when visiting the detroit public library
m is shocked to find that books
have been banned in the past
and learns a huge lesson.
—
“censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.”
-laurie halse anderson, Speak
Jun23
Tag Archives: children
Jun20
when danger knocks.
World Refugee Day
In a world where violence forces thousands of families to flee for their lives each day, the time is now to show that the global public stands with refugees. On World Refugee Day, held every year on June 20th, the United Nations commemorates the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees. This year, World Refugee Day also marks a key moment for the public to show support for families forced to flee and to stand for their right to stay together as a family unit.
—
“it is the obligation of every person born in a safer room
to open the door when someone in danger knocks.”
— dina nayeri
—
credits: american relief fund, save the children, united nations
Jun16
torpedo.
what do you get
when you combine every kid in the city who is now out of school
with a very hot day and a community pool?
lots of squeals, water fights, slides, splashes, and snacks
everyone so happy to be free
all summer ahead of them
has the festive feel of adults
celebrating with a long night of cocktails
but the kids are hopped up on nothing but pure sunshine and water.
—
‘i feel like a torpedo.’
-michael phelps (u.s.a. olympic gold medalist in swimming)
—
image credit: New York July 12, 1937 McCarren Park Pool- vintage photo
Jun14
the other side of the world.
kinders dig to the other side of the world and find water.
—
“if there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.”
-loren eiseley
Jun9
open doors.
one kinder opens the door for another after making sure it is safe for him to go
—
the bittersweet feelings of being part of our multi-age class
most of the children don’t see themselves as being
different ages or stages
and may not yet see
that some will be moving on
to the higher grades
where they will have the chance to grow
in ways they have yet to imagine
and some will stay with us
for one more year
where they will have the chance
to be the leaders and teachers
to the new little ones joining our class
what we all know without any doubt
is that we are one
we will always keep an open door for all of them
to safely come and go as they need
and as some leave and as some stay
our journeys continue another day.
—
“if I look back when I begin to leave, will they remember me?”
― adam young, owl city
Jun7
gangsters.
our 5th grade boys
milling around
excited and nervous and happy
decided they were going to do their ‘gangster walk’
on the way in to their graduation ceremony
in their suits and ties
jackets thrown over shoulders
and i had to smile
when i heard them
strutting by
singing ‘sweet caroline’
at the top of their lungs
i’m betting neil diamond would take it as a compliment
and when they went inside
they recited their kind words
sang school songs
watched as pictures of their younger days
flashed upon the screen
and finally ended with a beautiful candlelighting
i’m proud of these gangsters
as i’ve known some of them since they were 3
before they even knew what letter ‘gangster’ started with.
—
“any distraction tends to get in the way of being an effective gangster.”
-terence winter
Jun6
end/beginning.
kids from school days long since past
happy that this day was last.
—
“the biggest happiness is when at the end of the year
you feel better than at the beginning. “
-henry david thoreau
—
image credit: ann arbor news, ann arbor public library vintage collection
Jun2
homework.
the following was posted in the lost and found section of my neighborhood website:
‘Help me neighbors! I found young Marcus Wilson’s geometry notebook on the way to work around Revena. Anyone know him or his family? I hope his homework isn’t due today!’
—
“the worst thing a kid can say about homework is that it is too hard.
the worst thing a kid can say about a game is it’s too easy.”
-henry jenkins
—
image credit: calvin and hobbes – bill watterson
May30
shadow dancer.
kinder shadow dances.
—
“poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.”
-carl sandburg
May25
hidden stuff.
rocket the turtle is the sun in the center of the kinders’ universe.
—
“everything in nature contains all the powers of nature.
everything is made of one hidden stuff.”
-ralph waldo emerson
I didn't have my glasses on.... 