a poem.

PURPLE 
by Alexis Rotella


In first grade Mrs. Lohrsaid my purple teepee
wasn’t realistic enough,
that purple was no color
for a tent,
that purple was a color
for people who died,
that my drawing wasn’t
good enough
to hang with the others.
I walked back to my seat
counting the swish swish swishes
of my baggy corduroy trousers.
With a black crayon
nightfall came
to my purple tent
in the middle
of an afternoon.

In second grade Mr. Bartasaid draw anything;
he didn’t care what.
I left my paper blank
and when he came around
to my desk
my heart beat like a tom tom.
He touched my head
with his big hand
and in a soft voice said
the snowfall
how clean
and white
and beautiful

(In: Step Lightly, Poems for the Journey," Nancy Willard, Ed.)

Mundo Lindo celebrates Spring Break!

It was a beautiful day. The kids are on spring break, so we just had 10 in class today. Why not spend the time in the park?

Before we left the classroom, the kids made quick little sketchbooks. They brought pencils and erasers with them to sketch in the park.


But first, we had to use our plastic bowls as boats in the City Hall fountain.


And it was just too nice a day not to get in the fountain. Evidently, there was a sign that said 'no swimming' but we weren't swimming. 

The security guards thought otherwise, so we went back to the park to dry and and draw.







Yohana drew a picture of one of the security guards. We all went over to show him the picture and he loved it! He asked her to sign it, and if he have it to frame back at the office. It was a very sweet moment!





We finished up our wonderful spring break afternoon at the playground.

Yoga Poses in Public Places!