A Little Bit of Wonder Goes a Long Way

 Principal ponderings...

On Sunday, we discovered a secret fairy trail in Shrewsbury.  Actually, thanks to our amazing lunch monitor, Alice, for reminding me about this place.  We told the kids we were going to a secret place and when we pulled up, it looked like a trail that we normally take our dog to on walks.  At first there was a lot of groaning...why do we have to go here?...I don't want to hike...when are we going to do something fun?

And then something magical happened.  As soon as we got a few feet into the trail, they started discovering all kinds of surprises along the way.  I wish I could have bottled up the squeals of surprise and wonder that suddenly filled up the forest...coming from their little bodies.  Their groans were replaced with...look at this mommy!...I found this!...come here quick!

As we got deeper into the secret trail, we discovered shiny pieces of crushed glass in the ground.   Fairy dust!  Even my husband turned to me and said this is pretty amazing.  (After I reassured him that it wasn't broken bottles, and it was supposed to be there!) Every time we turned a corner or peaked under a branch, we found a ceramic bunny or a positive quote on a tree or a stone carved into an owl.

This secret world we discovered brought out so much excitement and wonder in my kids and myself!  There were benches and little tables, spots to stop and observe the magical surroundings.  And what was amazing was we right behind a neighborhood where you could just make out the houses.  It's like we were in a little magical bubble, so close to the real world, but able to be transported to a special place that no one at the time seemed to know about.  We could have spent hours here.  And of course, there was a little free library so naturally getting books from the secret trail made it even better.

I went and searched for more info about this place after we got home.  One of the houses, an offshoot of the trail leads you to it, is owned by the man who created this enchanted spot.  I wonder if he realizes how many kids he has had an impact on?  Just by adding little (and big) items here and there, sprinkling in crushed glass, fairy dust, into the trail, he transformed a simple nature trail into a place of wonder.  I don't have to remind all of you of the power of wonder.  What can you take from this story of our Sunday adventure?  How can you sprinkle in some "fairy dust" into your lessons?  How can you turn groans into oohs and ahas?

While a beautiful tiled bench or a giant metallic dinosaur are amazing creations, you don't need something so big or complicated.  Honestly, I think my kids were most excited about the tiny pieces of crushed glass mixed in the dirt, guiding them on their path of exploration.  

A little bit of wonder goes a long way.  

How will you mix wonder into your classrooms this week?

Currently reading:

I am reading another Alan Gratz book, Allies.  I just love his historical fiction books! 

I am excited to start listening to a new Audible book I got called Start Here Start Now: A Guide to Antibias and Antiracist Work in Your School Community. 

Events this Week:

Tuesday - Liz out of the building for MSAA Convocation and Board Meeting, Chess Club starts, 3:30-4:30 in the library

Thursday - Liz at PLT Meeting @ 8-10:00

Friday - Library Committee Meeting @ 4:00, Last day to order Spirit Wear

Great Things I Noticed Last Week:

• The 3rd grade team made their mark on Dot Day! 
  
  
  
• Thank you to everyone who was understanding and chipped in to help when we were extra short handed with custodial help.  Our amazing office secretary proved yet again that she can do anything! 

  

  
  
• Mrs. Leroy's 1st graders shared stories about people choosing to be nice and how it made them feel.  We almost have every student's signature on our banner! 

  

  
  
• The new gaga pits were a big it at recess this week! 

  

  
  

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