Here are some of the responses:
"Doors closing"
"Voices"
"A chair scraping across the floor"
"Laughter"
"The crinkling of a piece of paper"
It is incredible what we notice when really focused on the present moment.
We've been looking at Japanese Sumi-e painting. I've read that many Samurai swordsmen practiced Sumi-e painting because the strokes used were similar to the strokes used in swordsmanship. Also, the calm needed in creating a beautiful piece of artwork was also needed on the battlefield. I talked with the students about the contrast between these two things; painting is a peaceful act while fighting a battle is full of violence.
In honor of the Samurai warrior-painters, during our movement work we focused on the warrior poses in yoga. We talked about how in yoga, much of the "battle" is about becoming your personal best self. I shared the word "namaste" which is a respectful greeting in Hindu custom. I like to explain Namaste to children as "the best parts in me honor the best parts in you". This is very connected to finding our best selves, and looking for the best things in other people.
After moving through many of the warrior poses we were ready to start making art! I introduced the art concept of tinting a color. In order to create our cherry blossoms, we tinted red to make various shades of pink. The students observed photographs and other Sumi-e artworks to paint the blossoms on their trees, though many students were still busy using the ink to create the branches. It will be fun to see these when they are finished!
