Invasion of the Charcoal!

How can such a tiny piece of black charcoal create such angst and yet generate moments of clarity? As the toddler room begins its exploration with paper and charcoal we notice: markings, movements, mess, and at times mayhem! But within the tension of exploring how footprints-bodies-charcoal-papers become entangled, something unexpected emerges!

Paper transforms, charcoal bits and pieces transform, tracing transforms, and human relations with charcoal transform. As Shelley and I reflect on the happenings of the past couple of days we sit with the uncomfortable feeling that charcoal is not welcome in the classroom. But we are not abandoning our contentious relationship. Instead we zoom in with great focus. EDGES!

It is at the edges, the sense that charcoal is encroaching into the spaces we have yet to invite it. As we continue to think with edges we reflect on our experiences on the paths outside and how the human–cricket–woolly-bear–walkway–forest are blurring and the edges are transforming.

As we enter day 3 we bring new wonderings about edges. How might inside-outside edges invite new wonderings as we continue to explore alongside charcoal and paper? How are the tracings and movements of charcoal similar to the movements of children as they encounter critters along the trails and pathway?

This is not easy work!