"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

2/8/10

Daily Life, 22

Walking down the hall this morning at the start of school, following a line of First Grade children who were dragging backpacks and dropping mittens....suddenly, Tristan* stopped, stooped down, and picked up a shiny new penny. Turning to me with a big smile....

Tristan*: Look, Ms N! A penny!
Me: Wow, Tristan*. Gonna save it for your piggy bank?
Tristan*: No...did you know that there are little, little kids who lost their houses and their toys and everything in a big earthquake?
Me: Yes, I heard about that. It's sad, isn't it?
Tristan*: Yeah. My Mom said that little babies are having to sleep on rocks and stuff.
Me: Hmmmm. Lots of people lost their homes.
Tristan*: Well, we're helping them. We have a big bottle of pennies for peace, in our classroom. I'm gonna put this one in there!


And off he went.



*Tristan, naturally, is not this generous soul's real name.

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