This blog got me thinking Tomie dePaola's "Strega Nona". It's a folktale that revolves around Big Anthony, who "does not pay attention", and I read it to my first grade class each year. Last week, I added "Instructions for living a life" to the Strega Nona lesson; this adult poem seemed perfect for my students to read, as well. (And, it is worth it to me just to introduce my students to the word "astonished", and expand their descriptive language beyond “awesome".) Anyway, after reading the poem, we listed things that astonish us. To start them off, I told about finding one of my cat's whiskers on floor, and how I put it in my jewelry box for safekeeping. I loved their varied reactions to this; they ranged from wondering aloud if I am a bit crazy, to worrying about whether or not I wrapped it up carefully enough before I put it in the box. But then, they caught on, and I was astonished by the things that astonish seven year olds: the coolness of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, finally learning how to "put the little jump in between the big one" when you jump rope and the softness of a puppy's ear when it rubs against a leg... I've kept the poem up on my blackboard. Every once in a while, when things get tedious or anxious or unfriendly in class, we all take “an astonishment break”--and tell about it.
This comes from Red Bird: Poems by Mary Oliver.
And still more Mary Oliver, from her poem "Evidence":
ReplyDeleteI ask you again: if you have not been enchanted by this adventure-your life-what would do for
you?
This blog got me thinking Tomie dePaola's "Strega Nona". It's a folktale that revolves around Big Anthony, who "does not pay attention", and I read it to my first grade class each year. Last week, I added "Instructions for living a life" to the Strega Nona lesson; this adult poem seemed perfect for my students to read, as well. (And, it is worth it to me just to introduce my students to the word "astonished", and expand their descriptive language beyond “awesome".)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, after reading the poem, we listed things that astonish us. To start them off, I told about finding one of my cat's whiskers on floor, and how I put it in my jewelry box for safekeeping. I loved their varied reactions to this; they ranged from wondering aloud if I am a bit crazy, to worrying about whether or not I wrapped it up carefully enough before I put it in the box. But then, they caught on, and I was astonished by the things that astonish seven year olds: the coolness of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, finally learning how to "put the little jump in between the big one" when you jump rope and the softness of a puppy's ear when it rubs against a leg...
I've kept the poem up on my blackboard. Every once in a while, when things get tedious or anxious or unfriendly in class, we all take “an astonishment break”--and tell about it.