The Winter Tree Festival of 2013
Trees are not necessarily up for discussion only during the Christmas Season. ~The Tree festival should be all the time! Catherine aged 5
Posts
Don't Wait for the Elephants!
Too often we wait for elephants to come rushing into our classrooms, those huge moments where we can find direction for new work with the children. And as we wait, we tend to miss the tiny ants, those opportunities that are nothing short of extraordinary. As teachers we have to make a shift in the way we listen and see. I mean really see what sits before us. We must be present in the ordinary moments of our days with the children and they will show us the way! Late in September, this particular experience was given a voice because the teacher watched and listened as her students walked across the forest path that had welcomed the first leaves of autumn. For the most part it still looked and felt much like a summer day as only a handful of colored leaves were nestled on the branches. "I only see green leaves. How can it be autumn if the trees are still green?" wondered Bianca. Her teacher invited her to look closer at the top of the trees. Did she see any colorful leaves. Bia...
Good Old Santa Claus!
Here he is, that magical elf who, once a year, creates such a stir. Is he Santa Claus, St Nicholas, Kris Kringle, or Father Christmas? Just where did his legend begin? St Nicholas dates back as far as the third century. Of Greek decent Nicholas was born to a wealthy family. When he was a young boy his parents died in the plague and subsequently he devoted his life to God gifting much of his wealth the needy. Kris Kringle is of German decent, referring to the Christ Child. He came into homes long after everyone was asleep, leaving tokens to symbolize the gifts of Christianity . Father Christmas or Old Man Winter was a figure in pagan celebrations around winter. He travelled to peoples homes and in exchange for food and drink he blessed them with a mild winter. As as most old legends do, over hundreds of years, they merge together to create new legends. Hence our modern story of Santa Claus.
There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays!
The single most amazing thing about the holiday season is that it brings family and friends together. For a short time we all take a break from the madness of life and we celebrate our blessings. Happy Holidays wherever you may be!