100,000 views for clay, paint and dirt

Cheers to 2014.
With it, a landmark milestone was passed for Zella Said Purple: over 100,000 page views over the last three years. 

1.CLAY: My Break-up Letter with the Reggio Approach

I must say, while I had a small grin across my face when I discovered this number rolled over my page, I am a blogger with a different intention.

I started my blog as a way to have a reflective voice while I was out of the classroom for a year recuperating from ankle surgery. My public narrative of children's learning processes was a joy to write and actually changed my life as an educator.

2. PAINT: Be That Teacher

The weaving of these stories are the fabric of my teaching life.
I am lucky enough to blog when it strikes me, sometimes quiet for a length of time, sometimes writing in bursts.

With that said, it is cool to see what posts have been the Big Reads that resonated with or were shared by the masses. I don't write with that hope in mind, so it is a surprise when a topic or photo captures the attention of readers.

3. DIRT: For the Love of Dirt

When reviewing my most read posts, I had another grin on my face because surely only in early childhood could these three focuses be The Top 3 Posts: Clay, Paint and Dirt. The lead photos for these posts were absolutely highlighting young children's engagement with these elements. 
Please click on the photos or captions to go to the full post!

gotta love clay paint dirt.

"the hug came flying at me"

"The hug came flying at me. All I saw was thin blue and white stripes and a flash of brown hair. Then, there he was - attached to my side, grappling to me like he belongs there. This is the daily ritual of one 4 year old boy named Alex. He loves people like that everyday, not just me. He loves people with his whole heart and full body. Often, he has some extra wisdom to share while wrapped to me. Today, I learned about snake venom and also candles that super-heroes use at night time. I wish I could live like Alex for one glimmering moment yet I am most grateful to not only be witness to it but be a recipient of that kind of life power joy. All bundled in 40+ pounds of happiness."

If this energy could be harnessed, we could change the world in a blink.

sometimes we talk about god

Sometimes, we talk about super heroes, angels and princesses.

Sometimes, we talk about rocks, sand and mud.

Sometimes, we talk about love, heaven and God. We don't always have the answers or understand it all, but we talk and try to express ourselves.



Sometimes, God and the world are in our art.

Sometimes, it is good to talk about the world, and rivers, and heaven.
And, God.