The spider's touch, how exquisitely fine!
Feels at each thread, and lives along the line.
Alexander Pope
There is a
giant spider web along my front walk. It is framed by two bushes, and the pink
clematis serves as a backdrop. In the morning it catches drops of dew and
sunbeams, sending sparkles to greet any passerby.
Everyone pauses when they see it. Not only because of its size (however big you are thinking, think
bigger), but also because of its intricate design. It is a masterpiece.
I've seen a
number of webs in my lifetime, yet few have stuck with me like this particular
web. I'm reminded of our classrooms. Each August, we weave together a group
of lives into one massive web. We become intricately connected.
How can we
set our "webs" apart, making them masterpieces? I think we can learn from the
spider. She weaves each strand together, linking them at different points. We
can do this with our students, connecting them to one another based on shared
interests as well as common experiences. Each strand is linked at more than
one point, adding strength to the web. When we spend time connecting students
to one another, we link the community in an intricate way. In addition, the
spider takes time to weave her web. It isn't a process that can be rushed. It takes
time to build a masterpiece. By learning lessons from the spider, we can create
classroom communities that sparkle even more beautifully than the web along my
walk.
This week we look at how to build community early in the school year. Plus more as always -- enjoy!
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