping him from his Iranian-born mother for hours to ensure that he isn't a terrorist threat."
My heart aches.
Senator Kamala Harris at the Women's March in Washington, D.C. just ten days ago entreated us to answer this question about America, about our country -
Who are we?
I refuse to believe this mean-spirited executive order is us. I refuse to approach the world so fearfully. I refuse.
And, I am so lucky to spend my days in the company of young children, who exude hope, love, joy, and kindness.
In the Big Cats, we are hard at work making huge signs about love and kindness. Each child is creating their own sign, cutting out one enormous shape and then adding all sorts of process art layers. This will be the backdrop for our special messages - which we will write over the next several days.
At gathering, we brainstormed messages for our signs. What's important? What do we want our friends to know? How do we make our community better? What is our message of love and kindness? We repeated each message together, aloud - first, in a whisper, then in a shout, and then we clapped each syllable.
"I love you."
"Share."
"Pick up your toys."
"Build together."
"Make a rainbow."
"Don't get sick."
"Be nice."
"Make a loving card."
"Eat together."
"Go to a sleepover with each other."
"Paint a picture."
"Thank you!"
"Be kind and you need to be good to your friends."
"Make a heart sign."
Perhaps we'll march through the school and share our love and kindness with all...maybe we should march out the door and down the streets...the White House is less than two miles away.
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| A young child protesting at the White House this past Sunday. |
