The Magic Land

“It’s a magic land” replied the first grader. He had just finished drawing a dinosaur holding a valentines heart, and then adding watercolor to his art. I particularly noticed his art because he had added some impressionistic swirls under the dinosaur. I bent down, pointed to the swirls, and said “I really like these colors – is this an ocean or land?” Which is kind of a stupid question, I realize now, since a dinosaur would not be standing on an ocean. He responded “it’s a magic land”. I’m still a bit stunned at the contrast of his expansive interpretation of his art versus my pedestrian and unimaginative, oh, is this A or B?

It was a great class. Taught by an experienced and talented teacher, and I was there as an observer/helper. The 20 first graders learned how to use and care for a watercolor palette. They learned how to mix water and paint at the desired consistency. They learned how to pencil draw, and erase and redraw if they wished to modify any part of it. They worked in groups of three, and learned how to share the water with their group. They learned how to listen to direction and ask questions along the way. They learned to clean up after an art project. And they learned to seal their color palette at the end so it would not dry out. All this in 35 minutes.

When I accepted the job as a teacher, I wondered if the novelty and excitement might wear off after a bit. I transitioned from a happy retirement to full time teaching. The thought rarely crosses my mind anymore. I’m in a place where dinosaurs walk on magic lands, and where small children develop into smart, healthy, and happy human beings. It’s a magical place to be.