“Leaves” by Breonya, Grade Three

Leaves

I sometimes see leaves

blowing off the trees

giving a green love sound

a blowing sound

leaves smile in a great big soul

Nature: An InsideOut Approach

My students and I focus on nature as a prompt for thought and feeling, and as a tool for eventual descriptive drawings and poetry. I swear by the amazing outcomes of using the nature journal as a tool for learning. The landscape recorded by the journal can be the playground, trees, plants, and grasses surrounding the school. The tools needed are very inexpensive. As Gary Snyder wrote: “To see a wren in a bush, call it “wren,” and go on walking is to have seen nothing. To see a bird and stop, watch, feel, forget yourself for a moment, be in the bushy shadows, maybe then feel “wren”–that is to have joined in a larger moment with the world,” –Gary Snyder, Language Goes Two Ways, 1995. To see the nature that surrounds them and is part of their neighborhoods and communities is an important way for students to develop a sense of a caring community. By the way, this natural approach has been evaluated and documented in my classes. It works, and it’s fun. I love being in IO classroom with the DPS students.

Letter from Detroit to One of Her Own

Dear Alana,

I am weary. I am tired. I feel as though a long winter’s nap might do my soul some good. I’m glad for your heartfelt apology—I wish others felt the same. I feel helpless and powerless as those in charge of me are charged with neglect and thievery. When will my people choose a trustworthy caretaker for me? How long will it be until I can sleep with both eyes shut? Your apology cannot change their hearts, though I wholeheartedly wish it could. I cannot trust anyone—every leader has let me down. What about the things I care about? My streets, my livelihood, my disenchanted youth? How long will they be ignored because of greed and thirst for power? Can you blame me for my weakness? They have devoured my strength and given my dignity away. Can you give me something to hope for? I would do anything for a little pride and a smile again! I’m not asking for the world—only this: give me something to live for again. Give me a reason to lift up my weary head. Please, please don’t leave. Don’t leave me here alone to fend for myself! My life is in your hands.

With love,

Detroit

Letter to Detroit from One of Her Own

Dear Detroit,

Forgive us. Others may blame you but I know who’s at fault. You have been left helpless, wrecked, and abandoned by just shy of a million people who call you their own. You are the streets, the houses, the parks, the buildings, yet we are your life, your breath, your change, and lately, your demise. You cannot break your own windows, litter your own streets, or pollute your own air. It is us, standing in the shadows letting you take the blame. Detroit, lift up your crying face, wipe your tears, for I am the chief of all sinners. When will your people take responsibility for their actions? When will they stay to repair the damage they have caused? We use you, abuse you, and leave you to rot while we escape to the suburbs. One day it will haunt us. One day we will stand in judgment for what we have done to you. Some have been honest with themselves, you know, the brave ones who gave you a new riverfront and the Super Bowl clean-up. Sadly, most of us still bitch and complain about your treatment of us, while we invest our money into suburbs that don’t care. Detroit, you are no disappointment to me. You are my pride, my joy, my strength. Teach me to suffer for you as you have suffered for me. Teach me to take the blame with the humility and grace that you have. Somehow, I already know that you have forgiven me and will welcome me back with open arms.

Much love,

Alana Hoey

Western International High School