Hello Friends,
Gratitude is a lens through which to see the world. As our elementary families settled down into the Growing Room this morning and every window was filled with blue skies and a child’s artistic expression of gratitude, I felt my lens shift. Then, little voices began to sing,
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.
Each grade stood up and reminded us of life’s simple delights. One student shared how his cat taught him to be brave. Another was grateful for edamame. This one for his lizard and that one for her family. One child thanked trees for the oxygen they produce.
And then our sixth graders left us with these final words from the Mohawk Thanksgiving Address:
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Maria Montessori understood the power of gratitude. In fact, she knew that without it, the point of education evaporates. If students do not appreciate what has come before, how can they truly understand the value of what they are learning now?
“History should not be taught as a collection of dates and places. But rather be approached to arouse gratitude and appreciation. This gratitude should be aroused first to the law and order of the universe and the preparation of the environment into which human beings came.” ~ Maria Montessori
Not only does gratitude deepen one’s educational experience, but research shows us that people who consciously make an effort to express gratitude are happier, healthier, and more helpful and kind toward others.
We wish you a Thanksgiving filled with joy and moments of giving thanks to every small miraculous delight. I can tell you this, based on what I heard from the students today about what they have learned from cats, lizards, and horses, I will be paying close attention to our pet rabbit over the next couple of days.