During March in PreK we learned about animals, and we practiced talking about ourselves as animals in nature. Returning to Amanda Sturgeon's Buildings Designed for Life: "Implicit in the choice we make about the built environment is a choice about ourselves: Are people separate from nature, or are we part of nature?" Makes a good striking line, don't you think? And it's 11 words, just like there are 11 letters in "Human Hubris," something we probably ought to educate out of our children.
Janice is our host at Salt City Verse this 2nd Friday of NPM. More important, honestly, is that today is the last. day. of. school. before. break! Whoa nelly, do school people need this! I'm glad that poetry will be a big part of my break.
EDIT: I've decided this should have a different title: "How We'll Get There." Also, if you're interested in the other ALL WE CAN SAVE poems I wrote this week, scroll down. I'm particularly partial to "Dam It."
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"To care about a changing climate we don't have to be a tree hugger or an environmentalist (though it certainly helps); as long as we are humans alive today, then who we already are, and what we already care about, gives us all the reasons we need."
This is fabulous. The form and also the beautiful descriptions of children with their mammal panda eyes and ears, their flower touching fingers, their vocabulary and innocence and deep wisdom. This poem makes me think about how very animal we are and too, how lucky the world's been to have you as a teacher in it. xo, Amy
ReplyDeleteOh, SWOON! This poem is everything. These children will be changed forever, thanks to you and thank you. You've planted powerful seeds.
ReplyDeleteHeidi if there could be one poem in the world to help people see the significance of climate change to us, it is yours. I just received All We Can Save and am looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteLOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteSo true about the swimming! Those little people are learning a lot. Enjoy your break, Heidi.
ReplyDeleteI only remembered my panda eyes and my panda ears and that I too touch tulips and bluebells with reverence. Maybe I'm actually a Pre-K student in a bigger body. I want to learn everything over...all again. I'll bet I could do better.
ReplyDeleteYour students are so fortunate to have a teacher that helps them think in different ways, Heidi. This is so poignant to read about them, about all of us who still live in the kingdom as some are trying to do something better.
ReplyDeleteAs others have said, your students are so lucky they have you as a teacher. We wil all get there hopefully.
ReplyDeleteChildren are so wise! Perhaps it's they who should teach us? Grateful you are a teacher of the littlest! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, Heidi!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, it was brilliant all along, but the last two lines blew my head off. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteOh...my...goodness! It takes a special person to teach PreK and even more special to teach like this.
ReplyDeleteYour classroom must be a very special place in which to learn. The whole poem is beautiful, but I especially love "they touch tulips and bluebells with reverance." Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHeidi, I've been reading your Carol, Mak[ing] human stories to move human beings poems. It's a great collection of poetry with the central thought on saving earth/climate change/making a difference. Your little ones are learning from the best so keep up your project.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Heidi this is just ... breathtaking. So much wisdom, so much truth in this, and I love the form you've used to share it with us. A poem that rewards re-reading and contemplation. Thank you.
ReplyDelete"Their skin is like the bark of saplings" -- I'm transported back to childhood, Heidi.
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