"The free play of art is the result of mastery. " --Ernst Fischer, The Necessity of Art

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." --Ladybird Johnson

"...a well-trained ear, a well-trained intelligence, a well-trained heart, and a well-trained hand...." --Zoltan Kodaly

10/20/10

Daily Life, 81

We're working with our school community to help children become enthusiastic learners and  responsible citizens....to help them learn how to negotiate tough social situations with clarity and kindness towards each other and towards themselves.

(Tough social situations? In elementary school? ....oh, yes....think back to what it was really like, to be a grammar school age child....remember?)

The same principles and questions that we ask children could well be asked of ourselves---driving in early rush hour traffic,  waiting in line at the grocery store while someone fumbles with their checkbook and 25 coupons, applying our entire focus to our work each day....

What does it look like ....to be responsible? to do our work to our best ability--and then stretch for more? to act with kindness? with integrity?

What does it sound like.....to treat others as we'd like to be treated? to be honest and straightforward? to challenge what we see as wrong and actively support what we see as right?

The children aren't the only ones who benefit from remembering to ask themselves questions....

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