Each
child has one. They all carry one around with them. Sometimes they
take it out during school; sometimes it finds its way out at home.
There are times when the child tries yet cannot find it. There are
times when it shows up in the most unexpected places. When pushed to
extract it, they often resist. When encouraged to experiment with it,
they often oblige. It what's inside all of them...all of us, for that
matter.
The inner writer.
We spent a week with Lincoln School's beloved poet, Bill Buczinsky. A man after the writings of a child's heart. A man with exuberance, skill, talent, and energy. He lights up the school with words, sparking the writer in each of our students. He brings to the table a pencil and paper, mixes in some words, and dabbles with meaning. He throws around metaphors while delivering the idioms, and he does it with fervor and a passion that's unmistakable.
My students' inner writers came forth. They engaged in the content, immersed themselves in the lessons, and proudly took up the challenge. They orchestrated free verse and tackled Haiku. They explored nouns and adjective, verbs and adverbs. They danced with sentence fragments and were told it was ok.
Each year when Bill leaves, the magic he brings leaves with him. There always is, however, a smattering of that magic that lingers behind...finding its way to the hearts and minds of those left behind with it. It's awe-inspiring to witness the invisible magic work its way into the inner writer of each of my students. It becomes part of them and they are better off for having spent the week completely engrossed in the "power of the poet".
Each child has one. An inner writer that is always capable of bursting forth and expressing the inner thoughts, feelings, aspirations, and inspirations of its host.
Each child has one. Ours is the task to invite that inner writer to come forth.
Thanks Bill, for a week that brought the inner writers out; and for letting so many see the beauty in the written word.
Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten
The inner writer.
We spent a week with Lincoln School's beloved poet, Bill Buczinsky. A man after the writings of a child's heart. A man with exuberance, skill, talent, and energy. He lights up the school with words, sparking the writer in each of our students. He brings to the table a pencil and paper, mixes in some words, and dabbles with meaning. He throws around metaphors while delivering the idioms, and he does it with fervor and a passion that's unmistakable.
My students' inner writers came forth. They engaged in the content, immersed themselves in the lessons, and proudly took up the challenge. They orchestrated free verse and tackled Haiku. They explored nouns and adjective, verbs and adverbs. They danced with sentence fragments and were told it was ok.
Each year when Bill leaves, the magic he brings leaves with him. There always is, however, a smattering of that magic that lingers behind...finding its way to the hearts and minds of those left behind with it. It's awe-inspiring to witness the invisible magic work its way into the inner writer of each of my students. It becomes part of them and they are better off for having spent the week completely engrossed in the "power of the poet".
Each child has one. An inner writer that is always capable of bursting forth and expressing the inner thoughts, feelings, aspirations, and inspirations of its host.
Each child has one. Ours is the task to invite that inner writer to come forth.
Thanks Bill, for a week that brought the inner writers out; and for letting so many see the beauty in the written word.
Mr. Casten
Sept. 14, 2012
You can visit Bill Buczinsky's website at:
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