The winter solstice draws near, and Jupiter and Saturn will come close together as the bright Christmas Star – the first time in 800 years.
Light
It’s all about light in December. Holidays are centered around light. I’ve never seen as many decorated houses as I have this year. It is lovely! People need to feel good, bring some cheer into this pandemic year. Light is the perfect antidote for the blues, and it is truly beautiful.
In my classroom, children are feeling the same way, needing to feel happiness. Can they sense things are different? Yes. Are they feeling a little lost? Yes. Are they anxious? Yes. We decided to string extra lights in the classroom, but that was just the beginning. We added lights to the loft, which is always a favorite place to play. Small, intimate spaces feel good, and light makes it feel even better.
We called it “Fairyland”. Then, things grew. Children wanted to make the walls sparkly and bright. We made crayon melts on aluminum foil. Oh, was it ever fun to slowly melt crayons. We put the foil on an a warming tray- not too hot, just enough to melt the crayons.
We strung colored beads and hung flashlights to add more light and color.
Fairyland became the place to just ‘be’. We talked about how it made us feel. Children need to talk about their feelings. That’s how they learn to sort things out.
We wrote a poem about Fairyland, children’s words about how it makes them feel. We posted it in big bold letters for everyone to see. Interestingly, children wanted to hear me read their poem aloud every day.
Poetry has a special way with words. It makes you feel. It certainly makes the children in my class feel. Deeply. They need this poem. They need light. They need to ‘be’. We all do.
“Give light and people will find the way.”
-Ella Baker-
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Wonderful
Thank you, Beth. 😊
Fairyland looks like a wonderful place to be!
The children definitely think so. 🙂 Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Jennie.
The imagination of a child will show you miracles.
Yes indeed!
Thanking you Jennie for spreading love light and comfort into little hearts.
Many forget the impact all of this has had on little minds.
Thank you for nurturing them and making their imaginary world a brighter safer place.
💚🧡💛🙏
Thank you for your kind words, Sue! They are much appreciated. 🥰
love the addition of the lights in your loft. it would make it that much more magical
It really does! Thank you, Lori.
How wonderful. Love the poem they wrote. LIghts make a huge difference which is why hubby put ours up early this year. xo
Thank you, Darlene. Lights make such a big difference. It seems that every house was decked out in lights on Thanksgiving weekend. It makes people feel good.
Oh! How so very perfect!
Thank you, Ren!
Awesome! ❤ xo
Thank you, Bette! 🥰
Magical and wonderful! 🥰
Thank you, Deborah! ❤️
You are so creative!
Thank you, Jacqui!
As always, Jennie, you exceed every expectation of a teacher. I will say it again, they are lucky to have you in their lives.
Best wishes, Pete.
You are a great champion, Pete. Thank you! Your words are deeply appreciated. Best to you.
Thats looking great, and i am sure a wonderful happening for the children. Sorry, Jennie, the time once again has flown away. Best wishes, Michael
Thanks so much, Michael. Time always seems to fly by with me.
Looks lovely. Have you done “stained glass” with crayons? Iron scrapings between a couple sheets of wax paper.
Yes, I have made that stained glass. Children love it!
If you do it on cloth and then dye it, it looks like batik.
Oooo! Thank you!
This is so lovely 🥰
Thank you, Ritu. 💕
What a fun way to spend time in a fairyland of their own making.
Yes! 🙂
A wonderful fairyland, Jennie. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it, John.
Sounds like a great day. I can imagine how much they enjoyed the crayon melts.
It took a week to plan Fairyland, talk about light, make the crayon melts, ‘be’ for a while, and write the poem. Thanks, Pete. It was wonderful- still is. 🙂
What a fun classroom you have, Jennie!
Thank you so much, Miriam!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
Lucky, lucky childten!
Thank you, Mary Kay! 🥰
Bless you, Jennie for knowing how to help the children get through this tie and for taking the time and making the effort to put those ideas into action.
That is so nice, Dan. Thank you! 😊
Jennie, this is wonderful!!! Thank you for being an excellent teacher!
Thank you so much, Charles!
👏🏻🦋🕊
The singer songwriter Carrie Newcomer has a lovely song about “one flashlight” that says it is really all we need in the dark. I loved the kids’ interpretations of the same idea.
I will look up that song. Thank you, Elizabeth.
delightful … many need a fairyland right now!
I think many do!
This is delightful, Jennie.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Robbie.