SOL #27
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Mr. Al surrounded by children.
With our 6th grade students in the parish (district), we have been doing an enrichment Wednesday each month that we call WOW for Way Out Wednesday. This year’s theme has been wonder. One of the wonders of our area is this huge old oak tree named Mr. Al. A few years ago, Mr. Al was in the way of a planned service road next to the highway. Protesters were instrumental in getting Mr. Al moved to a safer location. He now overlooks an intersection of the highway, Highway 90 at Weeks Island Road.
This past Wednesday was a gorgeous spring day. We took the 20 students out to Mr. Al for a picnic. They sketched and wrote poetry. I coached the poetry writing with a suggestion that they look outside and write description, then look inside for a memory or inner feelings, then go outside again. Darian came to me with an idea. She was caught up on the directions, though. She told me she saw the whole area as a kingdom and Mr. Al was the king. I loved this creative response and told her, “Yes, this idea is using your imagination that is inside you.” She crafted this poem.
What a wonderful way to honor Mr. Al with writing and drawing. The time was peaceful and productive. A true gift to the students and their teachers.
A tree in the middle of nowhere,
As lonely as can be.
But the tree is not as lonely,
As the eye can see.
Ferns and flowers, moss and thorns,
Give the tree some company.The hill is a castle,
Its rightful ruler on top.
A king greater than all kings.
King Al is protected by his guards,
The ants and spiky plants.
His loyal citizens obey his commands,
For they are the flowers,
purple, yellow, white and green.
His advisers–the fern, magnolia and evergreen,
Work together in harmony.Long branches reach out,
As if to be holding up the sky.
Leaves more numerous than stars.Mr.Al is a wonder of nature,
Nature of wonder .–Darian, 6th grade
Reflections on the Teche 
Beautiful pairing of words and pictures here–you and your students were clearly inspired!
Teaching Tree Love! You continue to amaze and inspire me, Margaret. Have fun on your trip to your parents. Seriously, I miss you and want to see you next week, so let’s please make that happen. I’m a bit overwhelmed but this too will pass. Safe travels and big hellos to your family and Jeff. Peace, Jen
“Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.” – Anaïs Nin
I love days when you can offer your students learning, but mostly time, to write and to think. I always feel refreshed on days like this, as I felt you did too as I read your piece. I wish you more spring days for writing.
What a truly lovely poem! It amazes me that young children have such talent (I, myself, have no God-given talent for poetry). The tree is beautiful, too. I’d love to do some writing underneath Mr. Al myself!
I love Darian’s poem, and will have to find a Mr. Al near me and worship at his knee. 🙂
I am amazed that they were able to move that tree – what a beauty! As is the poem written in its honor. Looks warm and lovely where you are, Margaret!
That tree is magnificent! I like those directions, and Darian’s poem turned out so creative! It’s great when you can get outside the confines of the school building and enjoy nature!
I loved the poem! But a distraction to me was – they were able to move that tree???? Amazing! Now there’s a tree story/poem for your kids to think about! I wonder how Mr. Al felt about that.
Oh, lucky lucky Mr. Al. He was moved. Children write poems about him. He has a beautiful tree-life. I am glad we get to celebrate him here today, Margaret!
Margaret, I think the whole idea of writing around and under Mr. Al is so inspiring for your students. Perhaps, they will offer their poems to the newspaper. That would be a great human relations story for the local news. Wow to your students, especially Darian.
Did I get this right? That tree was actually moved? How in the world did they do that? This gives me a feel of Bridge to Terabithia. Wonderful poem too!
Well done, Darian! We all need a tree to call our imagination home.
What a spectacular tree, and Darian’s poem is a such a beautiful tribute. Your students’ poetry always amazes me, Margaret. They’re so lucky to have you as their teacher!
We went out to sketch and write today too, but have no wonderful Mr. Al. How beautiful this is. I do love my trees and seeing other old ones. thanks, Margaret.
Wait…they MOVED that tree? And it SURVIVED??? Well, methinks part of the wonder would have been seeing that move take place. Go, Mr. Al — you are a true survivor!!
Darian uses great details. Two thumbs up for Darian’s poem about Mr. Al and for taking “field trips” to write poetry!
[…] week we took our 6th grade students to an old oak tree to write. On Friday I posted this poem by Darian inspired by this field trip. Nature is a wonderful place to find inspiration for […]