Ideas bubbling in cooking pots
The weirdest shapes and smells
That issue forth from in their brains.
I’d never thought of such a thing
As birds with horns and witchy magic
There to make a better world.
I have just started a poetry unit with my Year 7 class and it is just the best. Something happens at about fourteen when kids become sullen and don’t want to share ideas in case they get laughed at. But before that time, they are just little bundles of energy that want to tell you anything no matter how outlandish or wacky.
I just marvel at some of those fearless ideas that the Year 7s come out with. It sometimes takes my breath away when they come out with something so utterly inspired. I wonder how an eleven year old has just come up with something that I wish I had come up with.
Normally, they are a bit annoying and I kind of want them to just shut up. But with poetry, it just feels like magic. I wish that I could have more of that magic every day. I wish that I could just bathe in it so that it rubs off on me. The last lesson I left positively glowing, and that’s a lovely thing to say about your job.
Much Love
Rachel xx
Margot Kinberg
You deserve a lot of credit for making the Year 7s comfortable enough with you that they’re willing to share themselves that way. I love those inventive ideas they get, too! I would never want to violate anyone’s privacy – ever – but I’d love to read some of their poems if you could post them without names or something. If not, I understand.
patientandkindlove
That could be a brilliant idea. I know I use my first name, but other than that, this blog is pretty anonymous. I may just outright steal a poem or two and pass them off as my own!!!!
crispina kemp
But it’s also so sad, cos we tell the kids to grow up, get serious, get with the world. And the inspiration flies out the window.
patientandkindlove
It breaks my heart. Something happens around Year 9 and we just never seem to recover from it…
crispina kemp
Some people do… but I think they/we are the ones considered non-conformist problems
Dave Williams
It sounds inspiring to be around the kids when they’re letting loose with ideas. I’m reading the book “Embrace Your Weird” and it talks about the free-flowing creativity when we’re kids, how that becomes walled-up as we grow older and try to fit in with others. But the book encourages readers to remember that creative energy and try to tap into it. Good stuff.