Remember Alice? The sleep-deprived child from my Slice on Saturday? She wanted me to let all my readers know that she took my advice and read The Lightning Thief, our current class novel, before falling asleep rather than watching TV. If you’ve ever read The Lightning Thief, you may not think this is such a good book to read before going to sleep. Talk about wild crazy dreams filled with Minotaurs and such. But the book helped Alice fall asleep at a reasonable hour, so she was enthusiastically ready for class today.
She also wanted me to share her Basquiat art piece.
I asked my students for an idea for today’s Slice of Life, and they pointed to a painting I created years ago in a creativity class for my gifted certification. That class was one of my favorites. I loved my teacher and the projects we did. I went searching for the binder. More than any other class, this one taught me how to embrace my own creativity so that I could encourage it in my gifted students. This was a reminder I needed today.
I found the binder, my final project, in a cubby and hugged it close. I’m so glad I kept it. Looking through the binder was like looking into a time capsule. So many things I had forgotten. But my painting with my teaching philosophy remains on the wall of my classroom today. I still believe in it and try to live it everyday.
In the painting, I analogized creativity with opening a door. In my classroom, I want to make the students feel safe as in a birdhouse that gives them the freedom to explore ideas, discover relationships, and ask questions. A cat symbolizes curiosity; the tree, exploring possibilities; and the planet, discovery. The purple mountains symbolize expanding the horizon, and the wildflowers, flexibility.
Margaret Simon, circa 1999
Reflections on the Teche 
Margaret, that painting captures the essence of teaching and learning – opening doors to new possibilities and discoveries that expand horizons for curious minds. Wow! That is powerful, and your students were right to point to this painting. I’m wondering if you have ducks again this year in your boxes yet.
So wonderful. I love Alice’s painting and your cover. Your presence encourages your students every day! Thanks for this glimpse.
What I more and more am coming to realize is that for me to teach, I have to spend time learning it myself. This is why I love your line: this one taught me how to embrace my own creativity so that I could encourage it in my gifted students. It seems to me, because you made that painting and could name all that is important to you as a teacher, you now can truly teach so well. Your students are lucky that you are willing to first be a student.
So cool. Love that the art captures your philosophy that hangs in your room for all to not only see, but know! Thanks for sharing!
I love this embodiment of your philosophy–possibility without boxes. It’s something I think all kids need–not only for gifted kids–a careful balance of safety and freedom, a place to thrive! (Glad that Alice got some rest!)
Such a great philosophy to live by as you teach!