The term 'essential learning/knowledge' is often used in today's educational settings to identify that knowledge/understanding with which the student should leave the experience. The Elementary "I" project documents memories that are in themselves essential learnings. They are the meanings--emotional, physical, scholastic, or inextricably a mix of these--that we extracted from the experience whether intended or not. Our elementary experiences often shaped our sense of ourselves and provided the window through which we view the world. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative, these experiences often set the tone for future educational experiences and life-long learning.

Fortunately my elementary experiences mirrored my family's philosophy and encouraged curiosity about the world and learning in multiple modes. This was particularly evident to me as I placed myself back in that time frame and remembered feelings, thoughts and experiences from a particular meaningful year so vivid and rich in experience. As I recalled the words as an adult, from the mind of the child that I was, I once again marveled at the innovative and generous teacher she was. I appreciated the opportunity to admire her with adult eyes as well as idolizing her through the eyes of a child. The words, which seem sporadic and sometimes unrelated, are all tied together in this experience and flowed naturally.

"We go outside. Where will we find the chubby little caterpillars? Milkweed! They are hungry. Bring food and grass. Make it a nice home. Where would YOU like to make your special place? You weave, harden, creep out and rejoice! Fly away and be happy." (This was old fashioned "outdoor ed.")

"We each knew we were your favorite...." (We all thought we were.)
"You embrace us with acceptance...you help us celebrate one another's uniqueness." (She helped us find special things in everyone.)

"It’s the world, bring it in. Explore. Connect. Get excited. Reach. Stretch. Always file a broken nail right away. Don't talk with your hands in your pockets. Read. Listen. Be kind. Be thoughtful. Do your best."

"Oh! The art drawers! Please open the art drawers! Can we do it all day?"

"I get to decorate the showcase in the room. I make a desert. Real sand. Real rocks. I make stars and cacti and snakes and spiders." (Truly this was an opportunity to be creative. It probably looked terrible, but I'll never know--it seemed great at the time!)

"I will not say shut up." (or you'll write it a hundred times!)

"Metamorphosis, we gather, hibernate, transcend...."

"Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois. Soybeans, corn, pigs and cows. 24 x 642 x 0 + 3 x 7 x 2 + 21."

"A loving legacy. Peacock blue ink spots on my hands for years to come, a loving and colorful reminder." (She always used peacock blue ink in a fountain pen, so, of course, I had to also...)

Stacy Slack, art teacher,
Kennedy Junior High School