"I have always imagined that Paradise will be some kind of library." ~ Jorge Luis Borges

Showing posts with label Frederick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frederick. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Taking lessons from Frederick

In the book Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children's Book edited by Anita Silvey, 100 leaders from the arts, humanities, science and business each share how a specific children's book influenced them. You can hear Anita Silvey talking about the book at the Library of Congress.
I shared some of the stories with students last year. I think the Peter Lynch essay is fabulous!  This coming year I would love to inspire the students to write their own essay. Stay tuned on that front.  Right now, I want to share one of mine.
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I spend the summer on a mountain.  Actually I spend it on the side of a mountain.  Really I spend it on the side of a mountain that was a former volcano.  There is always something interesting to do - hike, bike and walk; plant, grow and harvest; or, swim, dive, and paddle.  I engage in these activities, but I spend a good deal of each day just being - looking and listening.  I came to a realization this year.  I am like Frederick. If you are not familiar with the book, watch this.
Like Frederick, I gather sun rays, colors and words.
I hold onto these images and sounds to remember them during the  dark, cold days of winter.
Like Frederick, I gathered the sights and sounds of summer to share.
But unlike Frederick, I am impatient so will share some of them with you now. Don't worry, I still gathered plenty more sounds and sights to share later.