When I look out my window I see majestic branches frosted in glistening snow. I see intricately designed snowflakes falling all around me. I see beauty. I see a glorious piece of nature unique to my window.
This fall I had the opportunity to worth with my amazing friend and colleague, Erin Olson (@eolsonteacher) on a project that was near and dear to my heart, and through that work, and I now also see poetry.
I see a rhythm and beauty and an elegance and a story that didn't exist before. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. These pictures are worth so much more. They are an identity.
By photographing and writing about where I live, how I live, and what makes it unique, I am able to share my view - my window - with the world. Sharing my world via "Out My Window" gives others a chance to see the world through my eyes.
What do kids see out their window? And what impact would it have if they could see out another student's window? Being able to express yourself, share your point of view, and make sense of the world around you are great skills - but being able to appreciate where you are and find the beauty in the ordinary are skills that are undervalued. Those skills, coupled with connections with peers across the globe create an experience that reaches extraordinary.
Your post made me think of a project a 1st grade teacher from BC Canada uses to connect her students with other classes; it focuses on looking outside the window of the classroom and taking a photo and sharing that photo with other classes. I wrote a post about it: http://bit.ly/1evTAC8
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