Spring Ceramics: Bird Nests with Eggs

Spring has Sprung and Countdowns Have BEGUN!

As far as I am concerned, the school year is over. Yesterday I had the unique experience of traveling to THREE different elementary buildings and making my author/illustrator presentations to students in PreK through third graders at each building! Thank goodness we had a guide, because we were off the grid a tad and the schedule was cutting it close. I took as many pictures as possible, but these just melted my heart. 

Look at these little clay eggs in the nest. 

No matter if you teach Preschool or third grade, {or even junior high!!!} the students that come into your life at the beginning of your school year are your 'babes' your 'peeps' your 'monsters' your 'stars' your 'friends'....... 

whatever the euphemism, they are in your heart. They are little eggs in the proverbial nest. Even though they have been assigned to you, they are yours forever.

The seasons change. The routines are learned. 

The students grow. 

The birthdays are celebrated. 

As the year winds down it is indeed amazing to reflect back over all of the growth that has amassed. 

Children that started the year in tears at the thought of crossing your threshold are now back to tears at the thought of leaving you. Somehow that all transpired in about 172 days. You have showered them with a blanket of care and concern and your classroom has indeed become their second home. A place of trust and learning. A harbor in the storm. A repository of memories made and learning treasured. 

It is now time for the little 'egglets' to hatch and fly on to their next adventure. 

There will be more than a few tears shed during the coming weeks. 

There's so much to do! 

So many loose ends to tie up. 

So much documenting to attend to. 

As you wish well each little pup. 

I have a digital file of three VERY simple little songs. 

EXTREMELY appropo for PreK 

Still fun for these fleeting K moments, too. 

[Click the pic to jump to Teachers Pay Teachers for an immediate purchase.] 

As we travel across the countryside this morning, 
I was literally stopped in our tracks by this mama and her fledglings, 
navigating initially across the parking lot. 

Then came the extreme 'corner' transition, from paved way to grass. 
GRADUATION of sorts! 
Mama went right up that corner without missing a beat. 
I had no idea how those littles were going to shimmy up the steep incline to rejoin her on their way to water. 
I was fascinated. 
They waited their turn! 

Those feathered fluff balls squirmed and waddled and up they went! 
Some were completely 'ready' and up they hopped
on the first heartbeat. 

Others awaited their turn only to stand still and show their concern. 
Some were prompted from behind. 
Others were prompted from ahead. 

In the end? 
EACH made it over the 'hurdle' at hand, 
leaving the paved and foreign for the reward of their natural homestead.

Mama duckling continued her march forward without an apparent look over her shoulder at the progress of her peeps.  

The role of teacher is different from that of mama. 
Teachers are emotionally invested for certain. 
They also have the absolute trust and certainty that their charges will make their way. 

I learned a lot by watching the feathered wonder. 
She led by example. 
She trusted her brood. 
They responded. 
They rose to her expectations. 

Here's a couple of glimmers from our Mother's Day weekend with my own peeps. Our son-in-law is again deployed over to the 'desert' and so I was especially glad that we could be with our Mama Duck. 

I include these here for my own Mama Duck! 

This next set of images was taken at our final moment together. 
At the bus stop. 
{WonderBoy catches the early morning trip.} 
This is sunny late morning for the WonderTwins trek to afternoon kindergarten. 
It may well be the last half-day kindergarten ANYwhere! 
Full day is not an option for them, in their rural district. 
Can you believe it? 
We were all thrilled to have the sunshine return.