Celebrating National Poetry Month #14: The First Chapter

The First Chapter

to my sister

Silver Valley Girl

Reflecting on the beginnings of

her historical fiction,

her hands fluttered in excitement as

she shared her revisions.

She is surrounded by

The women writers at The Swallow’s Nest,

Her mind journeyed back as Mother Earth,

embracing the Cataldo Mission.

Through her prose she introduced

the Coeur d’Alene Indian, the

Italian immigrant, and the

girl named Elizabeth.

Gentle suggestions, questions for clarification

and praise spilled out over coffee and warm cake.

“Who is telling this story?

What about the point of view?”

Her thoughts drifted far away to a place long ago.

“Oh… the view… when standing atop the hill by the Mission it is breathtaking,”

she replied

as she closed her journal and smiled.

by Inland Empire Girl, 2006

WASL, Wild Weather, and Watercolor

creations after watercolor class

This week I am spending time each day proctoring the Washington State Assessment of Learning. As students completed tests each day we planned some alternate activities to give them a break before afternoon classes.
A community worker organized a game of dodge ball that the students loved... they used marshmellows instead of balls. Fortunately she had clean ones they could eat when the game was over.

I had groups of students do watercolor in my classroom. I realized how much I missed "the old days" when I taught art each week to my elementary students. After a few quick lessons on technique I just let them be creative.
As we finished yesterday a huge hailstorm interrupted our art lesson. What is it about hail that makes students want to run outside and catch the stones on their tongues?
Students loved experimenting with watercolor washes, creating their names or other creations like the ones at the top. I can't wait to see what we can add to the collection tomorrow!