anonymous white napkin

Couple weeks ago went to RE 'Wonder of Learning' Exhibit at the Steinbeck Center.

Couple weeks ago had the rich opportunity to be inspired in person by the stories of Dr. Lella Gandini.

what if you explored a napkin? what if you really really looked at it as Special?

Still letting it all sink in.

Letting words, ideas, and images soak in.

Letting the affects really take hold.

That's how it works for me.

Listening, watching, taking notes.

Relying on these experiences to change me as an educator, to make me a better facilitator for children and new teachers, and to afford me a new lens to really see learning in a new way.

Ideally, as well, relying on these experiences to steal away at least one: "Aha! I have not thought about THAT in THAT WAY before..."

My steal away this time, in particular, had to do with part of the Exhibit that showcased the exploration of White and White and White. Children explored different white papers, textures, and properties of white on its own and what happens to white when manipulated. 

The White Napkin.

It was fascinating to think about the Study of Something that usually is a tool in our everyday lives, as though it itself is already known because we use it. Aha! But perhaps it is not really known very well at all...

The Diana Preschool's White and White Project with 3s & 4s suggest to us:

"A paper napkin on a table is an anonymous object camouflaged by daily use and presence. A customary material which when explored reveals many properties. It is white, lightweight, soft and delicate and just slightly rough to the touch. In layers it obscures light but when unfolded it is almost transparent...Hands, mind and material come together to know each other."

Thoughtful and deliberate exploration of something the children USE daily. 

Have you ever thought of this kind of exploration?

Have you ever given something so simple such focus?

Dr. Lella Gandini: "Young children are not yet attached to their ideas and are willing to test, risk, change and make mistakes."

Let the children explore something we might think is obvious.

Look around your classroom. What might that be?

Look for the anonymous. Look at it Special.

The Diana School: "It is special when we look at it special."

Yep, still letting it all soak in.  Yep.