Blog Post #4

Is technology the opposite of wonder? Can ‘o worms! Lets not enter that zone yet. But I am having a hard time sitting here at this computer looking out at the mountains, red with early morning alpine glow. Get OUTSIDE and pay attention! O.K., O.K., but first, a blog about wonder. Hmmmmmmmm

The ‘W’ in W-O-N-D-E-R stands for “WOW!” Excitement about here and now is essential for being open to possibilities that swirl around us always. (Boy, this person is sounding like a metaphysical cheerleader. Believe me, she is as far from a cheerleader as one can get … just an English teacher.) The “teachable moment” comes only when the “WOW” breaks into the dry riverbed of prescribed lessons and the gathering from the swirl can begin. (O.K. girl, get to the concrete examples!)

Concrete Example #1: Say “WOW” at the here and now by creating a discipline of studying and writing haiku with your child, daily. Nothing is better for focusing attention on where you are than haiku. Don’t just write trite 5-7-5 syllable nature poems and think them simple! The master poet, Matsuo Basho, would shake his head at your folly. Study the master. Understand the profound essence that these poems bring into our awareness. And stay-tuned for yet more wisdom from W-O-N-D-E-R……….

Blog Post #1: (posted 1/20/10)

As a professional “ludite” who does not even own a cell phone, I find it somewhat comical to be asked to do a “blog.” But, here I am saying “yes,” because of the importance of the subject matter on which I have been asked to share my thoughts and ideas – teaching/learning wonder to/from children.

Switching now to third person in order to remain anonymous, the person who will be writing this blog was once told that she was too creative for the public school. So consider the source from whence these ideas come. They may be too dangerous to try with your children! “Don’t try this at home.” Until next time ….

(New at this ‘blog thang’ and it’s just a bit daunting, I must say, so bear with me.)

Blog Post #2: (2/4/10)

O.K. She’s back and heading into the realm of wonder. Wonder has been stomped out of existence in this culture. Everything is explained, analyzed, dissected, categorized, and shelved. We need to bring the art of wonder back into the lives of all of us, not just our kids who already have it anyway. Kids naturally begin life by being in awe of a bug in a puddle or of an ant carrying a huge piece of picnic food. They jump up and down with excitement, yelling, “Look! Look!” and ask us big people to stop our maniacal drive toward exterior goals. Just stop, breathe and look. Learn from your child. This is the first step to becoming a good teacher.

Blog Post #3 (2/11/10)

W-O-N-D-E-R … what the heck is it anyway? It is definitely something that stops us in our tracks; makes us gasp or giggle with delight. It has to do with breath and light and curiosity and connection and relationship. If you can approach education with this mind-set, anyone you teach will ignite and you have done your job. Ignition is everything. In the next series of blogs this teacher will try to give humble suggestions for ignition possibilities into the realm of wonder.