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Working with Play



ISAT time has come to a close.

The time changes this weekend. 

Spring Break will be here in two weeks.

The fever of the new season will grab hold of us all. 

Often it rings in as a time for renewal.  A time to come out of Winter's sleepy hold.  A time to breathe in the warm fresh air that has that distinct Midwestern Spring smell about it.  It rings in warmer days, pleasant nights, and breathtaking beauty as flowers bloom and trees bud.  

One of the best parts of my work as a teacher, aside from watching my students learn and grow, is watching them play.  The art of play is so natural to them as they romp and laugh, stomp and march, scream and yell, run and hide.  They delight in the movement that they seemed to have lost, to a certain degree, during the cold winter months.  Their play is infectious.  It helps me to welcome the new season and all that comes with it.  Play provides them, as well as adults, with the opportunity to be silly, to be fun, to be free from the responsibilities of life.  It gives us the opportunity to let go. 

The energy that fills the room during Spring helps fuel the engines that bring us to summer.  We learn much in the next two months or so, we also play hard.  It's a balancing act that allows work and play to stand next to one another while supporting each other.  

ISAT week has come to a close.  The clocks change this weekend.  Spring Break will be here soon.  We have our work cut out for us and we have our play to help us through.  It's always a great time of year, Spring is.


Mr. Casten
March 9, 2012

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten

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