Wonder and Awe

“All this he saw, for one moment breathless and intense, vivid on the morning sky; and still, as he looked, he lived; and still, as he lived, he wondered.” ~Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

The awakening of wonder and awe in students is a preeminent part of Classical Education.  A true Classical Education begins in wonder and awe and ideally ends in wisdom. Since the School of Grammar is the beginning of formal Classical Education, it only makes sense that teachers are trying to awaken wonder and awe in their students.  As parents you did this when your children were younger and hopefully continue to build upon the wonderment and awe they bring home from school each day.  In an effort to share some of those wondering and awe-inspiring moments, we have made a bulletin board outside the School of Grammar office.  It is the “Wonder and Awe” board.  Students and teachers are adding their moments of wonder and awe to the board.  Take a look at a few of the things that have come up just recently.  They may inspire some wonder and awe in you, as well.

The first grade took a field trip to the Old Log Theater in Excelsior to see a play.  They watched Cinderella.  First graders are learning to compare and contrast different versions of fairy tales in their reading classes.  Watching the play gave them another version to analyze and helped them learn how to be a good audience at a special event.  Thank you to the parents who sent their children in formal dress (as required for field trips).  As you know dressing differently for an occasion can heighten the sense of importance for that occasion.

Speaking of uniforms and dress code…please make sure your child comes to school in a uniform that is clean and neat in appearance.  Items with rips, holes, and tears should be relegated to play clothes or mended before students wear them to school again.  If you have having any financial difficulties with uniforms, please let me or your child’s teacher know.  We sometimes have ways to help families purchase some new pieces if the old ones are outgrown or just worn out and finances are an issue. Also, watch the Eagle Eye for the next PTO sponsored used uniform sale. 

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier

Rocks

"The rock I'd seen in my life looked dull because in all ignorance I'd never thought to knock it open.  Rock collecting was opening mountains.  It was like poking about in a grimy alley and finding an old, old coin.  Nothing was as it seemed.  The earth was like a shut eye.  Pry open the thin lid and find a crystalline intelligence inside, a rayed and sidereal beauty. Crystals grew inside rock like arithmetical flowers.  They lengthened and spread, adding plane to plane in awed and perfect obedience to an absolute geometry that even the stones-maybe only the stones-understood." ~Annie Dillard

Rocks…why study rocks? There are so many reasons!  History of the earth and discovery of true beauty are a couple that pop into my mind.  Fourth grade students have been studying rocks and minerals in science for many different reasons.  Mrs. Madigan noted in her newsletter that, “Geologists should have keen eyes and be good at selecting the correct tools to use in their work.  Geologists are discoverers and should always look for patterns and make educated guesses using the knowledge they have.”  The things discovered from a simple rock can be quite amazing.  The fourth graders made some amazing discoveries when they tried to identify rocks and minerals in class last week.  I wonder if they will look at simple rocks in the same way ever again!

Please consider joining our parent coffee book study of The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey.  If you plan to join please let me know, so we can reserve a spot for you.  The next parent coffee will be on Tuesday, January 5^th at 8:00.  I hope to hear from you and see you there!

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier