Upper School Blog: Sounds of Elementary - A Meditation

Safety

Step into a classroom at Aidan and you will surely hear the reassuring sound of whirring fans refreshing the indoor air. The Plasmawave filters are more of a whisper ushering circulation. Reminders such as “Wash your hands for twenty seconds,” and “Make sure your mask covers your nose please,” are often kindly exchanged throughout the day. Some of these sounds become a background layer that we barely notice, but are still ever present, coming from sources that keep us safe, healthy, and mindful.

Learning

The discussion topics in a single work cycle are varied and exciting. At one end of the room, math facts are asked, exchanged, and verified. This might sound like the gentle taps of Bead Bars on the Checkerboard, the clink of beads from the Racks and Tubes, or the clang of the metal fraction pieces. It might also sound like a rapid-fire exchange between a quizzer and a player: “6x3?” “18!” “8x9?” “72!” “Yes!” It may sound like a flurry of interjections as children list them, one by one: “Yahoo!” “Gosh!” “Aww.” “Cheerio!” “Gesundheit!” “Oy vey.” “Hiya!”

At another end of the classroom, a muffled song erupts and its catchiness invites more voices. "Little darlin’, I feel that ice is slowly melting. Little darlin’, it seems like years since it’s been clear." This joins the chorus of pencils taking notes about animal facts, the shuffle of papers that lists National Parks, and a pending science experiment about chemical reactions.

In the middle of the classroom is a shuffle of feet belonging to someone seeking inspiration. The feet stop at a table, with their owner asking, “What are you doing?” then to another table asking, “What is that?” then to a third table to ask, “May I join your science experiment?”

Friendship

The interactions among the children are a range of volumes and tones. Friendship can sound like silence between two children, sitting relatively close by yet still respecting appropriate physical distancing, working on similar activities. It can sound like joyful collaboration on research projects about Misty Copeland, Ole Kirk Christiansen, Karl Benz, and other heroes. Friendship can sound like an accepted apology or one person bravely expressing, “I don’t like when you do that.” It can sound like an exchange of jokes, stories, laughter, and songs. It can sound like an invitation to a lesson. Friendship has open ears to one’s own thoughts and that of others as well.

The Elementary classroom can be abuzz with activity, euphonious and joyful. The rhythm of the day follows the child and the melody is created by the child. How grateful I am to be part of the audience.

- Grace Rind, Magnolia Lower Elementary Teacher