My little Emily is an artist. She is a fragile leaf fluttering in the wind. She blew through the classroom Monday quietly creating. I read aloud the book Emily’s Blue Period by Cathleen Daly. In this story, the character Emily is sad about her parents’ divorce. She uses art to express her feelings. That is how my Emily expressed her feelings. It was her first day back at school following the death of her mother.
I don’t want to become an expert at this, but Emily is helping me discover the best way to handle the death of a child’s parent. Be present. Be flexible. Let the child lead you to what she needs. Do not deny the death. Talk about it. Let the other students express their love. Be patient. Cry. Hope.
This is the collage project she created on her own. She gathered different papers from my box for journal decorating. She patiently used a ruler to make smaller and smaller crosses, nesting them together. The final cross is covered in black yarn glued in a swirl.
Emily needed space. She needed art. She needed freedom. I think I heard her singing.
I am posting my schedule for NCTE. Please join me if you are there.
NCTE Schedule:
Thursday, Nov. 20th from 4:30-6:00 PM: Elementary Section Get Together: I will receive the 2014 Donald Graves award for the teaching of writing, an amazing honor. Read about it here.
Friday, Nov. 21st from 12:30-1:45, I am presenting with colleagues from the National Writing Project: From Poetry To Picture Books To Polemics: We Write and We Teach Writing: A Story of Cross-curricular, Cross grade-level Collaboration Among National Writing Project Teachers.
Saturday, Nov. 22nd Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life dinner. I can’t wait to meet my virtual friends face to face.
Sorry I won’t be at NWP or NCTE this year to celebrate with you face-to-face Margaret, but I am so thrilled for you to be honored for your contributions!
And you remain present in your classroom for students who need your support. What a time for you! Enjoy it all 🙂
This post made me cry. What an amazing teacher you are. Sweet Emily created a beautiful, healing piece of art. I love that book – how perfect that the character is even named Emily!
What a beautiful collage!! I’m so grateful that Emily has you as her teacher. Allowing her to just be right now…that’s exactly what she needs. Bless you, Margaret!!
I’m giddy about being able to meet you in person at NCTE! I’m volunteering so I’m not sure exactly when I’ll be available, but I’m going to try and get there to see you get your award. I’ll definitely see you at dinner!!! Can’t wait!!!!
Emily is lucky to have you and the space and support you provide her. Thank you for sharing your learning. It helps us.
And NCTE! I can’t believe I’m going. I saw all the “un being had last year by Slicers and made the plan to go this year. Thanks for posting your schedule! I’ll SEE you there.
Congratulations, Margaret, on your award! So happy for you! I’m heading over now to read your essay!
This is a sweet Slice about your young friend. I’m so glad she has you for a teacher to be patient and kind and loving. So glad. Thoughts are with her.
I’m glad that you had a time of peaceful work with your Emily, Margaret. You let her begin, and that counts for a lot, doesn’t it? What a sad time for her, and for you and the rest of the class. We just never know when something will happen that rips our lives apart, and having you for a teacher must be wonderful for her. I imagine she wouldn’t have come on Monday if it hadn’t been for your relationship.
So sorry not to be at NCTE this year. What a super time you’ll have, & I’m excited for you & the award-very special! I’ll try hard to be there in spirit!
Congratulations, Margaret!!! And you show your gifts with Emily – you guided her so beautifully in her journey of healing.
Oh Margaret, your Emily reminded me of a student I had who lost both of his parents and of students I have had who lost friends to violence. The string of short sentences just did me in remembering. Art does heal–it is much more than mere paper, glue and craft. Eloquently shown. Congratulations on the Graves award!
“Be present.” Emily is so fortunate that you are present for her, yet wise enough to give her the space she needs right now. Hugs to you both.
Congratulations, Margaret, on your well-deserved honor.
Emily is fortunate to have you as a teacher. Being able to create, to let her be, was a healing process for her. Lovely collage she made! lovely post as well.
[…]  She is a fourth grader whose mother died unexpectedly this fall.  I wrote about her here and here. She has been reluctant ever since to read sad books.  She gave up on Love that Dog when she read […]